The Empath

Though most hale "Amok Time", "The Naked Time", "The Man Trap", and "The City on the Edge of Forever", as the best episodes, and maybe they are, but I would have to say that is the most underrated story of all three seasons. It is an over-looked treasure I couldn't wait to get on DVD. The whole story takes place pretty much in one main facility. There are no back-and-forth to the ship or to other planets and stuff, which means the writing had to be extra clever to keep our attention. The big three of Kirk, Spock, and Bones, are forced to show an alien female what it means to sacrifice your life for someone else. The experiment is conducted by two superior alien beings who lose the meaning of life themselves in the midst of all the testing. With all the bickering Spoke and Bones do, you really see how much compassion they have for each other and their captain.

Yes, it has shortcomings. It is done on the cheap. It is also an intriguing, interesting episode with a message we need to learn from. It has a marvelous performance from the young woman playing Gem. She has one of the most expressive faces I have ever encountered. Granted, it is difficult to watch. The scenes of torture are really quite unnerving. The beings that are testing the young empath are cruel and have lost their right to make judgments. Nevertheless, to react with such rage about this episode. Unless it is some throwaway summer B horror movie to throw a one rating at it is like spitting on someone's birthday cake. Let's consider what else was on in those days, the vapid sitcoms and crummy cop shows. At least let's consider the effort to confront philosophical issues and stretch our minds a bit.

Season 3, episode 12. The Enterprise has arrived at Minara II to save the research group there before a supernova. Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down and find no one there, Scotty is in command of the Ship, he moves the ship to a safe distance from the oncoming solar flare. Scotty and crew will return to the planet as soon as they feel it is safe from the solar flares. Below, Kirk and crew meet a mute empath who McCoy names Gem - she has the ability to heal. Two aliens, the Vians, appear and want specimens: Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The Vians are wanting to study them, their strength, love, courage, etc. - making the trio essentially lab rats of the Vians. They are very lucky to have Gem with them, healing them and taking away their pain. What does Gem have to do with the Vians?

Interesting episode. Gem is much like a dancer and a mime in her movements - very theatrical, beautiful. She speaks volumes without saying a word. Experiments to save Gem and her planet's people.

8.5/10

Thought this was an above average episode. Sometimes less is more, IMO the lack of the usual cheesy and laughable special effects, props and costumes was a huge plus. I found Gem's performance absolutely mesmerizing.

I realize that they had budgetary issues that might be evident in it,but I must agree that the theme of self-sacrifice was indeed a valid one,regardless of any script opinions.The way the empath showed compassion,projected the pain of others on herself,and even healed.Hmmm..theologically mirrors a similar character that we all know who Im referring to!(and it's a Good thing!)True,with all the dark corners of this "underground lab..cost-cutting could easily be inferred,but..how many other 60's shows did the same thing?Irwin Allen's sci-fi series were notorious for this.Anyhow..it's interesting what can be redeemed in spite of working with limited raw materials.