# STAR TREK 12/21 The Man Trap **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 22, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190 "2004-12-22T18:14:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/21 "2004-12-22T23:39:45Z")
^^^Ya know, I saw that book, and I saw a couple paperbacks based on **The Man From U. N. C. L. E.** , but they weren’t very good. I really don’t think the idea of books tying into TV shows or movies will ever really catch on. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/22 "2004-12-23T00:27:54Z")
What’s with the retro vibe and the garish colors? It looks like the sets are made out of plywood and painted with whatever was on sale from Wal-Mart, for pete’s sake! And don’t even get me started on the FX and the makeup. One thing I’ll give them though, that yeoman (Janet Ran?) is \*very \*hot. I hope she sticks around. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/23 "2004-12-23T00:30:35Z")
Wasn’t the ship upside down? ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/24 "2004-12-23T02:00:39Z")
> [@Sir Rhosis](#): > > Speaking of Mr. Johnson, word around the fanzines is that he and William F. Nolan are going to hole up in a hotel here pretty soon and write a novel in three weeks. Something about a dystopia where everybody has to die at age 21. Wonder if it will be any good. I hear they’re making a movie out of it, and casting Michael York in the starring role. Since York was born in 1942, he’s 24 right now, but with a little make-up I’m sure they can make him look 21 for the movie! ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/25 "2004-12-23T02:04:18Z")
Dude! It’s that guy from _Gunfight at the OK Corral_! ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/26 "2004-12-23T02:04:47Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > I hear they’re making a movie out of it, and casting Michael York in the starring role. Since York was born in 1942, he’s 24 right now, but with a little make-up I’m sure they can make him look 21 for the movie! 24? It’s 2004, not 1966. Can I have some of whatever it is you’re on? ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/27 "2004-12-23T02:17:48Z")
In that case, I’ve gotta ask: What the heck were they smoking when they cast the guy who played T.J. Hooker for the role of the _Starship Captain?!_ ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/28 "2004-12-23T02:35:39Z")
I can’t wait until SNL gets ahold of this. It is so ripe for parody. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/29 "2004-12-23T03:56:58Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > 24? It’s 2004, not 1966. Can I have some of whatever it is you’re on? Check the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/30 "2004-12-23T04:25:10Z")
The OP says, “This isn’t the sixties, it is now. Just pretend that episode 1 just aired Yesterday as an NBC Mid season replacement.” ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/31 "2004-12-23T21:06:37Z")
Well, I dug the show. I’ll definitely catch the next episode. Some things I liked: There was no big ‘back story’ in which we met all the characters, and figured out why they are where they are. We get a little bit in the opening credits about some kind of five-year exploration mission (that’s kind of weird, isn’t it? don’t most networks sign people to seven year contracts these days?) and that’s it. We can learn as we go. I can’t wait to learn more about these characters! The ship: it must be huge! I mean, the black girl - Oora or something - didn’t think that it was at all weird that there was another guy on board that spoke swahili, and that they’d never even met! There must be thousands of crew on board. Some things I didn’t like: Why did the Captain have to go on such a simple little delivery and update meeting? Was he there just because he wanted to meet the doctor’s old girlfriend? I hope they don’t always send their Captain into the middle of every potentially dangerous situation. The alien guy. I don’t mind they’re being aliens on the crew of the ship, but they could have made him look a little more different. Pointy ears, big deal. Give him a tail, or three eyes or something. Or maybe our species are somehow related? Anyway, it’s cool to see some sci-fi on TV that doesn’t involve ancient Egyptians. I mean, Stargate was alright, but it bugs me that they spun it off into a second series. I hope it doesn’t happen with this show. thwartme ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/32 "2004-12-23T21:08:12Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > The OP says, “This isn’t the sixties, it is now. Just pretend that episode 1 just aired Yesterday as an NBC Mid season replacement.” So it did. _Mea embarrassing culpa_. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/33 "2004-12-23T22:15:02Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > The OP says, “This isn’t the sixties, it is now. Just pretend that episode 1 just aired Yesterday as an NBC Mid season replacement.” Well, in _that_ case, I have to say the special effects totally **bite.** It had the production values of a bad middle-school theater show, or some chintzy '60s sci-fi soap opera. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/34 "2004-12-23T22:24:12Z")
**kingpengvin** , Do you think we might be allowed to change your rules just slightly and pretend it is 1966-69? Yes, this allows all us geeks to make corny jokes about “red shirts will never die in droves,” “they’ll never make spin-offs,” or my own “Logan’s Run” silliness, but it does close the door on serious criticisms of the effects/makeup looking outdated by 2004/05 standards, etc. Could we, please? Please, please… 😃 Best, Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/35 "2004-12-24T01:06:55Z")
Yes I too vote for a 1966 time-frame. Consider the possibilities - I only have a black and white TV - so that guy had who died had a red shirt on? Did you notice the guy playing the alien Dr Spock? He made a bunch of “Sea Hunt” episodes. Speaking of which, I bet Lloyd Bridges would be a much better Captain than the no-talent jerk they have on that show. This show is definitely headed for the “Bailey’s of Balboa” territory. A nice effort but it will soon be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/36 "2004-12-24T01:23:03Z")
This was the first episode shown in Hawaii. I remember watching it on a Saturday at 10 PM. I thought it was better than Lost in Space. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/37 "2004-12-24T01:24:30Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Sheesh, this show’s only slightly better than a Saturday morning _Flash Gordon_ serial. I’d be surprised if this show goes beyond one season, much less 40 years. > > 😉 > > _Seriously…_ > > Am I the only person who was bothered by the title, “The Man Trap”? Sounds like the crew was going to visit the Planet of Captive Chippendales’ Dancers or something. Man Trap = seductive woman ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/38 "2004-12-24T14:05:57Z")
The reason I said that it should be treated as recent would allow us to look at at he merits and deficiencies of each episode itself as opposed to discussing the times. Like the Enterprise threads I wanted to view the series as new and treat each epidsode as new to see how the series evolved to those first time watchers. Mind you if the show is out of its context the special effects and such can be looked upon as badly dated. Also the paradox of young looking cast memebers existing the same time as their older counterpoints may cause a collapose of teh time stream. It’s a tough call. Tell you what, let’s put it to a vote. Personally I just don’t want the discussions to turn into long running living in the sixties jokes. I wager 400 quatloos on leaving it in the present. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/39 "2004-12-24T14:47:10Z")
I believe in “OP authority,” so depsite me being the one to ask for the change, I’m voting with you. Keep the upcoming episodes in the present. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190/40 "2004-12-24T15:52:43Z")
I vote for keeping things in the present for a simple (selfish) reason. I’m not as up on my old school stuff as maybe some others are, and my participation would be limited. BTW… where’s **noclueboy**? I thought he’d be all over this. thwartme [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-12-21-the-man-trap/281190.md?page=3)