# Wait a Sec.... Questions RE Star Trek: TOS **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182 "2009-06-27T16:23:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/1 "2009-06-27T16:23:37Z")
Ever been left puzzled by a plot line in TOS? This is NOT about technical stuff or physics, but plot and characterizations. Also, I am less than interested in any other ST variation (unless you want to talk the first 6 movies), so stick with TOS, please! I am re-re-rewatching these online and I started thinking about the episode, “Wink of an Eye”. I am puzzled by what follows below: Deela boards the ship (and IMheterosexualfemaleO is by far the hottest female alien Kirk ever sees) with her compatriots and proceeds to choose Kirk as breeding stock for future Scalosian generations. She throws herself at him and they end up doing the nasty\* in his quarters. And here begin my questions… 1. Despite the odds against her being impregnated on a one off (and we all know humans to whom that has happened), I assume that Deela would only um, proceed if it was her most fertile time. This may be an incorrect assumption, but stay with me. If this is so, isn’t there now a Kirk Jr running around, buzzing like an insect? 2. Wouldn’t the captain’s biological imperative outweigh his Prime Directive in this case? IOW, wouldn’t he want to fuck her (she was hot)? 3. Surely there are space diseases related to copulation? 4. In the end, it is clear that Kirk was using her to regain his ship, but he still “had relations” with her–isn’t he at risk for possible disease AND more important (because we all know Bones would just get out that hypo of his and cure Kirk), what of any possible “issue”? Or does he know he fires blanks (which cannot be true because of David much later)? Do you have any plot or characterizations in TOS that make you go 😕 or :dubious: later? \*as evidenced by a subtle (but effective) shot of Kirk re-zipping his boots while sitting on his bed. My 13 year old self explained this as they just laid down and kissed for awhile, but adult me appreciated the subtlety and the evasion of the Hayes Office/corporate sponsor nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/2 "2009-06-27T16:25:52Z")
Where do you watch TOS online? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/3 "2009-06-27T16:50:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Where do you watch TOS online? 2 places: YouTube (input star trek TOS) or [www.cbs.com](http://www.cbs.com) and then choose Star Trek. You can go to [hulu.com](http://hulu.com), but it directs you to [cbs.com](http://cbs.com), so don’t bother. You didn’t answer my questions… ☹😉 ---
**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:** [June 27, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/4 "2009-06-27T17:21:44Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. Despite the odds against her being impregnated on a one off (and we all know humans to whom that has happened), I assume that Deela would only um, proceed if it was her most fertile time. This may be an incorrect assumption, but stay with me. If this is so, isn’t there now a Kirk Jr running around, buzzing like an insect? > > 2. Wouldn’t the captain’s biological imperative outweigh his Prime Directive in this case? IOW, wouldn’t he want to fuck her (she was hot)? > > 3. Surely there are space diseases related to copulation? > > 4. In the end, it is clear that Kirk was using her to regain his ship, but he still “had relations” with her–isn’t he at risk for possible disease AND more important (because we all know Bones would just get out that hypo of his and cure Kirk), what of any possible “issue”? Or does he know he fires blanks (which cannot be true because of David much later)? 1. Even if there is a Kirk, Jr. among the Scalosians, he would have died with the rest of them before the next episode. The boff of Kirk was their last chance, and when Spock screwed up their attempt to capture a wider range of genetic material, that was the end for them. 2. Kirk **did** boff her. Maybe she wasn’t that good. 3. Perhaps. Or maybe Kirk has kept his shot record up to date. If _rishasthra_ is common in the Federation, and apparently it is, then surely they have made some medical advances in the area. 4. See above. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/5 "2009-06-27T18:51:03Z")
Space Herpes. Bones can come up with a cure for that. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/6 "2009-06-27T18:56:34Z")
They probably used a condom… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/7 "2009-06-27T18:59:07Z")
[Space herpes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-me2inj1nNw). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/8 "2009-06-27T19:05:42Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Deela boards the ship (and IMheterosexualfemaleO is by far the hottest female alien Kirk ever sees) The actress, Kathie Browne, was married to Darren McGavin! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/9 "2009-06-27T19:22:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Space herpes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-me2inj1nNw). I don’t know whether to jump for joy at the clip, or curse you for beating me to it… I love the Space Herpes. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/10 "2009-06-27T20:23:53Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Deela boards the ship (and IMheterosexualfemaleO is by far the hottest female alien Kirk ever sees) Kirk obviously never saw [Zarabeth.](http://www.trekp.com/posters/gw234-zarabeth.jpg) Regarding the OP, my question concerns [The Enemy Within](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_(Star_Trek)). Sulu and some guys are stuck on the planet, freezing to death because the transporter is broken. Why don’t they send a shuttlecraft down to get them? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/11 "2009-06-27T20:25:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 1. Even if there is a Kirk, Jr. among the Scalosians, he would have died with the rest of them before the next episode. The boff of Kirk was their last chance, and when Spock screwed up their attempt to capture a wider range of genetic material, that was the end for them. > > 2. Kirk **did** boff her. Maybe she wasn’t that good. > > 3. Perhaps. Or maybe Kirk has kept his shot record up to date. If _rishasthra_ is common in the Federation, and apparently it is, then surely they have made some medical advances in the area. > > 4. See above. 1. Ah–I had overlooked that aspect of things. But wait–shouldn’t Kirk and the Federation do what they can to save every species of alien? 2. I know Kirk did her–I enjoyed watching it (such as it was). All kidding aside, IMO, Kirk and Deela had a real chemistry which is not always the case with his Female Alien of the Week. 3. Did not know it had a name. Who is Darren McGavin? I will go look him up… Anyone else with thoughts re ST:TOS that came to you later? Or am I the only one without a life this summer… Thanks, **carnivorousplant**! I am not sure why they didn’t send a shuttle–perhaps it would freeze instantly upon landing or something? And Zarabeth was hot, too–Spock may not have stood a chance, if Kirk had had a gander at her. Heh. RE McGavin–he’s one of those actors for me that is in stuff, and I like him, but never know his name… Sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/12 "2009-06-27T21:05:21Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Kirk obviously never saw [Zarabeth.](http://www.trekp.com/posters/gw234-zarabeth.jpg) > > Regarding the OP, my question concerns [The Enemy Within](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_(Star_Trek)). Sulu and some guys are stuck on the planet, freezing to death because the transporter is broken. Why don’t they send a shuttlecraft down to get them? It’s been a while since I watched that one, but I seem to recall a line about how atmospheric turbulence was preventing them from doing that. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/13 "2009-06-28T00:58:23Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Who is Darren McGavin? I will go look him up… McGavin, who died in 2006, starred in his own series, [Kolchak: The Night Stalker](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolchak:_The_Night_Stalker). He also played Ralphie’s father in “A Christmas Story.” ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/14 "2009-06-28T01:16:27Z")
I don’t believe “The Enemy Within” ever explains why a shuttlecraft would not be able to take the landing party back up. This is not a shock in a way, since the first appearance of the shuttlecraft does not occur until the episode “Galileo 7” (yes, I know “The Menagerie” aired before “Galileo 7”, but G7 was produced first), and that was 14 episodes in to the production schedule. So they may not have conceived the idea at the time. In any way, it could easily be wanked by an explanation to the effect that there was something in the atmosphere that preculded shuttle use. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/15 "2009-06-28T01:44:32Z")
The unanswered question about “The Enemy Within” is and always will be "Why didn’t they beam down bricks, or fuel, or shelter, or any of a hundred inanimate objects that would actually be \*\*more useful \*\*duplicated? The truth about the shuttlecraft, of course, was that it wasn’t in the budget. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/16 "2009-06-28T02:03:34Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. Despite the odds against her being impregnated on a one off (and we all know humans to whom that has happened), I assume that Deela would only um, proceed if it was her most fertile time. This may be an incorrect assumption, but stay with me. I will not stay with you. Why not proceed if (a) she wants very much to win Kirk over, and (b) she’ll enjoy having sex with him? They can still do it again later. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/17 "2009-06-28T02:41:07Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I will not stay with you. > > Why not proceed if (a) she wants very much to win Kirk over, and (b) she’ll enjoy having sex with him? They can still do it again later. Well, I didn’t ask YOU to stay with me, now did I? (at least, not in that sense). 😛 I’m sure (a) she did want very much to win Kirk over (she thought he was pretty and she liked his spunk–no pun intended, but really, that was a good pun!) and (b) she’d be a fool if she didn’t enjoy sex with Kirk–Shatner was in pretty good shape in those early years; IMO he was hot (then). I do like the line she delivers at some point: “allow me the dignity of liking my choice” or some such. ST:TOS in its own way was fairly feminist (for the time). Of course it also reflected plenty of the rampant sexism of the time, too, but that’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/18 "2009-06-28T02:42:07Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The unanswered question about “The Enemy Within” is and always will be "Why didn’t they beam down bricks, or fuel, or shelter, or any of a hundred inanimate objects that would actually be \*\*more useful \*\*duplicated? True–like blankets, even. Or hot drinks. Something… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/19 "2009-06-28T02:47:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The unanswered question about “The Enemy Within” is and always will be "Why didn’t they beam down bricks, or fuel, or shelter, or any of a hundred inanimate objects that would actually be \*\*more useful \*\*duplicated? 'Cause the bricks would be wearing party hats. ---
**Author:** ![ambushed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3bc359/32.png) [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182/20 "2009-06-28T08:15:24Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > … Deela boards the ship (and IMheterosexualfemaleO is by far the hottest female alien Kirk ever sees)… IMhomosexualmaleO, the girl in the H.G. Wells “Time Machine” ripoff episode who goes after Spock is the only female I’ve ever seen in TV or movies who ever got me _really_ goin… And she still does! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-a-sec-questions-re-star-trek-tos/501182.md?page=2)