Charlie X
- Episode aired Sep 15, 1966
- TV-PG
- 50m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psionic ability to create anything and destroy anyone.Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psionic ability to create anything and destroy anyone.Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psionic ability to create anything and destroy anyone.
Robert Walker Jr.
- Charlie Evans
- (as Robert Walker)
Charles Stewart
- Captain Ramart
- (as Charles J. Stewart)
Pat McNulty
- Tina Lawton
- (as Patricia McNulty)
Bill Blackburn
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (uncredited)
Frank da Vinci
- Brent
- (uncredited)
- …
Bob Herron
- Sam
- (uncredited)
John Lindesmith
- Helmsman
- (uncredited)
Robert Metz
- Operations Division Lieutenant
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the original script, Uhura was to amuse the crew by performing as a trained mimic, imitating Spock and other officers. This was changed to her singing a song about Spock, followed by a spoof of the 18th-century Scottish song "Charlie is my Darling", the best-known version of which is attributed to Robert Burns, in order to highlight Nichelle Nichols' singing talent.
- GoofsWhen the captain of the Antares is trying to warn Kirk of Charlie's abilities, Kirk is in a corridor talking to Charlie about not slapping girls on the butt. He says, "I'm on my way to the bridge now," and gets on the turbolift wearing his usual yellow shirt. When he arrives on the bridge he is wearing the green tunic.
- Quotes
Capt. Kirk: There are a million things in this universe you can have and a million things you can't have. It's no fun facing that, but that's the way things are.
Charlie Evans: Then what am I going to do?
Capt. Kirk: Hang on tight and survive. Everybody does.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song. A highlight of the new special effects is the Antares, which was never seen in the original version.
- ConnectionsEdited into Galaktische Grüße (1996)
- SoundtracksCharlie is My Darling
(uncredited)
Traditional
Lyrics adapted from those by Robert Burns
Sung by Nichelle Nichols
Featured review
Bit of a naughty boy, that Charlie...
After the salt-eating "monster" of The Man Trap, the original Star Trek deals with the concept of psychic powers for the first time, an element that occurs on several occasions throughout the series. The first story to deal with that topic, Charlie X, lacks the philosophical relevance of later episodes (it's just a traditional monster-of-the-week tale), but succeeds in delivering thrills and suspense.
Continuing its travels through space, the Enterprise picks up a young boy, Charlie Evans, who's used to having everything his way, a fact that becomes a source of embarrassment when he gets too interested in Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Kirk tries to explain that such behavior is inappropriate, but has to face a greater danger than he imagined when he discovers the boy's powers enable him to create - and destroy - anything.
With hindsight, Charlie X can be seen as a tamer version of Stephen King's novel Carrie, which was memorably brought to the screen by Brian De Palma. Like King's story, this Trek episode uses the gimmick of mental abilities to deal with a teenager's inner struggles and confusion. Unlike Carrie, however, Charlie is underdeveloped and occasionally annoying, his actions bordering on stereotype. Luckily, the thriller pace of the episode keeps things from getting boring, and there's always the Shatner/Nimoy double act to rely on. In other words, it's vintage Star Trek.
Continuing its travels through space, the Enterprise picks up a young boy, Charlie Evans, who's used to having everything his way, a fact that becomes a source of embarrassment when he gets too interested in Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Kirk tries to explain that such behavior is inappropriate, but has to face a greater danger than he imagined when he discovers the boy's powers enable him to create - and destroy - anything.
With hindsight, Charlie X can be seen as a tamer version of Stephen King's novel Carrie, which was memorably brought to the screen by Brian De Palma. Like King's story, this Trek episode uses the gimmick of mental abilities to deal with a teenager's inner struggles and confusion. Unlike Carrie, however, Charlie is underdeveloped and occasionally annoying, his actions bordering on stereotype. Luckily, the thriller pace of the episode keeps things from getting boring, and there's always the Shatner/Nimoy double act to rely on. In other words, it's vintage Star Trek.
helpful•216
- MaxBorg89
- Mar 28, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content