The Cloud Minders
- Episode aired Feb 28, 1969
- TV-PG
- 51m
Kirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surfa... Read allKirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surface below.Kirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surface below.
- Cloud Guard #1
- (as Kirk Raymone)
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Troglyte #1
- (uncredited)
- Cloud City Sentinel #1
- (uncredited)
- Prisoner #2
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe rest chamber on Stratos is furnished with the iconic "Ribbon Chair" by French modernist designer Pierre Paulin, upholstered here in day-glow orange.
- GoofsIn Amok Time (1967), Spock tells Kirk, his closest friend, that the Pon Farr is not to be discussed with non-Vulcans. Even after Kirk guesses the gist of it, Spock is visibly uncomfortable talking with him about it. Yet here, he chats about it with Droxine, a woman he has known for only a few hours, and with no more concern or discomfort than if he were discussing a new chemical compound.
- Quotes
Plasus: Gentlemen, one of our planet's most incomparable works of art: my daughter Droxine. Captain James Kirk.
Captain James T. Kirk: A pleasure, Madam.
Droxine: Indeed yes, Captain.
Plasus: And First Officer Spock.
[Spock bows his head very slowly]
Droxine: I have never before met a Vulcan, sir.
Mr. Spock: Nor I a work of art, Madam.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
- ConnectionsFeatured in William Shatner's Star Trek Memories (1995)
All of this is sort of summed up by Spock's voice-over as he sits in meditation in his guest room on Stratos, as images of various characters from both sides of the issue are transposed over his form. This sequence also kind of reminded me of scenes and voice-overs from the film "Dune"(84) - another variation on depicting royalty vs. poverty in a futuristic setting. It's a fairly exciting episode from the 3rd season, especially when I saw this as a kid, with several hand-to-hand struggles, and perhaps with even an increase to the usually-lackluster budget for 3rd season episodes. The episode also does a good job of contrasting the desperate stance and attitudes of the Troglytes (variation of 'troglodyte') when compared to the superior attitudes of the elites on Stratos. On the downside, this episode would have rated at least a couple of stars higher had it adhered to the complex social problems presented. Instead, it's revealed that a gas, released when digging for zenite, causes a retardation to the brains of the Troglytes. This problem is solved with the introduction of gas masks by Kirk, which will, in turn, the conclusion suggests, eradicate the inequality on Ardana. This plot turn devolves the episode to simple escapist sf fare, away from the potentially insightful commentary on cultural inequality.
- Bogmeister
- Mar 8, 2007
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