Is There in Truth No Beauty?

Season 3, Episode 5, Aired
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Episode Summary

Stardate 5630.7:...or is there in beauty no truth? Miranda Jones, a telepath who studied mental disciplines on Vulcan, arrives with Ambassador Kolos, a Medusan - an alien life form whose physical form is so hideous, humanoid life forms are driven insane if they look upon him. Also beaming aboard is Larry Marvick, one of the original designers of the Enterprise - and hopelessly in love with Miranda, although she has chosen to spend her life serving as a liaison between the Medusans and other humanoids. Miranda senses that someone is actively contemplating murder, and suspects Spock is envious of her once-in-a-lifetime mission - but even Miranda is unaware of the real would-be killer and their target.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • Dr. Miranda Jones arrives with Ambassador Kolos, a Medusan, and senses someone plotting murder.

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By Celedorian, Dec 17, 2010 Report Abuse
    Diana Muldaur, one of the better female guest stars in this series, makes her second Star Trek appearance this time as Dr. Jones and is once again fantastic. Unfortunately, while the script touches on some interesting issues, such as disabilities and the meaning of beauty, the overall story and execution are rather lacking. Captain Kirk tries to be tricky and seductive rather than use reason to get his way, Spock forgets to wear basic PPE, and the remainder of the Enterprise crew comes off looking foolish as well for not noticing. Meanwhile, the episode is shot like a B horror movie, insulting the audience, with poor editing choices. Still, the episode could be worse; it's just not one of the better Trek installments.moreless

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    0 0

  • The Enterprise has been assigned to transport an alien ambassador, whose physical appearance causes insanity, and his telepathic aide. The closest the series has come to a filler episode at this point...moreless

    6.5
    "Fair"
    By Jay-Spacedust, Dec 15, 2010 Report Abuse
    This episode has a few fairly good moments, but for the most part is a very average and rocky tale, and the closest the Original Series has come to a filler episode at this point.

    The concept of Medusan ambassador Kollos, whose physical appearance drives people insane, is a thinly disguised reworking around the ancient Greek myth of Medusa, who would turn anyone who looked at her to stone. The idea here is an interesting one, but deserves a stronger storyline around it.

    Probably the best thing about this mixed episode is Diana Muldaur as Dr. Miranda Jones. Muldaur had already played a different character in the second season episode "Return to Tomorrow", and in the role as Jones she has good screen presence. The twist revealed about her later in the episode (which I shan't give away here) is quite unexpected. (Diana Muldaur would, of course, go on to play Dr. Kate Pulaski in the second season in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation').

    If this story had come earlier in the show's life, it no doubt would have been much sharper and polished, but by this point, things are feeling a bit tired, and the show has defiantly long peaked by this point.

    The episode has its good moments, but ultimately winds up as one of the Original Series' far weaker stories. While there are some genuinely nice moments, there are also a number of weak ones.
    The plot has a great many elements, and plays like one story after another. While it deserves credit for trying something with such scope, the result is sadly something uneven and unfocused.moreless

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    2 1

  • A blind woman claims she can beat Kirk in tennis.

    4.4
    "Poor"
    By hrtonslv, Dec 15, 2010 Report Abuse
    I volunteer for the blind. Diane Muldare or whatever her name is did not do the greatest job. I'm well aware that most of the episode she had on that sensory dress, but she still made a poor blind person. And the addition of Marvick's obsession with her (the plot thins) did not help it out. I also did not buy for a second that no one on the bridge said to Spock/Kollos, "Hey brother, don't forget your sunglasses".moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • After Jones leaves Kollos' quarters, there's a cut to a reaction shot of Kirk with his hair parted in reverse. Edit
    • At the end of the dinner, Kirk finishes off his glass, then the camera cuts to McCoy. Then it cuts back to Kirk and his glass is full. Edit
    • Kirk aims his phaser at a berserk Spock's head and fires, but the beam hits him in the stomach. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Diana Muldar makes her second appearance in Star Trek; The Original Series in this episode. Her first, being in "Return To Tomorrow". In later years, she will be in Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season as Doctor Pulaski, having replaced Doctor Crusher, from the first season. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • McCoy: How can one so beautiful condemn herself to look upon ugliness for the rest of her life? Miranda: How can one so full of the love of life condemn himself to look upon sickness? Edit
    • Miranda: Ugly? What is ugly? Who is to say whether Kollos is too ugly to bear - or too beautiful to bear? Edit
    • Miranda: (taking a rose from Kirk) I suppose it has thorns? Kirk: I never met a rose that didn't. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The concept of Kollos, the Medusan whose physical appearance drives people insane, comes from the Greek legend of Medusa, who would turn anyone who looked at her to stone. Edit

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