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.