Star Trek (TV Series) What Are Little Girls Made Of? (1966) User Reviews

In the Future, not Sugar and Spice

[Bogmeister · 8/10 · 26 June 2006]

Ah, that Bloch...he managed to impart his feel for the macabre onto a science fiction show, and one of the best ones, at that. The result was a chilling meditation on attempting to find out what passes for the soul or the mind of a human being - how much of what we are can be copied or passed on to another receptacle; are we really just glorified computer programs? Or, you can just look at this as the serious version of "I,Mudd" - the final exploration on androids. Well, not so final, as this was an early blueprint for the entire saga of Data on the TNG series and movies, from 1987 to 2002. Here are asked the early questions about the ethics and dangers of creating a race of androids. This leaned towards the concept of Data's evil twin, Lore, in seeking an answer, but it's not so much a concept of evil as just a horror story about science going sideways.

The one who poses these questions is the famous Dr. Korby, missing for 5 years on a desolate, frozen planet. The audience finds out that Nurse Chapel is his fiancée (how this jibes with her revealed secret passion for Spock from several episodes earlier I do not pretend to understand). I would think Kirk learned his lesson in this episode about the unreasonable dangers of beaming the captain of a starship by himself into the unknown; he rationalizes that the well-reputed Korby has made this request so it must be OK. Well, Korby turns out to be not quite all there and soon Kirk is the guinea pig in his experiments on android creation. This is also another sample of some long dead civilization with highly advanced technology being found by the current humans of the 23rd century; it's a recurring theme of potentially new techniques being uncovered and of such potential probably scattered all over the galaxy for us to find. Such story lines can also be traced back to Star Trek's precursor, "Forbidden Planet" from 1956. Kirk more or less ignores such potential and so represents the side of thought that certain technology is best left alone, or is perhaps unethical.

The androids we encounter here are quite memorable. First, gaining an amusing look of obvious suspicion and envy from Chapel, you have the female-shaped Andrea, played by the perfectly-formed brunette Jackson. Then there's the huge, monstrous Ruk, played with scary precision by the towering Cassidy. The scenes of him tossing Kirk through the air like some toy still carry an eye-popping visual charge; you really get the impression that Kirk is just one twist of an android wrist from being snapped in two during most of the episode. Then Kirk meets himself - yes, it's another example of a Kirk doppelganger show (as the recent "The Enemy Within"), but again, with that chilling tone. The episode becomes even more effective in the final act, when there are truly chilling revelations and shocking tragedy awaiting at least one character. Kirk's last line on the planet before returning to the ship stays in the mind for awhile afterward.

Artificial consciousness, androids and a weird stalactite...

[ulisses_phoenix · 8/10 · 13 August 2020]

Stretching the limits of the genre and of what was acceptable to TV audiences in 1966, this episode, as with other Star Trek episodes, explored human consciousness and helped inform the budding transhumanist movement that developed in the following decades. Gene Roddenberry apparently had a direct hand in the script for this one, making changes right on the set (which delayed the production somewhat but obviously improved the final product).

Airing just before Halloween in 1966, the episode has more of a horror tone to it than typical Star Trek fare, with Ted Cassidy -- recognizable to contemporary audiences as "Lurch" from 'The Addams Family' series -- playing a giant android monster.

This episode seemed to have a higher production value than other episodes. For example, William Shatner's stunt double was nearly indistinguishable from the lead actor in this one. (Other episodes had a double who bore no resemblance to Shatner even when using wide shots.) In fact, Shatner performed many of the stunts himself in this episode.

I'm not sure if the budget was bigger for this episode, but in any case I think a huge portion of that budget apparently went toward double-sided tape for Sherry Jackson's costume, which was risque for the late 60's. This episode also included a nude scene by Shatner. They actually had a censorship person on set to make sure Jackson's costume (designed by Bill Theiss) didn't reveal any side cleavage.

But somehow those censors missed the stalactite in the shape of a giant male reproductive organ that Kirk used in an attempt to bludgeon the Lurch monster android. I'm not kidding. About 35 minutes into the episode, Kirk breaks off a stalactite from the ceiling of the cave which is in the exact shape of a male reproductive organ. It's unmistakably deliberate and it's totally unnecessary to the plot and I wonder if they put that in there just to mess with the network censors, who were obviously a big pain for the producers, cast and crew.

The episode continued the tradition of killing off "redshirts" from the Enterprise's landing crews, with Kirk making a special call to the Enterprise just to ask them to beam down some guys for that purpose in the beginning of the story. (Actually, this is the first episode where the redshirts actually wore red shirts.)

There weren't a lot of black folks in this episode, which was typical of television at the time. In fact, Nichelle Nichols who played Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek series was the first black woman to hold such a prominent role in a TV series. So, given contemporary standards, the show was progressive on race.

Overall, this is one of the better regular episodes from the original series and has held up well over time. I'm giving it a rating of 8/10.

Advisory: Gun (phaser) violence; fist fights; and a stalactite in the shape of a giant male reproductive organ used as a weapon.

Cool stuff--see Lurch the Butler AND a woman with a really sexy costume!!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 5 December 2006]

This is a really nifty episode and the first one that gave Nurse Chapel a chance to develop as a character. An old lover of hers, Roger, was thought to be lost but he suddenly sends a message to the nearby Enterprise! A great coincidence that this particular ship is passing by, huh?! Anyways, they are totally shocked--not only because they thought he was dead but because the planet is a frozen wasteland! Kirk and Chapel transfer down along with some "red shirts" (you know, extras who you KNOW are dead meat--destined to die and die quickly). There, they discover Roger is in an underground city created by another race centuries before--and it made for a lovely home for Roger and his robot helpers that he mostly created. It seems that Roger had stumbled upon technology that made androids that looked 100% human. One robot is an assistant (who is also a red shirt) and the other is an über-sexy nymph that Kirk later seduces (wow--Kirk is so studly that he even gets robots hot!!). The third robot is Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from the Addams Family TV show) and he was created not by Roger but by the original inhabitants of the planet who were now long gone.

Unfortunately, Roger turns out to have a lot of secrets--one of which he is certifiably insane. He takes Kirk and Chapel prisoner and proceeds to make a perfect copy of Kirk. I'm not really sure why, but I think this was done as an excuse to get Shatner mostly naked (try to control yourself, Trekkie ladies). Where the plot goes from there, you'll just need to see for yourself, but rest assured that there are a lot of entertaining aspects to the show. My favorite of which is "Ruk" (Ted Cassidy)--a truly cool-looking and frightening android who practically steals the show. Also, the episode is well-written and has a lot of nice twists that keep it from being boring.

"Androids don't eat, Miss Chapel."

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 7 April 2009]

What Are Little Girls Made Of? is a little classic in the Star Trek saga, primarily because it features one of the best uses of Majel Barrett (Gene Roddenberry's wife at the time) as Nurse Chapel, a fact that proves no role is really secondary in this series.

Nurse Chapel's expanded presence is dictated by the fact that Kirk is going to beam down on the planet where her fiancé, Dr. Roger Korby, from whom no one has heard anything in a long time, and she insists on joining him since she can't wait to see if Korby is still alive. Once they're on the planet, however, a nasty surprise awaits them: Korby's obsession with technology has driven him insane, and his new expertise regarding the construction of androids prompts him to build a replica of Kirk that could take over the Enterprise.

Predating Balde Runner by sixteen years, this episode, like many others, provides a riveting and well-written exploration of the theme of humanity, more specifically what makes man different from machines (or aliens for that matter). Tha script is praiseworthy because it depicts Korby as a genuinely flawed human being, not a traditional mad scientist, just like Nurse Chapel isn't another heartbroken woman who serves as a mere plot contrivance. Plus, much like The Enemy Within, any episode where Kirk has to face another version of himself is a lot of fun to watch. A little classic, indeed.

Strong plot and with a shocking ending

[fabian5 · 9/10 · 2 September 2007]

This is an early Star Trek season one episode made when Captain Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu and Nurse Chapel were members of the standard Star Trek crew that we all recognize today. Basically, Nurse Chapel--Dr. Roger Korby's old flame--together with Captain Kirk beam down to an isolated planet for what they imagine is a friendly get together with the doctor. Unfortunately...for Kirk, Dr. Korby has other ideas and forces Kirk to make a clone of himself in order to seize control of the Enterprise. This is a memorable episode with a compelling and powerful ending when you discover who Dr. Korby really is. Its a remarkable show when you consider that Sulu and Scotty were did not appear in this episode and has to be considered a Star Trek classic.

The episode does indeed have an extremely well written script and several emotional scenes such as when Nurse Chapel get a kiss from Uhura before beaming down to see her long-lost fiancée and Dr. Korby's haunting words to Chapel when she discovers Korby's true identity.

Wow, how did Andrea's costume pass the censors?

[SusanJL · 7/10 · 14 February 2019]

Pretty good episode, I kept expecting Ted Cassidy to say "You rang?". The girl android's costume is extremely revealing, even by today's standards!! I'm surprised it made it past the censors!!!! Thought Uhura's kiss to nurse Chapel as she went to see her long-lost fiancé was so sweet.

Actually a look at a 19th Century mystery

[artisticengineer · 9/10 · 22 June 2013]

The Enterprise is sent out to find an expedition that has been missing for 5 years on an Earth like planet. The planet has earth like gravity and a breathable atmosphere but it's average temperature is -100 degrees Fahrenheit! The missing expedition is or was headed by Dr. Roger Corby; whose last message to Earth talked about finding traces or remnants of an early civilization on that planet.

After he sent out the message all contact with the expedition was lost. Two search expeditions were sent out to find him in the intervening period but were unsuccessful. Why the Enterprise is being sent to search at such a late date is unclear in this episode. Spoke briefly indicates early on, in reply to a question about the possibility of finding anybody alive, that is is "highly unlikely" that there are any survivors. So, why is the Enterprise even there? Should not Dr. Corby have been written off by Star fleet by that point?

The answer lies in 19th century history. In the mid 1840s a British expedition named "The Franklin Expedition" (named after the commander, NOT after Benjamin Franklin) sailed into the Arctic to find the "Northwest Passage". They did meet another civilization albeit the Inuits (who were already known to explorers) and then, they disappeared. Search parties were sent into that area and searched for about 5 years but did not find the expedition. After that period of time the ~120 officers and men and two ships were written off the Admiralty lists. Yet, there was a desire to know what actually happened even though the officers and men were certainly dead so some years later a single ship (the "Fox") made one last foray into the Arctic to find out what happened to the ill fated expedition.

In this episode the Enterprise is making the same type of last ditch Arctic search that the "Fox" made in 1857. The "Fox" found a last note from the leader of the Franklin expedition. By analogy, in this episode, at the beginning, the Enterprise also receives a message from Corby himself! Why, exactly, they received a message when previous searchers did not is not really explained (the Fox hunted for the Franklin Expedition in a different area than previous expeditions had searched for-the Enterprise seems not to be doing anything different than the previous expeditions had done so there is a little mystery here).

There was, for many years in the mid to late 19th century, speculation that there were some survivors of the Franklin Expedition somewhere in the Arctic though survivors were never found; only relics. Nobody knows when the last Franklin crew member finally perished, but he did so without being found. In this episode the writers are stating there are survivors found, despite realistic analysis indicating they should have all died by then, of a lost expedition. The episode is really a 'what if" Franklin expedition members had been found; though the setting is not the 19th century but the 22nd. Still, one can see the analogy.

Kirk kisses an android then is replaced by one!

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 6 September 2015]

Nurse Chapel's Fiancé, Dr. Roger Korby, hasn't been heard from for five years but she is convinced that he is still alive despite the fact that he was stationed on a frozen planet and previous rescue parties have found no sign of him. With this knowledge Kirk is a little surprised when Dr. Korby responds to the Enterprise's message. Korby asks Kirk to beam down alone as he has made certain discoveries but when he learns Nurse Chapel is aboard he invites her to come too. Things get off to a bad start when there is nobody to meet them; a couple of red shirts beam down but don't last long; a giant humanoid soon dispatches them while Kirk and Nurse Chapel are met by one of Dr. Korby's colleagues; he is acting rather strangely though.

When they finally meet Korby they soon learn that the planet's original population had moved underground when it froze. They then became more mechanised; creating androids like the being we saw killing the red shirts. This android, Ruk, isn't the only one; Korby's colleague and Andrea, a beautiful woman, are also androids. Korby, a renowned scientist has plans to create far more androids… starting with an exact replica of Kirk!

This is a pretty good episode; it was nice to see minor character Nurse Chapel take a leading role; Majel Barrett puts in a good performance. The story was enjoyable even if it is yet another that features a 'fake Kirk'. Ted Cassidy was suitably threatening as Ruk; his immense stature making him more formidable that most 'nearly human' aliens that feature so often in the 'Star Trek' universe; the scene who he picked up Kirk and threw him across a room was great. Michael Strong did a solid enough job as Korby and Sherry Jackson was likable as Andrea. I'm sure most viewers will realise that there is something wrong with Korby long before he comes out with his crazy plans; it is a little surprising that Nurse Chapel takes so long to realise he isn't quite the man she once knew. The way that Kirk alerts Spock to the fact that something is wrong was rather entertaining. Overall a solid enough episode which lets most of the main cast, apart from Kirk, take a back seat.

Lurch Goes Bersurch!

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 25 April 2014]

This is a pretty good episode. Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett, the one time Mrs. Gene Roddenberry) is really a peripheral character in most episodes. Her she has a chance to star. The one consistent factor here is that Christine really loves Spock. It shows up in succeeding episodes and, of course, it's a hopeless dream for her. In this she has joined an away team to a planet where a former lover of hers has been for over five years. When she gets there, all hell breaks loose. First of all, the guy has two of Kirk's crew killed by the gruesome Ted Cassidy, formerly of "The Addams Family." It turns out that the boyfriend has been working on building a herd of androids to take over the universe. It has one of the great scenes where Kirk, realizing he is about to be cloned, repeats a series of words over and over, telling Spock, "I'm tired of your half-breed interference!" What happens depends on the perceptions of the crew and an understanding of who is who. It has a sad conclusion for all concerned but particular for Nurse Chapel. It's a pretty tight little episode with some especially neat settings.

Well, it ain't sugar and spice

[Fluke_Skywalker · 7/10 · 19 September 2016]

Plot; The Enterprise arrives at a planet where a renowned exobiologist (and the fiancé of nurse Christine Chapel) has been incommunicado for some time. After establishing contact with him, Kirk and Chapel beam down and discover the reason for the Dr.'s long silence.

Starts off fairly strong with a lot of mystery surrounding the good doctor and his "discovery", but said discovery is a bit weak and the middle of the episode feels a tad padded out with a lot of banal debate and failed attempts at escape while waiting for the third act to finally roll around. Chapel isn't given much to do but stand around and look aghast at the proceedings and Spock or McCoy (the former of which is limited to a few scenes and the latter of which is totally absent) would've made a better foil for the mad Dr. Korby than Kirk. Kudos to guest star Ted Cassidy (aka Lurch) for a solid turn in which he gets to manhandle Kirk on at least half a dozen occasions and to Sherry Jackson as the android Andrea for being stunning beyond description.

Superb Dark Story, Not A Typical Star Trek Episode

[Dan1863Sickles · 8/10 · 25 October 2016]

This is not a typical episode of STAR TREK. There is no happy ending. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, don't work together as a team. Kirk fights, but he doesn't win; in fact he gets thrown around like a rag doll! He doesn't come up with any answers, and he doesn't make any heroic speeches. The main villain and his followers aren't really outwitted, they almost literally self-destruct. Nothing changes for the better, and when the truth is revealed no one is happy with what they discover!

Yet with all that, this is one of the strongest early episodes. Dr. Korby is one of the most sinister and chilling of all Star Trek villains. His downfall is chilling because his goals are so very seductive and universal. Who doesn't want to cheat death? Who wouldn't make the choice he made, and who wouldn't be driven mad by turning into what he became?

Michael Strong is superb as the most tormented of mad scientists, a villain who becomes increasingly repulsive until the shocking truth makes him appear more pitiable than anything else. Bear in mind, Strong was an actor who could play any part, from cold, calculating scientist to a blue collar slob. It's a hoot to watch this episode and then catch him in the old American Playhouse production of THE ICEMAN COMETH, where he plays Chuck the Bartender. ("Can ya imagine me having a robot wife, Kirk? The kind of robot that, if you lined up all the other robots she stayed with, they'd reach to Chicago!")

And speaking of robot wives, the stunningly beautiful Sherry Jackson is one of the most memorable and frightening of Kirk's many conquests, since she takes a stock fantasy figure and turns her into someone . . . or something . . . both chilling and pitiable. Her final cry ("love me") is a mini- tragedy that matches the major tragedy of Dr. Korby.

Robert Bloch wrote an incredible story here, a tragedy that has all the clammy, claustrophobic terror of PSYCHO and the creeping paranoia of the Cold War. The horror grips you and never lets you go. I don't know if this is great STAR TREK. But I know it's art. And I like it!

"I'm Roger Corby"

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 1 November 2014]

Michael Strong plays the famous scientist Roger Corby in this episode of Star Trek where he is the head of an expedition that has gone to a planet with a dead sun. The people who lived on the surface went below to live and created artificial heating and light, but that only lasts so long as sunlight is vital to the maintenance of life.

William Shatner comes down with Majel Barrett and two security guards and finds Strong with colleague Harry Basch on the planet with one beautiful sexy android played by Sherry Jackson. Also down there is an almost seven foot android played by the Addams Family former butler Ted Cassidy. He's a survivor still running the machinery of the old civilization that died out long ago. He's also quite protective of that and those that are on the planet.

Strong and Barrett are an item, but it becomes clear that Strong has developed some sinister technology and with it sinister ideas from the civilization from long ago which we never learn the name of.

The driven Strong and Cassidy star in this Star Trek story. It was nice to see Cassidy in a role where he didn't just grunt and say 'you rang'.

Strong has plans for humankind that Captain Kirk and Nurse Chappell play some role in foiling. What they are, you have to watch the episode.

"Doctor Korby, was never here."

[Blueghost · 18 June 2010]

... are the last words spoken in this episode by our intrepid captain of the famed U.S.S. Enterprise.

What we have here is a case of a man being addicted to knowledge and himself. A man who gets so wrapped up in creating his own little world, complete with a big lummox to protect him and a sex-doll, that's he is forever lost to a world of fantasy. A fantasy created in his mind by being alone for untold years, such that his solitude has driven him to the point of insanity. He has, in essence and fact, lost himself.

That's pretty much the allegory of the android making machine. Dr. Korby's madness is facilitated by a relic of ancient technology that can help facilitate and bring forth his fantasies. So much that he has lost his sense of right and wrong. Nothing will stop this man from satiating his appetite to get that next cerebral high. His neurons crave it. But he also craves to leave.

He is, after all, a criminal. Was he always so? We don't know, nor will we ever, but it is what he became, and Kirk must solo this dangerous adversary with the help of the ship's chief RN.

I'm not a big fan of the episode. As a kid I always took it to be one of those mad-scientist creates robot monsters kind of deal. I think I understand it a little bit better now, and I think I now know why I instinctively shied away from this episode. On a kid level "it's dumb... bleh... boring!", but on a deeper primeval level it shows just how disgusting a twisted mind can be.

Think about it. This episode didn't have to be what it was, but the author was showing us the dark abysses of a human mind gone fatally wrong. I mean, Captain Kirk and Nurse Chapel could've beamed down, greeted Doctor Korby, who then would have stopped both persons, and said something like "Hey, look, I'm glad you're here, but you ought to know something about me and this place..." End of story. Literally, the episode would've been done and over with had the good doctor just been forth coming about his situation. One really wonders why he did not. Our answer is here, but we as audience members simply cannot believe it.

Hence the whole android angle, and the surprise ending when we discover the truth about Korby.

I could delve deeper into this episode, but I'll stop here. It's a grim reminder of what we can become should we lose ourselves to our inner base desires. All human beings face the challenge Doctor Korby did, only some of us come out on top, and avoid his pitfall.

where no man should ever go

[tracyfigueira · 5/10 · 18 September 2008]

This disappointing episode may well rank as one of the dumbest "Star Trek" episodes ever, and that's saying a lot (remember "Spock's Brain," "The Omega Glory"?) While horror maestro Robert Bloch, author of the original novel "Psycho" (basis for the Alfred Hitchcock movie) has written several compelling teleplays for the legendary series, including "Catspaw" and "Wolf in the Fold," this isn't one of them. The episode is puzzling on several counts: Where's Doctor McCoy through all this? Or Scotty? Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) beams down alone with Captain Kirk to seek her long-lost medical researcher boyfriend, who now has apparently become guru of a subterranean android cult. This episode has shades of "Blade Runner," "Alphaville," and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" but none of the suspense and insight that made those movies great. Its only points of interest are Ted Cassidy ("The Addams Family"'s Lurch) as a giant android who looks like a character out of a Wagnerian music drama, and the gorgeous Sherry Jackson as a fembot thirty years ahead of "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." As so often when I review these turkeys, one thought echoes in my mind: "What WERE they thinking?"

Unusually powerful early episode is a standout

[mlraymond · 10/10 · 21 April 2009]

I hadn't seen this episode in years, and I was amazed by how tense it is, especially at the beginning. There is a really tangible feeling of menace and the unknown, as Kirk and Nurse Chapel explore some mysterious caverns, while searching for her former fiancé, a famous scientist.

Acting is top notch, with a performance of restrained power by Ted Cassidy as a cryptic android, and a more nuanced Kirk from Shatner, without his later tendency to go over the top. Majel Barrett displays a fuller presentation of Nurse Chapel than any other episode I can recall, with fine supporting performances by Michael Strong as Dr. Korby and a touchingly vulnerable Sherry Jackson as the lovely android Andrea.

A clever and intriguingly unpredictable storyline from author Robert Bloch and some atmospheric sets make this a remarkably good episode that has stood the test of time well. Highly recommended.

Dr Korby, I presume

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 30 October 2020]

Enterprise makes contact with renowned scientist Dr Roger Korby.

Korby, who happens to be engaged to Nurse Chapel has been busy during his time on ice planet Exo-III, is delighted to see her and keen to show Captain Kirk his achievements. Let's just say it doesn't go well and Kirk has to improvise in a difficult situation.

This is a great Kirk episode that feels wonderfully 1960s, but it also has a compelling plot that stands the test of time. Themes regarding sentience, artificial intelligence and the advancement of technology run through it as it does in many episodes that follow.

William Shatner is forceful and cunning as Kirk with his back to the wall against a formidable antagonist. In true style, he strips, does a bit of fighting and kissing along the way.

Majel Barrett is prominent throughout and convincingly portrays a long, lost, rekindled love with Michael Strong who is mostly good but overacts in some scenes. Ted Cassidy (in the most ridiculous costume) has a tremendous presence as Ruk and physically dominates Shatner during their confrontation. I first saw this episode on BBC2 when reruns of Star Trek were broadcast along with The Addams Family, giving us a Cassidy double bill on that particular night. Sherry Jackson is particularly memorable in a risqué part as Korby's android concubine Andrea in an unbelievably revealing costume.

I loved the sets and the 60s vision of advanced future technology. As naff as it might seem now it is simple, effective and oozes charm.

What Are Little Girls Made Of?

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 31 August 2011]

On a planet whose surface is the temperature of Antarctica, Captain Kirk(William Shatner) attempts to find a famed archaeological scientist, Dr. Roger Korby, deemed lost there, Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) his love hoping her man is safe despite having not communicated with Starfleet in over five years. Indeed Korby is alive and has an unusual request..for Kirk to beam down alone (that is until he hears Chapel's voice and delightedly welcomes her to beam down as well) because of a secret he wants the Captain to see before anyone else knows about it. What Kirk encounters—androids—will create a difficult scenario where he is held prisoner by Korby who has plans for replacing humans with robotic replicas. How Kirk will warn Spock when Korby makes an exact replica of the Captain as part of his plot is quite clever. Michael Strong is Dr. Roger Korby, seemingly sincere in the idea that he is *helping* the human race, not harming it by substituting a mortal body for a perfect eternal one. This particular episode may be most remembered for guest-starring Ted Cassidy (Lurch of "The Addams Family") as a hulking robot named Ruk who lifts Kirk off his feet and hurls him across a room (after an attempted escape) like a rag doll. That and the luscious Sherry Jackson as one of the sexiest fembots you'll ever likely see, in this smoking "X outfit" that just barely keeps her breasts in place, showing plenty of skin—yep, as you must know Kirk gets to kiss her on the lips not once, but twice (the second time, of course, has Kirk pulling her in tight when she seems to reluctantly resist). Barrett uses her eyes effectively, especially when Sherry Jackson appears for the first time, and rightfully so considering her man has been on the planet with her for several years. As you also must know, there are two security guards who fall prey to Ruk— we cannot go an episode without some colorless extras getting killed, now can we? The Enterprise crew factor very little in this episode of Star Trek as practically the entire story takes place on the planet inside a ruins guarded against the cold temperature thanks to the mechanical beings (the race who created them are extinct, perhaps a dark omen for Korby who seems to be walking in their footsteps). The twist regarding Korby is a nifty bit of irony.

"Androids don't eat, Miss Chapel."

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 11 April 2021]

Kirk beams down to the frozen planet of EXO-III for a meeting with the eminent scientist, Dr. Roger Korby (Michael Strong). He was thought to be dead for a long time, but the Enterprise has made contact with him. Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) tags along, since her involvement in this episode is personal: she was once engaged to Korby. The two of them meet up with Korby, only to find that he has become mad with power: he is exploiting the techniques of the planets' former residents in creating lifelike androids, to his own ends.

This is a particularly effective early 'Star Trek' episode, with a provocative script by the great Robert Bloch (of "Psycho" fame) and sterling direction by James Goldstone ("They Only Kill Their Masters", "Rollercoaster"). It utilizes the classic science-fiction theme of what it means to be human. Here, we have very convincing android recreations of human beings; in fact, the main plot point is that Korby creates an android version of Kirk partly for the purpose of showing off. This leads to some amusing humour as sometimes characters can't tell the difference between human Kirk and android Kirk. One great scene has both of them sitting at the same dinner table. There is also the entertainment value in seeing Ted Cassidy of 'The Addams Family' fame as a towering, bald-pated android named Ruk who skulks around and offs characters whenever he takes a notion to.

This episode gives a pretty good showcase for Barrett as Christine has to react to every unnerving thing happening around her. It also gives Shatner some fun moments whenever he's playing android Kirk. The lovely Sherry Jackson has an appealing presence as a female android who's programmed basically to follow orders. But it's guest star Strong who does the best work, and he figures in a final twist that is quite enjoyable, even if some viewers are able to predict it.

This story does make the viewer think about our lives as thinking, feeling, unpredictable creatures, and how our very imperfections help us to be interesting characters; the androids here may be "perfect", but they can't help but see their creators as a threat due to such flaws.

Eight out of 10.

"Survival must cancel out programming".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 3 October 2010]

The one aspect of this story that intrigues me is one that none of the other reviewers on this board has touched on so far. This was the first time Gene Roddenberry, along with writer Robert Bloch, used what would become a repeated Star Trek gimmick, the use of a conundrum to trip up the main character(s). It's when Kirk forced Ruk (Ted Cassidy) to remember his original programming, which wouldn't have allowed him to save Kirk from the bottomless pit, even if he (Ruk) was ordered by Dr. Korby (Michael Strong) to obey Nurse Chapel's command. Kirk would have done everything necessary to protect the Enterprise, even if it meant challenging Korby and Ruk himself. This conundrum was a little weak though, and would be done to greater effect in later stories.

I have to say, in one respect, this episode certainly lived up to the Star Trek tag line. Andrea's (Sherry Jackson) costume boldly went where no one had gone before. In fact, without going back to prior episodes to actually check, I'd have to say that the skirts on Uhura and Chapel were visibly shorter than previously seen in the show's brief run. And speaking of Nurse Chapel, how was it that just two episodes prior in 'The Naked Time', she expressed an admiration for Spock. But of course, she would have presumed her old flame Korby to be dead. Which he was when you come right down to it, as this story's twist ending eventually revealed.

Another revelation made here - Captain Kirk has a brother in the service named George Samuel. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think we ever heard about Sam again. It's a big universe.

Nurse Chapel's Fiancé & Kirk's Android Double

[Rainey-Dawn · 8/10 · 20 December 2016]

Season 1, episode 7. Nurse Chapel's fiancé, Dr. Korby, has been missing for 5 years and presumed dead but was found to be the planet EXO-III. Chapel was very much excited to see him again, she and Kirk beamed down to the planet. They find Korby but he's obsessed with technology of "the old ones" and acts somewhat differently than Chapel remembers him. Korby reveals androids and the technology that created them to Kirk and Chapel by creating an android Kirk - identical to the real Kirk in almost every single way. Kirk is held captive, Chapel confused, the android Kirk returns to the Enterprise long enough to gather some information for Korby - fooling the crew. It's up to Kirk to find away out of there.

Good episode. It'll have you thinking of humans and robots becoming one... the "soul" or compete mind of a human, all of one's memories, emotions & thoughts inside an android body - doing away with death, diseases, virus and more.

8/10

What Makes Kirk Kirk?

[Samuel-Shovel · 7/10 · 26 March 2018]

"What Are Little Girls Made Of?" delves into ethical issues such as "are machines people" and "are we all just programmed bodies whose consciousness can be transferred and reattached to a different body?". These are very ambitious topics for a 60's era sci-fi show but Star Trek was always rather ambitious.

In this episode, the Enterprise stops at a planet where a world renowned human doctor disappeared 5 years ago. The Enterprise just happens to have aboard his fiancé. Her and Kirk beam down to the caverns where it's discovered that the doctor has been living with an interesting set of companions, android companions he created. As the episode unfolds, we find out what this doctor has been up to these past 5 years.

There's a lot to like about this episode: the great concepts introduced, the presence of the hulking Ruk bringing fear to both Kirk and the audience, the camera work. There's definitely a sense of dread and darkness surrounding this episode. The scene where Ruk stares down at Kirk on the ledge is fantastic. I also enjoy the android machine, spinning Kirk around at dizzying speeds as we watch from above. That's probably my favorite shot.

All of that makes for great television. I would rate this higher but the ending gets very clunky. Kirk confusing Ruk doesn't make any sense. Why would he forget what happened to him in the past? Andrea's understanding of the concept of love comes at a very convenient time. You can see the doctor's android body reveal coming from a mile away.

Everything gets just a bit too muddled at the end for my liking. There are some great things at work here but the episode overall can't equal the sum of its parts.

ECHOS OF FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMEN

[duncanbrown-76733 · 10/10 · 5 November 2021]

This is one of the my favourite episodes.

It reminds me of the 1985 film THE BRIDE, with a mad scientist creating the woman of his dreams. In this one it is the alluring Andrea.

This episode is unique because it is the only one that focuses on Nurse Chapel for once.

It also has similarities to The Cage, in which Captain Kirk is in a similar situation to Captain Pike.

This is a unique episode of Star Trek, its got my approval for being one of the best of season one.

Get a Graft...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 15 February 2022]

Some fiancés are not what they seem, quite a way from your childhood dream, not your ideal nester, they lurch and they fester, no values in their family or theme.

Nurse Chapel visits her fiancé along with the captain where several identity crises arise, or are at least conjured.

How Do Little Chapels Get On TV? aka No Chapel Clones, Please.

[fedor8 · 22 April 2008]

You can find the rest of my TOS reviews on my "Star Trek TOS: All Episodes Rated & Reviewed" list.

Season 1 Kirk vs. Season 3 Kirk.

This is the episode - i.e. The chance - Majel Barrett had been waiting for. After being (luckily for us) kicked out of the main enterprise cast after the first pilot by NBC's echelon (who for once made a wise decision), this talentless and unfeminine floozy begged her then-boyfriend and future hubby, Gene Roddenberry, to somehow eventually work her back into the show. He kept his promise, but fortunately she only became an irrelevant little nurse, a dull side-character that is barely visible. When Chapel first sees the android Andrea, the jealousy isn't acted: it is very real. You can almost smell the envy Majel has for this gorgeous actress who was everything Majel could only have dreamed of being. Sherry Jackson is hands down the most beautiful woman that ever appeared in any ST episode or movie. (I've barely seen any of the 80s/90s spin-offs (up to 30 seconds is as much as I can take of that plastic crap), but judging from the ugly and average females that infest those crews, they couldn't have had particularly attractive guest stars either.)

Watching Andrea and Nursy in the same scene was a dramatic contrast: like watching a brand-new Ferrari and a worn-down Yugo, parked next to each other. If only Majel's eyes could have killed...

WALGMO has a decent story, a unique feel and location, and plenty of twists and other things going on. The element of cheesiness is smaller than the average episode, but there are still some cute 60s-TV aspects to be amused by, like Kirk getting lifted and thrown down about half a dozen times by Richard Kiel's long-lost brother, plus the grand finale which has most of the androids conveniently killing each other off so that the humane Kirk and his crew of do-gooders wouldn't have to do the dirty deed themselves. The only drawback I can think of in what is one of the best episodes is Michael Strong in the role of the mad scientist; unconvincing. The kiss between him and Majel was a brief but very low point.

Kirk's double is more animated and more grin-happy than the real Kirk - i.e. Much more like the Kirk from Season 3!

This is the only good switcheroo/someone-has-a-double episode.

A Senior Trekker writes.....................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 24 March 2022]

What Are Little Girls Made Of has to be one of the most iconic and most memorable of the Original Series episodes. The sight of Majel Barrett running multiple times around the same set of fibreglass rocks whilst wearing a blue mini-skirt and shouting "Roger" at the top of her voice is absolutely indelible. Nor could one ever forget Ted Cassidy's enormous, upholstered shoulders: so tastefully set off with that cute pink floral jabot. The blue/brown cross-over outfits worn by other members of the cast were a special Bill Theiss creation, styled to co-ordinate with Sherry Jackson's stunning, censorship-eluding flash of side boob.

This was an early illustration of just how much could be got away with under a Science Fiction banner and a clear indication of how far Mr Roddenberry was prepared to push the boundaries. That costume was apparently shown at several promotional events before the series even aired (presumably properly inhabited) and garnered a flurry of publicity. Anyone who thinks Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine outfit was overly exploitative should look back a few decades and ponder over just what it was that made the studios so desperate to appeal to teenaged boys.

It's a pretty formulaic story: we have two Kirks (again), another all-powerful but long-dead race, another android take-over and another reclusive scientist who has built his very own Fembot. The absurdity of Nurse Chapel having travelled out into space to find a long-lost fiancé when only last week she was declaring her undying affection for Mr Spock is incongruous, to say the least. And then to cap it all, Canadian heartthrob Bill Shatner destroys the Andrea robot by smooching it and introducing it to the concept of love. Yes, well he would, wouldn't he?

By the way: I'm here to tell you that whatever it was that made his portrayal of the Captain almost hypnotically watchable, it certainly wasn't sex appeal. Well, not on this side of the Atlantic anyway.

Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.