“Charlie X” 60th-anniversary reflections
While investigating the planet Thasus, the crew of the Antares takes in a young crash survivor who had been stranded alone for 14 years. The boy, Charlie Evans, is then transferred to the Enterprise where his teenage angst becomes amplified as he tries to fit in with other humans. Attempts by Kirk, Rand, and others to help him acclimate are made far more difficult thanks to Charlie’s psychokinetic powers. Acting out whenever something doesn't go his way, Charlie eventually takes over the Enterprise and the non-corporeal Thasians, who protected him during years of isolation and are responsible for his powers, are forced to step in and bring Charlie back "home."
In this episode of Standard Orbit, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 60th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of the original Star Trek, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 1 with the second aired episode, “Charlie X,” as we discuss its relevance in today's world, the challenges of growing up, the importance of guidance, why you can't always get what you want, and more.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Nature vs. Nurture (00:02:04)
The Drive of Adolescence (00:09:17)
Base Instincts (00:12:29)
Kirk as Father Figure (00:18:08)
Please Like Me! (00:21:17)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (00:29:51)
Thasians Take Me Away (00:35:55)
United Earth Space Probe Agency (00:38:12)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:40:34)
Closing (00:45:35)
Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing
Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)
