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In article <xdOdnaaw_rBYlHT6nZ2dnZfqn_qdnZ2d@giganews.com>,
Ubiquitous  <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
>In article <vs3gq0$1rs6$1@gallifrey.nk.ca>, doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca wrote:
>
>>AI/LLM reviews of Star Trek - The Children shall Lead
>>
>>ChapGPT
>>
>>### **Review of *Star Trek: And the Children Shall Lead***
>>
>>**Rating: 60/100**
>>
>>*"And the Children Shall Lead"* is one of the more infamous 
>>episodes of *Star Trek: The Original Series*, airing 
>>on January 19, 1969. The episode delves into themes of 
>>power, control, and the corrupting influence of 
>>an otherworldly force, but it is also remembered for 
>>its campy execution and uneven tone. While it has garnered 
>>a cult following for its sheer oddity, many fans view 
>>it as one of the weaker entries in the series.
>>
>>---
>>
>>#### **Plot Summary**
>>
>>The episode centers on a group of children in an 
>>orphanage who, after a mysterious accident, become 
>>conduits for an alien force known as the Keeper. 
>>This malevolent entity uses the children’s innate 
>>energy to manipulate them, turning them into 
>>instruments of chaos and destruction. When 
>>the crew of the Enterprise becomes involved, 
>>Captain Kirk and his team must confront not 
>>only the physical threat posed by the empowered 
>>children but also the ethical dilemma 
>>of interfering with a group of vulnerable innocents.
>>
>>The narrative unfolds as the children, 
>>under the influence of the Keeper, begin to exhibit 
>>strange and dangerous behavior. Their newfound power 
>>leads to the collapse of order in the orphanage 
>>and soon threatens wider societal disruption. 
>>The Enterprise crew, caught in the crossfire, 
>>races against time to free the children from 
>>the alien influence before the Keeper can 
>>fully assert its dominion. In the climax, 
>>Kirk and Spock face off against this 
>>supernatural force in an attempt 
>>to restore normalcy and save the children 
>>from their unwitting servitude.
>>
>>---
>>
>>#### **Strengths**
>>
>>- **Unique Concept:**  
>>  The idea of an alien force manipulating 
>>  children to wreak havoc is unusual within 
>>  the *Star Trek* canon. The episode attempts 
>>  to blend science fiction with elements 
>>  of supernatural horror, exploring how a 
>>  seemingly benign group (children) can 
>>  be turned into a dangerous, almost 
>>  demonic force. This concept, though 
>>  far-fetched, is undeniably memorable.
>>
>>- **Thematic Ambition:**  
>>  At its core, the episode touches on 
>>  issues such as the loss of innocence 
>>  and the vulnerability of youth when 
>>  exposed to corrupting external influences. 
>>  It poses questions about control versus 
>>  free will, and the impact of power on those 
>>  least equipped to handle it. These are 
>>  themes that, when handled with nuance, 
>>  can lead to profound storytelling.
>>
>>- **Atmospheric Set Pieces:**  
>>  The setting of the orphanage and the eerie, 
>>  sometimes surreal visuals contribute to a 
>>  haunting atmosphere. The production design, 
>>  though limited by the era’s budget constraints, 
>>  manages to evoke a sense of foreboding 
>>  and mystery that complements the narrative.
>>
>>- **Cult Appeal:**  
>>  Despite its shortcomings, *"And the Children 
>>  Shall Lead"* has gained a cult following due 
>>  to its bizarre plot twists and the stark 
>>  departure from typical *Star Trek* fare. 
>>  Its blend of horror, science fiction, 
>>  and camp has made it a talking point 
>>  among fans who appreciate the series’ 
>>  willingness to take creative risks.
>>
>>---
>>
>>#### **Weaknesses**
>>
>>- **Inconsistent Tone and Pacing:**  
>>
>>  The episode struggles to maintain a 
>>  consistent tone. It oscillates between 
>>  moments of genuine tension and scenes 
>>  that verge on absurdity. The pacing can 
>>  feel erratic, with extended periods of 
>>  dialogue and exposition that do little 
>>  to build suspense, followed by sudden 
>>  bursts of action that lack a smooth transition.
>>
>>- **Underdeveloped Characters:**  
>>
>>  The children, who are central to the plot, are 
>>  largely one-dimensional. Their portrayal as vessels 
>>  for the alien entity leaves little room 
>>  for genuine emotional connection or character 
>>  development. This is especially problematic 
>>  given the episode’s heavy reliance on the 
>>  emotional stakes of corrupted innocence.
>>
>>- **Campy Execution:**  
>>  Many scenes, particularly those involving 
>>  the children’s transformation 
>>  and the manifestation of the Keeper, 
>>  come off as unintentionally campy. 
>>  The over-the-top performances 
>>  and special effects undermine the episode’s 
>>  intended horror, making it difficult 
>>  for some viewers to take the threat seriously.
>>
>>- **Weak Resolution:**  
>>  The climax, while dramatic, is somewhat underwhelming.
>>  The resolution of the conflict with the Keeper 
>>  feels abrupt, and the emotional aftermath
>>  for the children is not adequately addressed. 
>>  This leaves the episode’s ethical 
>>  and moral implications hanging 
>>  without satisfactory closure.
>>
>>---
>>
>>#### **Conclusion**
>>
>>*"And the Children Shall Lead"* 
>>is a bold and unconventional entry 
>>in *Star Trek: The Original Series*. 
>>Its ambitious concept and thematic 
>>exploration of power, innocence, 
>>and corruption are noteworthy, 
>>but they are marred by inconsistent 
>>tone, underdeveloped characters, 
>>and a resolution that leaves more 
>>questions than answers. Despite its 
>>flaws, the episode remains an interesting 
>>experiment in genre blending and continues 
>>to be a topic of discussion among *Star Trek* fans.
>>
>>**Final Verdict: 60/100**  
>>A daring but flawed episode that stands out for 
>>its unique approach, even if it fails to fully 
>>deliver on its ambitious promise.
>>
>>Google Gemini
>>
>>"And the Children Shall Lead" is a Star Trek 
>>episode that explores themes of grief, 
>>manipulation, and the vulnerability 
>>of children. Here's a review:
>>
>>**Strengths:**
>>
>>* **Intriguing Premise:** The episode 
>>presents a compelling scenario: the crew 
>>of the Enterprise encounters a group of children 
>>who have been given strange powers by 
>>a mysterious alien entity, and who are now
>> behaving in a hostile and dangerous manner.
>> 
>>* **Exploration of Themes:** The episode delves 
>>into the psychological impact of grief 
>>and loss on children, the dangers of manipulation, 
>>and the challenges of dealing with seemingly 
>>innocent but ultimately dangerous individuals.
>>
>>* **Suspenseful Narrative:** The episode maintains 
>>a sense of suspense as the crew tries to understand 
>>the children's behaviour and find a way to stop 
>>them without harming them.
>>
>>* **Strong Performances:** The core cast delivers 
>>solid performances, particularly William Shatner 
>>as Kirk, who must find a way to connect 
>>with the children and break the alien's hold on them.
>>
>>**Possible Weaknesses:**
>>
>>* **Dated Special Effects:** As with most original 
>>series episodes, the special effects are noticeably dated.
>>
>>* **Simplistic Resolution:** Some viewers may find the 
>>resolution of the conflict to be somewhat simplistic.
>>
>>* **Unsettling Content:** The episode deals with 
>>potentially disturbing themes and imagery, 
>>which may not appeal to all viewers.
>>
>>**Overall Impression:**
>>
>>"And the Children Shall Lead" is a thought-provoking 
>>and suspenseful Star Trek episode that explores 
>>complex themes related to grief, manipulation, 
>>and the vulnerability of children. Its strong 
>>performances and intriguing premise make it a 
>>memorable entry in the series, though its 
>>unsettling content may not be for everyone.
>>
>>**Rating:**
>>
>>Considering its strengths and weaknesses, 
>>I'd rate "And the Children Shall Lead" an **82/100**.
>>It's a solid episode with some notable flaws.
>>
>>**Breakdown for viewers:**
>>
>>* **For Star Trek fans, viewers who appreciate 
>>thought-provoking narratives, and those interested
>>in themes of grief and manipulation:** 85/100
>>
>>* **For viewers seeking modern special effects 
>>and a more straightforward plot, or those sensitive 
>>to disturbing content:** 77/100
>
>I always laugh when the kids first summon the ghost of judge F Lee Baily.
>
>His degenerate form at the end reminds me of a neighbor who had a cyst 
>the size of a melon on her forehead.
>

Note how niether cannot get the Angel from Hell correct!

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>Dems hate President Trump more than they love America.
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