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### **Review: *Star Trek - Let That Be Your Last Battlefield***  
**Rating: 85/100**

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**“Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”** is one of *Star Trek: 
The Original Series*’ most overtly political and allegorical 
episodes. First aired in 1969, it dives headfirst into themes 
of racism, civil war, and the self-destructive nature 
of hate—delivered through the unforgettable visual 
metaphor of two aliens who are black and white... 
but on opposite sides.

---

### **🖤🤍 The Premise:**

The Enterprise picks up **Lokai**, a fugitive from the planet 
Cheron, whose face is half black and half white. Soon after, 
they are visited by **Bele**, a representative of Cheron’s 
authorities, who is also black and white—but reversed. 
Their endless pursuit of each other has lasted 
**50,000 years**, and their mutual hatred is based solely 
on which side of their body is black or white.

As the Enterprise crew watches this ancient feud reignite 
on their ship, the episode explores the futility of racial 
hatred, the madness of long-standing conflict, 
and how such division ultimately leads to destruction.

---

### **🔥 What Works:**

- **Powerful Allegory:**  
  The black-and-white makeup is famously blunt—but effective. 
  It's a visual cue that’s impossible to miss, and it drives 
  home the absurdity of prejudice in a way only 
  science fiction can.

- **Frank Gorshin as Bele:**  
  Gorshin delivers a passionate, often unhinged performance 
  that sells the intensity of Bele’s hatred. He’s charismatic, 
  relentless, and tragically blind 
  to the emptiness of his cause.

- **Kirk’s Dilemma:**  
  Captain Kirk tries to maintain Federation neutrality 
  and uphold logic, but he's also clearly disgusted 
  by the irrational conflict he’s witnessing. His 
  struggle to deal with the situation adds weight.

- **Final Reveal of Cheron’s Fate:**  
  When the Enterprise finally arrives at Cheron 
  and finds the planet lifeless, devastated 
  by racial war, it hits hard. The two survivors 
  continue their battle in a literal ghost town, 
  emphasising the self-destructive end of hate.

---

### **🤨 What Doesn’t Work As Well:**

- **Overt Messaging:**  
  The allegory is **extremely** on-the-nose. 
  Subtlety was not the goal here, and while 
  it works for many, it may come across 
  as preachy or simplistic for others.

- **B-Plot is Thin:**  
  The subplot involving Lokai stirring 
  rebellion among the Enterprise crew 
  goes nowhere. It’s more a vehicle for 
  exposition and to stretch the runtime 
  than a story of its own.

- **Repetitiveness:**  
  The back-and-forth arguments between Lokai 
  and Bele are compelling at first, but they 
  start to feel like circular shouting 
  matches after a while.

---

### **🧠 Themes & Legacy:**

- **Racism & Division:**  
  This episode is *Star Trek* at its most 
  socially conscious, hammering home that 
  even the most absurd distinctions can 
  lead to deep-rooted hatred 
  when institutionalised.

- **The Futility of Hate:**  
  The ending, where Lokai 
  and Bele chase each other 
  through the ruins of their 
  destroyed home world, is stark and poetic. 
  There’s no victory, only mutual annihilation.

- **Timely & Timeless:**  
  Its relevance has never really faded. 
  It spoke to civil rights struggles 
  in the '60s, but it also applies 
  to conflicts driven by race, class, 
  religion, and nationalism in every era.

---

### **Final Verdict: 85/100**

“Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” 
is bold, haunting, and quintessential 
*Star Trek*. While its symbolism is 
heavy-handed and the pacing lags 
at times, its message is important, 
its performances strong, 
and its ending devastating. 
Not subtle—but unforgettable.

Google Gemini

"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" 
is a Star Trek episode that delivers 
a powerful anti-racism message through 
a compelling and thought-provoking story. 
Here's a review:

**Strengths:**

* **Intriguing Premise:** The episode 
presents a unique and memorable scenario: 
the Enterprise encounters two aliens, 
Bele and Lokai, who are locked in 
a centuries-long conflict based 
solely on their physical differences—one 
is black on the right side and white 
on the left, and the other is the reverse.

* **Powerful Anti-Racism Message:** 
The episode directly confronts the absurdity 
of racism and prejudice, highlighting 
the irrationality of judging others based 
on superficial differences. The message 
remains relevant and impactful today.

* **Strong Performances:** The core cast 
delivers excellent performances, particularly 
William Shatner as Kirk, who struggles to 
understand and resolve the aliens' senseless 
conflict. Frank Gorshin is also memorable 
as Bele, the increasingly fanatical 
and hateful alien.

* **Memorable Dialogue:** The episode features 
powerful and thought-provoking dialogue that 
underscores its anti-racist message.

* **Uniqueness:** Even within Star Trek, 
this episode stands out for its directness 
and its willingness to tackle a difficult 
social issue head-on.

**Possible Weaknesses:**

* **Dated Special Effects:** As with most 
original series episodes, the special 
effects are noticeably dated.

* **Simplistic Allegory:** Some viewers 
may find the allegory to be somewhat 
heavy-handed or simplistic.

* **Pacing:** The pacing might feel 
uneven to some modern viewers.

**Overall Impression:**

"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" 
is a classic Star Trek episode that 
delivers a timeless and important 
message about the dangers of racism 
and prejudice. While it may not be subtle, 
its directness and its powerful performances 
make it a memorable and impactful entry in 
the series. It's an episode that challenges 
viewers to confront their own biases 
and to consider the destructive 
consequences of hatred.

**Rating:**

Considering its strengths and weaknesses,
 I'd rate "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" 
 a **92/100**. It's an exceptionally well-crafted
 episode with a message that resonates deeply.

**Breakdown for viewers:**

* **For Star Trek fans, viewers who appreciate 
social commentary, and those interested in themes 
of tolerance and understanding:** 95/100

* **For viewers seeking modern special effects 
and a more nuanced plot:** 87/100


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