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AI/LLM reviews of Doctor Who - The Savage Curtain

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**Star Trek – “The Savage Curtain”**  
[Transcript](http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/77.htm)  
**Rating: 68/100**

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**Review:**  
“The Savage Curtain” is one of the more unusual 
and philosophically ambitious episodes of *Star Trek: 
The Original Series*, and it blends historical allegory 
with high-concept science fiction. While the premise is 
undeniably campy, it still manages to explore ideas 
central to *Star Trek*: morality, leadership, and the 
nature of good and evil — albeit in a very on-the-nose way.

The Enterprise crew encounters a planet that manifests 
none other than **Abraham Lincoln** himself, floating 
in space. Yes, really. This Lincoln — who is quite 
respectful and warmly portrayed — invites Kirk 
and Spock to beam down to a volcanic surface where 
they meet **Surak**, the legendary Vulcan philosopher 
and founder of Vulcan logic.
 So far, so delightfully bizarre.

They are then pitted in a forced battle of “good vs evil” 
by an alien rock-being known as the **Excalbian**, 
who wants to study the moral contrasts 
between the two sides. On the evil team: **Kahless** 
(a Klingon warrior), **Zora**, **Colonel Green**, 
and **Genghis Khan** — a rogues' gallery of fictional 
and historical tyrants.

The result is a sort of gladiatorial morality play.
The good guys fight not because they love violence, 
but because they want to protect ideals. Surak chooses 
diplomacy and is tragically killed. Kirk, in contrast, 
struggles with the need to fight in the name of virtue, 
and ultimately triumphs not by being stronger
but by being more self-aware and compassionate.

The episode is a fascinating mash-up 
of Star Trek values, historical fan fiction, 
and a bit of absurd sci-fi theater. It’s both 
engaging and unintentionally funny in 
places — the concept of Lincoln chatting 
with Spock about Vulcan culture 
is kind of charming, and kind of ridiculous.

---

**Strengths:**
- Surak and Lincoln add some unexpected 
gravity and thoughtful dialogue.

- Explores classic Trek themes: ethics,
 war, diplomacy, and humanity.
 
- The Excalbian test, though crude, 
offers interesting questions 
about how we define "good."

**Weaknesses:**
- The whole setup is *deeply* goofy.
- Simplistic good vs evil dynamic.
- Poor fight choreography and 
over-the-top villain performances.

- Surak’s death feels avoidable
 and underwhelming for such an iconic figure.

---

**Verdict:**  
*“The Savage Curtain”* is a curious mix 
of thoughtful and silly — one of those 
episodes where Star Trek’s bold ambition 
slightly outpaces its budget and realism. 
But if you can embrace the weirdness, 
there’s something charming and even meaningful here.

**Score: 68/100**  
(*Goofy, but thought-provoking in its own strange way.*)


Google Gemini

"The Savage Curtain" is a Star Trek episode that explores
themes of good versus evil, the nature of heroism, 
and the potential for even the greatest figures 
to be flawed. Here's a review:

**Strengths:**

* **Intriguing Premise:** The episode presents 
a unique and compelling scenario: Kirk and Spock 
are contacted by Abraham Lincoln, who leads them 
to a planet where they must team up with historical 
figures of good to battle an opposing team 
of history's most evil individuals.

* **Exploration of Themes:** The episode delves 
into the nature of good and evil, examining 
the motivations and flaws of both heroes and villains. 
It also raises questions about the nature of heroism 
and the sacrifices that may be required to fight 
for what is right.

* **Memorable Characters:** The episode features 
appearances by a diverse cast of historical figures, 
both good and evil, adding a unique flavor 
to the Star Trek universe.

* **Strong Performances:** William Shatner 
and Leonard Nimoy deliver strong performances 
as Kirk and Spock, grappling with the moral 
complexities of the situation.

**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. The battle between good 
and evil is presented in a very direct 
and unambiguous way.

* **Questionable Logic:** The motivations 
of the aliens who orchestrate the conflict 
are somewhat unclear, and the logic 
of the scenario can be questioned.

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

**Overall Impression:**

"The Savage Curtain" is a memorable 
and thought-provoking Star Trek episode 
that explores complex themes related 
to good and evil. While it has some flaws, 
its unique premise and strong performances 
make it a worthwhile watch. It's an episode 
that encourages viewers to consider 
the nature of heroism and the challenges 
of fighting for what is right.

**Rating:**

Considering its strengths and weaknesses, 
I'd rate "The Savage Curtain" an **82/100**. 
It's a solid episode with some notable flaws.

**Breakdown for viewers:**

* **For Star Trek fans, viewers who appreciate 
allegorical stories, and those interested 
in themes of good and evil:** 85/100

* **For viewers seeking modern special 
effects and a more nuanced plot:** 77/100


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