MONDO EXTRAS

Philana, her voyeuristic urges not completely satisfied, tells Parmen to "get on with it." "You are so impatient, my wife. Observe the doctor and learn. He is quite content to wait for the piece de resistance," Parmen says, and with a wave of his hand, a table with instruments of S&M moves center stage. Spock is forced to pick up a glowing brand iron, and Kirk a whip. Kirk snaps the whip a few times, and the two move toward the ladies. Kirk shouts, "You're half-dead -- all of you! You've been dead for centuries. We may disappear tomorrow but at least we're living now and you can't stand that, can you? You're half-crazy because there's nothing inside -- nothing! And you have to torture us to convince yourselves that you're superior!" Parmen squints, and Kirk is forced back to face Uhura with his whip. He snaps it a few times -- not touching her -- and she winces and shields her face. Spock raises the red-hot poker, determined to get that gawdawful ice-blue eyeshadow off Chapel. Everyone braces themselves. Unnoticed, Alexander climbs over the low wall that separates the Platonians from the crewmembers and snatches a dagger from the table. More redundant scenes of Spock raising the iron and Kirk whipping but not touching. Not whipping, can't get mad! Not whipping, can't get mad! Bones shouts at Parmen to stop and he'll do anything they want. Alexander lunges at Parmen, but is stopped by Philana's mind. "Alexander again," Parmen comments. "He likes to play with knives. Very well, we shall indulge him." Parmen makes like Alexander is going to stab himself. Philana chews on her pinky. Kirk concentrates and manages to stop the dagger's self-inflicting path. Parmen looks alarmed and asks, "Who did that!?!" Kirk laughs and throws down his whip: "I did!" "Impossible!" cries a Platonian. "Quite possible and logical," Spock corrects him, throwing aside his poker. Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger! Only your hatred can destroy me! Philana wants to know what in the Sam Hill is going on. "Platonians, listen to me, the next one of you that tries any trick will get hurt. Not only do we have your psychokinetic ability but at twice your power level," Kirk announces. "Not twice MINE!" Parmen shouts. Alexander is forced toward Kirk with the dagger. Kirk forces Alexander back. Parmen forces him forward. Finally Kirk thrusts Alexander uncomfortably close to Parmen's exposed skin, and Parmen begs for mercy. I'm annoyed that they made Kirk the first one to get some mileage out of his Kironide powers -- Spock does have the stronger mind, after all. Alexander holds the knife closer, but Kirk suddenly flings him away. "Don't stop me, let me finish him off," Alexander pleads. Alex, don't give in to hate. That leads to the dark side. Kirk reminds Alexander that he doesn't want to become one of them, and Alexander tosses the knife aside. He could go spit on Parmen, though.