Star Trek: The Animated Series (S2)

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Star Trek: The Animated Series (S2)

#18 Bem

Written by: David Gerrold

Directed by: Hal Sutherland

Airdate: Sept. 14, 1974

Stardate: 7403.6

Synopsis

On a series of exploratory missions with Commander Ari bn Bem, a representative from the newly-contacted planet Pandro, the U.S.S. Enterprise encounters a planet of primitive natives under the guardianship of a noncorporeal being.

Guest Characters:

Commander Ari bn Bem James Doohan

Alien Entity Nichelle Nichols

Notes:

 

This episode's author, David Gerrold, also wrote another animated STAR TREK episode "More Tribbles, More Troubles". He also wrote the original STAR TREK series episode "The Cloud Minders." David Gerrold recently said that both "Bem" and "More Troubles, More Tribbles" were originally written as possible episodes for the original STAR TREK's third season. He said that Gene Roddenberry asked him to write the tribbles sequel, but that it was dropped when the show changed management. In the mid-eighties, Mr. Gerrold helped Gene Roddenberry create STAR TREK: The Next Generation.

In this episode, Kirk's middle name was first revealed to be Tiberius. His middle name was mentioned again in STAR TREK VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). During the original series it was not known what his middle initial, "T", stood for.

The character of Bem would have been nearly impossible to do convincingly in a live action series.

No explanation was given in the episode as to how Bem's disconnected head and torso were able to float and move about in midair.

The name Bem comes from an acronym for "Bug Eyed Monster" a term made popular in the 1950's to refer to a generic movie alien.

Transporter Chief Kyle appeared in this episode but he had no dialogue.