The Counter-Clock Incident
Once again, the animated series does a time-related story
by using a parallel universe with different laws of physics,
VERY reminiscent of (and a huge improvement on)
"The Time Trap",
as well as reminding us once again of
Doctor Who's
E-Space Trilogy.
This time, the parallel universe is no small pocket. As
astronomical charts get compared, there's a whole galaxy
in there equal to our own in size, and who knows how much
further both regions of space extend....
As in "The Time Trap", the flow of time in the new universe
is different to what we expect. Instead of going forward at
a different rate, it here flows "backwards". Fascinating.
The episode is a stand-up example of true science fiction,
as little time is spent looking for the usual conflicts
between characters. Instead, most of the time is spent
exploring ideas and concepts from reverse universes,
reverse time mechanics, super nova astronomy, the
culture of the planet Atar, and ideas of aging, retirement,
and contribution. A rich tapestry. The visuals are a vast
improvement over "The Time Trap" as well, chiefly with the
segments on the planet Atar, although they also give us
a lovely effect for the Nova. Even while on the old
Enterprise bridge, we have two unmistakably unique characters
in Commodore Robert April and his wife, plus interesting
visuals from Mrs. April's orchid that serve as an indicator
to the flow of time. Nice device. Somehow, even the bridge
scenes in this adventure flow better and keep up a more
interesting pace than in most other episodes.
Although one may well question the Atarian life cycle,
particularly in comparison to the way similar ideas
were further developed to a ludicrous extent on the
show "Mork and Mindy", here it is simply a bizarre one-off
concept in the Star Trek canon.
"The Counter-Clock Incident" remains a clean story in
terms of the time-travel mechanics that are usually
messed up in Star Trek, largely because the story doesn't
really involve time travel, just a different flow of time
depending on "where" you are. Cool.
All in all, a very satisfying episode, and a good one for
the animated series to bow out on. Enjoy!
Rankings:
Best Story:
- Yesteryear (Yes, it's flawed, but this one delivers the most unmissable gold!)
- The Infinite Vulcan (good imagination and visuals
for alien planet & its culture,
plot moves at a nice pace, regulars used well.)
- The Lorelei Signal (lots of tasteful vocal work by Nichols and Barrett,
a good story with few true flaws)
- The Slaver Weapon (very polished in writing and execution;
lots of sci-fi & cultural ideas with depth. A memorable favourite.)
- The Ambergris Element (This one boldly goes where live-action
would never have been affordable. The guest characters are a
bit wet - figuratively and literally - but the work
towards an ending of high philosophical standard pulls everyone through.)
- Mudd's Passion (another fun guest voice, some good exploration
of new regulars Arex and M'res, a decent story with
imaginative settings and humour. Sadly, the action
is fairly lame in this one.)
- The Counter-Clock Incident (interesting ideas, very well paced.
Could have ranked higher by exploring more off-ship.)
- The Survivor (nice character story and mystery,
some action confusing; character decisions not covered satisfactorily)
- BEM (has good situation and character, but wordy, preachy arguments
often go in circles here. These should be shorter,
with more incident / response from the primitives, maybe Sulu & M'res also.
Nichols gives a good performance.)
- How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth (falls on the preachy side, but
decent overall, and with some fascinating design work.)
- The Terratin Incident (Arex sees some action, good story concept,
lots of decent science, but not the easiest narrative to follow.
Remains rewarding.)
- The Magicks of Megas-Tu (many very potent philosophical ideas
help lift this one above its many cheesy situations.
Astronomical ideas were once good, now outdated by scientific advances,
Star Trek 5's backstory, and Star Trek Voyager main situation.)
- One of Our Planets is Missing (very well made, reminiscent of Fantastic Voyage,
but very much Enterprise-bound, and NOT design-rich visually or vocally.)
- Albatross (decent idea, nice alien design, but the plot feels clumsy
in the aftermath, and the "geography" confusing)
- Once Upon a Planet (The main idea of a sequel to "Shore Leave" seems stale,
but the characters are used well,
and there is much imagination on display in plot and visuals.
Kirk's dealings with mad computers also evolve to a new height.
Glad I saw this one.)
- Eye of the Beholder (good aliens & main concept,
but many scenes are too visually static for an
animated format. We don't get that much for cartoon
characters to actually do in the latter half.)
- Practical Joker (famous for first "holodeck" rec room, not otherwise
very design-rich or imaginative. Well-written plot,
but animation can't keep up with voiced emotions.)
- More Tribbles, More Troubles (good, but quite derivative
of the original, and sticks to Enterprise sets.
Much talk of new Klingon stasis weapon, which has greater
application than the episode gives it credit.)
- Beyond the Farthest Star (very gripping opening,
ending veers towards cheesy/depressing.
"Negative Mass" is a misleading phrase that should have been
corrected - why not "high mass"?
Otherwise top marks for the fascinating backstory!)
- The Jihad (good collection of aliens & backstory,
but most of the set-piece challenges seem arbitrary and
off-topic. Afterwards, the final turns can only feel shallow.)
- The Time Trap (each situation has a predictable outcome,
dialogue NEEDS visuals to be better to make sense,
and creativity seems to run dry on the production.
Not a bad story, mind you, and it ends well, but most other eps are better.)
- The Pirates of Orion (Canned medical desperation drags out
a regurgitation of what we know about the Orion civilization,
instead of exploring it and a deeper piracy mystery properly.
Proposals for resolution get sillier and less exciting as
the ending approaches.
Easily the dullest of all these animated Trek episodes.)
Best Writing:
- D.C. Fontana: Yesteryear
- Larry Niven: The Slaver Weapon
- Walter Koenig: The Infinite Vulcan
- John Culver: The Counter-Clock Incident
- Margaret Armen: The Ambergris Element
- Stephen Kandel: Mudd's Passion
- David Gerrold: BEM
- Marc Daniels: One of Our Planets is Missing
- Margaret Armen: The Lorelei Signal
- Paul Schneider: The Terratin Incident
- James Schmerer: The Survivor
- Russell Bates & David Wise: How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth
- Chuck Menville and Len Janson: Once Upon a Planet
- Larry Brody: The Magicks of Megas-Tu
- Chuck Menville: Practical Joker
- David Gerrold: More Tribbles, More Troubles
- Dario Finelli: Albatross
- Samuel A. Peeples: Beyond the Farthest Star
- David P. Harmon: Eye of the Beholder
- Stephen Kandel: The Jihad
- Joyce Perry: The Time Trap
- Howard Weinstein: The Pirates of Orion
"The Counter-Clock Incident" and all these "Season Four" / Animated Series episodes
are available on standard DVD.
Click on the Amazon symbol for the desired disc format
and location nearest you for pricing and availability:
Region 1, NTSC, U.S.
Region 1, NTSC, Canada
Region 2, PAL, U.K.
