Television Review: Mudd's Passion (Star Trek: The Animated Series, S1X10, 1973)

The Survivor (S01E10)

Airdate: November 10th 1973

Written by: Stephen Kandel
Directed by: Hal Sutherland

Running Time: 22 minutes

Stephen Kandel’s contributions to Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) were neither the most acclaimed nor the most pivotal, yet his legacy within the franchise is indelibly tied to two episodes: Mudd’s Women and I, Mudd, both featuring the irredeemable con artist Harcourt Fenton Mudd. Played with magnetic malice by Roger C. Carmel, this character became one of TOS’s most enduring rogues, embodying the series’ early penchant for 1960s camp and witty absurdity. Though neither episode is universally regarded as among the series’ finest, their popularity at the time stemmed from their unapologetic embrace of kitsch, their humorous dialogue, and Carmel’s virtuosic performance. Mudd’s Passion, the third Mudd-centric episode from Kandel, originally conceived as Deep Mudd for the live-action series but abandoned due to budget constraints and logistical chaos, resurfaced in Star Trek: The Animated Series ( TAS). This animated revival, while flawed, offers a curious blend of nostalgia and creative ambition, capturing both the charm and limitations of its era.

Kandel’s initial attempt to revisit Mudd in Deep Mudd for TOS was stymied by the show’s declining resources and the infamous backstage turmoil of its final season. However, the animated series provided a second chance. Produced during a transitional period for the franchise, TAS allowed writers to experiment with concepts that live-action practicality had previously ruled out. Mudd’s Passion thus became a vehicle for Kandel to revisit his beloved antihero, with Carmel reprising his role. The episode’s premise sees the Enterprise dispatched to the mining colony Motherlode to apprehend Mudd, who is once again perpetrating a scheme—this time, selling counterfeit “love crystals” to desperate miners. When the scam unravels and Mudd gets brought to Enterprise, Mudd’s trademark charm enables him to escape custody, luring Nurse Christine Chapel into a misguided alliance by promising the crystals will help her win Spock’s affections. The plot spirals as Mudd hijacks a shuttle and flees with Chapel to a planet teeming with gargantuan rock beasts. Meanwhile, the crystals inadvertently infiltrate the Enterprise, causing chaos as crew members succumb to their mind-altering effects. Kirk and Spock eventually confront Mudd, with Kirk employing the crystals to pacify the beasts, only for the effects to wear off, leaving the crew grappling with lingering hostility as side effect.

The episode’s narrative is solid if unremarkable, leaning on Kandel’s knack for crafting audacious Mudd-style cons. The love crystals plot, while borrowing thematic elements from TOS’s The Naked Time, distinguishes itself through its focus on romantic manipulation. The crystals’ dual function—both as a love potion and a tool for chaos—adds layers of irony, particularly in Spock’s reluctant admission of his feelings for Chapel, which propels him to join the rescue mission. Kandel also subtly advances Star Trek’s continuity: the episode introduces Starfleet ID badges, a detail later canonized in films and spin-offs. Additionally, the Chapel-Spock dynamic, hinted at in TOS, gains slight traction here, though it remains underdeveloped. These touches underscore Kandel’s awareness of the series’ lore, even as he prioritizes plot over depth.

However, Mudd’s Passion is not without its missteps. The most glaring issue is its treatment of Nurse Chapel, whose naivety and susceptibility to Mudd’s manipulation risk alienating modern viewers. Chapel, a capable medical officer, is reduced to a gullible romantic fool, trusting Mudd’s deceitful promises while her male counterparts remain level-headed. This dynamic, while perhaps acceptable in 1960s sitcom tropes, now feels patronizing.

The episode’s technical execution, however, is its most contentious aspect. Kandel’s comedic timing and dialogue, which thrived in the physicality of live actors, struggle to translate to the animated format. Filmation’s limited animation style—characterized by static poses and repetitive movements—renders character interactions stilted and unconvincing. Mudd’s roguish charm, so vivid in Carmel’s voice, lacks the visual panache needed to elevate his schemes from contrivance to wit. Even the rock-beast sequences, which promised spectacle, feel underwhelming, their designs simplistic and their movements mechanical. The animation’s shortcomings dilute the episode’s potential, making it feel more like a radio play with visuals than a cohesive animated narrative.

Despite these flaws, Mudd’s Passion retains a charm that appeals to dedicated Trek fans, particularly those nostalgic for the franchise’s origins. Its value lies in its role as a bridge between TOS and later iterations, showcasing Carmel’s irreplaceable portrayal of Mudd—a role that would vanish from the franchise after his death in 1977, only to be resurrected decades later by Rainn Wilson in Star Trek: Discovery. For viewers willing to overlook its technical and thematic datedness, the episode offers a glimpse into Kandel’s playful imagination and Carmel’s iconic performance. Yet its appeal is niche; modern audiences may find it too campy, its jokes too broad, and its characterizations too uneven to warrant more than a passing curiosity.

Ultimately, Mudd’s Passion is a flawed but fascinating entry in Star Trek’s animated canon. It exemplifies both the promise and pitfalls of TAS—a series that allowed creative risks but suffered from production constraints. While not essential viewing for all fans, it holds a special place for those eager to explore the franchise’s lesser-known corners, where Mudd’s antics, for all their absurdity, remind us that even the most dubious characters can leave an indelible mark on science fiction history.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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