Television Review: Turnabout Intruder (Star Trek, S3X24, 1969)

Turnabout Intruder (S03E24)

Airdate: June 3rd 1969

Written by: Arthur Singer
Directed by: Herb Wallerstein

Running Time: 50 minutes

The cancellation of Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) in 1969 remains the most traumatic event in the history of the Star Trek franchise for its fans. While the decision was not entirely unexpected—poor ratings, a low budget, and NBC’s mismanagement of Season 3 had already signaled the end of the show’s run—the way the series was abruptly terminated left many fans feeling humiliated. The final episode, Turnabout Intruder, was not a traditional season or series finale, and as a result, fans lacked the closure that would have come with a proper ending. This absence of resolution, combined with the episode’s controversial content and its release as the last of TOS, has cemented its reputation as one of the worst episodes in the entire Star Trek canon.

The plot of Turnabout Intruder begins with the USS Enterprise arriving to rescue two surviving members of an archaeological expedition on the planet Camus II. The survivors, Dr. Janice Lester (played by Sandra Smith) and Dr. Arthur Coleman (played by Harry Landers), had been investigating the ruins of an alien civilization. Lester, a former Starfleet Academy student and Kirk’s ex-girlfriend, had left Starfleet over alleged inability to command a starship. She and Coleman, convinced that they could prove Lester's worth, devised a plan to exploit a mind-swapping machine, which would allow Lester to assume Kirk’s body while Kirk is trapped in Lester’s. Coleman, acting as a double agent, ensures that no one notices the switch. When Lester takes over the Enterprise, she proves to be an incompetent and unhinged leader. Initially, the crew is unaware that Kirk is trapped in Lester’s body, but Spock, through a mind meld, uncovers the deception. However, his attempt to confront the impostor leads to charges of mutiny, with Lester threatening to have mutrineers executed.

The episode’s premise is rooted in the mind-swapping concept, a trope that had been used in earlier episodes like The Enemy Within, where Kirk is possessed by his evil alter ego. Here, the mind-swapping is a device to allow Kirk to act out of character, a narrative choice that was intended to showcase William Shatner’s acting skills.

The script, written by Arthur Singer based on a story by Gene Roddenberry, is notable for its use of the mind-swapping premise, which, while not entirely original, is a recurring device in TOS. However, the episode’s most controversial element is the gender swap. Kirk, a hypermasculine captain, is forced into a female body, and Lester, now in Kirk’s body, is a woman who is barred from becoming a starship captain. This twist, which could have been a comedic device, is instead handled in a way that many critics have interpreted as sexist or even misogynistic.

Lester’s complaint that she is barred from command by the Federation is a pivotal moment. If taken at face value, this line represents a betrayal of Roddenberry’s vision of the Federation as a progressive, enlightened utopia. The episode’s portrayal of Lester’s actions—her incompetence, her unhinged leadership, and her lunacy—has led to debates about whether Roddenberry’s intent was to reflect 1960s cultural attitudes, or if the line was a slip that was allowed to remain. For many Trekkies, this moment is seen as a direct contradiction to the series’ ideals, contributing to the episode’s reputation as a betrayal of the franchise’s core values.

The controversy surrounding the gender swap is further compounded by the fact that the episode was originally taken off the air after the death of President Eisenhower in March 1969, and was only aired months later. This “unwanted child” status has added to the episode’s negative reception. The episode’s release as the final of TOS, without a proper closure, has also meant that it is often cited as the worst episode in the series, a title that has been reinforced by its controversial premise and the way it was received by fans.

Despite its negative reputation, Turnabout Intruder is not without its merits. The episode is well-acted, well-directed, and demonstrates a rare continuity of TOS, with Kirk in Lester’s body convincing Spock of his true identity by referencing events from past episodes that only Kirk would know. However, the episode’s resolution is anti-climactic, as the mind-swapping effect simply resolves itself, with Kirk and Lester returning to their original bodies without any dramatic consequences. This deus ex machina ending is seen as a letdown, undermining the episode’s potential for a more impactful conclusion.

The episode’s legacy is further complicated by the fact that later Star Trek series and film introduced female starship captains, which has led to a retcon that the infamous line from Lester was merely a product of her insanity. This reinterpretation has helped to mitigate the episode’s negative reputation, but it does not erase the controversy it has generated. For many fans, the episode remains a symbol of the series’ downfall, a final act that is both technically solid and culturally problematic. One of the ground-breaking chapters in science fiction history deserved much better ending.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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