The original Fesarius (ping pong ball model) |
According to Memory Alpha, "corbomite was an actual element, symbol Ct, atomic weight 361, atomic number 140, discovered by the Federation on Starbase 27 in 2262." I love the idea of writing imaginary forms of matter into science fiction stories.
Spaceship evolution... CGI Fesarius (source) |
I still remember the first time that I saw "The Corbomite Maneuver" and that moment when the crew of the Enterprise and viewers suddenly realize exactly how large the alien spacecraft is! I was dazzled. Lucky for me, I did not know that the model of the Fesarius had been made using ping pong balls.
Balok's "alter ego" |
Biology 101
When it comes to fictional science, I'm often more interested in biology than physics. For most of "The Corbomite Maneuver", viewers feel trapped in some silly Sci Fi plot where evil aliens endlessly torment our heroes.
Balok's new pals. |
In the original draft of the story, the aliens were described as bird-like. The entire episode could have been improved if the budget had allowed Balok to have a more alien appearance and if some time had been spent to tell us a thing or two about the aliens' culture and advanced technologies. Sadly, Hollywood amnesia would soon set in: we never got another visit with Balok and his people.
The Haploids, cover art by Rafael de Soto y Hernandez |
In the Ekcolir Reality. Original cover art by Harold McCauley and Hans Wesso |
The Sedron War
The Legend of Uvadekoto |
Reconstruction by Zeta. Original cover art by Gordon Davies |
According to Zeta, during the "Sedron War", all of the nuclear weapons of Earth were teleported away. As "cover", small explosions were detonated at each location where the bombs had resided. Yes, a type of sedron was later found in the residue and fallout from those explosions, but those sedrons never proved to be useful for anything other than informing Earthlings of the existence of sedrons.
Related Reading: The Atlan Intervention
Next: the Exode Saga
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