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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.
Voice Credits:
Regular Characters:
Guest Characters:
Pictures:
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.
- A VHS video tape containing "Bem"
and "The Albatross" is available for purchase from
amazon.com, the online bookseller.
- "Bem" was novelized by Alan Dean Foster in Star Trek Log Nine
published by Ballantine Books in February 1977. The entire book was devoted to this one episode.
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