Primitive Culture is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated to a deep examination of the connections between Star Trek and our own history and culture. In each episode, Duncan Barrett and his guests take you on a fascinating exploration of how our world inspires the franchise we love—and how that franchise inspires us.
http://trek.fm/primitive-culture
2: Levar Burton’s Stand-In
The Manchurian Candidate and The Mind’s Eye.
Across human history, assassinations have driven the path of societies, empires and governments. Along the way, they have accounted for some of the most insidious and mysterious conspiracy theories the world has ever known. Star Trek: The Next Generation’s fourth season episode “The Mind’s Eye” adapted a classic piece of American cinema: The Manchurian Candidate. This 1962 film, directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey, dealt with the terrifying reality of mind control and political murder.
In this episode of Primitive Culture, hosts Tony Black and Duncan Barrett explore TNG’s story of Romulan subterfuge in comparison with Frankenheimer’s movie, drawing parallels and examining how Star Trek frames the concept of political assassination in the 24th century.
Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Duncan’s Journey to Star Trek (2:24)
The Manchurian Candidate and “The Mind’s Eye” (12:39)
Scorpions in a Bottle (20:21)
Un-Federation Activities (26:53)
A Commander Riker Holiday (32:17)
Bashir, Tuvok, and O’Brien (34:36)
The Manchurian Backstory (40:36)
A Good Adaptation? (52:51)
Hosts
Tony Black and Duncan Barrett
Production
Tony Black (Editor) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)