When fans of the original Star Trek series rank its worst episodes, “The Way to Eden” (S03E20) inevitably makes the list. The episode involves a group of young people, led by an ex-professor and harmonics expert, Dr. Severin, who are searching for Eden. While the story as a television episode leaves much to be desired, the message becomes more relatable as our society faces the advancement of technology and what it means for our future.
The desire for simplicity
Video doorbell chimes, text message alerts, and the constant clang of social media push notifications often shatter the peace we try to cultivate. It is a loud world, filled with expectations to be available every moment of the day, which raises stress levels and may affect mental well-being.
While Dr. Severin is unfortunately insane, his desire to return to a world without all its bells and whistles is more relatable than ever. While it is still possible to escape the demands of technology, unplugging and ignoring the lure of social media is more difficult than ever.
The longing for nature
When Spock tries to explain the group’s quest to Captain Kirk, he says, “They hunger for an Eden, where spring comes.” Kirk replies, “All do,” but his tone suggests that this hunger cannot be satisfied because humans embraced technology in a way that it is now entwined with their everyday lives.
Many people try to escape the demands of technology when they take vacations by going somewhere green, natural, and quiet. Maybe it is this longing for Eden that still lives in each of us that coaxes us to visit forests, mountain trails, and beachfronts when we escape everyday life. While it’s clear that Dr. Severin has twisted the idea of Eden for his young followers and his own desire to return to basics is manic, it is something that humanity in general still longs for and returns to every chance we get.
The struggle to maintain individuality
Starfleet’s uniformity rankles Dr. Severin and his followers, as they all seek a sense of individuality and uniqueness. They want to experience the world in a way that allows a sense of organic growth within the self and express themselves as individuals with music, poetry, and the way they dress. Tongo Rad, (the greatest name for a space hippie if there ever was one) asks Chekov, “Why do you wear all those clothes? How do you breathe?” One has to wonder if Rad’s father, a high-ranking ambassador, tried to squash what he might have seen as rebellious attitudes in his son, causing the younger Rad to turn away from tradition.
What do you think about “The Way to Eden?” Is it truly one of the worst Star Trek episodes, or does the underlying message still hold value? Visit our social media pages and weigh in! Yea, brother!