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  Msg # 328 of 1759 on ZZCA4349, Tuesday 2-17-25, 6:10  
  From: THE DOCTOR  
  To: ALL  
  Subj: AI / LLM reviews of Star Trek Tomorrow i  
 XPost: rec.arts.startrek.misc, rec.arts.startrek.fandom, rec.arts.sf.tv 
 XPost: rec.arts.tv 
 From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca 
  
 AI/LLM reviews of Star Trek -Tomorrow is yesterday 
  
 ChatGPT 
  
 ### **Star Trek Episode Review: "Tomorrow Is Yesterday"** 
 **Rating: 85/100** 
  
 *"Tomorrow Is Yesterday"* is a strong episode of *Star Trek: 
 The Original Series*, effectively blending science fiction with time travel 
 and ethical dilemmas. While the episode does suffer from some pacing issues 
 and minor inconsistencies, it remains a highly engaging 
 and thought-provoking entry into the series. 
  
 --- 
  
 ### **Plot Summary** 
 The *Enterprise* is accidentally thrown back in time to the 20th century due 
 to a close encounter with a black star. They find themselves hovering above 
 1960s Earth, where they are mistaken for a UFO. When a U.S. Air Force pilot, 
 Captain John Christopher, is sent to intercept them, he is accidentally 
 beamed aboard the *Enterprise* to prevent him from reporting what he saw. 
  
 This presents an immediate dilemma: if they release Christopher back to 
 Earth, 
 he could alter the timeline. However, keeping him aboard could also have 
 unforeseen consequences, especially when Spock reveals that Christopher's 
 future son will play a vital role in space exploration. The *Enterprise* 
 crew 
 must find a way to return to their proper time while ensuring 
 that history remains unchanged. 
  
 The resolution involves an intricate plan where the crew "resets" time by 
 sending Christopher and an Air Force security officer back to Earth at the 
 precise moments they were taken, erasing their memories of the encounter. 
 The *Enterprise* then uses the gravitational slingshot maneuver to return 
 to the 23rd century, successfully restoring the timeline. 
  
 --- 
  
 ### **Strengths** 
  
 #### **1. Engaging Time Travel Concept** 
 *"Tomorrow Is Yesterday"* is one of *Star Trek's* earliest explorations 
 of time travel, and it does a fantastic job of presenting the paradoxes 
 and ethical challenges involved. The idea of the *Enterprise* being mistaken 
 for a UFO is clever and makes the episode feel grounded in real-world 
 concerns. The complications surrounding Captain Christopher's future 
 and the need to correct the timeline add tension and stakes to the story. 
  
 #### **2. Strong Character Moments** 
 - **Captain Kirk** shines in this episode as he navigates the complex 
 situation with charm and authority. His interactions with Captain 
 Christopher are well-written, showcasing Kirk's diplomatic skills 
 and sense of responsibility. 
  
 - **Spock** is as logical as ever, providing crucial insights into 
 the dangers of altering history. His revelation about Christopher's 
 son is a pivotal moment in the episode. 
  
 - **Captain John Christopher** is a well-developed guest character. 
 Unlike many one-off characters in *Star Trek*, he is not just an 
 obstacle or a plot device - he has depth, his own motivations, 
 and a genuine arc. 
  
 #### **3. Humour and Lighthearted Moments** 
 The episode balances its serious time-travel dilemma with moments 
 of levity, particularly when Kirk is captured by the Air Force 
 and has to talk his way out of trouble. Scotty and Spock's banter 
 about the ship's capabilities also adds a touch of humour. 
 The scene where Spock casually stuns 
 an Air Force officer is another comedic highlight. 
  
 #### **4. The Gravity Slingshot Maneuver** 
  
 The use of a slingshot around the Sun to travel through time is 
 a fascinating concept that *Star Trek* would revisit 
 in *Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home*. This method of time travel 
 feels plausible within the show's logic 
 and adds a sense of scientific realism. 
  
 --- 
  
 ### **Weaknesses** 
  
 #### **1. Some Logical Inconsistencies** 
 While the episode is engaging, there are a few plot holes and 
 inconsistencies: 
  
 - The explanation of how Christopher's memory is erased is somewhat hand- 
 wavy. 
 The logic behind resetting events by placing him back at the exact moment 
 he was taken is convenient but not entirely convincing. 
  
 - The *Enterprise*'s method of fixing the timeline is never fully 
 explained - if they can erase Christopher's memory so easily, 
 why is time travel considered so dangerous in later episodes? 
  
 #### **2. Pacing Issues** 
 The first half of the episode moves at a solid pace, but the second half 
 drags 
 slightly, especially during the extended escape sequences at the Air Force 
 base. While these scenes add tension, they could have been trimmed down 
 without affecting the story. 
  
 #### **3. Limited Exploration of Temporal Ethics** 
  
 The episode presents fascinating ethical dilemmas about time travel 
 but doesn't dive as deeply into them as later *Star Trek* episodes would. 
 The show simply assumes that time must be preserved without questioning 
 whether minor changes might be acceptable. 
  
 --- 
  
 ### **Conclusion** 
 *"Tomorrow Is Yesterday"* is a highly enjoyable and intelligent 
 episode that showcases *Star Trek's* early exploration of time travel. 
 It features a compelling story, great character moments, and a mix of humour 
 and tension. Despite some minor logical inconsistencies and pacing issues, 
 it remains one of the standout episodes of *The Original Series*. 
  
 **Final Verdict: 85/100** 
 A well-crafted time-travel story that blends humour, tension, and strong 
 character interactions, making it one of *Star Trek's* 
 most memorable early episodes. 
  
 Google Gemini 
  
 "Tomorrow is Yesterday" is a classic episode of Star Trek that explores 
 themes of time travel and personal identity. Here's a review of the episode: 
  
 **Strengths:** 
  
 * **Unique Concept:** The episode presents a unique concept of time travel, 
 as the Enterprise accidentally travels back in time to 1962 San Francisco. 
 This creates a sense of intrigue and adventure. 
  
 * **Character Development:** The episode provides valuable insights into 
 the characters' personalities and motivations, as they navigate 
 the challenges of the past. 
  
 * **Humorous Moments:** The episode features some humourous moments, 
 particularly as the crew interacts 
 with the people of 1962 and tries to blend in. 
  
 * **Exploration of Identity:** The episode explores the importance 
 of identity and the impact of time travel on one's sense of self. 
  
 **Possible Weaknesses:** 
  
 * **Dated Special Effects:** The special effects, while groundbreaking 
 for their time, are noticeably dated by today's standards. 
  
 * **Pacing:** The pacing might feel slow to some modern viewers, 
 particularly in the first half of the episode. 
  
 **Overall Impression:** 
  
 "Tomorrow is Yesterday" is a thought-provoking and entertaining 
 episode of Star Trek. It explores complex themes, features 
 memorable characters, and remains relevant even today. 
  
 **Rating:** 
  
 Considering its strengths and weaknesses, I'd rate "Tomorrow is Yesterday" 
 an **80/100**. It's a classic episode that continues to captivate audiences 
 with its timeless themes and engaging characters. 
  
 **Breakdown for viewers:** 
  
  
 [continued in next message] 
  
 --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2) 

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