1. Vulcan men deserve the upmost sympathy and compassion because of the Pon Farr!
Please we women expect understanding when it's that time of the month. Why? Because for the vast majority our emotions are jumbled into an almost incoherent mess, our bodies are uncomfotable at best; in agony at worst, and life just sucks! So we need understanding and compassion.
How much worse is it for a poor Vulcan man who is losing control of his body and mind, and if that wasn't bad enough he's dying! The pain, the abject humiliation, the need, the despair, the longing for comfort... Everything Leonard Nimoy portrayed it was heartbreaking. No wonder these people arrange marriages. Do you want to go through something like that alone?
2. While it may seem sexist to refer to the bride as "property" A. The meaning of the term for legal purposes on Vulcan seem to be different than the Earth meaning, and B. Its a reciprical thing, men are also women's "property".
And I have proof...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:SPOCK: It is undignified for a woman to play servant to a man who is not hers.
Yeah, yeah, you could argue that "hers" isn't the same thing. And it would be if Spock were human, but he's not he's !
3. OMG those weapons are AWFUL!
Dear god, how am I supposed to work with those monstrosities????? I remembered the lirpas being smaller and more spear-like, no wonder people went... When I had V'Lar kill the jerk who refused to marry her. I admit it I WAS WRONG! The problem is I still can't figure out how to work with them! And the "ace bandage" weapon give me a break!
4. Spock slashed Kirk's nipples!
Really enough said, I'll be laughing for a month!
5. Oh the chair T'Pau was carried on was used in the 1956 movie The Ten Commandments!
One of my all-time faves, and I know every single prop in the movie.
6. I am getting old T'Pau is no longer "the scary bat lady"! The end of an era. I actually thought she pretty much ROCKED! Still not thrilled with her younger self, but she ROCKED!
7. Kirk could have backed out, and Stonn would have fought, everyone's happy but T'Pring.
Truthfully, the smart thing for Kirk to do would have been to back out. Poor Spock, he was in so much pain and that made it worse. Besides Spock nearly kicked Kirk's ***! That and T'Pring metaphorically castrated Stonn. I felt bad for him. She robbed everyone of their dignity.
8. When I was a kid I didn't see all the fuss about Captain Kirk, now I kinda do!
Again "end of an era" he is actually pretty darn cool. I mean I grew up on Admiral Kirk, so seeing Captain Kirk as an adult was quite eye-opening. I mean I memorized the episodes as a baby, but looking at it like I had never seen it before was interesting.
9. Those skirts were shorter than I remembered and Nurse Chapel and Uhura have legs straight from god!
Que the inferiority complex.
10. Poor Nurse Chapel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh the tormenting hell of unrequited love. Someone get that woman an IV of chocolate. Now I get why that paring is so important in fanfic.
11. There doesn't seem to be a set age for the onset of Pon Farr.
When Spock says...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:I'm a Vulcan. I'd hoped I would be spared this, but the ancient drives are too strong. Eventually, they catch up with us, and we are driven by forces we cannot control to return home and take a wife.
It didn't seem he was talking about his age, I got from the context that he was talking about being half-human. But if there is no set age it's another good reason to arrange marriages. Who wants to be caught off-guard without a mate, if you can take steps to prevent it from happening?
12. It is absolutely clear that the rituals associated with the Pon Farr are not just vestiges of an ancient society. They are an inherent part of being a Vulcan in every way, mind body and soul.
This part ripped my guts out, in a good way...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:SPOCK: The birds and the bees are not Vulcans, Captain. If they were, if any creature as proudly logical as us were to have their logic ripped from them as this time does to us. How do Vulcans choose their mates? Haven't you wondered?
KIRK: I guess the rest of us assume that it's done quite logically.
SPOCK: No. No. It is not. We shield it with ritual and customs shrouded in antiquity. You humans have no conception. It strips our minds from us. It brings a madness which rips away our veneer of civilisation. It is the pon farr. The time of mating. There are precedents in nature, Captain. The giant eelbirds of Regulus Five, once each eleven years they must return to the caverns where they hatched. On your Earth, the salmon. They must return to that one stream where they were born, to spawn or die in trying.
No wonder why Kirk didn't shout Bararianism at the mentioned of an arranged marriage. You can't go against biology, its not possible.
13. "Biology" is the 60's code-word for sex!
Just another thing to keep me laughing.
14. For the reasons quoted above, Vulcan betrothal rituals are extremely logical. This is inspite of Spock's saying otherwise but then he isn't exactly sane at the moment...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:SPOCK: By our parents' arrangement. A ceremony while we were but seven years of age. Less than a marriage but more than a betrothal. One touches the other in order to feel each other's thoughts. In this way our minds were locked together, so that at the proper time, we would both be drawn to Koon-ut-kal-if-fee.
Um yeah I wouldn't want to be single either if this was my fate.
15. Logic does not equal moral compass...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:T'PRING: You have become much known among our people, Spock. Almost a legend. And as the years went by, I came to know that I did not want to be the consort of a legend. But by the laws of our people, I could only divorce you by the kal-if-fee. There was also Stonn, who wanted very much to be my consort, and I wanted him. If your Captain were victor, he would not want me, and so I would have Stonn. If you were victor you would free me because I had dared to challenge, and again I would have Stonn. But if you did not free me, it would be the same. For you would be gone, and I would have your name and your property, and Stonn would still be there.
Ok Witch, ever stop to think of what your lover wanted? Maybe he didn't want to be a kept man if Spock didn't release you. He wasn't at all pleased when you called Kirk as your champion. I'm not sure she loved Stonn.
16. Vulcans are very concerned with everybody's rights.
Let's tally up how many times they say it in the episode...
Chrissie's Transcripts wrote:SPOCK: It is my right.
T'PAU: It is her right.
STONN: Hear me. I have made the ancient claim. I claim the right.
T'PAU: Kirk? T'Pring is within her rights, but our laws and customs are not binding on thee. Thee are free to decline with no harm on thyself.
So no rights were harmed in this challenge. So who are mere humans to claim its barbaric.
17. Checkov and Sulu should have their own comedy show.
How cute are they!
18. Kirk was kinda dumb thinking it wouldn't be a fight to the death.
Um hello you explained it yourself to Bones. You saw the weapons, what did you think was gonna happen dude?
19. I would not look good in T'Pring's wedding garb.
High waists are a nightmare, even though I am thinner than she is.
20. The most powerful woman on Vulcan wears slacks to officiate a wedding.
Not sure what the costume designer was thinking, and those shoes!