First Response: Star Trek- The Paradise Syndrome The Paradise Syndrome is an episode of star trek that commences with the main characters arriving on a foreign planet. This is a planet, that is similar to earth, appears to be inhabited by a life form that is also akin to mankind. Despite being inhabited by an intelligent species, the planet lacks any sort of development, technology wise. The inhabiters of this planet are portrayed to be quite similar to the North American indigenous people. The landing party is depicted to be perplexed by the lack of development on the inhabited planet. As they arrive, Captain Kirk, who is one of the main characters, is intrigued by what he refers to as “paradise”. The lack of advancement is what makes the planet soothing. The captain’s references to it as paradise shows man’s unconscious desire to go back to a time when the world was not so dominated with man-made inventions. One other discussion that this episode rises up is that power and knowledge make one like a God.When kirk saves the drowning boy, as the natives failed to do so, he is viewed as a divine figure. But what made him able to do so was the knowledge on what to do. The creatures that put the natives on that planet are viewed as superior almost divine because of their technological advancements. The device they …show more content…
Another biblical reference was when the medicine chief attacked Kirk, who was seen as a god by his people, to his surprise Kirk bled in the hand. Like Jesus did. Kirk is portrayed as a Jesus-like figure. Another biblical paradox, biting the fruit from the tree of knowledge. The chief priestess mating with Kirk is analogous to biting the apple from the tree of knowledge. By associating with him, they are attaining the knowledge that he wields. Just like Adam and Eve were forced to leave paradise after eating the apple, the natives’ paradise may be