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AI/LLM reviews of Star Trek : The Counter-Clock Incident

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**Review: *Star Trek: The Animated Series
– “The Counter-Clock Incident”***
**Rating: ★★★★☆ (7/10)**

[*Episode transcript: chakoteya.net – TAS023*]
(http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/TAS023.htm)

---

### **Summary:**

In the final episode of *Star Trek: The Animated Series*,
the *Enterprise* is pulled into a supernova's aftermath
and hurled into a universe where time runs in reverse.
The crew begins to de-age, while the ship is rescued
by a native of this "counter-clock" universe. Meanwhile,
Commodore Robert April, the *Enterprise*’s first
captain—now a retired ambassador—must step in before
the entire crew becomes too young to function.

---

### **Highlights:**

* **A Nod to Starfleet History:** This is the first
and only on-screen appearance of **Robert April**,
canonically the original captain of the *Enterprise*.
His presence offers a reflective lens on aging,
purpose, and legacy.

* **Intriguing Sci-Fi Premise:** The reverse-time
universe creates fun visual and conceptual twists—ships
deconstructing on departure, people regressing to youth,
language reversing, and even the idea of being
born in reverse.

* **Role Reversal:** It’s satisfying to see
older characters like April and his wife Sarah
take command again while the current crew
helplessly de-ages into children.

---

### **Pros:**

* **Inventive Concept:** The counter-time universe
is classic *Trek* imagination—a twist on physics
that leads to ethical and dramatic dilemmas.

* **Emotional Weight:** April’s dilemma—whether
to return to youth or accept aging—is quietly poignant,
handled with restraint and respect.

* **Good Use of Animation:** TAS often struggles
with limited animation, but this episode uses
its style well for age regression and alien visuals.

---

### **Cons:**

* **Underdeveloped Side Characters:** The alien
Karla Five and her son Karl Four are more plot
devices than characters, with limited personality
or motivation.

* **Scientific Hand-Waving:** Even by *Trek*
standards, the episode plays fast and loose
with physics and causality. Reverse time raises
major logic gaps if you stop to think too hard.

---

### **Legacy and Impact:**

“The Counter-Clock Incident” is a thoughtful way
to conclude the animated series, paying homage
to Starfleet history while embracing its speculative
roots. It doesn’t quite reach the philosophical depths
of the best *TOS* episodes but shows that *TAS*
could still ask big questions within a limited runtime.

---

### **Final Thoughts:**

This episode is a fitting, if slightly understated,
send-off for *The Animated Series*. It combines
nostalgia, fresh sci-fi ideas, and a meditation
on aging and relevance. Robert April’s calm wisdom
anchors the story, making it resonate more than it
initially seems.

**Score: 7/10** – An imaginative and respectful
closer for *TAS*, boosted by strong themes
and a rare look at the legacy of command.

Google Gemini

"The Counter-Clock Incident" is the final episode
of Star Trek: The Animated Series, and it goes out
with a mind-bending concept: a universe where time
flows backward, causing the crew to grow younger.

Strengths:Innovative Concept: The idea of
a reverse universe where time runs backward
is a truly imaginative and unique premise,
 pushing the boundaries of traditional Star Trek
 science fiction.

 High Stakes and Urgency: The crew's rapid
 de-aging creates a constant sense of urgency
 and danger, as they race against time
 (or anti-time) to find a way back
 to their own universe before they
 regress out of existence.

 Commodore Robert April: The episode introduces C
 ommodore Robert April, the Enterprise's first captain,
 and his wife, Sarah. This provides a fascinating piece
 of Star Trek lore and allows for a heroic arc for April
 as he takes command despite the de-aging effects.

 Exploration of Time and Paradox: The episode delves
 into the complexities of time travel and paradoxes,
 even if the explanations are simplified
 for the animated format.

 Weaknesses:Dated Animation: As with all episodes
 from The Animated Series, the animation quality
 is dated and may not appeal to modern viewers.

 Convenient Solutions: The method of returning
 to their own universe, by igniting a dead star,
 feels somewhat convenient, even within
 the fantastical premise.

 Rapid De-aging: While central to the plot,
 the rapid de-aging can be a bit jarring
 and visually simplistic at times.

 Limited Character Development: While April
 gets a good arc, the main crew's individual
 character development is limited due to the
 focus on the central premise and the de-aging effect.

 Overall Impression:"The Counter-Clock Incident"
 is a fittingly ambitious and imaginative finale
 for Star Trek: The Animated Series. Its unique concept
 of a reverse universe and the high stakes involved make
 it a memorable episode. While it shares the animation
 limitations of the series and relies on some convenient
 plot devices, it's a strong example of the creative
 freedom the animated format allowed, delivering
 a truly "out there" Star Trek adventure.

 Rating: 7.5/10
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