Review of "Star Trek Fotonovel #5: Metamorphosis," by Gene L. Coon

 Review of

Star Trek Fotonovel #5: Metamorphosis, by Gene L. Coon

Four out of five stars

Graphic novel form of the classic episode

 The Star Trek original series episode “Metamorphosis” introduced us to the character of Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of the space warp. It also dealt with a plot device frequently used in science fiction stories, the potential for human immortality. In this case, four humans and one alien creature give up that possibility.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are transferring Assistant Federation Commisioner Nancy Hedford to the “Enterprise” so that she can receive life-saving medical care. However, their shuttle craft is captured by a being formed from energy and they are transported to a dense asteroid capable of supporting human life. After they arrive, they meet Zefram Cochrane, a man that is over 150 years old but appears to be in his mid-thirties.

 The reason for his longevity is due to the actions of what he calls “Companion,” an entity composed of corporeal energy and capable of regenerating the human body. It had encountered the aged and dying Cochrane and reconstituted his body and kept him young, although he was trapped alone on the asteroid.

 Kirk, Spock and McCoy must find a way to escape from the control of the Companion so that Nancy Hedford can be cured. The solution is not one of their creation but is based on the fundamental emotion of love. They also learn that they could be rendered immortal if they remained on the asteroid.

 There are two main and somewhat revolutionary themes in this story. The first is that Nancy Hedford is clearly a woman accustomed to being in control and in charge and the second is that there is a love relationship between a human and a being of a dramatically different species. Storylines not found in network television of the nineteen-sixties. Two acts that only science fiction could perform, making this episode one that stretched the bounds of network television.

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