Episode Apollo 14...Das ist Gut, Capitain Kirk...

Nearly twenty years after the end of World War II, Star Trek: The Original Series aired "Patterns of Force", an alternate Earthlike planet episode in which its denizens had embraced Nazism.  It was one of the series' best, and as always, sought to make a statement beyond just being a good sci-fi story.

The interesting thing is that "Patterns of Force" finally had its premiere.

You're thinking....wait, the series itself ended more than 40 years ago.  How could it have JUST premiered a new episode.   And I'm sure I've seen this one before.

Well, "Patterns of Force" did indeed debut last week....in Germany.

You see, Germans are uncomfortable about their troubled past, and with good reason.  A totalitarian regime responsible for the deaths of millions is not an easy thing to own up to.

So, movies and TV shows that depict this history are often panned by the German public.

But, last week, it aired...albeit with a warning that it might disturb younger viewers (I might actually have aruged that the warning should've been to older viewers).

It's an episode about racism, tolerance, cult of the personality, and more.  And kudos to the Germans for being willing to confront the mistakes of their forebearers.