Month: January 2025

Stars End S5E19

We conclude our coverage of The Stars Like Dust ―, with chapters 15 through 22. That corresponds to part 3 of Tyrann as published in The March 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction.

The cover of a paperback edition of "The Stars, Like Dust."

“We the People… Do Ordain and Establish this Podcast.”

As we rejoin our heroes The USS Enterprise, trailer firmly attached by tractor beam, is approaching planet Omega 4. There they find the derelict USS Exeter in orbit. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Galloway beam over to the Exeter where the entire crew has mysteriously been turned into common rock salt, just like you can buy from any neighborhood hardware store.

No, wait. I’m confused. That’s the “Omega Glory,” S2E23 of Star Trek. I swear, sometimes these Star Trek references just write themselves.

A still from Star Trek: The Omega Glory. Fair Use.

Anyway, the beginning of the episode is actually pretty good, but the ending is very, very dumb. So dumb that it lands it in the “So bad you have to see it to believe it” category. Unfortunately for the episode, people only seem to remember that ending.

To Asimov’s credit, we know that he did not like that ending, Strangely he didn’t like it even some 15 years or so before the episode aired. How does that work? I guess you’ll have to listen to our episode.

Meanwhile, being of a certain age myself, I can’t seem to get this little earworm out of my head.

Let’s all sing along! “Ee Plannista, enor durtofo amo orper fectyoo nion…” Everybody!!

Next Time on Stars End

Season 5 Episode 19 is on its way!

One of the fundamental properties of Horace Gold’s Galaxy Science Fiction, especially at the outset, was ambition. Gold was determined that Galaxy wouldn’t be just another SF magazine, but an excellent one. We’re only on Galaxy’s sixth issue as we reach the final installment of The Stars Like Dust ―, or Tyrann as it’s called in the magazine. Gold’s editorial for the issue concerns a readers’ poll about the magazine’s future and what will come as a result. The Five Star Shelf column will remain unchanged. An issue of self-contained stories will follow the conclusion of a serial. Stories with themes “too adult, too profound or revolutionary in concept” to be published elsewhere will continue. The editorial culminates with Gold’s plan for the magazine’s artwork which he describes thusly.

…we have been experimenting both in art and in technical processes, since we believe that a rebirth in science fiction should not be breeched by art of the forceps school. This month marks another experiment: halftone reproduction of photographs and wash drawings. This could not be done without trying out our technical processes. As we extend control, we will present other improvements that are now being worked on.

John Bunch once again illustrates the issue and it seems the decision to introduce wash drawings happened between his first and second illustration. These drawings give the artwork for this issue a distinctly different feel from the first two installments. Let’s take a look! Here’s the opening image.

The opening two-page spread from the third installment of "The Stars, Like Dust —" as published in Galaxy Science Fiction, March 1951,

And here are the wash drawings. All but one of these span two pages.

Artwork from the third installment of "The Stars, Like Dust —" as published in Galaxy Science Fiction.

If you’re interested in how the artwork in Galaxy developed, take a look at our coverage of The Caves of Steel which appeared in Galaxy two and a half years later.

And when you’re done reading The Stars Like Dust ― join us as we wrap up our conversation about the novel in our next episode!

Resources

John Jenkins

The latest episode of Stars End begins with a short tribute to John Jenkins and his wonderful “Spoiler-Laden Guide to Isaac Asimov,” which I typically refer to as the “Asimov Reviews” site. Asimov Reviews is what the internet should be but only rarely is. If you’re a fan of The Good Doctor it’s a treasure trove of information about everything Asimov within which it’s easy to get lost. If you’re putting together an Asimov podcast like Stars End it’s an invaluable resource. If you have even a passing interest in Asimov and his work you owe it to yourself to check it out. You can find the site here: Asimov Reviews.

We’d been meaning to invite John onto the podcast for a while. Shortly before we recorded this episode I visited the blog portion of his site and learned that John had passed away. We don’t know if it’s possible to miss someone you’ve never met but we regret never having the opportunity to chat with him about Daneel, Hari Seldon, or “The Last Question.” We’ll remain in awe of what he accomplished with Asimov Reviews and be thankful that it exists.