"Errand of Mercy"

"Errand of Mercy"

When the Enterprise journeys to the planet Organia to offer aid to the inhabitants on the eve of war with the Klingons, Kirk is astonished to learn that the seemingly-backwards and defenseless Organians want none of the Federation's help. The arrival of Klingon Commander Kor does nothing to change their minds, and it's only later, after Kirk and Kor nearly destroy each other, that the Organians reveal that they have evolved beyond the fleshy, violent ways of the majority of species in the galaxy. The Organians's interference with Kirk and Kor's conflict helps Kirk to see the path both parties were starting down, and peace wins over war.

Story

"Errand of Mercy" is a powerful if somewhat slow episode of Trek. It's message about war and the blind foolishness of violence is one that was timely back in the 60s and certainly now. Kirk is well characterized here, and so too is Kor.

Action

The episode features some attacks on the Enterprise and Kirk and Spock's nightime destruction of a Klingon weapons depot, but there are no classic Kirk flying kicks here. The emphasis is on the nature of violence, not its glorification.

Performances

All involved give great performances. Shatner successfully brings us into Kirk's dilemma, and the Organians are sufficiently frustrating in their non-aggressiveness.

Trektastic Moments

This episode is a huge one in the annals of Trek lore, as it sees the debut of the Klingon Empire. John Colicos offers his first outing as Kor, a role he would reprise decades later on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, often considered the spiritual successor to the original Star Trek.

Overall

This episode is thought provoking and engaging, though its pace is somewhat slow. Nevertheless, it is a crucial episode to the Trek mythology and faces the viewer to look at the ugly truths of war and violence. Another A+ episode.

The episode's title card.



The peaceful but mysterious Organians.



The first appearance of the Klingons in the person of Commander Kor, played by John Colicos.

"The Devil in the Dark"

"The Devil in the Dark"

Captain's Log: 12100.6. 1823 hrs.

The Trektastic Voyage gets back on course with this week's entries. First up is "The Devil in the Dark," a fun episode that features some great performances from all involved and top-notch writing from the legendary Gene Coon, whose writing and producing brought such high quality to the series. This week's installment features the debut of a new way of reviewing the episodes.

The Enterprise diverts to the pergium mining planet Janus VI. Its miners are being picked off by a mysterious creature that reduces its victims to ashy remains. Kirk and Spock beam down to investigate, and it's not long before they discover the creature is in fact real and quite deadly. Spock mind-melds with the creature, learning that it is a Horta. McCoy beams down and heals the creature after Kirk and Spock blast it out of self-defense, and Spock reveals that the Horta only attacked because its young were jeopardized by the mining efforts. A deal is struck between the Horta and the miners through Spock's meld, and both man and silicon-based life-form move on towards a new era of peaceful cooperation.

Story
"The Devil in the Dark" is an entertaining and important episode of Trek. It's one of the episodes that I feel could be shown to the non-fan to show them what Trek is all about. Kirk and Spock's desire to move past their prejudice and xenophobia regarding the Horta is a hallmark of Trek. And the concept of a mysterious creature killing in the dark tunnels of a mining facility takes the haunted house and puts it into a new context.

Action

"The Devil in the Dark" has little action, as its more concerned with characterization and story. Still, there is some phaser blasting and shots of the Horta attacking miners.

Performances

Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley give some of the best performances of the series here. We feel for Kirk as he struggles to get the mining facility operational again and find the beast, we feel for Spock as he suffers the anguish of the Horta, and we laugh with McCoy when he's faced with his first non-carbon based patient. Shatner's performance is especially impressive here, given the fact that his father had died towards the end of the episode's shooting. He decided to stay and finish the day's shoot, showing his professionalism and committment to the work.

Trektastic Moments

We have a few Trektastic Moments here, which I guess I should define, seeing as how this is the first use of the term. "Trektastic Moments" are those that are hallmarks of Trek, whether it be an action or exchange between characters, a line of dialogue, or an event long awaited. Here we have some great Trektastic Moments in the wonderful, warm exchanges between Kirk and Spock about the odds of surviving an encounter with the Horta and the earlier discussions about scientific discovery and the value of life. And we have a "McCoyism" in this episode. Kirk orders Bones to heal the injured Horta, and Bones explains that mostly rock, adding "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer." Pure gold and trademarks of Gene Coon's wonderful writing.

Overall

"The Devil in the Dark" is a fun, thrilling, and entertaining episode of Trek with an important moral message, which is not delivered with a heavy hand. First rate Trek and first rate entertainment. A+ all the way.

The episode's title card.



The dreaded Horta, a very effective special effect, even forty years later.



Spock melds with the tortured creature, experiencing its anguish.



Bones utters one of his famous lines. "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer."

"This Side of Paradise"

"This Side of Paradise" is an enjoyable episode, and is one I had not seen until now. That's one of the things I'm most looking forward to in this year long voyage, watching episodes of Trek I've not yet seen.

The Enterprise arrives at Omicron Ceti III, expecting to find the agricultural colony's inhabitants dead from exposure to deadly Berthold radiation. Kirk and the landing party are shocked to meet Elias Sandoval, the head of the colony, and other colonists, all very much alive and in perfect health. Spock is as surprised as he can be to meet a flame from his past, Leila Kalomi. McCoy examines all of the colonists and is dumbfounded by their perfect health, and Spock discovers first-hand the reason behind their well-being when he's exposed to a strange spore. The spore frees him of his inhibitions and lets him feel happiness and the love he has for Leila. The rest of the landing party is soon exposed, as well as the entire crew of the Enterprise in orbit. Kirk is the only person not affected for some reason, and even when he is finally swayed by the spore's effects, his strong will and love of his ship overcomes. Kirk realizes strong emotions cut off the influence of the spores, and goads Spock into a fistfight. Spock is freed and assists Kirk in freeing the other crewmembers, and the episode ends with us learning that Spock had known happiness for the first time in his life, despite the cost the spores would have brought.

"Paradise" has some great moments for Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Kirk realizing he can't run his beloved Enterprise without a crew is an interesting insight into his character. Spock's loss of happiness and love is tragic, and McCoy's reversion to an "ol' country boy" replete with drawl is extremely funny, if a little hard to swallow. This type of story, which seeks to deliver an important lesson by allowing the characters to learn it in front of us, is one of the most successful kinds of Trek episodes. Kirk's speech about fighting our way through life to achieve happiness instead of just having it given to us free of charge is inspiring and revealing of the ethics behind Trek and the character of Kirk. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley all deliver performances that make this episode sing, and it's no wonder this would be one of the templates of future successful Trek episodes and films.

The episode's title card.



Spock after exposure to the spores.



Spock shows his true feelings for former love Leila.



Spock: The Vulcan Who Smiled.



Kirk alone on the Enterprise, faced with his powerlessness without a crew.

"A Taste of Armageddon"

"A Taste of Armaggedon" ranks around a 6 on scale of 1 to 10. It's got an interesting plot and an important message about the foolishness and destructivness of war, but it doesn't offer much in the way of action or character moments.

The Enterprise journeys to Eminiar VII to deliver Ambassador Robert Fox, whose orders are to establish diplomatic relations with the Eminiarians. Despite Eminiar's warnings to not beam down, Kirk reluctanlty does so on the orders of Fox. Anan VII, the high councilman of the Eminiarian ruling body, informs Kirk and his party that they are casualties of a war between neighboring Vendikar. Kirk is stunned by this news, especially since the Enterprise's scans of the planet reveal it is highly advanced and peaceful. Anan VII explains that Eminiar and Vendikar have been at war for five centuries, and Spock realizes that the warring planets allow their computers to fight for them. When a hit is registered on either side, those in the affected area report to disintegration booths, where they are annihilated. Kirk and his party are imprisoned, and the Eminiarians attempt to destroy the Enterprise. Kirk escapes and locates the computer, which he promptly destroys. He then convinces Anan VII to try and work towards peace with Vendikar, and Fox pledges his help as a mediator. The Enterprise leaves after learning that talks are going well between the two planets.

"A Taste of Armaggedon" is similar to "The Return of the Archons," featuring a planet in the sway of a dominant computer. However, "Armaggedon" is far more successful and compelling, as it allows for a commentary on the ability of man to rise above its violent and warlike ways in the pursuit of peace. This episode fares better as it was written by Gene Coon, one of the best writers of the original Trek and one of its co-producers. The episode is still not one of the most adventurous or exciting installments, but it's message and performances make it a compelling commentary on the Vietnam era and our own.

The episode's title card.



Kirk is stunned and enraged when he learns how the war between Eminiar and Vendikar is fought, and that he and his crew are themselves casualties.



Kirk fires on the war computer, destroying it and freeing Eminiar and Vendikar to move forward in peace.

"Space Seed"

"Space Seed." This is very likely my favorite episode of the original Star Trek series. It's certainly up there with "Where No Man Has Gone Before," "Amok Time," and others. It's a classic through and through, and is damn near perfect in my estimation.

The Enterprise comes across a two-hundred year old ship adrift in space. Kirk beams aboard with a landing party and there finds that the ship is a sleeper vessel, with seventy human beings in suspended animation. Kirk revives the sleeper who is apparently the leader, who calls himself Khan. Khan dodges Kirk's questions about how and why Khan's ship, the S.S. Botany Bay, was out so far in deep space. During a briefing, Kirk and Spock reveal to the department heads that Khan is in fact Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically-engineered "superman" dictator, created during The Eugenics Wars on Earth in the 1990s. True to his nature, Khan takes control of the Enterprise, but Kirk escapes imprisonment and fights Khan, regaining control. Khan and Lt. Marla McGivers are faced with imprisonment and court martial, respectively, or the chance to build a new life on the uninhabited world Ceta Alpha V. The Enterprise leaves Khan and his followers on Ceti Alpha V, and Spock suggests that it would be interesting to see what "crop" grows from the "seed" Kirk planted in leaving Khan free to rule his own world.

It's easy to see why producer Harve Bennett chose to make the second Star Trek feature film a sequel to "Space Seed." Ricardo Montalban's Khan is a charismatic and engaging villain, and is more than a match for the physical and mental prowess of Captain Kirk. "Space Seed" is filled with tension, drama, excitement, and mystery, and it all comes from Montalban's electric portrayal of Khan. What's also interesting, and this is something I didn't realize until I watched the episode again for The Trektastic Voyage, is that the crew of the S.S. Botany Bay mirrors the crew of the Enterprise. Both are made up of multiethnic crewmembers, and both are commanded by strong men whose abilities inspire fierce loyalty and devotion.

"Space Seed" has everything you could want in a story, as does its sequel, "The Wrath of Khan," which I'll be reviewing in September of 2007. Because my schedule lined up with the Star Trek Remastered schedule, I decided to watch the remastered "Space Seed." I was highly impressed by the CGI models of the Enterprise and the Botany Bay, and by the clarity of the HD picture. In lieu of screencaps showcasing the ships, a brief video below showcases the "new" Enterprise and Botany Bay in action. Following that are a few other caps from the show.

The episode's title card, featuring the CGI Enterprise and Botany Bay.



CGI footage of the ships from YouTube.



Kirk and the man who may be his deadliest and most equal foe, Khan.



Khan and his future bride, Marla McGivers, excited at the prospect of taming a strange new world.

"The Return of the Archons"

Captain's Log 12030.6 1304 hrs.

Yet again, I'm behind in updating the blog, but that's the way things go during a busy holiday.

The first episode of last week's installment of The Trektastic Voyage was "The Return of the Archons," an episode I won't give much time or space to. It is one of my least favorite episodes in the entire series. It's not that "Return" isn't trying to say something important or that the episode is bad, it's just that I find it boring and not all that memorable.

The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of the Federation Starship Archon, lost a century before on the planet Beta III. The first landing party to beam down is attacked, and Sulu returns to the Enterprise in a bizarre, zombie-like state. Kirk beams down with Spock and McCoy and a few security officers to investigate. They quickly learn that the populace is controlled by an entity they call Landru, which has brainwashed them into a state of peace, love, and tranquility, except for "The Red Hour," during which time they give in to their passions. Kirk surmises that Landru is a computer and after finding it, destroys it, freeing the Beta III populace from the rule of the machine, created by the first inhabitants of the planet to care for its populace.

If that sounds like a very strange and weak idea, that's because it is. This episode was written by Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, and while he deserves credit for much of the creating of the characters and universe of Star Trek, the bulk of the characterization and quality scripts went to other writers. "Return of the Archons" is a strange episode that clearly depends on Roddenberry's "parallel world" concept, which is weak in general, though it was one dictated by budgetary constraints. Thus the people of Beta III wear late 19th century clothing and live in a city resembling the same time frame. But for some reason, they speak in a stilted, almost Puritanical way. This is due to Landru's influence, but it's still a stretch.

I have to admit I could barely keep my focus on this story and almost fell asleep. Maybe it was fatigue after a long Friday, but I really think this episode is just weak, and one of the few mistakes of the freshman season of Star Trek.

Screencaps from "Return of the Archons."

The episode's title card.



Kirk and Spock, attired in the clothing of the Beta inhabitants.



The ancient computer Landru, exposed by Kirk's phaser blast.