"I, Mudd"

Spock and McCoy pass a new crewmember, Mr. Norman, in the corridor and McCoy begins to complain to Spock that Norman is odd because he never shares any details about himself nor shows any emotion. Spock reacts almost as if he’s offended, and McCoy clarifies that Norman’s behavior is odd for a non-Vulcan. It turns out Norman’s behavior is odd in general, as he quickly incapacitates key personnel in Engineering and takes control of the Enterprise. Norman informs Kirk that to attempt to free the ship would lead to its destruction, so for four days, Kirk and crew should just sit back and enjoy the ride. The Enterprise arrives at an unknown planet, where they discover that Norman is an android, along with the other thousand inhabitants of the planet. All except their very human leader, “Lord” Harry Mudd, who previously plagued Kirk and his crew. Mudd crash-landed on the planet and became the object of the androids’ study of human behavior. The androids eventually reveal that they wish to free humanity from its own self-destructive desires by enslaving the galaxy. To Kirk’s dismay, their seizing of the Enterprise is the first step towards this goal. The androids reject Mudd as their leader, and he aids Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, and Chekov in defeating the androids. They give android leader Norman a short by displaying illogical behavior, and take out the rest of the populace in the process. Kirk “sentences” Mudd to stay with the androids until he can better himself, and assigns multiple copies of Mudd’s android recreation of his ex-wife as his personal “counselor.”

Story

An old reference book, “The Star Trek Compendium,” reports that the cast and crew had a great deal of fun in the production of “I, Mudd,” and it certainly shows. That fun is contagious and leads to an enjoyable if rather empty story. Their is the slimmest of morals to be gained from this episode, namely, be careful what you wish for, a lesson Harry Mudd learns all too well. This is a much needed comedic respite in a season replete with heavy episodes, many of which would follow.

Action

There’s Norman’s commandeering of the Enteprise at the beginning and that’s about it. This is an episode about comedy and there’s not much action to be had.

Performances

Everyone is clearly enjoying themselves here, and everyone (except George Takei. Where the hell is Sulu?) gets something to do here. Trekkers love the episodes and films where the whole cast gets serviced, and “I, Mudd” is one of those episode, though poor George is sorely missed. He should’ve been in the scene with Chekov and the lovely android ladies. Roger C. Carmel returns as Mudd and offers another hilarious performance as the shifty con man. Everyone does a great job with their comedic roles, and Richard Tatro does a fantastic job as the ever-stoic Norman.
Trektastic Moments

There’s a whole bunch of Trektastic Moments here. We have some great comedic lines from Spock, a flustered and frustrated Kirk, and moments for all of the cast members but Takei. My favorite TM here has to be Kirk’s wonderful “What is a man?” speech, delivered with Shatner’s characteristic acting skills. And yes, I really mean that.

Overall

A lighthearted romp that’s sure to delight even the most skittish non-Trek fans. A solid A.

The episode’s title card.



Norman's android innards.


"Lord" Harry Mudd, and his lovely android assistants, members of the "Alice" series.


Mudd's android approximation of his ex-wife, Stella. Yikes.