"The Gamesters of Triskelion"

Kirk, Chekov, and Uhura are about to beam down for a routine mission when they are transported across whole lightyears to the planet Triskelion, where they immediately learn that they are to become "thralls," or gladiators used for the amusement of a race of beings known only as "The Providers." Spock faces a frustrated McCoy and Scott as he tries to find Kirk and the landing party, while Kirk has his hands full trying to keep himself and Chekov and Uhura alive through the torturous tutelage of the head thrall, Galt. The Enterprise locates Triskelion but is captured by the Providers, who wish to make thralls of the entire crew. Kirk proposes a wager with the Providers, who he learns were once humanoids whose mental prowess outgrew their need for physical bodies, and who are now merely disembodied brains. . Kirk bets the freedom of his crew on his ability to win in combat. If he wins, the thralls go free and the Providers train the thralls to live as normal people. If Kirk loses, everyone willingly becomes the thralls of the Providers. Kirk beats three thralls, including Shahna, with whom he became romantically entangled. The Providers free the thralls and the Enterprise proceeds on its way.

Story
"The Gamesters of Triskelion" is an interesting turn-around for the crew of the Enterprise. Instead of meeting an advanced alien race which is determined to help others less evolved, the crew meets aliens who would rather harm those less powerful than them. This provides Kirk the opportunity to represent all the best of humanity and to show the optimistic spirit of Star Trek. The show was always interested in portraying a positive future for mankind, which had overcome itself and united to reach for the stars. In "Gamesters," we see the heart of James T. Kirk in his treatment and teaching of Shahna. He models for her the selfless and optimistic behavior that has become the goal of all humanity in the 23rd century, and in doing so, encourages the viewer to hope that one day, such people with such ideals will indeed one day exist. Kirk never preaches to Shahna or tells her she's inferior. He instead chastises the Providers, challenging them to use their power with responsibility. In doing so, Kirk proves his own superiority as a being with values and decency.

Action

There's plenty of action to be had here, mainly in the form of the well-choreographed gladiator battles, though the real action comes from the ideological conflict waged between Kirk and the Providers.

Performances

Shatner deserves the most praise in this episode, as he manages to anchor both the action filled scenes and the quieter ones with Shahna. I've watched the character of James T. Kirk for most of my life, and thought I'd seen all the facets of him, but it wasn't until I saw this episode for the first time that I saw the very human and very tender side of Kirk. Shatner brings a humanity and compassion to the character of Kirk here that I was very glad to see. It furthers the notion of Kirk as a man who truly is able to be all things to all people in his role as captain of a starship and hero. Nimoy also performed admirably as a Spock confronted with the dilemma of finding his captain and friend while two other friends harp on him for adhering to his trusted sense of logic.

Trektastic Moments

The Trektastic Moments here come from the classic Shatner fighting, the Spock and Bones exchanges as the Enterprise searches for the landing party, and Kirk's romancing of Shahna. Pure Trektasticness!

Overall

An engaging and entertaining tale that hits all the right notes. A+

The episode's title card.


The frightening head thrall, Galt, who appears to need some serious moisturizer...

Kirk and Shahna share a tender moment.

Kirk challenges the Providers to reconsider their attitude towards the thralls.