"A Private Little War"
The Enterprise returns to a planet home to extremely peaceful people and of exquisite natural beauty, a veritable Eden. Kirk had visited the planet on his first deep-space mission thirteen years earlier, and is excited to return and witness the progress of the peaceful inhabitants, whose developmental level is pre-industrial. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are conducting a covert survey of the planet when they discover that a faction of people on the planet are armed with flintlock rifles, technology they should naturally be far from developing. The gun-bearers are about to ambush their enemies, the tribe with whom Kirk made friends years ago, armed only with bows and arrows. Kirk intervenes and saves their lives, but in their haste to escape and beam back to the Enterprise, Spock is shot by one of the Hill People. The three men beam back to the ship, where Spock hangs on the edge of death and Kirk learns that the Hill People have been armed by the Klingons as a means of taking over the planet. Kirk and McCoy return to the planet to search for Tyree, Kirk's friend from his first visit. Kirk is attacked by a Mugatu, a deadly creature native to the planet, and is cured by Tyree's mystic witch-like wife, Nona. Kirk tries to persuade Tyree to fight with weapons the Federation will provide for them, realizing that both sides must be equally armed if the planet's survival is to be ensured. In the meantime, Nona steals Kirk's phaser but is killed by the Hill People. Her death convinces Tyree that he must use force against the Hill People. Kirk and McCoy leave the planet, deeply saddened that they could not end the conflict, and instead made it worse by offering a balance of power.
Story
"A Private Little War" is one of Star Trek's most powerful hours. Genre Roddenberry conceived of Star Trek as an outlet for addressing the social issues of the time, one of which was the Vietnam War. "A Private Little War" was filmed while the war was still ongoing, and is the show's commentary on the conflict. In fact, Kirk mentions in his explanation to McCoy about arming Tyree's people that, like in certain "Old Earth" conflicts, there must be a balance of power. The episode is extremely effective as a commentary on the nature of war and the sadness of its effects, both on those embroiled in it and those who watch it from without. The episode succeeds in bringing the viewer lower and lower into the sadness and tragedy of the situation. It's clear once the viewer sees the Hill People armed that there's little hope for peace on this once idyllic world. The story also manages to hit all the right character notes, especially for Kirk, who has to struggle with the loss of his friend Tyree and worry about the life of Spock. The episode ends on a somber note, with Kirk lamenting that Starfleet's intervention with the people of the planet is simply the addition of even more serpents into Eden.
Action
There's a lot of fighting in "A Private Little War," which is appropriate, given the episode's title. There's a few fistfights, shooting, stabbing, phaser disentegrations, and even wild animal attacks. The scenes are never gratuitous here and are used to play up the tragedy of the episode.
Performances
The stand out performances here belong to Shatner and Nimoy, hands-down. Shatner especially carries the episode, and both he and Kelly are riveting in the scene when Kirk and McCoy argue heatedly over violating the Prime Directive. Star Trek is a show largely made by the efforts of its cast, and this episode is proof positive that the show was blessed by some of the most talented actors of the time.
Trektastic Moments
Kirk and McCoy's argument over the Prime Directive is classic Trek, as well as dealing with the problem of contaminating the natural development of an alien race. There's also the requisite fighting and commentary on the social issues of the day, an important part of all classic Trek.
Overall
A powerful, moving commentary on the futility and tragedy of war, done in the peerless Star Trek style. Highest possible recommendation.
The episode's title card.
The fearsome Mugatu.
Kirk and McCoy leave, hearts heavy as a society prepares for years of sustained conflict.
Story
"A Private Little War" is one of Star Trek's most powerful hours. Genre Roddenberry conceived of Star Trek as an outlet for addressing the social issues of the time, one of which was the Vietnam War. "A Private Little War" was filmed while the war was still ongoing, and is the show's commentary on the conflict. In fact, Kirk mentions in his explanation to McCoy about arming Tyree's people that, like in certain "Old Earth" conflicts, there must be a balance of power. The episode is extremely effective as a commentary on the nature of war and the sadness of its effects, both on those embroiled in it and those who watch it from without. The episode succeeds in bringing the viewer lower and lower into the sadness and tragedy of the situation. It's clear once the viewer sees the Hill People armed that there's little hope for peace on this once idyllic world. The story also manages to hit all the right character notes, especially for Kirk, who has to struggle with the loss of his friend Tyree and worry about the life of Spock. The episode ends on a somber note, with Kirk lamenting that Starfleet's intervention with the people of the planet is simply the addition of even more serpents into Eden.
Action
There's a lot of fighting in "A Private Little War," which is appropriate, given the episode's title. There's a few fistfights, shooting, stabbing, phaser disentegrations, and even wild animal attacks. The scenes are never gratuitous here and are used to play up the tragedy of the episode.
Performances
The stand out performances here belong to Shatner and Nimoy, hands-down. Shatner especially carries the episode, and both he and Kelly are riveting in the scene when Kirk and McCoy argue heatedly over violating the Prime Directive. Star Trek is a show largely made by the efforts of its cast, and this episode is proof positive that the show was blessed by some of the most talented actors of the time.
Trektastic Moments
Kirk and McCoy's argument over the Prime Directive is classic Trek, as well as dealing with the problem of contaminating the natural development of an alien race. There's also the requisite fighting and commentary on the social issues of the day, an important part of all classic Trek.
Overall
A powerful, moving commentary on the futility and tragedy of war, done in the peerless Star Trek style. Highest possible recommendation.
The episode's title card.
The fearsome Mugatu.
Kirk and McCoy leave, hearts heavy as a society prepares for years of sustained conflict.
posted by Christopher at 7:23 AM
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