Episode Review - Patterns of Force (Original Series, Season 2)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – The Enterprise travels to the planet Ekos to find John Gill, a Federation cultural observer who has gone missing. On Ekos, they discover the planet in conflict with its neighbor, Zeon, and Ekos has developed a regime almost identical to Nazi Germany. Kirk is shocked to learn that the Fuhrer of this regime is the missing Gill. While investigating on the planet, Kirk and Spock are captured by the SS. As they plot their escape, they must find a way to reach Gill and undo the cultural damage he has done.

Score: 8/10 – An interesting example as to why the Prime Directive must be adhered to, “Patterns of Force” gives us a chance to see how Kirk and crew would fare in Nazi Germany. I found this episode to be somewhat compelling and relevant to today’s climate. It is not unusual for science fiction to take lessons from Earth’s past and put a sci-fi twist on it to teach us something, and this episode is a prime example. We an ingenious jailbreak on the part of Spock, something we will see again. We are given excellent performances by all the actors involved, with special commendation given to Skip Homeier who plays a malicious Melakon. A solid episode that highlights the best that Trek can offer.

Relevance – 1 point. As I mentioned earlier, in this episode we get a glimpse into Spock’s ability to find ingenious ways to break out of jail cells. This is mentioned in “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier”.

Continuity – 2 points. Character continuity works. We see disappointment in Kirk as he learns what his former Academy instructor had done. We see resiliency in both Kirk and Spock as they are tortured by the Nazis. Universe continuity is also intact here. Of particular note, I appreciate how after Spock’s lashings he is shown to have green blood streaks across his chest. Story continuity bears a closer examination, however. We were told in “Bread and Circuses” about Hodgkin’s Law of Parallel Planetary Development, implying that it is possible for familiar historical events to develop independently between two worlds. In this episode, such a theory is either discarded or disregarded. That could be a bit confusing for the viewer that pays attention to such details, so we will have to deduct a point here.

Character Development – 3 points. Kirk and Spock are given the most character treatment, which is normal. Kirk has to deal with the mistakes made by an academy professor that he greatly respected and admired, a sort of “fallen hero” idea. It causes Kirk some concern. Spock shows off his intelligence and ingenuity by using the crystals in their transponders to make a laser that melts the lock of their cell door, establishing him as a master escape artist. Both of these developments and experiences do provide some significant development to these two characters, so full points are scored in this category.

Social Commentary – 3 points. The familiar “if you do not learn from history you are doomed to repeat it” warning and why the Prime Directive is the most important law in the Federation are fully on display here. Some people argue that because the Nazi regime was quite efficient (a point that has been disputed and to some discredited since) that it would be worthwhile to adopt some of its practices while hoping to avoid the more unsavory aspects of it. That is a slippery slope that is wisest to avoid rather than attempt to traverse. As with so many historical examples, this story shows that power corrupts the individual and the society. Nazism is not something to be admired, even and especially through the lens of history. Today we see examples of how people turn to extreme ideologies when pushed, either through fear or hardships. It is as important today as it was fifty years ago to be committed to resisting such rhetoric that not all equal.

Cool Stuff – 1 point. Spock’s use of the transponder crystals to make a laser is quite fun. Yes, some may describe it as a convenient plot device to help them escape, but it still made for a cool scene, so a point is scored.

Rank – Captain (18 points). A well-written episode that tells a compelling story and gives us a timeless message. It also cements the importance of the Prime Directive by showing us the worst-case scenario that results from its violation. This is one of the reasons why Star Trek was such a ground breaking series for its time in that it did not hesitate to tackle serious issues head on.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Original Series, click on the link here.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review - Operation: Annihilate! (Original Series, Season 1)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – The Enterprise is heading towards the planet Deneva to try to establish contact with the colony stationed there. They are investigating a pattern of mass insanity that is moving on a straight line towards the colony. They pick up a ship on sensors that is headed towards the system’s sun. After a mysterious message from the pilot, the ship burns up. It is then revealed that Kirk has a brother on the planet. As they beam down to the planet they begin to investigate. They are attacked by group of men who are yelling at the away team to go away. After stunning the group. Kirk and his team find Kirk’s brother, George “Sam” Kirk, dead. His son is unconscious, and his wife is n hysterics. Beaming them back to the Enterprise, Kirk’s sister-in-law, Aurelan, tells Kirk of “things” that invaded their colony, and then she herself dies. They find some strange creatures, one of which attacks and infects Spock. Kirk is left with the difficult decision of destroying the colony to prevent the spread of the parasites, and he demands another alternative. A method is found, but it extracts a heavy cost on Spock.

Score: 8/10 – A good, solid episode to end the first season of Star Trek. There is mystery, humor, and risk all interwoven. James Kirk faces a great loss as his brother and most of his family die from the neural parasites. The parasites themselves are a cool alien prop and concept, and they add a great deal to the eerie feel of the episode. The method of killing the parasites has a few twists and turns and shows that our crew are not entirely infallible. When they use the bright light to kill the parasite that is living within Spock, it blinds our favorite Vulcan first officer. The revelation that it is UV light that kills the parasite makes Spock’s sacrifice seem in vain. Being the last episode in the season, it adds a certain amount of suspense, although in the 1960s it would have been uncommon to have such a major change to such a major character.

Relevance – 2 points. The inner eyelid of the Vulcans is mentioned in the Enterprise episode “The Forge”. While some might classify this anatomical feature as being akin to the deus ex machina solution, it does become an important feature of Vulcan physiology. I will also score a point for showing George Samuel Kirk’s family, which was mentioned in the episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?”.

Continuity – 1 points. Character-wise we have one little issue. Kirk has some tough calls to make and is dealing with the very recent loss of his brother’s family, save Peter. Yes, as a Starfleet captain he must be tough against the trials that life in Starfleet brings. It is expected that Kirk show composure in light of this tragedy, but I did find it odd that there was very little shown about the captain’s handling of his loss. I get that Jim Kirk was closer to Spock and McCoy then his own brother, but I did expect some sort of extended emotional response to his loss. Universe continuity had to be deducted as well. While it was a cool feature of the neuroparasite, the biology teacher in me has to call out the idea that each floating fried egg was a single cell is not scientifically feasible. Cells are microscopic for a reason, and the scale of these organisms is just not going to cut it. So, while I like the organisms as a concept, and I get that not all scientific laws can be readily adhered to in science fiction, but I have to make a call, and the call is to deduct the point. Fortunately, the story continuity is fully intact, so the point is scored here.

Character Development – 2 points. Spock shows he is willing to give himself for the greater good by going to the planet alone, after being infected, to obtain one of the creatures. McCoy shows his deep respect for Spock when he refers to him as the best first officer in the fleet. Kirk has to make some tough choices after losing his brother. All of them see some growth in this episode, and yet it is all stuff that has been previously established. Still, it’s a good episode that highlights the three of them.

Social Commentary – 2 points. Here we see the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. Kirk having to make the difficult choice to destroy a million lives to prevent these parasites from expanding throughout the galaxy. Spock going to the planet to prevent the anyone else in the crew from being infected by the parasites. This is the usual “taking one for the team” attitude that we quite often find ourselves in. While we do not have to do this on the scale that Kirk and his crew do, it is still significant. It means we put off the things we would rather be doing to help those in need. It means we allow for the greater good to override a minority group. It may not always be the most ethical choice, and sometimes we go the route of the needs of the few outweighing the needs of the many.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. There is no way that I am not giving a point for the neural parasite. For a science fiction show in the 1960s, it was a cool creature that has a cool premise. Each one being like a cell of a larger entity is different. I also imagine being one of the set workers whose job was to move the parasite around the scene on a string, like some sort of weird puppetry act. If memory serves me correctly there is a blooper scene that is out there that shows the scene where Spock is infected by the parasite, except instead of being hit in the back, he is hit in the butt. I also want to score a point for having William Shatner play Sam Kirk, complete with distinguishing moustache. This, to my knowledge, marks the first time that a main actor plays a second character in the show. True, Sam is dead and has no dialogue because of it, but it is a cool feature.

Rank – Captain (17 points). This is a great episode that is a fan favourite. The effects of the creatures work well even today, and we get to see some great dialogue between the core three characters. Definitely a strong finish to a good first season.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Original Series, click on the link here.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review - The Devil in the Dark (Original Series, Season 1)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – The Enterprise is called to Janus VI, a mining colony that is being terrorized by what they describe as a monster. Having claimed the lives of fifty miners, the creature seems intent on driving the humans off the planet. Kirk originally seeks to exterminate the creature when it takes an important circulating pump that is needed to keep the planet habitable for humans. When Kirk and Spock encounter the creature, they learn that there is much more to this silicon-based lifeform than meets the eye. Now, in a race to protect both the colony and the creature, Kirk and Spock try to discover what the creature wants and find a solution that will allow both parties to live in harmony.

Score: 9/10 – One of my favourite episode of the original series, “The Devil in the Dark” gives us a fantastic story that gives us a few surprises and deviations from the typical “monster-of-the-week” episode. We are given the Horta, one of the most interesting and unique creatures of the Star Trek world. Where life as we know it is carbon-based, the Horta is of the silicon variety. As a scientist, I was happy that they selected silicon as it has enough similarities to carbon to make it feasible and plausible to be the basis of life. I also love that the Horta is shown to be intelligent, ancient, and compassionate. It basically turns the standard “if it’s a monster, it must be evil” concept on its head, and gives a valid reason for the Horta to kill people. She is defending her eggs, her offspring, and the future of her species. The humans had inadvertently killed several of the eggs, and the Horta was doing everything she could to protect the rest. This is where Star Trek’s storytelling is at its finest, as it causes the audience to identify with and feel for a sentient life that is so different from us. In addition to suspense and action, there is some great humor to go along with the story, especially the closing scene. It is interesting to note that in hindsight, an episode that teaches us the importance of accepting diversity (in this case, diversity in sentient life forms), there are no women with speaking parts. Before anyone starts panning this episode for that, keep in mind that this episode is a product of its time.

Relevance – 3 points. This is the first time that McCoy uses the iconic “I’m a doctor, not a…” trope. In this particular instance, it is “…not a bricklayer”. This would become one of the good Doctor’s most popular catchphrases, with the other likely being “He’s dead, Jim”. That is definitely worth a mark in this section. I am also giving a point for Sulu mentioning the Horta in the third season episode “That Which Survives”. It is interesting to note that Sulu does not appear in this episode, although it is logical to assume that Sulu, a senior officer, would be aware of the Horta. This is also the first time that pergium, a valuable energy source, is mentioned. It will be referenced again in both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. While not nearly as famous as other substances that are mined in Star Trek (dilithium and latinum, for example), it is not one of those “created for an episode and then forgotten” things.

Continuity – 2 points. Story wise there was one thing element about this story that always bugged me. The various times that the Horta attacked and killed various miners and security officers, it always seemed to rise in front of the victim, who was usually armed, and in a few seconds attack them up close. When I first saw this as a kid, I wondered why nobody shot at it. Perhaps it is necessary to suspend some belief in this, but after re-watching it, I just couldn’t help but think that there is something not quite right here. I have to deduct the story continuity point for it. Otherwise, character and universe continuity work well here.

Character Development – 2 points. Kirk and Spock both seem to get the most attention in this episode. McCoy and Scotty are the only other main characters to be seen. In this episode, we see Kirk and Spock joust back and forth about the ethics of their situation. At one point, Kirk insists that the creature be killed on sight, with Spock speaking towards capture. Then, when Kirk encounters the Horta and feels inclined to spare the creature and learn more of it, Spock is the one who urges the captain to kill it. Some may think that this is an odd reaction for Spock, but as I thought about it I came to realize what was at stake. Spock has already shown how far he will let his loyalty to his captain take him with “The Menagerie”, and when it comes to the life of Kirk over the Horta, Spock makes the emotional yet logical choice to save his friend. The banter between Kirk and Spock is often entertaining, and here it delves into their friendship as they disagree on an important issue. While this is a good showcase of their relationship, it does little to move that relationship further along.

Social Commentary – 3 points. There is a lot of subtly in this episode. The episode title, “The Devil in the Dark”, originally looks as if it describes the Horta. In reality, it is what the Horta uses to describe the humans who have been destroying her eggs. Kirk and the others saw the Horta as a ruthless monster. They judged it as little more than an animal because it was so different from life that they knew. As they discover the truth behind the Horta, their attitudes change. They realize that they are more alike than different. This is a recurring theme in Star Trek, as Gene Roddenberry intentionally wove this idea into the stories he created for Star Trek. The inclusion of former war adversaries (Japanese and Russian) as members of the crew is an example of this. One of the strengths of this episode is making the monster relatable. We empathised with the creature who was merely protecting her children. While we may see those who are different than us with suspicion, once you get to know them it is easy to see what you share as opposed to what divides you. In today’s world, that is something we need more than ever.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. There is no doubt that the Horta is a really cool part of this episode. Yes, it’s a guy under a shaggy colorful rock-like thing, but considering that it was done 50 years ago, it still looks unique and interesting. Having it based on a silicon basis of life was also very interesting and different. I loved everything about it. I also want to score a point for the twist on the typical monster of the week approach. Instead of being a creature to be defeated, we actually come to side with the Horta, learning that it is an ancient, disciplined, and intelligent species. I consider the truth of the Horta to be one of Star Trek’s best plot twists, and that is enough for another cool point.

Rank – Admiral (21 points). A classic episode that is a perfect example of what made the Original Series a classic. Learning to co-exist with those that are different and seeing a creature as more than a monster to be overcome is a great lesson. It is often on people’s Top 10 favorite episode lists for a good reason.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Original Series, click on the link here.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review - Balance of Terror (Original Series, Season 1)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – While preparing for a wedding between two crewmen, the Enterprise is called to an area of space along the neutral zone with the Romulan Empire. Not much is known about the Romulans as there has been no contact with them since the Earth Romulan war of a century ago. As the Enterprise approaches the neutral zone it becomes apparent that something is amiss, with several of their outposts having been destroyed. As Kirk and his crew learn more about the identity of the aggressor, and it is indeed a Romulan ship, they discover that the Romulans bear a striking resemblance to Mr. Spock. As the Enterprise begins a cat-and-mouse game with the Romulan ship, tensions rise on both vessels, culminating in an epic showdown.

Score: 10/10 – This is one of the best episode in all of Star Trek. I could end it there, but let’s examine that a bit further. The story is well-paced, mixes triumph and tragedy, and introduces us to the Romulans. The Romulans will become a significant adversary to the Federation, but unlike the Klingons, their build will be slow and deliberate. Mystery is their greatest weapon. The first Romulan we see, the unnamed Romulan Commander, is played by Trek legend Mark Leonard, who will later become famous as Spock’s father, Sarek. He brings such a dignity to the role, that you almost can’t help yourself and cheer for him. His performance is among the best acting in the series, and a delight to witness. The Romulans have developed a devastating weapon and are attempting to see how it measures up against the Federation, which should make the Commander menacing in and of itself. Yet between Mark Leonard’s acting and the writing you actually see a sympathetic and noble side to this veteran military officer that has us feeling sad for his ultimate defeat and demise. The side story of Tomlinson and Martine’s wedding does get token treatment for much of the episode, but it provides us with a painful denouement that sends us home with a bittersweet sense of victory. The themes of honor in combat and bigotry are woven into the story with skill, giving us more than just a fun fight story. The tactics used by both Kirk and the Romulan commander are logical and easy to understand, yet still brilliant. It is truly a match between two equals where, as the Commander says to Kirk at the end, we are believing that in another life the two could have been friends.

Relevance – 3 points. A point is scored for the introduction to the Romulans. The Romulans would continually be developed in small doses over the course of all the television series, and that adds to their effectiveness of a foe for our heroes. Their similarities to Vulcans leads to the establishment of being distant cousins, and will come into play in future episodes as “The Enterprise Incident” and “Unification”. Another point is scored for the pre-wedding Captain’s speech, which is almost word-for-word repeated by Picard in the TNG episode “Data’s Day”. A final point is given for the first mention of the Earth-Romulan war, which is responsible for the establishment of the Neutral Zone and is mentioned in “Star Trek: Beyond”.

Continuity – 3 points. Everything checks out here. Universe continuity works easily as this episode establishes the Romulans, and they have stayed more or less true to form ever since. Story continuity works with a well-paced battle between two tough foes. Character continuity is also good, especially with Kirk and Spock.

Character Development – 3 points. There are two main characters that receive the bulk of the attention: Spock and Kirk. Spock shows that when he is confronted with prejudism he stills remain logical. It was obvious that Stiles’ suspicions and accusations did trouble him a bit (credit to Nimoy’s acting), he confronted it in a way that is both admirable and effective. He just did his job. He made no excuses for his actions, especially when he saved Stiles life at the end. Kirk, meanwhile, shows us why he is an extremely effective captain. He demonstrates intelligence, compassion, courage, nobility, wisdom, and true grit in this episode. Really, it is hard for me to think of a better showcase for James T. Kirk than this episode. He takes chances to win the battle, and when the end is decided and his adversary defeated, he extends an olive branch to prevent further loss of life. Kirk may not be your favourite captain, but in this episode he earns everyone’s respect.

Social Commentary – 3 points. Two important themes are woven through this story. The first, honor in combat, shows itself in great fashion as Kirk and the Romulan Commander engage in battle. They do all they can to emerge victorious and defeat their opponent, but they do so not out of a love for bloodshed or glory, but out of duty and respect towards their adversary. In a life-and-death high stakes game, both commanders approach the battle in a way that is devoid of hatred. This is even more impressive as various members of each crew express their own hatred and bigotry towards their opponents. This brings us to the second theme: bigotry. Lieutenant Stiles is well versed in reasons to hate Romulans, stemming from the losses his family was dealt a century ago. That hatred has been passed down, and when it became known that the Vulcans and Romulans were likely of the same genetic stock, his distrust of Spock grew. While it is a common trope used in these types of stories to have the object of one’s prejudice save their life, this is done well here. I found it most interesting that in the scene where Stiles was telling Kirk about how untrustworthy Romulans are, how they can hide among us and that spies could be everywhere, he is sitting next to Sulu, played by George Takei. Takei had spent much of his childhood in relocation centers just a few decades prior to this episode during WWII when many Americans expressed similar distrust towards Americans of Japanese heritage. To have Stiles saying those hateful things beside an actor who personally experienced similar bigotry adds a delightful taste of irony that makes the message much more personal. How Kirk responds to Stiles is also telling and applicable to our day as much as back then. “Leave any bigotry in your quarters. There’s no room for it on the bridge.” No lecture on tolerance, no follow-up discussion, just a quick reminder of the lieutenant’s duty and move on from there.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. The weapon used by the Romulans is very cool. An energy weapon that can make the strongest of materials weak and fragile. I liked that it had limits which allowed Kirk to defeat it, but still a cool weapon. Mark Leonard is so good in this episode that it has to count as a cool factor. To take a dangerous enemy and make him beloved and respected means something. I cannot even classify him as a villain because of his honor and nobility. Adversary, yes, but he is too honorable to be a villain. Villains typically have a treacherous side, and this Commander lacks that.

Rank – Admiral (24 points). A near perfect episode. I occasionally scour the internet looking for Top Ten lists, and I have yet to find one for the Original Series that doesn’t rank this among the very best. I typically find it jousting for the top spot, and it is easy to see why. The battle between the two ships reminds me of a future Trek battle, and one that is always going to be among my favorites, and that is the Enterprise vs the Reliant in Star Trek II. The character of the Romulan Commander is among my favorites in Star Trek. The tackling of important social issues in the way that only Star Trek can is at its best here. Overall, a beautiful work of art in Star Trek.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Original Series, click on the link here.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review - The Tholian Web (Original Series, Season 3)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here.

Overview – The Enterprise discovers the missing USS Defiant in unknown space, its crew dead from apparent madness. As Kirk and the away team continue to search the ship, they discover that the ship is phasing out of time and space. With limited power, Scotty can only beam aboard all but one of the away team at once. Kirk chooses to stay behind, and after the others return to the Enterprise, the Defiant disappears. Spock, believing that he can still rescue the captain, chooses to remain. Symptoms of the madness that killed the crew of the Defiant begin to manifest in the Enterprise crew. While McCoy and Spock clash over command, a new threat in the form of the mysterious and dangerous Tholians arrives. As they begin to weave a deadly web around the Enterprise,Spock must make the decision to risk the ship for her captain or abandon his friend for the safety of all.

Score: 9/10 – This is a favourite among fans, and for good reason. In a third season that had a fair number of duds, this one shines brightly. We see a new and different alien threat in the Tholians, and the web weapon they employ is refreshing and original. There is mystery and suspense as we wonder if and how the crew can rescue Kirk. We get conflict not just from the Tholians, but between Spock and McCoy. The two to clash like they have never before, showing how much of a balance Kirk was to his two friends. Indeed, it is a touching final message in a recording Kirk made in the event of his death that brings the two together. We get to see all the main characters in this episode, which includes what is affectionately referred to as the token Chekov scream scene. The acting is good,and the special effects are good for the era (although check out the remastered version). I also enjoyed the ending where Spock and McCoy play a joke on Kirk. It ended the episode with just the right amount of levity, especially after the two had come into conflict during this episode. A very solid and entertaining episode.

Relevance – 2 points. One point is scored for these events being referenced by Kirk (in Janice Lester’s body) in “Turnabout Intruder” as he tries to convince Spock that he is truly Kirk. A second point, and a big one at that, for the Enterprise two-part adventure “In a Mirror Darkly”, which also acts as a prequel to “Mirror, Mirror”.

Continuity – 3 points. The character continuity is good here, as McCoy and Spock both come to words as Spock takes command in Kirk’s absence and possible demise. Spock uses logic, McCoy runs on emotion, and together find a way to make it work. Story continuity is maintained, as is universe continuity. Full points in this category.

Character Development – 3 points. This is definitely a Spock-McCoy episode. The two having to come to terms with Kirk’s death, and it leads to contention between the two reaching higher levels. I like how Kirk, via a recorded message, is able to bring balance to the two yet again. Spock has difficult choices to make, as this is possibly the first time that he believes he may actually have to replace his friend. McCoy, meanwhile, becomes very belligerent towards Spock, and seriously oversteps his bounds. He has to adjust to having the only person on the ship that was arguably equal in authority now be in command. It was easy at the beginning of this to berate Spock over his actions as he was accustomed to it, but as Spock continued to exercise his authority, McCoy had to learn to lay off a bit. It was a great learning experience for the two officers.

Social Commentary – 2 points. When someone important in your life is suddenly gone, it is often difficult to come together and move on. This is the big take home message from this episode for me. Spock does so with calmness and cool logic. McCoy has a more emotional reaction and needs to be brought down to Earth a bit. Still, as Kirk reminds his friends, it is imperative that we do our best to unite instead of pulling apart.

Cool Stuff – 2 points. A point is definitely scored for the Tholians. Their look, their ship, their web weapon, everything. I liked how the writers and producers gave the Tholians a distinct look. Yes, the Tholian was simply a mask, but it gave us a memorable visual. I also score a point for the effects used with the ship and Kirk phasing in and out.

Rank – Admiral (21 points). Hey, they call these episodes “classics” for good reason. Seriously, if this episode is not in your Top 10 of Original Series, then it better have just missed the cut.

If you would like to read other reviews from the Original Series, click on the link here.

If you would like to read an episode review from any of the Trek series, click the following link to get to the series catalog. If the episode you want reviewed has not been done yet, then feel free to request it in the comments and I will see what I can do.

Episode Review – The Immunity Syndrome (Original Series, Season 2)

For those who are new to my episode reviews, you can find the post where I establish my point criteria here

Overview – As the Enterprise heads towards a shore leave destination, they are contacted by Starbase 6 with respect to the starship Intrepid, manned by an all-Vulcan crew. Soon after receiving the distress call, Spock experiences a telepathic communication with the Intrepid’s crew, indicating that they were all suddenly killed. As they approach the last known location of the Intrepid, Kirk and the crew begin to experience various symptoms if illness and fatigue. As they discover the source of their problems, a large, cell-like space creature that feeds on energy, Kirk must decide which of his two closest friends, Spock or McCoy, he must sacrifice to save the ship.

Score: 8/10 – While the pacing in this episode is often a bit slow, there is a great story to be told in this episode. While on the surface it looks like an adventure to save the galaxy from an entity that seems to feed off of all energy, it is actually a fairly well done study of the relationship between the original series trifecta of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. As the crew try to stave off this “destroyer of worlds” (the latest in a long string of such adversaries), we examine this friendship in much greater depth. Not only does Kirk play the balance to Spock’s cool logic and McCoy’s fiery emotions, he must choose between them to save the ship, likely at the cost of his friend’s life. It is a decision that Kirk does not enjoy, but in his typical fashion he makes the tough call. The science behind the solution to the problem may be a little farfetched (hey, it is called science fiction for a reason), but the dramatic buildup mostly works.

Relevance - 0 points. Sadly, there is nothing in this episode that connects it with other episodes in Star Trek. Having a recurring theme of threats to the galaxy notwithstanding, it would have been humorous to hear someone, such as McCoy, mention that the crew have been facing off against a lot of galaxy-level threats recently. If you miss this episode, it is no big deal (except for the fact that this is a great episode).

Continuity - 3 points. Everything checks out here. All-Vulcan crew starships should not be a big surprise (we see them in DS9 as well), and nothing contradicts any storylines. Most importantly is the Character continuity. With the focus being on Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, these three act exactly the way we expect and love them to. There has always been great chemistry between the three, and this is the showcase.

Character Development – 3 points. Again, showcasing the great on-screen chemistry between not only the three central characters but the three actors as well, this episode does a fine job in pushing all three along their development. Kirk has to deal with the choice of which of his closest friends he should send on what is most likely going to be a suicide mission. Both Spock and McCoy are willing to go to keep the other one safe. The genuine care that each has for the others is strongly shown in this episode. Yes, McCoy and Spock argue. A lot. For two individuals that are so fundamentally different, that is to be expected. Yet when push comes to shove, they are there for each other. There is no greater example of this than when they are attempting to rescue Spock, who suggests that they conserve their energy. McCoy shouts out “Shut up Spock, we’re rescuing you!” to which Spock replies with his ever cool quip “Why thank you…Captain McCoy”. Great writing helps flesh out the great friendship these characters had.

Social Commentary – 2 points. Making the tough call. Which friend do you sacrifice? For a guy that does not like the no-win scenario, Kirk has a doozy of one here. Still, he makes the best call that he can, and then does everything he can to cheat the system and emerge the winner. While we may not have decide between friends in life-or-death situations on a regular basis, we often have to make tough choices that we would rather not make at all. All we can do is make the best choice we can and hope it all works out for the best.

Cool Stuff – 1 point. One point scored for the space amoeba. Cool creature, both in the 60s and with the re-mastered edition. While realistically I doubt such a creature could exist, I did appreciate the imagination that was put into its development.

Rank – Captain (17 points). This is an enjoyable episode that highlights one of the Original Series best qualities, the dynamic of Kirk, Spock, and Bones. It is an adventure story that does a lot to build this dynamic. While missing it might not take away from the overall picture, it is a great story that you should not miss.

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