So we come to the third episode, the second pilot, the first episode that William Shatner filmed as Kirk. I can only presume that this show used the sets and costumes from the first, successful 50 years later pilot, the Cage but had the budget for new costume and set updates when the show was commissioned. The sets lack the polish we would see in later episodes, and of course the uniforms are turtle neck tunnics, as opposed the iconic design we would come to see. We get to meet Scotty for the first time, and although Sulu doesn’t serve at the helm he is present and correct as a astrosciences officer. Kirk and Spock are unchanged, but absent are Uhura and Doctor McCoy.
In this adventure, an attempt to cross the galactic barrier ends in failure, but not before one of the crew, Gary Mitchell, is endowed with godlike powers. Kirk must wrestle with loyalty to his friend, and his duty to his ship, and possibly the human race, as he faces the threat that Gary poses.
Famously the first pilot didn’t go to series because the plotline was too cerebral. Here the balance is redressed, with a much more swashbuckling style as Kirk must battle his physical skills as well as his wits against the evolving Mitchell. Although McCoy is not present, Kirk expertly walks the like between the philosophies of Bones and Spock as he uses strategy to find the right moment to attack.
There are some interesting points here, particularly with the acknowledgement of ESP. The idea that humans would have some form of extra sensory perception isn’t referred to in any Trek since.
The interplay between Mitchell and Kirk gives us a nice look at the Captain’s back story (although we do get the legendary “James R. Kirk” on his tombstone during the climax.
On its own an enjoyable episode, it is only marred when watched so close to its predecessor, Charlie X, as it repeats some very familiar themes – the idea of a human endowed with god like powers, suddenly abusing his gifts. A theme that would be revisited all too often during TOS run.
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