Not very long ago I decided to give this a re-watch. And I couldn't make it through, it was just so boring!! But today I will struggle through this episode, the only episode to focus on one of the other characters aside from Kirk or Spock.
Plot:The Enterprise discovers a generational asteroid ship on a collision course with an inhabited planet.
Guest Stars:Katherine Woodville as Natira
Nitpick:McCoy is the focus here and as I said this is the only time that happens in the series for anyone beside Kirk and Spock. I know some people say "Wolf in the Fold" counts as a Scotty episode but I disagree. Scotty is really just a plot device in that one, you barely even know he's in the episode by the end of it. By the way what was the point of the missiles in the start? We never find out.
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise is at alert as a spread of primitive, chemical fueled, sub light nuclear missiles approach. The Enterprise quickly disperses them with their phasers. Kirk tells Chekov to plot a course to their source. Meanwhile, Chapel and McCoy are arguing because she called Kirk. When he arrives, McCoy reports that he completed the crew evaluations and found one officer has a terminal disease called xenopolycythemia. Kirk asks who it is, and McCoy says it's himself. He will last about a year, and wishes to just stay busy in that time. He also asks Kirk to keep it to himself.
Act 1-The Enterprise has arrived where the missiles came from, which is an asteroid. The strange part is that it is following an independent course through the galaxy. It will reach its destination in 395 days where it will collide with planet Daran V and destroy the planet. They consider destroying it but find in actuality it is an atomic powered spaceship. Kirk and Spock beam aboard to check the ship out, McCoy offers to go with and does not want to be treated differently because of is condition. They arrive and find a barren surface like a planet. There are large cylinders, from which soldiers emerge and attack. After a struggle the leader, a woman named Natira, welcomes them. She says the world is called Yonada and brings the three down below the surface with the citizens all live. They led into an oracle room were she consults an unseen entity which rules them all. It's clear the people dont realize the planet is a spaceship. Kirk identifies themselves and the oracle renders them all unconscious as a show of power.
Act 2-The three awaken, though McCoy takes longer due to his illness. Kirk tells Spock the condition McCoy is in as he awakens. Spock's demeanor and face shows obvious concern for his friend (admittedly...wonderfully done). Kirk and Spock discuss whether or not they should tell the people the truth when an old man walks in. He then explains how he has climbed the mountain and even discovered "that the world is hollow and I have touched the sky" before being killed by the oracle. Apparently the people have a subcutaneous control device in their heads which can cause punishment or even death if they do or say something the oracle doesn't like. It clearly is forbidden for the people to discover the truth. Natira enters and takes an interest in McCoy. Kirk asks McCoy to try to get to know her better while he and Spock do some digging around. I think you know how I feel about romantic scenes by now and these as slow as the others I hated. Anyway Natira says that she loves McCoy (from the five minutes she's known him). Natira asks McCoy stay with her so they will be together when they reach there final destination. McCoy explains his condition and she says that she will make every day he has left a happy one. They then kiss. Kirk and Spock find the oracle room, Spock recognizes the symbols as Fabrini a culture whose planet died when their sun went nova. The people lived underground before dying out. They programmed the spaceship to take the shriving people to a new habitable planet. The oracle being...say it with me now...a sophisticated computer. The two hide in the oracle room when Natira enters to ask if McCoy may stay with her. The oracle allows as long as he becomes one of them. Suddenly it discovers Kirk and Spock and zaps them. Sentencing them to death.
Act 3-McCoy agrees to stay but begs them to release his friends. Saying he could never be happy there of his friends are spared. Kirk and Spock are released. Kirk argues with McCoy about staying behind but in the end he allows it. McCoy goes through a ritual to get a new subcutaneous control device implanted and officially marry Natira. She then reveals an ancient book which is to be opened when they reach there intended destination. On the Enterprise Kirk has discussed the matter with an admiral who relieved Kirk of responsibility for dealing with Yonada (for some reason). Kirk is forced to leave McCoy behind, until he calls the ship to tell him about the book. As he explains the book may solve their problem, the oracle punishes McCoy with severe pain.
Act 4-Kirk and Spock beam back down and Spock is able to remove the device. Natira is shocked to see this. She is devastated but Kirk convinces her to hear them out. Kirk explains that there world is a spaceship. She is skeptical and the oracle begins to torment her so she flees. Kirk explains there is a flaw in the controls and it must be corrected before the ship arrives at its intended destination. Natira questions the oracle which causes Natira more pain. Kirk, Spock and McCoy enter to remove the device from her head. Kirk and Spock try to get to the book but the oracle fights them. Though why it doesn't use the method that worked twice before escapes me. They are able to get into the controls and Spock corrects the navigation error. Natira must stay and lead her people, and she does not want McCoy to give up on life and die there. He wants to find a cure with her, but she cannot go with him anymore than he can stay there. Natira says that maybe one day he will find Yonada again. Before leaving the computer room, Spock discovers data banks which include long forgotten medical treatments. Later, Spock has brought the cure to the Enterprise and McCoy is now cured. Kirk promises that when Yonada does reach its destination, he will make sure the Enterprise is there.
Final Thoughts:First of all, that title is ridiculous. I've tried to keep an open mind about the sexism in a lot of these episodes but the "woman falling in love with the guy after two minutes" trope is always one that pisses me off. Because that's all women do right, fall in love? At least Kirk and Miramanee had two months together! To be fair Deforest Kelly is great in the episode, and I even liked Natira she was a good leader, but man is it dull not to mention rushed. I feel nothing. And the fact that it's yet another computer which has malfunctioned is aggravating, why is it either a screwy computer or android in every damn episode? At least the episode doesn't end with Kirk talking the thing to death.
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