This is an episode that should bore me to tears, and yet I kinda like it.
Plot:The Enterprise becomes involved in a local power struggle on planet Capella IV, fighting the Klingons over mining rights.
Guest Stars:Julie Newmar as Eleen, Tige Andrews as Kras
Nitpick:The teaser gives us what has to be the quickest red shirt death in the show's history. The best part is after the guy dies Kirk says that he was "young and inexperienced". Great idea bringing him along Kirk!
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise is approaching Capella IV to secure mining rights. Dr.McCoy has visited the planet and is briefing the staff on their culture and strong beliefs. Kirk leaves Scotty in command since Klingons could be in the area, and beams down with Spock, McCoy and a security guard. They group is quickly surrounded by Capellans, and when a Klingon appears the guard reacts quickly, and is instantly killed by a Capellan.
Act 1-Kirk in incensed by the death, and the three go into a hut to cool down. He chews out McCoy, and then apologizes a few minutes later. The Enterprise is detecting something out of range that could be a Klingon vessel. Kirk, Spock and McCoy are brought before the high leader of the Capellans who happens to have a very pregnant wife. The Klingon, Kras, tries to talk dow the three but McCoy is able to one up him. Kras insists that the Klingons agree that the strong should live. However Kirk retorts that the Federation will allow them to have there freedoms. The leader says that Earthmen have never lied but his associate Maab disagrees which is taken as a challenge. While Uhura detects a distress call on the ship, on the planet a fight has broken out. Kirk, Spock and McCoy got to get there equipment and find the Klingon doing the same. Kras attacks but is quickly defeated, saying he has a small scout ship. They need the minerals too. An armed coup as killed the leader and put Maab in charge. Kras insists Kirk be killed, and Maab sees fear in Kras's eyes. On the ship Uhura has found the signal from a ship calling the Enterprise for help because of a Klingon attack. The pregnant wife is brought in to be killed, since her unborn would be the leader and Maab can't have that. However, Kirk interferes and saves her life. Eleen says it is her right to see Kirk die for touching her, which is not allowed. The crew can't reach Kirk so Scotty decides to take the ship out of orbit to investigate the distress call.
Act 2-Eleen and the landing party have been imprisoned awaiting Maab's decision. Eleen is a lot of pain and McCoy decides to try to help her. Kirk and Spock decide to use that as a distraction to knock out the two guards watching them. The Enterprise has reached where the distress call came frm and found nothing. No debris, no anything. Kirk, Spock and McCoy are able to recover their communicators but not phasers. They have fled into the hills with Eleen, who hates the child she is carrying. They have taken refuge in a defeasible canyon, while McCoy insists he let Eleen care for her. She refuses to let him check her stomach, until he slaps her which seems to convince her. McCoy determines the baby will arrive soon. Kirk and Spock decide to use their communicators to use sonic vibrations to seal the entrance off to the canyon. Making it longer for the Capellans to catch up.
Act 3-The explosion causes confusion and Kras is able to get a phaser from one of the wounded Capellans. They three take refuge in a cave. On the Enterprise, When Uhura replays the distress call, Scotty realizes that it called the Enterprise specifically. How would a freighter know they were in the area? In the cave they are able to get some light and McCoy tries to convince her that the baby does not belong to her husband it belongs to her. Kirk and Spock work on fabricating weapons while the baby is finally born. One stupid moment when McCoy tries to force Spock to hold him, c'mon dude. The search is concluded and Scotty decides to turn back, even when Uhura gets a second distress call. Eleen knocks out McCoy with a rock and flees the cave. McCoy alerts Kirk and Spock, and the two go to meet the Capellans while McCoy watches the baby. The Enterprise is intercepted by a Klingon warship, which seems to be challenging them.
Act 4-As the Enterprise plays cat and mouse with the Klingons, the Capellans have caught up to Kirk and Spock. Eleen catches up to the Capellans and insists the humans are dead. Keas does not believe her, and runs off wielding his stolen phaser. Using the bows and arrow they made, which Capella IV has never seen, Kirk and Spock throw them off. The Klingon then manages a standoff. Eleen offers to sacrifice herself as a distraction, but Maab choose to give up his life, and give her back hers. He is killed by the Klingon who is subsequently killed by a Capellan. Just as Scotty and a security team finally arrive. Scotty explains they had some trouble with a Klingon vessel which really wasn't up for a fight. McCoy gives the baby back Eleen who also signs the mining agreement for the Federation. On the Enterprise it is revealed the baby was named Leonard James Akaar. Spock remarks that this means Kirk and McCoy will be insufferably pleased with themselves for at least a month.
Final Thoughts:This episode should be high on my bore list, and yet it's pretty good. I think it comes down to a couple things, like Julie Newmar being in it. And D.C.Fontana writing it. She knew how to infuse enough character moments and even humor to make the episode watchable. For example the classic "I'm a doctor not an escalator" is from here. This is also one of the few show's where going back to the ship is interesting, with Scotty showing off his command chops. The best part is we finally flesh out Chekov a little more. He honestly didn't make much of an impression in "Catspaw" but here we see the charming and likable side that would make him a permanent part of the cast.
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