When I first saw this episode when I was young I had no idea what to make of it. The odd pacing, the sparse sets, the woman who couldn't talk. It was just weird to me and I avoided the episode a long time as a result. As I've gotten older I understand the episode a lot better and really appreciate some of the things in it. I get why people like this one, though for me the episode is still a bore.
Plot:On a doomed planet Kirk, Spock, and McCoy become the subjects of an alien experiment whose mysterious intention involves a beautiful, empathic woman.
Guest Stars:Kathryn Hays as Gem, Alan Bergmann as Lal, Willard Sage as Thann
Nitpick:Aliens with advanced powers conducting experiments on people and playing games with the crew? Funny this idea feels oddly familiar to me.
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise has been ordered to evacuate a research station. But when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down they find the scientists are gone. According to a log the scientists were monitoring seismic activity when they just vanished. Moments later, Kirk, Spock and McCoy vanish in the same manner.
Act 1-The three awaken miles under the planet's surface. They were beamed there by a device similar to the transporters. They find a woman reclining on a couch, unconscious. She awakens but cannot speak. McCoy explains she's a mute, and names her Gem. Two Vians suddenly appear and explain they know who the three are. Kirk tries to explain they come in peace but they use a force field to keep them away from Gem. The Vians leave and the force field is gone. Kirk has a cut on his head, which Gem is able to make vanish just by touching it. McCoy deduces she is an empath, and can feel the pain of other and take it away into herself. Spock gets readings with lead them to a laboratory. There, they find the two scientists dead in tubes.
Act 2-They also find three identical tubes with their names on them. The Vians says they need more tests and as Kirk talks Spock nerve pinches the Vians. Spock is able to find an exit and they made an escape to the surface. Once they leave, the Vian awakens and is joined by the other. The three make an escape but quickly figure out it was just another test by the Vians. Kirk tries to attack but the Vians slow him down (this is endless) as the Vians comment on their will to survive. The Vians decide they only need one specimen, so they take Kirk and let the others go. However, it's a trick and they are all recaptured. On the Enterprise, Scotty wants to get back to the planet as soon as possible. Kirk is strung up in a lab while the Vians run tests on him. They explain they have already seen their compassion at work, not they want to see their courage. Spock and McCoy are stuck in another force field when Kirk is returned. Gem goes over to Kirk and heals his injuries despite the pain to herself. The Vians return and say that Kirk will have a choice on their next experiment. Either they will use Spock who will suffer permanent brain damage or McCoy who will likely not survive.
Act 3-As Spock works on a way to get out of there, as McCoy complains about being underground. They discuss who should be chosen but Kirk makes it clear the decision is his. Still suffering from the torture, McCoy injects Kirk with a hypo to make him relax. It puts him to sleep. Spock is grateful for McCoy since he can now make the choice for Kirk. McCoy instead sneaks up on Spock and uses the hypo on him also. When the Vians return, they take McCoy with them. Strung up, McCoy tells them to get on with it already. Meanwhile, Kirk is upset that Spock let McCoy go but Spock says there wasn't much he could do about it. Spock explains that the device is acivated solely by mental commands. gets the device working, and he and Kirk are brought to McCoy. Kirk wonders why the Vians let them keep it, and Spock says there must be a reason. Gem is clearly essential to their purpose, whatever it is. The two transport to the lab where the find McCoy strung up, badly beaten and on the verge of death.
Act 4-They get McCoy down and Spock reports the massive injuries he's suffered. Spock says McCoy is dying and there isn't much they can do. Kirk wonders if Gem could help, but in his condition she may not survive. Maybe she can heal him enough so he can survive. Suddenly Kirk and Spock are trapped by a force field and the Vians tell them not to interfere. It needs to be Gem's choice and they want to see if she will do it even if the cost is her life. Vians explain that they are experimenting to determine which species should be saved when the nova occurs. They want to see if she learned compassion, love of life, and so on. whatever. Gem moves to McCoy but he insists that she does not come closer, it could kill her. However, Gem touches him anyway and his injuries transfer to her. She is exhausted and falls to the ground. Vians say they have failed. Gem gets up and completed the task, proving to the Vians that her species will be rescued. Spock and Kirk get out of the force field and Kirk berates the Vians for failing to show the love and compassion that they want Gem to express. The Vians save McCoy and take Gem away. Safe back on the Enterprise, McCoy is pleased it was human emotion that they valued the most. Spock says he will give it all the consideration its due.
Final Thoughts:I feel like apologizing to yesterday's episode for saying there wasn't enough story. This one is worst! Good thing the endless music isn't annoying, oh yeah it is! The reason this is so liked by many is because it's a tight focus on our triad and the way they care about each other. And yeah, McCoy sacrificing himself like he does here is very well handled. But good lord the slog you have to get through to get to it. The worst part is the awful awful escape scene. I get parts of this episode but overall, it's just a bore.
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