Ok let's have a good episode now. This is a favorite though it's not perfect. Why do these episodes all drag? This is our second Diana Muldaur episode and I think she makes a more interesting character here.
Plot:A beautiful woman escorts an alien ambassador so hideously ugly that the sight of him can drive a Human insane.
Guest Stars:Diana Muldaur as Dr. Miranda Jones, David Frankham as Larry Marvick
Nitpick:I said before the music in season 3 is dreadful, and in this episode it gets downright annoying. Miranda's sensors that allow her to see are a wonderful forerunner to Geordi's visor on TNG.
Summary:
Teaser-The Enterprise is assigned to transport the Medusan ambassador Kollos to his homeworld. Medussans are brillianr navigators but so hideously ugly that the sight of one can drive a man mad. Vulcans can view them with the a visor. Dr.Marvick, one of the designers of the Enterprise, beams over first and then Spock beams over Dr.Jones with the ambassador in a box.
Act 1-As Miranda and Spock escort the ambassador to his quarters, they discuss how she will perform a mind link with the ambassador. Spock was suggested for this assignment but turned it down because his life is on the Enterprise. They arrive at the quarters and Spock takes the opportunity to greet the ambassador. He says she almost envies her assignment and he is aware of her mind contacting his. She was born a telepath, which is why she had to study on Vulcan. At dinner Kirk asks how she can look a the ambassador. Miranda explains that she had to study on Vulcan to control her telepathic powers. Miranda notes Spock is wearing an IDIC metal (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) which she takes as an insult. But Spock insists he wore as a tribute. Miranda explains if the mind link works they can figure out how to have Medussans work as navigators on starships. Suddenly, Miranda gets a flash that someone at the table is planning for murder. But the image fades before she can identify the person. When the dinner ends McCoy points out how vulnerable Miranda seems, something disturbing even. In private, Marvick confesses his love for her and begs her not to do this mission. She rejects him and realizes it was Marvick with murder on his mind. He leaves and goes to the ambassador, prepared to murder him. However the ambassador reveals himself and Marvik is instantly driven insane.
Act 2-Marvick races down the halls, mad with insanity, while Miranda checks on the ambassador. Kirk and Spock arrive to find the ambassador is fine, but Marvick is a danger to the ship. Marvik arrives in Engineering. At first Scotty welcomes him, but when Kirk's warning comes over the speak her tries to stop Marvick. Scotty is defeated and Marvick sends the Enterprise out the galaxy. Kirk and Spock rush to Engineering and in his ravings Marvick announces he loves Miranda before dying.
Act 3-The Enterprise is stranded in an unknown void would no way of knowing where they are or how to get back. Kirk wonders if the ambassador, with their superior navigation skills, could help. Spock explains he would need to mind meld with ambassador to do this and Miranda would certainly not allow it. Kirk has an idea to occupy Miranda so no thought of what Spock is doing enters her mind. He takes her to the arboretum and sweet talks her. However, it does not work and Miranda realizes what Spock is doing and rushes to stop him. However when they arrive Spock says there is no choice. He has to do it since only can pilot a starship. Miranda suggests she be taught, but McCoy chimes in and reveals the secret. Miranda is blind and wears a sophisticated sensor web. That is how she can see the ambassador. She insist that her sensor web makes her superior to the others, but at last she speaks to the ambassador herself and is forced to comply. On the Bridge, a shield is erected and Spock completes the mind meld. It is clear that Spock is now also the ambassador, as he recites poetry even referencing that Uhura's name means freedom. Spock is able to get the Enterprise back where it started. When it is time to dissolve the link he forgets the visor.
Act 4-Spock screams from behind the shield. He emerges, clearly affected. Kirk tries to assure Spock he is ok, when Spock lashes out and attacked. Only to be stopped by a phaser. In Sick-Bay Miranda is using her abilities' to try to save Spock's sanity. Kirk goes into confront Jones by calling out her jealousy, and when he leaves he admits that may have been a mistake. She digs in and finally helps Spock to sanity. In the transporter the time has come to depart, and Miranda tells Kirk there are no hard feelings for what he said earlier. Spock and Miranda also make peace as she leaves.
Final Thoughts:In going over this one I realize the problem, it's really thin on plot. The reason it drags is because it's padded. Not to the point of boredom though. It's still a decent episode and Muldaur is reallly good here.
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