43. ObsessionFORMULA: The Man Trap + Court-Martial + Operation: Annihilate
WHY WE LIKE IT: Some very good scenes on the nature of guilt and command.
WHY WE DON'T: So Spock really believed he could stop a gas with his hands?
REVIEW: On the whole, this is an interesting story with a cheap, but still rather creepy monster (a space vampire) that returns from Kirk's past to haunt him. His guilt over his former captain's death, harsh words with the young ensign who makes the same mistake he did (conveniently the dead captain's own son), and subsequent "obsession" with killing the creature, are all well played. It's not even really an obsession per se, the title a willing accomplice in making us believe that Kirk had lost it (à la Decker). By the end, you realize that Kirk was quite aware of what could be done within the timeframe allowed by the Yorktown's perishable drugs. Spock and McCoy's visit to their friend's quarters will be emulated many times, when a commanding officer crosses certain lines, and is a great military moment, resolved without Kirk losing his cool (he need not, he's in the right).
Once the creature gets on the ship, however, the episode isn't so stellar. The only thing more ridiculous than the gaseous cloud getting aboard through some kind of outside vent (wouldn't the Enterprise lose atmosphere if it had one?), is Spock trying to stop its coming in with his hands (I prefer to think he was attempting a mindmeld there). Spock is saved by another "inner eyelid" deus ex machina, but it's one that makes sense given his green blood. I never even thought he was in danger.
LESSON: Why Kirk had a phobia of bees.
REWATCHABILITY - Medium: An uneven episode then, oddly resolved, but with good acting and dialogue for the regulars.
Comments
The crewman didn't need to be the captain's son though...