761. The Final TruthPUBLICATION: Star Trek #31, Gold Key Comics, July 1975
CREATORS: Unknown (writer), Alberto Giolitti (artist)
STARDATE: 20:10.7 - Follows issue #26 (Season 3).
PLOT: Spock attends the ceremonies for Quodar's entry into the Federation, but Kirk doesn't make it in time because his shuttle ferrying the a cat-like admiral crashes on a neighboring planet. Problem is, the inhabitants of that world kicked out all ambassadors some time ago and told the peaceful Quodar they would attack if their territory was violated. As Spock tries to get permission for a rescue, Kirk and his shuttle party are captured and put to work by the religious folk who toil for "the life within", protected by robot guards. Spock slips in to meet Quodar's queen who is in fact Vulcan, the daughter of the former ambassador. But her logic doesn't really move him and he steams a shuttle. Turns out Kirk didn't need his help as he and his crew escape their masters, fight their way back into the alien city and get answers from their leader. The life within is a cosmic egg found at the center of the planet, anyone who encounters it is either absorbed or has his mind opened to the Truth - which happens to the volatile cat-like Tailen Kahn (no relation) - and they feel it must be protected at all costs. Kirk convinces them Starfleet can be trusted to do this and they let him go.
CONTINUITY: The featured planet is strategically important to the Klingons, though they don't appear.
DIVERGENCES: Chekov has lost his Russian accent. Though Manning makes a return appearance (he was in #26), he's no longer bald. Nurse Chapel shows training in advanced computronics AND robot-fighting karate (Uhura too!).
PANEL OF THE DAY - Luthor makes a threat!
REVIEW: A rather ambitious story, trying to juggling many pieces, including some political, esoteric and zen-like stuff. Just check out the introductory caption (is that someone's log?).
For action fans, there's ninja Uhura and Chapel Robot Fighter. Nice to see the girls be the best fighters (Spock's martial prowess is all in the hand slapping) even if it contradicts the show. Does it succeed? Not on all fronts. It's a bit too talky at times, and there's hardly an resolution beyond Kirk's philosophizing. It works, but since there's no follow-up to the egg story, it falls limp.
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