The Balance of Terror
Balance of Terror (Memory Alpha; HD Video) is the first episode to show the Romulans and the first to show space combat. It feels much more like a modern-day show, with a brisk pace, action, and a serious B-Plot. It is easily the best episode since The Naked Time.
My friend Gabe talks about his racial sensitivity class at work being taught using a Star Trek episode, and this is that episode. Here the Enterprise crew gets humanity’s first glimpse of the Romulans, and to their surprise, they look like Spock. In the episode this causes all sorts of suspicions, and I can see how it would inform a good class, because that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do.
But better is that the Romulans are treated as a worthy enemy. They are not the usual mad scientist or creepy weirdos; they are a race of honorable warriors who follow a call of duty, much like the TNG representation of the Klingons.
The episode proper is a chase with fight scenes interspersed throughout. There are tactics and tricks and discoveries, and it’s got a nice rising tension.
But what made it really good was the B-Plot, about two crewmen whose wedding Kirk is to officiate. Their story adds a new humanity to the crew of the Enterprise beyond just the command staff, and makes you remember that there’s over 400 people aboard.
Grade
A+
