This Side of Paradise
This Side of Paradise (Memory Alpha; SD Video) takes our favorite crew on a mission to find whatever happened to the Sandoval Expedition, which landed on Omicron Ceti III back before the Federation discovered that the Berthold Rays in this part of the galaxy would kill all life on the planet after a week of exposure.
Now it’s a little silly that the Enterprise is going to make sure that the Berthold Rays did actually kill the expedition, but that’s a small setup price to pay for what is really quite a good episode.
Of course, when they land, what do they discover?
McCoy: On pure speculation– just an educated guess– I’d say that that man is alive.
This episode plays out in the by-now-established routine: mysterious happening, unhelpful natives, danger to the ship, nadir, lucky breakthrough, and resolution.
But what makes the episode shine is Spock’s story. On the planet is Leila, whom Spock knew years before on Earth, and who had loved him. Because Spock’s not into this whole “emotions” thing she got burned. But because of this planet, Spock gets another, better chance.
Begin Spoilers
The planet is home to a plant that provides the body with healing, and in the process creates contentment bordering on euphoria. Spock, here and here alone, can love Leila. But in order to save the ship, he must give that up. Spock has one chance to really, truly be happy, and this is the story of how duty forces him to give that up for the greater good. It’s well written and well played.
End Spoilers
Best Bit of Ironic Dialog
Kirk: Make sure the landing party works in teams of two; I don’t want anyone left alone down here! [Stomps away from Bones alone, as the doctor stands alone]
Grade
B+
