Amok Time
Amok Time (Memory Alpha; SD Video) is that one episode where Spock goes into heat and goes crazier than a Aldebran Shellmouth.
Spock needs to get back to Vulcan. And by “needs” I mean “orders the ship to redirect there behind Kirk’s back.” By “needs” I mean “can’t recall subverting the chain of command because he’s all crazy on the inside.”
Speaking of crazy, season two is crazy! They moved the writer and director credits to the opening credits. This makes perfect sense; the writing is the strongest part of this show. And they picked up dozens of props that now line all the walls, making the formerly utilitarian crew quarters look like something that people live in. And they got moodier lighting and weirder music.
They even bought an entire new cast member, Chekov! And they gave him some good lines:
Sulu: How do you figure it, Chekov? First we’re going to Vulcan. Then we’re going to Altair. Then we’re headed to Vulcan again, and now we’re headed back to Altair.
Chekov: I think I’m going to get space sick.
Another new thing they brought in is the Vulcan salute. We see it here when Spock finally gets to Vulcan and greets the others.
But they didn’t buy any acting lessons for Shatner. In the most glaring example of der haltingspreken yet, we get this beautiful line:
Kirk: Why…
must he die?
Why…
within eight days?
Explain!
However, amidst all this novelty is a pretty great story. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are all established characters at this point, and this episode makes perfect use of them, really fleshing out the relationship that they share. This trio is what makes Trek approachable, and here they are in fine form at this task. It was perfect to slot this in as episode one of the new season; new viewers will have an easy in and old viewers will remember what they liked.
Grade
A
