The return of Harry Mudd finds him as the presumed ruler of a planet populated by some 207,809 androids, the vestiges of a now extinct extra-galactic civilization. This is one of those intentional comedies from Trek, like the later "A Piece of the Action" and, of course, the popular "The Trouble With Tribbles." The absurdities begin early on in a rather subtle manner. We last saw Mudd a year earlier, in "Mudd's Women." Since then, he'd found himself on the run after pulling one of his scams and, ship damaged, lucked onto this planetoid of obedient android servants. Sometime after that point, the android Norman managed to somehow become a Starfleet officer and came aboard the Enterprise a few days before the episode begins. I suppose nothing is quite beyond an android's formidable abilities if he/it puts a mind to it, meaning an adjustment of computer records or something, but Starfleet and the Enterprise crew seem very blasé about requirements for being on board, as if anyone in a proper uniform can stroll in if they felt like it. No futuristic versions of X-Ray machines, no screening methods like we have at our airports now? All Norman has to do is avoid a medical exam by McCoy for a few days.
Anyway, that's the beginning of Kirk's troubles in this episode. This may be the only original episode to bring back a major guest star for a 2nd go-around. The actor Carmel is as hammy as ever as the scoundrel Mudd, turning out to be a good foil for Kirk, Spock, and all the regulars - sort of an original Trek version of old home week. Mudd seemed out of place in his previous Trek episode but someone got the idea he'd provide decent fun in some calculated amusement - and they were right. And there's more for the regulars to do in this one than is usual: Scotty, Uhura and Chekov get to ham it up a bit almost as much as the main trio. The last act of this episode sort of has to be seen to be believed - the closest we'll ever get to 'Trek on acid' - and it was a bit risky as everyone could have made fools of themselves. Shatner was always even more adept at comedy than drama, so this was a natural for him, but all the others appeared very relaxed in their turns at bizarro behavior. Nimoy as Spock, of course, had to resort to a more dry sense of comic timing, but he also made it work. A very nutty flavor to this one, especially in the 2nd half, and we get to enjoy it. Take note, also, that the Norman android has more than a passing resemblance to Data of 20 years later on the TNG show.
Anyway, that's the beginning of Kirk's troubles in this episode. This may be the only original episode to bring back a major guest star for a 2nd go-around. The actor Carmel is as hammy as ever as the scoundrel Mudd, turning out to be a good foil for Kirk, Spock, and all the regulars - sort of an original Trek version of old home week. Mudd seemed out of place in his previous Trek episode but someone got the idea he'd provide decent fun in some calculated amusement - and they were right. And there's more for the regulars to do in this one than is usual: Scotty, Uhura and Chekov get to ham it up a bit almost as much as the main trio. The last act of this episode sort of has to be seen to be believed - the closest we'll ever get to 'Trek on acid' - and it was a bit risky as everyone could have made fools of themselves. Shatner was always even more adept at comedy than drama, so this was a natural for him, but all the others appeared very relaxed in their turns at bizarro behavior. Nimoy as Spock, of course, had to resort to a more dry sense of comic timing, but he also made it work. A very nutty flavor to this one, especially in the 2nd half, and we get to enjoy it. Take note, also, that the Norman android has more than a passing resemblance to Data of 20 years later on the TNG show.