Various colonies have been lost due to outbreaks of mass insanity and Deneva, where Kirk's brother and his family live, is next in line. The Enterprise heads there to investigate but they get no reply from the surface; it would appear they are too late. One person fled Deneva but he didn't last long; he flew his ship directly into the sun, claiming to be free just before he was killed. Kirk leads an away party to the surface and finds his brother dead and his sister in-law and nephew are infected. He takes them back to the Enterprise were she manages to speak of what sounds like an invasion before dying. Back on the planet strange creatures are discovered; they are immune to phaser fire and one attacks Spock. They return to the Enterprise where Spock is treated; the creature and injected something into him which has become entwined with his nervous system; causing great pain whenever he resists. Using his Vulcan pain control methods he manages to keep working as they struggle to discover a way of destroying the creatures; the only clue being the final words of the man who flew into the sun
if they can't find a solution Kirk will have to eliminate the planet's population of over a million to stop it spreading!
This episode has always been a personal favourite possibly because I remember seeing it as a child and being rather scared by it! The creature effects might be a bit cheap and cheerful but they are effective. The idea of creatures taking over a person in such a painful way is enjoyably unpleasant and the idea that each of the creatures is actually a cell in a larger creature is interesting. Using a real location for the futuristic city on Deneva rather than a set or painted backdrop makes the setting more believable. The moral dilemma presented to Kirk makes things more interesting than just having a creature that must be destroyed to protect the ship or some people. The ultimate solution is nicely linked to the opening scenes although the way Spock survived unharmed thanks to a previously unmentioned Vulcan characteristic is certainly an example of deus ex machina although it was necessary to raise the tension without losing such a fine character. The cast do a solid job; especially Leonard Nimoy who does a fine job portraying Spock's attempts to overcome the pain the creature is inflicting. Overall a pretty good episode.
This episode has always been a personal favourite possibly because I remember seeing it as a child and being rather scared by it! The creature effects might be a bit cheap and cheerful but they are effective. The idea of creatures taking over a person in such a painful way is enjoyably unpleasant and the idea that each of the creatures is actually a cell in a larger creature is interesting. Using a real location for the futuristic city on Deneva rather than a set or painted backdrop makes the setting more believable. The moral dilemma presented to Kirk makes things more interesting than just having a creature that must be destroyed to protect the ship or some people. The ultimate solution is nicely linked to the opening scenes although the way Spock survived unharmed thanks to a previously unmentioned Vulcan characteristic is certainly an example of deus ex machina although it was necessary to raise the tension without losing such a fine character. The cast do a solid job; especially Leonard Nimoy who does a fine job portraying Spock's attempts to overcome the pain the creature is inflicting. Overall a pretty good episode.