Harmless, lighter Trek episode has members of the Enterprise researching an unknown but lush, exotic planet to see if it could serve as a location of rest and shore leave for the crew after a rough, exhausting three months of duty. What begins to happen, however, is that they see illusions manufactured before them after thinking about them! Whether a rabbit and little girl right out of Alice in Wonderland, a gun, tiger, knight in shining armor, former aggravating and bullying prankster, old flame, or bomber plane, it seems the planet has the capability to manufacture them right after Bones, Sulu, Kirk, Rodriguez (Perry Lopez), Angela (Barbara Baldavin, returning from Balance of Terror), or Yeoman Tania (Emily Banks) thinks about them! Once again a member of the main cast (Bones on the receiving end of a joust!) perishes only to be resurrected later! Kirk and Bruce Mars beat each other to a pulp when the captain isn't reacquainting himself with a love from the past (Shirley Bonne). Spock's logic opposite so much illogic is most amusing. Bones and Tania flirting and getting all cutesy gets the doctor some minor romance for a change. The environment of the planet is a breath of fresh air when compared to the colorful studio sets often used. The vast space, like when Kirk gives Mars chase, gives opportunity for Trek to breathe. Oliver McGowen as the all-smiles planetary caretaker is quite a Barnum. Tipping off the viewer of something afoot is this antenna following the away team. Banks, besides being stunning, is full of spirit and plucky appeal as the Yeoman who, opinionated as she might be, encourages Kirk to get some rest. Banks in the fairy tale dress is a sight for sore eyes.
Review of Shore Leave
