Star Trek 2.1 (Amok Time)

Cast:

Walter Koenig (Ensign Pavel Chekov)

Celia Lovsky (T'Pau)

Arlene Martel (T'Pring)

Byron Morrow (Adm. Komack)

Lawrence Montaigne (Stonn)

Writer: Theodore Sturgeon

I commented on the final episode of series one that there was nothing special about it. Well, there is something special about the opening episode of season 2. This episode is all about Spock (arguably one of the more fascinating characters from the original series) and introduces us to some stuff that will continue throughout the franchise. It is in this story that we find out that Vulcan (males?) only have the urge to mate every seven years (no wonder the little buggers are such good card players, oops, wrong series) and if they don't get their end away they die. So Kirk breaks some direct orders to take Spock back to Vulcan so that he can get some nookie.

Only it's not that simple. His betrothed now wants to bone someone else (absense makes the heart grow fonder my arse) so Kirk and Spock end up having to have a fight to the death.

Some aspects of this episode are not great. The Vulcan set is a bit shit (a typical classic Trek badly dressed and lit soundstage) but on the plus side is a very alien culture in the Vulcans. So whilst this will never be one of the top ten, it is a crucial and pivotal episode nonetheless.

Oh, and of course we are introduced to Chekov.

Crew Deaths: 0

Total Crew Deaths So Far: 26

Score: 7/10