Original Air Date: January 19, 1968
Captains Log Stardate 4307.1
SYNOPSIS
The Enterprise encounters a gigantic energy draining space organism that threatens the galaxy.
CANON CONTEXT
When this episode was filmed, George Takei was filming The Green Berets and therefore unavailable to portray his character, Lt. Sulu. John Winston’s character, Lt. Kyle, occupied Sulu’s helmsman’s seat, wearing a gold command tunic instead of his usual red engineering tunic that he wore as transporter chief. However, Kirk repeatedly mispronounced his name in this episode as “Cowell”.
RECAP
You know a story hasn’t got much going for it when you search for images to use alongside and there are few and far between. In short, the crew happen upon a thing in space. Stop me if you’ve heard this set-up before…
The thing in space, a mystery by all accounts, must be observed and investigated as that is the purpose of the Enterprise. Of course, some on the ship are a bit annoyed as they were on their way to some R&R before they encountered this black hole that isn’t a black hole.
Spock is, as their science officer, full of answers as to what it isn’t, but has no help whatsoever as to what it actually is. Before they can do any further testing with probes and whatnot, they find themselves having passed through it. They know this because their surroundings are pitch black with no stars or anything around them.
I won’t go into the science uncovered while trying to figure out a way out of this thing they are trapped in. I had a bit of a hard time following it myself and I looked the damn episode up on Wikipedia just so I can try to brush up on what I just saw. Trust me, not worth the read.
What I will say is that the answer came about by Spock and Bones essentially playing rock, paper, scissors to determine which one of them got to board the Galileo to get a closer look and possibly free the Enterprise from whatever hold it has on the ship. Both men were pretty adamant about wanting to be the one to discover this thing IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE!
Leaving Kirk to decide which one of them is best suited for the mission that could very well result in death. Spock is chosen much to annoyance of Bones.
The thing seems to be very fish-like in how it looks and they determine that they must destroy it or it will basically multiply and swallow the entire universe! Scary stuff, I know.
You may be surprised to know that the Enterprise manages to not only destroy the thing but save Spock as well! All is happy in happytown! The crew also are able to stay on course towards the rest they so deserve.
The end.
DID THEY REALLY SAY THAT?
Mr. Spock: That sound was the turbulence caused by the penetration of a boundary layer, Captain.
Capt. Kirk: What boundary layer?
Mr. Spock: Unknown.
Capt. Kirk: A boundary layer between what and what?
Mr. Spock: Between where we were and where we are.
Capt. Kirk: Are you trying to be funny, Mr. Spock?
Mr. Spock: It would never occur to me, Captain.
Mr. Spock: [Kirk has ordered a tractor beam placed on the shuttlecraft.] Captain, I recommend you abandon the attempt. Do not risk the ship further on my behalf.
Dr. McCoy: Shut up, Spock, we’re rescuing you!
Mr. Spock: Why, thank you, *Captain* McCoy.
