The second season opens with a bang! Theodore Sturgeon returns for his second episode and both expands the Star Trek canon substantially, but also plays of the audience expectations at the beginning of a new season. Unlike a midseason episode I suspect the audience at the time might have been willing to believe Kirk had actually been killed and was going to be replaced for the new season (I have no idea how the rumor/leak machine worked back then). It marks the first visit to Vulcan and introduces us to the concept of pon farr. Also far more importantly it introduces the Vulcan salute and greeting of, "live long and prosper."
The episode begins with McCoy expressing concern about Spock's condition. Kirk doesn't believe him until Spock angrily tells nurse Chapel to leave is quarters and throws a bowl of soup after her. Spock initially refuses to explain what is going on, but requests a stop at planet Vulcan for leave. Kirk refuses to do so without answers, but gives in to the idea in the middle of the night only to learn Spock has redirected the ship against orders. Spock finally explains that as a part of Vulcan biology they must return to their homes to mate when their biology dictates. Kirk agrees to divert, but is ordered not to by an admiral who he promptly ignores. The whole time Spock is extremely agitated holding sharp objects behind his back ominously.
Arriving at Vulcan, Spock asks Kirk and McCoy to beam down with him as his closest friends. They agree and beam down to a barren, hot arena like setting. Spock rings a gong and the wedding party enters led by an important Vulcan leader, T'Pau, "the only person to ever turn down a seat on the Federation Council." The ceremony begins only his bride, T'Pring insists on a challenge, but instead of picking the Vulcan man ogling her the entire time, she picks Kirk as her champion. After some hesitation Kirk accepts, and then learns it is a battle to the death with unpleasant bladed weapons.
Kirk holds his own for a while, but Spock is clearly too much for him. T'Pau calls a break and McCoy injects Kirk with a hypo to help him breath the Vulcan air and round two begins, this time with bolas like weapons. Spock manages to get it around Kirks neck and chokes him to death. McCoy beams back to the Enterprise with Kirk's body and Spock demands an explanation from T'Pring. She explains it was the best way to be sure to get with her lover and Spock beams back to surrender himself. Fortunately for him Kirk is alive and well back on the ship, McCoy drugged him with magical knock out drugs to fake his death. Even better T'Pau has requested their presense to Kirk isn't even in trouble for violating the admirals orders.
Examination: In addition to the well paced, tense story this episode has a fantastic soundtrack. Not just the Vulcan fight theme, but throughout the episode the music helps build the drama. This is also a classic trio episode and all three are at their best.
9 out of 10
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