TAS: Bem

            This is an episode about how awesome Star Fleet and James Tiberius Kirk are in particular. Their moral superiority is so great that all other races should just give up and join Star Fleet unless they are primitive in which case they can only be messed with by godlike energy beings. In case you can't tell from the above ranting this is a kinda preachy episode without a lot of meat to it. It does contribute to Trek lore in its own way by containing the first mention of Kirk's middle name Tiberius.
            The episode begins with Kirk introducing guest officer Bem, a member of a non-Federation species sent to observe operations on the Enterprise. He has apparently spent the entire time in his quarters until they approach an unexplored planet with only primitive life. Bem insists on beaming to the surface despite Kirk's objections that it both won't be safe and is a potentially diplomatically challenging situation. Bem insists so Kirk agrees I guess. They beam down and Kirk and Spock fall into a lake along with Bem. Under the water Bem's legs detach and walk under Kirk and Spock and steal their phasers and communicators and replace them with fakes. As soon as they get back on land Bem says he detects aliens and runs off. Kirk and Spock go after him but he is captured by the aliens.
            Unable to communicate or use their phasers Kirk and Spock are captured as well. An powerful alien intelligence tells them they need to leave the people of the planet alone. Bem tells them he doesn't want them to use their weapons but is also all upset they haven't helped him. Kirk manages to talk the alien intelligence into letting him call the Enterprise to get them all out of there. It agrees but Kirk instead beams down a security team. They blast him out of prison and then go and stun the primitive aliens and rescue Bem. Only then does the intelligence show up again and Kirk tells it he will give the planet prime directive protection and won't mess with it anymore. Bem is apparently embarrassed and threatens suicide but the intelligence talks him down. 

            Review: This episode didn't make a ton of sense to me and I don't think it is just because I watched it late at night after work. Bem is annoying and the episode is preachy. Also not all that much happens.

2 out of 10