This classic episode sees the Enterprise responding to distress call from Space Station K-7; when they arrive they are surprised to find no sign of trouble and Kirk is furious when he learns to distress call was put out by Under-secretary of Agriculture Nilz Baris who wants a consignment of grain to be protected! K-7 is near Sherman's Planet; a planet that s claimed by both the Federation and the Klingons and the side which demonstrates they have the greater ability to develop it will be given it; the special grain is an essential part of that development. Once ordered to support Baris, Kirk allows his crew to take some shore leave; while there Uhuru acquires a cute little creature called a Tribble; its purring seems soothing to humans. It isn't long before it becomes apparent that the Tribble may be trouble; soon there are more of the creatures and it appears that they are born pregnant! Before anybody can start worrying about the Tribbles another possible problem arises; a Klingon ship arrives asking for its crew to be given some shore leave
it is only a matter of time till the two crews come into conflict.
Often comedy episodes are a bit disappointing but this one is one of the best. We have some great guest characters, including William Schallert, as the officious Baris, and Stanley Adams and Cyrano Jones, as the seller of the Tribbles. Both very different but also funny characters. It isn't just the guest stars providing laughs; Chekov's claims that just about everything was invented in Russia were amusing and Scotty's explanation of how he started a fight after the Klingons insulted the Enterprise was priceless. The Tribbles are interesting creatures despite just being purring fluff-balls and ultimately serve vital to exposing a Klingon plot. If you are a fan of Star Trek this is one of those episodes you have to see, and if you enjoy it you'll want to watch the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode 'Trials and Tribble-ations' which uses some impressive effects to revisit the events of this episode.
Often comedy episodes are a bit disappointing but this one is one of the best. We have some great guest characters, including William Schallert, as the officious Baris, and Stanley Adams and Cyrano Jones, as the seller of the Tribbles. Both very different but also funny characters. It isn't just the guest stars providing laughs; Chekov's claims that just about everything was invented in Russia were amusing and Scotty's explanation of how he started a fight after the Klingons insulted the Enterprise was priceless. The Tribbles are interesting creatures despite just being purring fluff-balls and ultimately serve vital to exposing a Klingon plot. If you are a fan of Star Trek this is one of those episodes you have to see, and if you enjoy it you'll want to watch the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode 'Trials and Tribble-ations' which uses some impressive effects to revisit the events of this episode.