A Taste of Armageddon (23 Feb. 1967)

Kirk and Spock must save their ship's crew when they are declared all killed in action in a bizarre computer simulated war where the actual deaths must occur to continue.

Director:

Joseph Pevney

Writers:

Robert Hamner (teleplay), Gene L. Coon (teleplay),

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, David Opatoshu

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
David Opatoshu	...	Anan 7
Gene Lyons	...	Ambassador Fox
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
James Doohan	...	Scott
Barbara Babcock	...	Mea 3
Miko Mayama	...	Tamura
David L. Ross	...	Lt. Galloway
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Sean Kenney	...	DePaul
Robert Sampson	...	Sar 6

Storyline

On a mission to establish diplomatic relations at Star Cluster NGC321, Kirk and Spock beam down to planet Eminiar 7 to learn that its inhabitants have been at war with a neighboring planet for over 500 years. They can find no damage nor evidence of destruction but soon learn that their war is essentially a war game, where each planet attacks the other in a computer simulation with the tabulated victims voluntarily surrendering themselves for execution after the fact. When the Enterprise becomes a victim in the computer simulation and ordered destroyed, Kirk decides it's time to show them exactly what war means.

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Plot Keywords:

ambassador | disintegration | held captive | 23rd century | blonde

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1967 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First episode to establish the United Federation of Planets as the principal service to which the Enterprise operated under. In previous episodes, vague and often conflicting references were made to this service. Such references included "Space Command", "Space Central", the "Star Service", and "United Earth Space Probe Agency" (the latter even abbreviated as UESPA, pronounced by Capt. Kirk as "you spah" in the episode Star Trek: Charlie X). UESPA would later go on to be the principal service to which the Enterprise NX-01 operated under on Star Trek: Enterprise, since the Federation would not be established on that series until the final episode.

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Goofs

Ambassador Fox and his aide beam down to the planet even though the "Enterprise's" deflector screens are up - it was stated that transport could not take place under those conditions. However, Mr Scott had moved the Enterprise further out into space, in a wider orbit, where sonic disruption was impossible. The locals even acknowledged that they could not attack the ship. Therefore, it is reasonable that screens could be opened briefly for transport.

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Quotes

Captain James T. Kirk: Code 710 means that under no circumstances are we to approach that planet - no circumstances whatsoever.
Ambassador Fox: You will disregard that signal, Captain.

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Connections

Featured in William Shatner's Star Trek Memories (1995)

User Reviews

Satisfyingly dramatic story, interesting ideas, but light on logic

The Enterprise is seeking information on the disappearance of the USS Valiant near a planet with advanced technology but little outside contact. The planet has been at war for several centuries and an ambassador from the federation has been charged with establishing diplomatic ties. As it turns out, the war is simulated on computers and casualties are put to death without damaging property by either side once the computer simulation has run.

This episode explores an interesting premise and a nicely thought-out cultural background, however, Kirk's persuasive sermon concerning the reason why the war has gone on for several hundred years (his belief that the participants have sterilized war and made it less fearful), really does not bear close scrutiny. Thousands are still dying - regardless of whether buildings are destroyed or not. And would two cultures conditioned to war for over five hundred years really be so concerned with how rationally and politely they made their war - or would they be utterly merciless, vicious and cold? Nevertheless, the story is good, well directed and nicely written. Stand-out performances by James Doohan and guest stars David Opatoshu and Gene Lyons.