I can't add too many things to what others have already said regarding this installment of Trek. The primary theme here is what do men respond to? Are mere decisions based on the right evidence at the time all that it takes to lead? Can you merely delegate authority and expect men to obey you? What does it take to make men operate and bow to your commands?
The episode is pretty melodramatic in the theme department, but is otherwise spot on with the exaggerations of character portrayed in this episode. Spock uses the best (and I'll add humane) reasoning, as he possibly can for what should (by all convention) provide the most promising outcome. But things don't go as planned. The outcomes gravely effect the crew, and Spock's ability to lead comes into question.
Technical notes; I've seen makeup tests for the creatures inhabiting the world that is part of the setting, and I think Roddenberry and crew were right to not give us the full frontal view of said creatures. My only real critique of this episode is that it was shot on a stage, and we have egg crate lights hanging above trying to act as a faux sun for the actors. The result is like many an exterior location that was shot in doors; it looks fake. Adding to that are the cliffs and rock formations, which look twice as fake on a stage as they otherwise might have on the back lot. In addition we have some spear throwing by the natives that just looks pathetic at best. For all of the work that went into revamping the space-shots for the new release of the episodes, I'm pretty disappointed that no one tackled the issue of revamping some of the live SFX. Just me.
As noted in other reviews, Nimoy is still feeling his character out, and therefore we're not presented with the utterly cool in all conditions Mister Spock, but one that still has traces of emotion running in his veins. I think what other reviewers fail to realize is that this is essentially a heightened scenario examining how even the best decisions can be seen as wrong by those who must carry out the orders unless some effort is made to inject belief and passion into the leader's instruction. As such the actors (and I'll even add the writer) are giving us an exaggeration of a leadership crisis. But Nimoy, Kelley and the rest deliver their lines and give us drama that we can sink our teeth into.
There's a little more science in this episode than in others. Not much, but it's there. Take it for what it is, a first season episode with a visually mediocre setting, a relatively good story and acting, but some minor technical difficulties.
Enjoy.
The episode is pretty melodramatic in the theme department, but is otherwise spot on with the exaggerations of character portrayed in this episode. Spock uses the best (and I'll add humane) reasoning, as he possibly can for what should (by all convention) provide the most promising outcome. But things don't go as planned. The outcomes gravely effect the crew, and Spock's ability to lead comes into question.
Technical notes; I've seen makeup tests for the creatures inhabiting the world that is part of the setting, and I think Roddenberry and crew were right to not give us the full frontal view of said creatures. My only real critique of this episode is that it was shot on a stage, and we have egg crate lights hanging above trying to act as a faux sun for the actors. The result is like many an exterior location that was shot in doors; it looks fake. Adding to that are the cliffs and rock formations, which look twice as fake on a stage as they otherwise might have on the back lot. In addition we have some spear throwing by the natives that just looks pathetic at best. For all of the work that went into revamping the space-shots for the new release of the episodes, I'm pretty disappointed that no one tackled the issue of revamping some of the live SFX. Just me.
As noted in other reviews, Nimoy is still feeling his character out, and therefore we're not presented with the utterly cool in all conditions Mister Spock, but one that still has traces of emotion running in his veins. I think what other reviewers fail to realize is that this is essentially a heightened scenario examining how even the best decisions can be seen as wrong by those who must carry out the orders unless some effort is made to inject belief and passion into the leader's instruction. As such the actors (and I'll even add the writer) are giving us an exaggeration of a leadership crisis. But Nimoy, Kelley and the rest deliver their lines and give us drama that we can sink our teeth into.
There's a little more science in this episode than in others. Not much, but it's there. Take it for what it is, a first season episode with a visually mediocre setting, a relatively good story and acting, but some minor technical difficulties.
Enjoy.