This episode is... interesting. A friend of Kirk's recognizes a former despot responsible for killing off half an Earth colony and who is now presumed dead. The friend wants this man, now under the guise of a Shakespearen actor, brought to justice but dies soon after under mysterious circumstances. Kirk is only one of 2 living witnesses who can identify Kodos the Executioner. But is this actor really him?
There are a few things that either I don't understand about the plot or I think are far too convenient. 1) Why is Kirk necessary as an eyewitness? They have pictures of both men on record. Facial recognition technology should be able to handle this without finicky human memories. If mankind has the technology to match voice patterns, even when you try to disguise it, to verify a voice, facial matching should be accessible. 2) Dr. McCoy's choice to log his entry with Riley next door within earshot was extremely idiotic. This conveniently allows Riley to seek vengeance, a plotline that never really goes anywhere.
The plot of this episode feels more like an Agatha Christie novel in space opera form more than your standard TOS episode. The shot of the unidentified hand spraying poison into the milk feels almost comical.
Arnold Moss is good in his role (besides an abysmal line reading of "I am tired!") and Barbara Anderson is serviceable as his daughter. The reveal at the end of Lenore's plans to wipe out witnesses to protect her father adds a little life to the episode but it feels like too little too late. This doesn't ever feel like a sci-fi episode, just a whodunnit plot set on the Enterprise.
Note: I am sad to see this is Rand's last appearance on the show. Her character leaves with a bit of a shrug. I wish that problems on set had not caused her departure.
There are a few things that either I don't understand about the plot or I think are far too convenient. 1) Why is Kirk necessary as an eyewitness? They have pictures of both men on record. Facial recognition technology should be able to handle this without finicky human memories. If mankind has the technology to match voice patterns, even when you try to disguise it, to verify a voice, facial matching should be accessible. 2) Dr. McCoy's choice to log his entry with Riley next door within earshot was extremely idiotic. This conveniently allows Riley to seek vengeance, a plotline that never really goes anywhere.
The plot of this episode feels more like an Agatha Christie novel in space opera form more than your standard TOS episode. The shot of the unidentified hand spraying poison into the milk feels almost comical.
Arnold Moss is good in his role (besides an abysmal line reading of "I am tired!") and Barbara Anderson is serviceable as his daughter. The reveal at the end of Lenore's plans to wipe out witnesses to protect her father adds a little life to the episode but it feels like too little too late. This doesn't ever feel like a sci-fi episode, just a whodunnit plot set on the Enterprise.
Note: I am sad to see this is Rand's last appearance on the show. Her character leaves with a bit of a shrug. I wish that problems on set had not caused her departure.