A far-fetched but unique premise, the sort that writes itself. Finally an episode that is more based in real sci-fi hence is less standard BS veiled as sci-fi, as tended to happen in certain episodes. The to-and-fro game of wits between the landing party and the planet's rulers is fun. Even the generic "angry Federation diplomat" can't ruin this episode, especially since he doesn't play a major role.
There are many nice little touches that keep things entertaining: Scotty not falling into a trap, the Vulkan mind probe (through a wall), the suicide chambers, the cute Asian red-shirt girl, Scotty's refusal to lower the defense shield, the diplomat getting imprisoned, Kirk's threat to destroy the planet... Sure, Kirk gets captured twice, which is a bit much, but it's all in good fun.
The Asian red-shirt in question is Miko Mayama, who was brought to the States from Japan by Burt Reynolds who dated her for several years. She learned English through Bugs Bunny cartoons. (Not making this up. Besides, I learned English through Star Trek, so...)
The only pity is that we almost only get interior shots of the planet, i.e. Very little of those wonderful outdoors scenes that ST is famous for (whether it be location shooting or studio sets). Also, the remastered version features a planet that's too boring because it looks like Earth. Couldn't they make it a little more alien? Does half of the galaxy have to be just like Earth?
As usual, the diplomat running the Enterprise is an utter moron, with that amazingly dumb line: "Obviously, the attack on our ship was a misunderstanding." So the Federation places cretins in charge of diplomacy... It's a wonder the Klingons hadn't defeated them fifty times already.
Then he reaches another dumb conclusion: "There is no proof that they are holding the captain as a prisoner." So the fake voice isn't proof to these Federation suits, huh? The Federation must be even more shoddily run than the United Nations. The conversation between the diplomat and Anon 7 makes the former seem as naive as an SJW with an American High School diploma. (And we know how worthless those have become...)
Of course, in real life diplomats aren't nearly as dupable as this. Roddenberry probably hated them, hence projected his hatred of them this way.
Speaking of dupable, Kirk succumbs too easily to Anon 7's deception. First he turns his back to Anon, then he turns it again, then he actually believes him about where to go find his communicators.
There are many nice little touches that keep things entertaining: Scotty not falling into a trap, the Vulkan mind probe (through a wall), the suicide chambers, the cute Asian red-shirt girl, Scotty's refusal to lower the defense shield, the diplomat getting imprisoned, Kirk's threat to destroy the planet... Sure, Kirk gets captured twice, which is a bit much, but it's all in good fun.
The Asian red-shirt in question is Miko Mayama, who was brought to the States from Japan by Burt Reynolds who dated her for several years. She learned English through Bugs Bunny cartoons. (Not making this up. Besides, I learned English through Star Trek, so...)
The only pity is that we almost only get interior shots of the planet, i.e. Very little of those wonderful outdoors scenes that ST is famous for (whether it be location shooting or studio sets). Also, the remastered version features a planet that's too boring because it looks like Earth. Couldn't they make it a little more alien? Does half of the galaxy have to be just like Earth?
As usual, the diplomat running the Enterprise is an utter moron, with that amazingly dumb line: "Obviously, the attack on our ship was a misunderstanding." So the Federation places cretins in charge of diplomacy... It's a wonder the Klingons hadn't defeated them fifty times already.
Then he reaches another dumb conclusion: "There is no proof that they are holding the captain as a prisoner." So the fake voice isn't proof to these Federation suits, huh? The Federation must be even more shoddily run than the United Nations. The conversation between the diplomat and Anon 7 makes the former seem as naive as an SJW with an American High School diploma. (And we know how worthless those have become...)
Of course, in real life diplomats aren't nearly as dupable as this. Roddenberry probably hated them, hence projected his hatred of them this way.
Speaking of dupable, Kirk succumbs too easily to Anon 7's deception. First he turns his back to Anon, then he turns it again, then he actually believes him about where to go find his communicators.