This episode, for some reason, weighs on my mind. For whatever reason, I'm reminded of some cliché love stories depicting the masculine leader of some private firm with a dedicated secretary who secretly has a crush on him, or the captain of the football team or cheerleader who similarly has a secret admirer. There's a difference in social class, whatever it may be, and hence a misinterpretation by the object of affection when presented with friendly interaction by the second party.
That story is presented here, but given the ending that I think most lonely hearts who've been the third wheel in a love triangle have and will always desire. It's the favorable scenario that hearts of both colors, good and ill, hope to achieve for polar opposite reasons. The good heart wants love and affection for the sake of it, and to be happy and content. The bad heart usually has some ulterior motive, usually material gain.
The same suspicion is briefly presented, but we the audience are shown the misinterpretation on both counts. Kirk, Spock and McCoy try to apply Star Fleet know how to put themselves back on track, but, to paraphrase Edward Devere; "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn..." Their efforts are for naught.
The truth of why they're there is revealed early on in the story, but the real truth becomes manifest later on, and it's not one that we as the audience, nor Captain Kirk, disagree with.
There are two action sequences, and some usual sci-fi mystery a-la Classic Trek, but once these are set aside (or ever so briefly injected into the plot) the real story is made manifest. We're given the gamut of emotions. From gratitude, to shock, to disgust, acceptance, and all shades of gray in between.
The physical barrier that separate the two primary focuses are analogous for a variety of social rifts. The rich girl who falls for the bad boy who grew up on the other side of the tracks, or the country girl falling for the city kid, and any other iteration of a Romeo and Juliet theme you'd like to transplant.
There's an even deeper story being told here as well. The purported inventor of Warp Drive wants off this world, and vicariously through Kirk and crew, intellect is applied to a dilemma of two hearts. This is where the second action sequence comes in. Through this the one true solution is found. The one solution that works and actually resolves one major problem for the Enterprise's commanding officer, and his department heads.
In this way it's actually a very reassuring story. For with all the strife between the various antagonists of the Star Trek universe, Klingons, Romulans, sundry super-powerful beings and violent primitive cultures in need of quarantine, not to mention the occasional starship captain gone bad or high-tech device gone haywire, there is a spot on some far off secluded and inviting world for two people to spend time with one another, and be happy.
I don't know that it would make a good date episode, particularly for younger generations, but, if you're a classic Star Trek fan, and have a person of whom you are fond, then this might be an interesting diversion for an hour or so.
Enjoy.
