Operation -- Annihilate!
- Episode aired Apr 13, 1967
- TV-PG
- 50m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
The Enterprise crew attempts to stop a plague of amoeba-like creatures from possessing human hosts and spreading throughout the galaxy.The Enterprise crew attempts to stop a plague of amoeba-like creatures from possessing human hosts and spreading throughout the galaxy.The Enterprise crew attempts to stop a plague of amoeba-like creatures from possessing human hosts and spreading throughout the galaxy.
Craig Huxley
- Peter
- (as Craig Hundley)
David Armstrong
- Kartan
- (uncredited)
Bill Blackburn
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (uncredited)
Bob Bralver
- Denevan Colonist
- (uncredited)
Frank da Vinci
- Guard
- (uncredited)
Carey Foster
- Enterprise sciences crew woman
- (uncredited)
Jeannie Malone
- Yeoman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThere is an outtake on the Star Trek Blooper Reel showing the alien parasite attaching itself to Spock's buttocks by mistake.
- GoofsEarly on when the Enterprise tries to stop the space ship heading towards the Deneva sun Kirk instructs Sulu to set an intercept course and increase speed to warp 8. As the Enterprise was already in the inner solar system this would have caused them to run into the sun in just a few seconds. Warp factor 8 is approximately 512 times the speed of light (553 billion km/hr), a ship traveling at that velocity could travel across the entire Sol system, a distance of 12 billion kilometers (7.45 billion miles), in only 1.3 minutes.
- Quotes
Dr. McCoy: Unusual eye arrangement. I might've known he'd turn up something like that.
Capt. Kirk: What's that, doctor?
Dr. McCoy: I said, please don't tell Spock I said he was the best first officer in the fleet.
Spock: Why thank you, Dr. McCoy.
Capt. Kirk: You've been so concerned about his Vulcan eyes, Doctor, you forgot about his Vulcan ears.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
- ConnectionsFeatured in Bring Back... Star Trek (2009)
- SoundtracksTheme From Star Trek
Written by and credited to Alexander Courage
Featured review
The Enterprise is going to investigate what appears to be a very slow-moving viral form of mass-hysteria which has, over centuries, brought several thriving civilizations on many different planets down. Spock reviews the epidemiology of the phenomenon at the beginning of the episode, revealing that the trajectory of the epidemic places a Federation colony directly in its path. Sam Kirk, his wife and their son, live in this colony.
Captain Kirk is directly affected by his family's involvement in all of this, and Shatner does a very nice job of portraying a captain whose professionalism and rational judgment are threatened, and whose usual rational support structure (Spock) is also imperiled and unavailable. In a scene which was, unfortunately underexploited by the mediocre script, Dr. McCoy rises to the occasion and, surprisingly, fills both his usual role and that of the great first officer.
Herschel Daugherty directs this memorable episode of TOS, and does an admirable job with a somewhat weak script. The Stephen Carabatsos script creates some problems for the acting (particularly Nimoy, Barrett and Kelley), and - like his previous effort "Court Martial" - makes the pace a bit inconsistent. Kelley and Shatner are truly remarkable despite these challenges.
The episode also uses setting very nicely, with a very minimal use of backdrops and carefully chosen locations for rare open air shots. Additionally, Spock's character is very nicely examined, the developing rivalry and friendship between McCoy and Spock is enhanced, and the powerful - though unresolved - relationship between Christine Chapel and Spock begins. Finally, this (and the great earlier City on the Edge of Forever)is one of the first episodes to exploit the (unfortunately largely overlooked and unrecognized) subtlety of William Shatner's acting ability by placing Kirk's personal life in the way of his professional practice. This became a major theme as the series continued into its 2nd and 3rd seasons.
Captain Kirk is directly affected by his family's involvement in all of this, and Shatner does a very nice job of portraying a captain whose professionalism and rational judgment are threatened, and whose usual rational support structure (Spock) is also imperiled and unavailable. In a scene which was, unfortunately underexploited by the mediocre script, Dr. McCoy rises to the occasion and, surprisingly, fills both his usual role and that of the great first officer.
Herschel Daugherty directs this memorable episode of TOS, and does an admirable job with a somewhat weak script. The Stephen Carabatsos script creates some problems for the acting (particularly Nimoy, Barrett and Kelley), and - like his previous effort "Court Martial" - makes the pace a bit inconsistent. Kelley and Shatner are truly remarkable despite these challenges.
The episode also uses setting very nicely, with a very minimal use of backdrops and carefully chosen locations for rare open air shots. Additionally, Spock's character is very nicely examined, the developing rivalry and friendship between McCoy and Spock is enhanced, and the powerful - though unresolved - relationship between Christine Chapel and Spock begins. Finally, this (and the great earlier City on the Edge of Forever)is one of the first episodes to exploit the (unfortunately largely overlooked and unrecognized) subtlety of William Shatner's acting ability by placing Kirk's personal life in the way of his professional practice. This became a major theme as the series continued into its 2nd and 3rd seasons.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Filming locations
- Northrop Grumman Space Park, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, California, USA(Buildings on the planet surface)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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