Operation - Annihilate! 

The Enterprise crew attempts to stop a plague of amoeba-like creatures from possessing human hosts and spreading throughout the galaxy.

Director:

Herschel Daugherty

Writers:

Steven W. Carabatsos, Gene Roddenberry (created by)

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk / Sam Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
James Doohan	...	Scott
Joan Swift	...	Aurelan Kirk
Maurishka	...	Yeoman Ellen Zahra
Majel Barrett	...	Nurse Christine Chapel
George Takei	...	Sulu
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Craig Huxley	...	Peter Kirk (as Craig Hundley)
Fred Carson	...	First Denevan
Jerry Catron	...	Second Denevan

Storyline

The Enterprise traces a virus-like outbreak that seems to be traveling in a direct line across a planetary system. The next planet is home to Kirk's brother Sam, his sister-in-law and their young son. The Enterprise arrives too late however for Sam. They find flying jellyfish-like creatures that attach themselves to humans. They take over the victims nervous system forcing them to bend to their will. Spock finds a weapon to use against the creatures but it leaves him hopelessly blind.

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Plot Keywords:

23rd century | nephew | suicide | extreme pain | screaming in pain | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1967 (USA)

Filming Locations:

One Space Park, Redondo Beach, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The chairs that were seen in Chief Vanderberg's office in Star Trek: The Original Series: The Devil in the Dark (1967) were recycled for Sam Kirk's office, albeit painted pink.

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Goofs

When all is done, Kirk tells Spock to set course for their next assignment. Spock is at the science station on the other side of the bridge from the helm, where course and speed would be set. By naval tradition, the captain gives the first officer course instructions, who then relays those orders to the crew. Star Trek was inconsistent in following this tradition, but it was used in several episodes, including this one.

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Quotes

Capt. Kirk: [narrating] Captain's log, stardate 3289.8. I am faced with the most difficult decision of my life. Unless we find a way to destroy the creatures without killing their human hosts, my command responsibilities will force me to kill over a million people.

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Alternate Versions

Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song

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Connections

Spoofed in Futurama: The Day the Earth Stood Stupid (2001)

User Reviews

Strange Flat Creatures, Spock Blinded

Season 1, episode 29. The Enterprise is tracking a strange straight line pattern where all of the inhabitants of the planets in line are going crazy and dying - some are killing themselves. The next planet in line is Deneva, a Federation Outpost where Kirk's brother Sam is stationed. Kirk, Spock & McCoy beam down to the planet to investigate and to visit Sam and his family. What they find are strange flat flying creatures attacking people and everyone on the planet are either going crazy, dying or already dead. When they get to Sam's place they find Sam is dead, Sam's wife starting to go mad then suddenly dies and Sam's son in a comatose state and dying. Spock is attacked by one of the creatures. The 3 beam back aboard the ship with Kirk's comatose nephew. Kirk, Spock and McCoy race to find the answers and cures, in the process Spock is blinded.

I actually found this episode quite entertaining. The dialogue between Kirk, Spock and McCoy is really good. It shows just how great of a team the three of them are: different ideas, opinions but working together they create good theories and solutions.

8.5/10