Episode complete credited cast: | |||
William Shatner | ... | Capt. Kirk | |
Leonard Nimoy | ... | Mr. Spock | |
DeForest Kelley | ... | Dr. McCoy | |
Jeff Corey | ... | Plasus | |
Diana Ewing | ... | Droxine | |
Charlene Polite | ... | Vanna | |
James Doohan | ... | Scott | |
Nichelle Nichols | ... | Uhura | |
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Kirk Raymond | ... | Cloud Guard #1 (as Kirk Raymone) |
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Jimmy Fields | ... | Cloud Guard #2 |
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Ed Long | ... | Midro |
Fred Williamson | ... | Anka | |
Garth Pillsbury | ... | Prisoner | |
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Harv Selsby | ... | Guard |
In order to save an inhabited planet from being destroyed by a botanical plague, the Enterprise goes to pick up zenite, the mineral cure, on the only known planet where it is mined. When Kirk and Spock beam down, they are attacked by 'troglites' (troglodyte miners) but not captured. High council adviser Plasus intervenes and brings them to Stratos, a luxurious metropolis which literally floats in the sky. However, it is under attack from 'disruptors', troglite revolutionaries who want equal life conditions for their peers. They do all the hard work, mainly toiling miserably in mines and dwell in caves on the barren surface below. Dr. McCoy ascertains that the alleged intellectual inferiority of the troglites is not genetic but the reversible effect of exposure to an invisible gas emitted by the zenite. Written by KGF Vissers
This is a pretty good episode that nearly merits a score of 8. The Enterprise arrives at a strange planet in search of dilithium crystals. The rulers of the planet live in a lovely city sitting in the clouds and they spend most of their days relaxing and thinking noble thoughts. The rest of the planet must live in the caves and work as miners and their lives totally suck. The dichotomy and basic unfairness of this isn't an issue to the people in the clouds (no big surprise) but the miners are sick of their lot in life. Plus, although no one knows it, inside the mines is Zenite gas, that makes the miners more angry and hostile. But, mediating the rebellion that erupts is something that seems impossible for the crew--especially since the cloud people are major jerks and the miners behave, when around the gas, like they are crazy. So, the Kirk-Meister, who is desperately in need of the crystals, creates an effective solution that isn't exactly in sync with the prime directive!!! All in all, an interesting episode that is quite thought-provoking.
By the way, it really was pretty cool for once to see the "hot babe" go for Spock and not Kirk!! For once, there's a woman who wants a smart and not a studly man!