The Paradise Syndrome 

Trapped on a planet whose inhabitants are descended from Northwestern Native Americans, Kirk loses his memory and is proclaimed a God while the crippled Enterprise races back to the planet before it is destroyed by an asteroid.

Director:

Jud Taylor

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Margaret Armen

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
Sabrina Scharf	...	Miramanee
Rudy Solari	...	Salish
James Doohan	...	Scott
George Takei	...	Sulu
Walter Koenig	...	Chekov
Richard Hale	...	Goro
Majel Barrett	...	Nurse Chapel
Naomi Newman	...	Indian Woman (as Naomi Pollack)
John Lindesmith	...	Engineer
Peter Virgo Jr.	...	Warrior
Lamont Laird	...	Indian Boy

Storyline

Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to a planet that is in the path on an oncoming meteor. They find an idyllic place that is very similar to Earth and whose population is virtually identical to North American Natives. Their visit is meant to be a short one since their mission is to deflect the meteor, still several months away. Before they can return to the ship, Kirk disappears and loses his memory in an accident, forcing Spock to take command of the Enterprise and to leave him behind. On the planet, Kirk is treated like a god when they see him emerge from an obelisk that is actually a deflector beam (which no one remembers how to use, however). When the Enterprise fails to deflect the meteor, they return to the planet only hours before the annihilating meteor's arrival.

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Plot Keywords:

thought dead | windstorm | navajo indian | navajo | husband wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

This takes place in 2268.

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Goofs

It is never explained why the planet is equipped with an "asteroid deflector" or why it is any more likely to be struck by an asteroid than other planets.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. McCoy: Look at those pine trees!
Captain James T. Kirk: And that lake.
Dr. McCoy: I swear that's honeysuckle I smell.
Captain James T. Kirk: I swear that's a little orange blossom thrown in. It's unbelievable. Growth, exactly like that of Earth, on a planet half a galaxy away. What are the odds of such duplication?
Mr. Spock: Astronomical, Captain.

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Alternate Versions

The "Enhanced" version, and the version shown on TV Land, drop the scene where Miramannee announces her pregnancy.

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Connections

Referenced in After Trek: Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (2017)

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Soundtracks

Theme
Music credited to Alexander Courage, although it strongly resembles the main title music for 'Hollow Triumph (1948)' by Sol Kaplan
Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

User Reviews

One of the Best Episodes in Season 3

This is a much underrated, almost dreamlike episode. Like all the finest Star Trek episodes this somehow manages to condense a movie length storyline into 50 minutes without feeling rushed or superficial. It has two or three separate themes running alongside each other with the beauty of nature and the simple life shining alongside the benefits of the finest space technology! The passage of time is deftly handled and the story has a good soul. Finally, Sabrina Scharf is perfect as Kirk's beautiful new companion in what seems like a kind of paradise.

Details

Official Sites:

handitv Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

Greek English

Release Date:

4 October 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (re-mastered version) DTS (re-mastered version)

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3