The Trouble with Tribbles

A bit of a comic relief episode, this is a fine example of the character interplay that makes TOS successful. It's also shows the rich Star Trek universe, with space stations, political characters, space traders, alien enemies, and unusual and desirable (to a point) space creatures. The tribbles themselves are an interesting alien life form, at first glance bewildering to Dr. McCoy, of little practical use to Mr. Spock, threatening to the Klingons, and with an inexplicable life cycle. The episode looks forward to the future of the subsequent series (TNG/DS9/Voyager) in emphasizing political influence and intrigue over the typical episodic phaser displays and bravado, the bar fight excepted. As such it became a great foil for DS9's time-traveling return to K7, and to a lesser degree the animated series' "More Trouble with Tribbles." Silly or no, it's classic trek, and a very enjoyable episode.

This is perhaps the most famous episode of the original Trek series and with good reason - it's also the most entertaining. I consider this part of an elite triad of superlative Trek episodes, along with "The City on the Edge of Forever" and "Mirror,Mirror." The first, "City...," is the serious one, even grim, with the time travel angle which became such a staple in all the Trek series. "Mirror..." represents the fantastic journey to other dimensions, beyond merely space travel or time travel, an ultimate adventure. And "Tribbles" is the comedy. There weren't too many intentionally amusing episodes of the original series, less than a handful. This one knocked it out of the park.

It's well known now for introducing Tribbles to our culture - that and their unexpected ability to bring out the worst in Klingons, the best-known alien species in Trek. The fuzzy things spawned a cottage industry within Trek: writer Gerrold published a book devoted just to this episode; there was a sequel in the animated series in '73; and, most impressively, a sly remake/follow-up "Trials and Tribble-ations" during the Deep Space Nine series, very clever and almost as entertaining (no surprise it's my favorite DS9 episode). But, it's not the Tribbles which make this original episode so amusing. Rather, it's the canny take on some previously established lore involving future bureaucracy in the Federation and private missions of starship captains. We've all seen Kirk go off on his personal vendettas before and also being lectured by admirals to follow orders. Here, the mundane, the banal, is thrust upon him: instead of being allowed to explore the galaxy in the grandest tradition, he's forced to guard a bunch of wheat.

It's a farce, Trek style. I could see Nimoy(Spock), usually standing slightly behind Kirk, struggling to contain himself in the face of Kirk's predicament throughout this episode. All of a sudden, these two are the Abbott & Costello of Starfleet and, boy, do I laugh a lot during those A&C movies. The tempo, the pacing and the timing in this episode is brilliant, just flawless, with the actors all rising to the occasion. When you think it can't get better, the script throws in a literal acknowledgment of Roddenberry's original concept - a 'Wagon Train to the stars' - the bar fight or the saloon brawl. The scene of Scotty & Chekov enduring Klingon insults and finally reaching that breaking point is some kind of glorious epitome in striving for first class Trek entertainment.

Season 2, episode 15. The Enterprise receives a distress call from an outlying space station, Deep Space Station K7, which is nearby the planet, Sherman's Planet, which is a territorial dispute between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. Kirk beams down with an away crew only to find that it's was just a trick to get them there to help watch a vital grain shipment... it's the only grain from Earth that will grow on Sherman's Planet. The Klingons arrive to request a shore leave to K7, Kirk agrees but limits the number of Klingons that can be there at one time. In a cafe bar where the peddler Cyrano Jones is trying to sell his tribbles. Tribbles are a furry, purring creature that are cute balls of fur. Uhura is there and falls for the little cute creature and obtains one for a pet and brings it on the Enterprise. From there, the tribbles start multiplying like crazy on the ship. On K7, the territorial dispute continues, fist fighting occurs between Klingons and some of Kirk's crew members, tribbles are multiplying and the grain has been poisoned killing quite a number of tribbles. Who poisoned the grain and what does that have to do with the tribbles? Sometimes a an episode like this is needed to keep the fun flowing even though it's a bit silly - a refreshing change from the drama that is prevalent throughout the series. Seems all Star Trek fans want a tribble of their own. Those darn tribbles! I also love the fighting between Kirk's crew and the Klingons - that is a barrel of laughs. In fact, there is humor all though this episode - that is the appeal of it.

8.5/10

This is probably the most lightweight episode ever although there are also some serious issues as well. The reason for the enterprise's being where it is, is that they need to get some seed grain to another planet. William Schallert who played intellectual types throughout his career, is the pesky overseer in this one. He is constantly on Kirk's case because he is unhappy with his lack of seriousness. Meanwhile, on the planet, a man named Cyrano Jones, a traveling merchant, peddling junk, begins to distribute a little purring animal called a Tribble. They make people feel happy at their touch. They are soft and pretty. They are also perpetually pregnant and soon every nook and cranny is filled with Tribbles. The other side of the issue is that they are voracious eaters. It isn't long before the storage bins are compromised and the grain in the bins is replaced with Tribbles. There are some great scenes between the Enterprise crew and the Klingons, who have been sharing space with Kirk's crew. There is justice eventually, but not before a series of delightful events.

One of the most popular and deservedly so episodes of Star Trek prime is this one. I'm surprised that Tribbles did not make an appearance in TNG or any other subsequent Star Trek franchise shows.

A rather self important diplomat played by William Schallert sends the starship Enterprise on a mission to a space station commanded by Whit Bissell. He has a priority distress call sent because he has a grain shipment to deliver to a disputed planet. An itinerant trader played by Stanley Adams is also there and among the items for sale are a specifies of peaceful little furry creatures called Tribbles.

The one that Nichelle Nichols buys however starts to multiply, and MULTIPLY. Seems that Tribbles make rabbits behave like Trappist Monks. Pretty soon the Enterprise is overrun with them as well as the space station.

But curiously enough they prove to be invaluable at uncovering a dastardly Klingon plot. Seems as though they're allergic to Klingons and that raises them up somewhat in the eyes of James T. Kirk.

It's Jimmy Doohan who does find a solution to the Tribble problem. A just one all around I think.