Kirk goes on trial for causing the death of a crew member.
This is a moderately entertaining episode with a quite weak story but it does have an interesting theme and some memorable moments.
Legal thrillers can be compelling when done well, but this one feels like nothing other than actors playing courtroom drama. Nothing feels plausible and some of the cross examinations feel contrived. The less said about how the case ends the better, not just for spoilers, but for me it's an anticlimax.
There is a streak of technofear running through the story which has a big man versus machine theme. I did quite enjoy the concept of whether humanity should trust machines more than humans, but unfortunately the chess related turning point feels quite obvious. Knowledge of information technology was not the same in the 1960s and this does make it feel quite dated. However, I can empathise that audiences watching it early broadcasts might have been very intrigued.
Looking at it almost 60 years later I appreciate the central point it makes now more than ever, considering the technology is now programmed to spy on us, collect our personal information, gather market research based on our lifestyles so it can control us and turn computer programmers into multi-billionaires.
There are some scenes I did enjoy, particularly before the trial. I loved Kirk confronting by Starfleet personnel in Starbase 11 and his no-nonsense handling of their hostility. The scene where he meets his defence lawyer is also quite good. Spock and Bones, as ever, are a joy to watch throughout the episode. Even in situations that feel quite forced they manage to entertain. The climactic scene on board the bridge of the Enterprise is a classic Kirk, girl of the week, Spock and Bones moment.
The visuals are a mixed bag, with some quite silly costumes, one ridiculously obvious fight between two stuntmen and a fairly static sequence of the bridge of the Enterprise during a decaying orbit. Starbase 11 sets are good, particularly the lawyer's office and the scenes in the recreation area. I'm not sure what to make of the fixation on the red tapes, but I guess it goes well with the episode themes.
Most of the acting is good, especially William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Elisha Cook Junior. Joan Marshall does well with some fairly poor material. I find Richard Webb's performance quite irritating.
It's a 6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
This is a moderately entertaining episode with a quite weak story but it does have an interesting theme and some memorable moments.
Legal thrillers can be compelling when done well, but this one feels like nothing other than actors playing courtroom drama. Nothing feels plausible and some of the cross examinations feel contrived. The less said about how the case ends the better, not just for spoilers, but for me it's an anticlimax.
There is a streak of technofear running through the story which has a big man versus machine theme. I did quite enjoy the concept of whether humanity should trust machines more than humans, but unfortunately the chess related turning point feels quite obvious. Knowledge of information technology was not the same in the 1960s and this does make it feel quite dated. However, I can empathise that audiences watching it early broadcasts might have been very intrigued.
Looking at it almost 60 years later I appreciate the central point it makes now more than ever, considering the technology is now programmed to spy on us, collect our personal information, gather market research based on our lifestyles so it can control us and turn computer programmers into multi-billionaires.
There are some scenes I did enjoy, particularly before the trial. I loved Kirk confronting by Starfleet personnel in Starbase 11 and his no-nonsense handling of their hostility. The scene where he meets his defence lawyer is also quite good. Spock and Bones, as ever, are a joy to watch throughout the episode. Even in situations that feel quite forced they manage to entertain. The climactic scene on board the bridge of the Enterprise is a classic Kirk, girl of the week, Spock and Bones moment.
The visuals are a mixed bag, with some quite silly costumes, one ridiculously obvious fight between two stuntmen and a fairly static sequence of the bridge of the Enterprise during a decaying orbit. Starbase 11 sets are good, particularly the lawyer's office and the scenes in the recreation area. I'm not sure what to make of the fixation on the red tapes, but I guess it goes well with the episode themes.
Most of the acting is good, especially William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Elisha Cook Junior. Joan Marshall does well with some fairly poor material. I find Richard Webb's performance quite irritating.
It's a 6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.