Star Trek (TV Series) Friday's Child (1967) User Reviews

Kirk & Spock in Trek's Land of the Giants

[Bogmeister · 7/10 · 8 October 2006]

The title refers to the original hard luck kid, a child of misery. In this case, it's the unborn child of a ruler who has just been killed in a coup; hence, the child's life is forfeit, before it even begins. This is the alien culture to which Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down as guests and end up as fugitives. Overall, this is a good example of Roddenberry's vision, that of meeting and dealing with other planetary cultures. Writer Fontana managed to create a warrior-race here with truly alien morals, customs and sensibilities (in our eyes), a culture which seems very cruel and so high on testosterone that even Kirk looks somewhat fragile in many scenes. There's even a cool new weapon invented for this episode, the kligat (oops, sounds like Klingon). Of course, except for their average height of 6 and a half feet, the natives here are probably just a throwback to ancient Earth cultures, such as the Vikings or those barbaric hordes which threatened Rome on occasion. Although, this culture of '10 Great Tribes' also reminds one of Earth's past royalty, where-in royal heirs were sometimes assassinated at early age - notably in Rome itself. This may make them obvious allies of the Klingons, one of whom shows up here to bedevil Kirk (following "Errand of Mercy"). But, as is usual for Trek episodes, the story doesn't follow the obvious path.

It turns out, these Capellans are much more honorable than the average Klingon of the original series and this all gets spelled out by the conclusion. Interestingly, McCoy is the resident expert on these people, due to spending time on the planet in the past. His retort to the Klingon during a key meeting scene is a near-classic Trek moment. The story is hampered by a limited, plodding plot line and a female queen/spoiled brat (Newmar) who is definitely an acquired taste - some viewers may find her amusing, a la the later "Elaan of Troyius" - and most will be annoyed. Most of the 2nd half consists of our heroes scrambling among rocks and hills to stay out of reach of the trailing alien posse. The story is also filled with silly moments and contrivances. Kirk fights one of the lethal male Capellans during the takeover coup as both McCoy & Spock stand a couple of feet away looking quite bored. The Klingon (actor Andrews of "Mod Squad" fame) has the new ruler in his pocket and then throws it all away near the end for no real reason except a bad temper and no patience. And why did the Klingons send only one agent, anyway? Seems like they were too sneaky for their own good. Then there's the whole 'kootchy-koo' scene I always try to forget. I did like Scotty's latest turn commanding the Enterprise; his 'fool me once, fool me twice' line is a good moment for the actor, Doohan.

Catwoman gets a right cross from an elevator

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 25 August 2021]

Kirk, Spock and McCoy visit a planet that both the Federation and Klingon Empire want to mine for important minerals.

This is an enjoyable episode for the character moments, world building, and interplanetary politics.

The story is quite strong as it shows the regular characters in contact with an alien society and the sensitive nature of interactions between different cultures. I appreciate the exploitative nature of this type of situation being reflective of real life Earth history. Although the Federation is not depicted as conquering like the Klingons, they are looking to exploit the resources of the planet for a strategic advantage. This is a far cry from what the Star Trek ideals became during 'The Next Generation'. All of this I found to be very interesting.

From a character perspective it really shines, with Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and especially Bones having some very memorable moments.

Kirk is written well as an explorer, diplomat, and soldier in this episode. William Shatner gives both a physical and verbal performance of strength, intelligence and sensitivity.

Spock is as cold and logical as ever, delivering a number of excellent lines. Leonard Nimoy provides great dry humour in another depiction of his classic outsider looking in on humanity.

While the two senior officers are away we are treated to more great scenes of Scotty in command of Enterprise. James Doohan brings a great balance of excitement and confidence to the commander's chair.

Dr 'Bones' McCoy has one of his quintessential episodes as a humanitarian caught in the middle of a conflict situation, who has the responsibility of caring for a pregnant female. In several excellently written scenes we see him contend with an aggressively reluctant mother and these for me are the highlights. DeForest Kelley is on top form and has solid chemistry with Julie Newmar as Eleen.

The visuals are mostly great. I love the fight scenes, particularly some of the early fist fights that are entertaining and quite well done. One part where Shatner throws a pillow at another performer cracks me up every time. This episode uses Vasquez Rocks park to great effect much like other episodes. The downside is the costuming which is relatively funny, but some of those outfits have zero aesthetic quality.

A few imperfections do not stop this being a solid, entertaining episode

[aaustin-10 · 7/10 · 10 March 2011]

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy arrive at a primitive planet to negotiate a mining treaty with a volatile and tribal warrior society. But they get unwillingly entangled with a treacherous Klingon agent and dangerous local politics, and before long they have to flee natives out to kill them. To make matters worse, they have in tow a dead chief's hostile, pregnant wife who does not want her child, while the Enterprise is in no position to rescue them because it is tangling with a Klingon warship.

This episode manages to be engaging and entertaining despite some problems here and there. It's a good example of a Star Trek episode that is not the highest quality, but worthy nevertheless.

It effectively presents the theme of the Federation having to deal with cultures that have different values and outlook. The tribal culture is honorable yet brutal, polite yet lethal if someone makes a misstep. Also, all the regular cast members get to do solid character work, especially DeForest Kelly as our cranky yet compassionate Dr. McCoy: he cares for his patients but is not above slapping one if she gets out of line. And James Doohan's Scotty does some of his best episode work here in the very well-done subplot about the Enterprise's troubles with the Klingon ship. The presentation of the local politics is an effective bit of mini-drama that helps establish what's at stake for our heroes.

But imperfections creep into the script: the Julie Newmar character was adequately developed as someone who grows sympathetic toward her new allies and her own newborn baby, but the script wasted her precious screen time on the annoying, unfunny "our child" and "child is yours" humor sequences. That time could have been spent exploring the Newmar character's reasons for not wanting her child, and could have made the transformation in her attitude more gradual and effective.

Also, the climax involved the Klingon blowing his top and defying everybody without much motivation.

But while those problems decrease the episode's quality, "Friday's Child" still stands up as an enjoyable, agreeable journeyman entry and a chance to see our regular characters at their best.

Another Anthropological Fiasco

[mstomaso · 6/10 · 28 September 2007]

Interesting primarily for its guest appearances, Friday's Child is one of Joe Pevney and D. C. Fontana's more mediocre efforts. Among the guests is great musical and stage actress Julie Newmar, who is mainly known to TV audiences for having played Catwoman in the classic Batman TV show. Casting called for a number of very tall and beefy people, so many of the guest stars are over 6' and recognizable by sight if not by name.

The trinity (Kirk, Spock, McCoy + a soon-to-die redshirt) have beamed down to a planet inhabited by a very hierarchal, male-dominated culture whose rank system revolves around violence. Upon arrival, they find that a Klingon (only one?) has arrived before them. The Klingon has been propagandizing against the federation since his arrival, and has jeopardized the Enterprise's mission to obtain mineral rights. The redshirt makes matters worse by threatening the Klingon at first sight.

Although McCoy once lived on this planet and briefs the crew on some ethnographic details ahead of time, these preparations were not nearly enough, as the away team creates one blunder after another. Fontana did a nice job of thinking out the alien culture's intricacies, but unfortunately, the episode devolves into a somewhat unoriginal action adventure about mid-way through.

Cinematography and effects are very average for TOS, writing is OK, directing is well below Pevney's usual mark, and acting is fairly good. Look for a lot of amusing but hokey banter with Spock in this one, and a solid and interesting performance by Ms. Newmar.

McCoy has a baby while Kirk and Spock shoot arrows at a Klingon

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 2 July 2015]

Once again the crew of the Enterprise are in negotiations for an alien planet's mineral rights; McCoy has been there before and cautions the captain about the importance of not breaching local etiquette; infringements can mean a swift death from this warrior race. These aliens, the Capellans are intelligent but not advanced; fighting with swords and throwing weapons. The landing party, consisting of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a red-shirt are shocked to discover a Klingon is already there; leading to the red-shirt drawing his weapon and being killed. The leader of the Capellans is keen to negotiate but his underling thinks they should deal with the Klingons as they offer military items and fights for the leadership. With the old leader dead his pregnant wife is expected to die but McCoy attempts to save her and the away team flees to the hills with her. Here Kirk and Spock must prepare to fight without use of their phasers while McCoy helps deliver the baby. Meanwhile the Enterprise, commanded by Scotty, has been called away by a distress call, apparently from a freighter under attack from Klingons.

This is a fairly standard 'aliens with different cultures' episode although it is nice to see the dastardly Klingons again. The Capellans were entertaining enough although their dress sense is a little strange! Guest star is good as Eleen, the old leader's wife. The scenes between her and DeForest Kelley's McCoy were fun as a closeness developed between then… although I'm not sure if the scene where he finally gets her to trust him by slapping her would have been acceptable if it was made now! Some unintentional humour is provided by the speed of the red shirt's demise and there are some enjoyable action scenes as Spock and Kirk use bows and arrows to defend themselves. James Doohan has a bit more to do than usual as Scotty and even though we can guess the distress call is a fake the scenes on the ship where they discuss whether to call off the search were well handled. Overall a decent enough episode but not a classic.

"Only the strong should live".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 29 November 2010]

I think I would have been disappointed if Julie Newmar hadn't shown up in a Star Trek guest spot at least once during the series run. I believe I first became aware of her in that short lived mid-Sixties show 'My Living Doll', followed up by appearances as Catwoman in the campy 'Batman' TV show. Her role is a bit perplexing here as Eleen, the feisty, pregnant and as it turns out, widow of the Capellan leader Akaar (Ben Gage). How she managed to turn McCoy into a potential replacement hubby is a bit beyond my ability to follow the story line, so I'll just leave it alone.

The Enterprise trio of Kirk, Spock and McCoy once more find themselves in a tough spot amid a warrior race much like the Klingons. In fact there's a Klingon here as well who beats the Federation to the planet in order to secure the mining rights to topaline, a vital component of colonial life support systems. I just couldn't get over the idea that the Capellans, for all their size and strength, found it acceptable to decorate their outfits with feathered boas. How does that jive with 'only the strong should live'. It's like inviting trouble right from the get-go.

Chalk up another strong outing for Scotty. Faced with the decision to rescue the boys from Capella or answer a distress call from an unarmed freighter, Scotty stays consistent with Federation duty and leaves orbit to help the ship under attack. Turns out it was a Klingon ruse, but no harm done. That Scotty earned his pay once again.

About half way through Star Trek's entire three season run, I'll go on record now stating that this episode might have the goofiest line of the entire series. It's when Bones states- "I'm a doctor, not an escalator". What???? Who came up with that line?

average--nothing more, nothing less

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 8 December 2006]

The Enterprise AND the Klingon Empire both arrive on a somewhat primitive tribal planet in order to negotiate trade rights. At first, things look just fine for the Federation, as the leader of the tribe is inclined towards the humans. However, a battle over leadership erupts among these incredibly pugnacious people and soon this leader is sleeping with the worms. And, the new leader is inclined to deal with the Klingons, though he might just agree to work with the Federation until the landing party make a big mistake. They intervene when they see guards about to execute the old leader's pregnant wife AND they touch her in the process--it seems that it expected that she be killed in order to signify the change in leadership and touching ANY leader's woman was a major taboo. For these "offenses", the tribe sentence the landing party to death!! But, our heroes (Spock, Kirk and McCoy) escape and take the doomed woman with them. Oddly, the woman wants to die and fights with them repeatedly during their exodus! But, in the end, the Klingons are discredited and the Federation is victorious--yay! The episode is unusual and had a lot of creativity. But, at times, the acting just seemed overdone--with some cheesy performances and over-acting (and for once, it was not Kirk doing this). An interesting and particularly average episode.

What moron designed the Capellans' costumes??

[SusanJL · 8/10 · 25 June 2019]

Found it hard to take this episode seriously looking at those ludicrous outfits!!! Warriors with lavender and neon orange fake-fur accessories??? What moron designed those costumes???? Almost ruined the whole episode for me!! More suitable for Laugh-In!!! Update: once I got over the costumes, I find this episode very entertaining and deserving of an 8 rating.

Capellans, Klingons and The Federation

[Rainey-Dawn · 7/10 · 9 January 2017]

Season 2, episode 11. The Enterprise heads to Capella IV.The Capellans are a warrior tribe and McCoy has spent a few months with them at one time. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a crew member beam down and the crew member ends up dead. The trio are met not only by the Capellans but also Klingons. Both the Federation and Klingons are wanting mining rights on Capella IV. The Capellans have taken the trio's weapons and communicators so they cannot contact the ship. The Capellans are split are who should get the mining rights: Federation or Klingons? A battle happens and the trio ends up running off with a dead leader's pregnant wife, that does not want her child. The Enterprise is under the command of Scotty and they end up with a Federation ship distress call - they are under attack by a Klingon ship.

Suspense is built between Capellans, Klingons and The Federation pretty well here. We all know that Kirk and crew will smooth things over and get out safely but there is still plenty of suspense.

7/10

Oochy woochy coochy coo.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 6 June 2022]

Those naughty Klingons are at it again: when Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to Capella IV to negotiate a mining agreement with the inhabitants they discover that Kras (Tige Andrews), a Klingon emissary, is attempting to beat them to the punch. The Capellan leader, Akaar (Ben Gage), is impressed by the Federation's offer, but rival Maab (Michael Dante) sides with the Klingon. When Maab seizes control and kills Akaar, Kirk, Spock and McCoy escape into the hills, taking Akaar's pregnant wife Eleen (Julie Newmar) with them.

Meanwhile, the Enterprise, commanded by Scotty, is lured out of orbit by a decoy distress signal and challenged by a Klingon warship.

I can't say that I was overly impressed by Friday's Child: it's a passable time-waster but doesn't do anything new or interesting. We've seen Kirk and his pals negotiating with primitive races before, we've seen them running around the Vasquez rocks before, and we've seen cat and mouse antics in space with enemy craft before. Admittedly, we've never seen McCoy say 'Oochy woochy coochy coo' to a newborn Capellan before, but that's probably a good thing: once is more than enough.

5.5/10, rounded down to 5 for the Capellan warriors' appearance, their blonde ponytails, open-faced hoods and coloured, faux-fur sashes more likely to have the enemy creased up in fits of laughter than trembling in fear.

Julie Newmar Gives Birth and Tribesmen Wearing Wet Suits!

[mike48128 · 8/10 · 12 September 2014]

Rated "8" because of guest star "blond" Julie Newmar as the "plucky" pregnant widow of the tribe's chief, on a savage planet where even the bow and arrow are unknown before Kirk invents them! Marred by the natives wearing cheap rubber tribal costumes with fringe which are scuba "wet suits" with swimmers goggles! Male warriors with pony tails. Yuck! Otherwise, a good storyline with the Klingons playing cat and mouse both on the planet and in outer space. Scotty gets to show his "chops" as a very good Temporary Commander of the Enterprise. Much "banter" between "Bones" and Julie, in a very agreeable guest role, which makes up for the bad costuming. Not a great episode, but not too bad in a very uneven 2nd season of the original series. As usual, a "Redshirt" "bites the dust" before the first station break. Really convincing knife throwing and better hand to hand combat than usual. Nice to see the use of outdoor California Mountains instead of that infernal red studio sky. Spock's Vulcan comments at the end are "priceless".

The Real McCoy...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 16 February 2022]

The barbarians on the planet Capella IV, have a penchant for fighting that they adore, throwing pointed razor stars, leaving more than just plain scars, for them killing's what they live for and applaud.

Kirk and the crew end up facing up to a belligerent tribe while encountering a Klingon who makes their life difficult, as does a pregnant local who's due any day soon.

Not a great episode

[intp · 5/10 · 2 October 2014]

This episode featured yet another situation where the Enterprise crew is forced to negotiate with an unfamiliar and somewhat primitive culture in order to obtain a much-needed resource (in this case, a valuable mineral). Here, the major complication is that a wily Klingon has preceded the Enterprise crew and is favored by at least one faction. In their second major appearance (after "Errand of Mercy"), the Klingons are portrayed fairly unfavorably here-- both treacherous and cowardly. The Klingons of the first appearance were brutal, all right, but seemed to have at least a rudimentary sense of honor, which is completely lacking here.

Julie Newmar plays the young wife who takes an odd shine to McCoy after he slaps her. Sheesh, I guess the way to a woman's heart is to be a roughneck? I know this is supposed to be a culture that values physical toughness, but one would think that women would be exempt from casual brutality, even one as annoying as her. She has a fairly thankless role here as the bratty and aloof first wife and is mostly wasted, especially for those of us who thought she was a great "Catwoman".

Probably the most interesting part of the episode was Scotty's cat and mouse game with a Klingon ship that uses a diversionary tactic that works once, but not twice on the clever engineer. Scotty was the real hero of this episode, staring down the Klingon ship and coming to Kirk's rescue. Chekhov had the funniest line here. Unfortunately, the bulk of the episode is rather dull, consisting mainly of the landing party's rather fumbling attempts to negotiate with a hostile and mostly unfamiliar culture.

Trade Wars

[Samuel-Shovel · 7/10 · 11 May 2018]

In "Friday's Child", the Enterprise heads to Capella IV to negotiate a mining contract for a mineral known as topaline. Also attempting to do business with the Capellans are the ever-dangerous Klingons. The two factions arrive at the same time and attempt to woo the Capellans with offers of trade. A change in power occurs on Capella IV mid-negotiation as the leader is killed by a mutineer. The mutineer takes kindly to the Vulcans. Captain Kirk & Co. are ordered to death when Kirk intervenes on the attempted killing of the former leader's pregnant wife by the new teer. The gang escapes with the pregnant lady in tow and heads for the hills, awaiting a rescue.

Meanwhile the Enterprise, commanded by Scotty, has left orbit due to a distress signal from a nearby Earth freighter. The signal turns out to be fake, a distraction by the Vulcan ship. On the surface, Eleen has her baby (with the help of her new friend McCoy) in a cave before running away and attempting to sacrifice herself for the good of the others. A big fight happens, the crew versus the Capellans and the Klingon representative. The Klingon loses his cool in the heat of battle and turns on everyone. He is eventually killed along with the mutineer. Eleen takes over control of Capella IV in the name of her newborn son, the Enterprise confirms the mining contract, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Anytime Captain Kirk is running into the Klingons, it's going to be an exciting time. Each episode is almost like its own little proxy war between the two sides. I enjoy that they never even name the Klingon until the credits, he's just there as a device of evil. I also enjoy the concept of these rudimentary, giant brutes known as the Capellans. Their outfits are a bit silly but their demeanor is silly as well! This warrior tribe seems to identify more with the Klingons but in the end it is Kirk that is able to secure the contract.

This episode's a bit of a dumb little romp but I like it. There's a few cringeworthy moments (McCoy's "Kootchie-coo" comes to mind) but there's a lot to like: Scotty in control of the ship and getting some real screentime, a few fun little action scenes, etc. I also think this is one of the more Bones-focused episodes I can think of. It does a lot for his character development. Up until now, I've never really been a big fan of him; he's always giving Spock a hard time and gets a little too much too handle for me. This episode goes a long way in changing my tune.

More light-hearted but very good.

[alexanderdavies-99382 · 7/10 · 14 November 2018]

I don't quite understand why this episode has such an average rating. I find it to be great fun and there's some excellent camaraderie between the three main characters. Poor Kirk, Spock and McCoy have their work cut out for them here! A fiery aristocratic alien is expecting her baby but her subjects order her to kill it. Luckily, she decides to escape and protect her unborn child. The Enterprise try to guide her back to the ship but the assassins are out in force! I laughed out loud as Kirk and company struggle to help this woman up the side of a cliff! McCoy immediately expressing his exasperation - as he usually did. Julie Newmar is excellent as the mother to be. She is very capable of performing light comedy.

"I'm a doctor, not an escalator."

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 3 September 2023]

Kirk, Spock, Bones, and yet another expendable Red Shirt beam down to Capella IV to negotiate mining rights with the locals, as they can boast a planet rich with minerals. However, the locals are a rather feisty bunch of warriors who already seem to have brokered a deal with a Klingon who arrived ahead of the Enterprise crew. The landing party take it on the lam, along with the pregnant wife (Julie "Catwoman" Newmar) of the leader of the Capellans, who perishes in battle.

'Friday's Child' generates a sufficient amount of laughter, not all of it intentional; the costumes on the Capellans are so cheesy and cartoonish that it would be hard *not* to laugh. But it's worth a look for some effective plot twists (Scotty and the crew on the bridge of the starship are distracted by what seems to be a distress call), and an interesting look at interplanetary politics. Bones has already spent some time with the locals, and tries to educate Kirk & the others on their customs. It's always fun to watch when Scotty takes command in the absence of Kirk & Spock, and he usually proves to be a very efficient leader.

The most humorous touch is the relationship between Eleen (Ms. Newmar) and Bones, as he's determined to do his job and help her through her pregnancy, while she's just as determined for him *not* to lay his hands on her. This results in a brief slapping match! One of my favorite aspects to D. C. Fontanas' script was seeing Kirk & Spock fashion some impromptu bows and arrows to combat the Capellans, since they had earlier agreed to give up their weapons and can't find them now. The presence of the Klingon adds tension since we know we can't trust this species (at this point in Trek lore, anyway). They certainly prove to be very devious in dealing with the Enterprise.

One of the brightest spots is the absolutely hilarious closing bit. I always enjoy an episode (of any kind of TV series) that can send away the viewer with a hearty laugh.

Seven out of 10.

Leonard James McCoy.

[amusinghandle · 6/10 · 22 November 2023]

Some events life you can recall where you were the moment you experienced them ----- watching Dr McCoy slap a misbehaving pregnant woman is one of those moments for me.

I think the episode was attempting to mirror the USA/Russia tendency to offer 'help' to resource heavy countries in the past and well, continuing on to this day.

Is it cool for warp drive capable societies to be interfering with a tribal culture? Well, probably not but we need this damn resource, right?

The messaging gets muddled as the episodes continues on to it's climax. The star fleet survival class about fashioning primitive hand weapons continues to provide great dividends for Kirk/Spock.

Are Kirk and McCoy sharing the alimony?

Whats your problem guys ?

[nicofreezer · 9/10 · 26 May 2021]

Once again this episode have the misfortune to be a season 2 episode and people love to hate later Season in TV show's.

" Friday's child" is one of the best Star trek, a very Solid plot fuel with suspence , ennemy emotion good interactions between the 3 heros.

Great to see Scotty on command.

Put this episode in Season 1 and people would rate it 8/10 my vote 8 5/10.

Dr.McCoy the obstetrician

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 25 June 2016]

When Captain James T. Kirk got this assignment to negotiate a treaty with a planet that is a primitive hunter and gatherer culture he's got every right to think this one a slam dunk. As a junior officer William Shatner spent some time on the planet and got to know the leader real well.

So Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley are a diplomatic delegation and there's a Klingon played by Tige Andrews there and they are negotiating for mining rights. But when the leader that Kirk knew is murdered then the Star Trek diplomats are forced to flee without their weapons. They also flee with statuesque Julie Newmar, widow of the late leader and very pregnant. Good thing Dr. McCoy is along in case they need an obstetrician.

Newmar is great as the Zena the warrior princess character who sometimes is more trouble than she's worth. But as she's carrying the heir to the leadership everyone wants their hands on her.

Must also praise Tige Andrews who unlike Michael Dorn in The Next Generation is one Klingon with damn little honor. Andrews, the future Captain Greer of Mod Squad is hardly recognizable under that makeup.

Give this one a look.

Very weak. Lamest conflict with the Klingons ever. Could be far better.

[wwcanoer-tech · 5/10 · 25 March 2022]

The sole Klingon character was very weak and muted. The Klingon warrior attitude could have easily aligned with the Capellans and created a much deeper synergy between them that later falls apart when the Capellans discover that the Klingon does not respect them or otherwise offends their view of right and wrong. (Of course, back then the Klingon culture was not fully developed but the idea of a warrior race was there and could have been explored here.)

It was ridiculous for the red shirt to draw his phaser when he saw the Klingon because the away team knew that the Klingons were interested in securing mining rights and could easily appear here. The point of the killing was to show the quick lethality of the Capellans. It would have been more enlightening to see this killing erupt from a disagreement between themselves.

When the Capellans ask for the away team's weapons, they hand over both their weapons and communicators, which was illogical. Would have been more natural, and been more interesting, for the Capellans to show insight by saying: "Those devices too." "but those are only communicators." "Yes, they communicate with your ship. It is a weapon too."

The Capellans do stop Kirk from contacting the Enterprise but it was a clunky conversation. Kirk's long pause deciding whether to hand over the weapons also made no sense. Before they beamed down, he stated how important it was not to appear aggressive.

Most of the episode is bland and not memorable.

The climatic fight scene was rather ridiculous. I don't know the standard of the day by my recollection is that the Batman series fights were better choreographed than this.

It would have been far better if the Capellans and away team purposefully worked together to defeat the Klingon. For example, when the Kingon's treachery is revealed, he moves to a position that is hidden/protected from the away team. Several Capellans try to attack the Klingon but each is vaporized, so Kirk signals to the Capellan leader that he must lure the Klingon into the firing line of Kirk & Spock. So the leader steps into the open and goads the Klingon into stepping out to face him. (Today, this could easily be done by calling the Klingon a coward and calling him to a hand-to-hand fight.) When the Klingon steps out, Kirk wounds the Klingon and then the leader finishes off the Klingon, perhaps also being fatally wounded himself but not dying before Kirk reaches him and the Capellans reaches out to clasp his hand and praise Kirk with words or just facial expression.

Alternatively, the Capellans are pinned down and Kirk goads the Klingon into facing him, giving the opportunity for the Capellans to kill the Klingon. This show of bravery wins the hearts of the Capellans.

Having the Capellans defeat the Klingon on their own did not set the stage for comradery between them and the Federation. (Plus the leader just standing there waiting to be shot was silly.)

Showing the Capellans how to make a bow and arrow would be violating the prime directive by potentially changing a key aspect of their culture. Therefore, rather than only Kirk's comment of it being a surprise, he should have commanded that they destroy the bows after they have been used. We never saw the expressions of surprise or fear from the Capellans.

The Capellan leader spared the old wife after she had betrayed them by stating that the away team was dead. This didn't make much sense. It would have made more sense for him to be angry at her deception and her to argue that they are good people. Only after the Klingon's treachery is revealed should the Capellan leader turn to her and say that she was right to protect them and then spare her life.

Even the reveal of the Klingon's treachery was weak and could have been better played by someone discovering that the man who carried the Klingon disruptor was stabbed to death. The leader would suspect the Klingon of the killing, and signal his guards to detain or search the Klingon, at which point the Klingon steps back, pulls out the disruptor and kills a Capellan or two. The Klingon can then give a speech about the Capellans thinking that they are strong but that they are actually weak. And explain that the Klingons will take control of this planet by force.

Also, what's with the security team beaming down at the end with phasers drawn? This added nothing. The fight should have been resolved before they appeared. There could have been a smart dialogue with Enterprise calling Kirk after everything is settled, with a very worried voice asking if they are ok but then told that everything is fine, with Kirk perhaps saying "I think that we've made some good friends here." and the Capellan woman smiling or nodding in concurrence.

A new Te'er King will rules on Capella IV henceforth, a child King Kirk Leonard McCoy!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 9 August 2020]

Although with negligible weak points this episode is quite gripping, due the nature of story, when the Federation contest with the Klingon a mining rights on the planet Capella IV, a sort of primitive civilization deep-seat culture whose the strongest can survives only, the power trio were at ground, meanwhile Scott stays at Enterprise's command, therefore the Capellans were split on two leaderships the Old Chief Te'er and his young and strongest challenger who already had a previous agreement with the Klingon's proxy, on fight the strong is the winner, the old Te'er left a pregnat widow Eleen (Julie Newmar) who now refuses her unborn son, Dr. McCoy enter in the dangerous game assisting the reluctant Widow, according the Capellan's law no one aside his husband can touch in the woman, the nagging McCoy disagree as doctor and takes care her until the child was born sheltered in a cave, meantime Kirk with rustic archery defends themselves until the newest leader be killed by the evil Klingon ends up died, Kirk celebrates a mining agreement under the auspices of the new child King named by the proud DR. McCoy as "Kirk Leonard McCoy", for the worrisome Spock's look of deep disapproval, one of the highlight on the odd episode!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.

Silly and Uninteresting

[Hitchcoc · 4/10 · 29 April 2014]

You know how you look at the TV listings and you see that Star Trek is on and you're all excited because you are in the mood. And then it turns out to be this episode. What a disappointment. The Klingons have arrived on a planet inhabited by a similar race. The guys are in danger. There is an insufferable pregnant woman who takes a shine to McCoy (I never cared all that much for Julie Newmar but I guess being on the original "Batman" helps to canonize you. Scotty does a great job of keeping things focused, making wise decisions. There is a lot of cultural byplay. In the end, I couldn't have cared less. McCoy makes a bit of a fool of himself as he talks baby talk. Don't bother.

Best enjoyed ironically

[thevacinstaller-03350 · 5/10 · 23 December 2022]

The best way to enjoy this one is ironically.

I nearly spit out my drink when I witnessed McCoy slapping a pregnant woman. It's one of those, "did that just happen?" moments.

I found some of the artistic choices to be interesting. The creating a giant white warrior culture to mirror the native american culture --- Was there a hidden meaning or point to this decision? Not sure.

Beyond what is presented on screen there is not much for sub text or deeper meaning to be distilled out of a comprehensive review of this episode.

Why did the new leader forfeit his life? Not sure about that either.

This feels like an episode where it had gone through revisions for re-writes and whatever message it had was lost in a sea of action and adventure ---- I can get that from many sources.

Star Trek: The Original Series - Friday's Child

[Scarecrow-88 · 5/10 · 27 September 2016]

Capella IV is home to "rocks" (mineral worth quite a price) that the Federation is interested in, willing to work a treaty with the tribes on the planet. Akaar (Ben Gage) is leader of the Capellans, but Maab (Michael Dante) is influenced by Klingon visitor, Kras (Tige Andrews), to usurp the throne and take it. Maab leads his men in a successful rebellion that overthrows Akaar, killing him and his men, while Kirk, Spock, and Bones are forced to eventually flee (with Akaar's very pregnant wife, Eleen (Julie Newmar, not the sexpot she'd be recognized as on Batman and other projects)). Kras sees the deaths of the Federation's finest as quite the notch on his belt, but ultimately he wants the mineral rights, as a Klingon cruiser is somewhere near the planet.

Scotty is in charge of the Enterprise while Kirk, Spock, and Bones try to find a location of safety while on the lam as Maab, Kras, and other Capellan warriors give chase. A distress signal draws the Enterprise away from the planet, but Scotty soon realizes that it is false, bogus chicanery by the Klingon cruiser. Finding a cave, Kirk and Spock can fashion medieval weapons (bow and arrows) while Bones delivers Eleen's unwanted child. Eleen wants to die since Akaar is dead, but Kirk prevents it, nearly perishing in the process. The planet is hot, dry, and barren, with hills and peaks, so the cat and mouse isn't easy for Kirk and company while a bomb causing collision and a strategic attack keep them just out of harm's way. Eleen isn't exactly the easiest company for our heroes, even leaving the safety of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and her newborn, surrendering herself to Maab. While Maab and the Capellans live by honesty and violence, Kras isn't above stabbing them each in the back or securing a Federation phaser to blast one of them.

It is really fun seeing Scotty in command, with Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu on the Bridge assisting him during their orbit and answer of the distress signal, with plenty of analysis and intuition involved. Meanwhile you have the Three (well, the fourth is a redshirt quickly dispatched when he sees Kras and draws his phaser) dealing with the climate and natural landscape of the planet, titanic Capellans who are purposely presented as very tall and imposing (despite their rather laughable, unflattering attire), and treacherous, slimy Kras, with no honor or dignity, just wanting to take whatever his Klingons desire. The kligat is a type of throwing star favoring similarly to the boomerang which the Capellans use as a weapon, along with their daggers. Kras is almost vanquished early by Kirk, saved by Maab. Eleen is a walking contradiction…she offers her life to be taken yet wants to live. Newmar speaks as the Capellans…stone-faced and with primitive words. Spock's reaction to what Eleen names her newborn as Kirk and Bones gloat is priceless. Fascinating scene has Eleen slapping Bones for trying to feel of her stomach to verify the baby's condition, with him taking a few shots before offering one across her face for good measure! Predictable conclusion, as Kras is certain to get his. Scotty challenging the Klingon cruiser and them wanting none of the Enterprise, while Kras proves time and again he's a weasel, is quite a contrast to the warriors of Worf's era…hell, the Klingons of Kirk are completely different than that of Picard! In fact, the Capellans are a bit more similar to Worf's Klingons than Kras!