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Of late, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) has been acting increasingly erratic, and has even shown strong and unfounded emotions - so much so that Dr Bones McCoy (DeForest Kelley), not exactly the biggest fan of the normally strictly logical Spock, starts to worry and informs Captain Kirk (William Shatner), who after witnessing one of Spocks irrational outbursts of rage, gets Spock to talk: Apparently, Spock's "in heat" (blood rage they apparently call it on Vulcan) and needs to go to Vulcan as soon as possible for the Vulcan mating ritual. For his friend, Kirk even neglects direct orders from Starfleet Command to go to Altair 4 without delay and makes a detour to Vulcan. On the planet, where Spock is to wed T'Pring (Arlene Martel), the woman promised to him, she calls on her right to choose another mate and let him and Spock duel over her. Now it's quite obvious she's enamoured with fellow Vulcan Stonn (Lawrence Montaigne), but she instead chooses Kirk - and Kirk somewhat foolishly agrees to the duel even if Vulcan leader T'Pau (Celia Lovsky) offers him to decline ... foolishly because Kirk learns way too late that it's a duel to the death. And Spock, still suffering from blood rage, seems to be a ruthless opponent, willing to kill his best friend. And Kirk is clearly outgunned, as he's not used to the Vulcan air, so McCoy asks for permission to give him an adrenaline shot so Kirk has at least a fighting chance, a request that's granted. But still, Spock retains the upper hand, and before long strangles Kirk to death. His blood rage gone, Spock of course sees through T'Pring's (strictly logical) deception: She was/is indeed in love with Stonn, but not willing to risk losing him in a duel, thus would choose another, Kirk, to fight Spock, knowing Kirk would set her free would he win, as would Spock, knowing his responsibilities would lie with the Enterprise rather than his Vulcan wife.

Now Spock is left with nothing but to return to the Enterprise and ask to be handed over to the authorities for having killed Kirk - only he didn't kill Kirk but the adrenaline shot McCoy gave him was actually a drug that simulated death. Upon finding that out, Spock shows a rare display of emotion, and even a biiig smile.

While the basic plot, including its plottwists, of this episode is rather simplistic, maybe even childish, it has nevertheless become a fan favourite, and it's easy to see why: The story might be simplistic, but it's also well-structured, shows lots of heart, and it really allows all three main characters (as well as their respective actors) to come into their own. Plus, one can't deny the episodes originality, both on a narrative and a visual level: The Vulcan sets might be a bit on the cheap side, but they're nevertheless very atmospheric.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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