Kirk and Spock beam down to a mental institution for the criminally insane where they are immediately captured and held as prisoners: it turns out the lunatics have taken over the asylum. The leader of the lunatics is Garth, a once-great starship captain, now a raving and delusional madman who can shape-shift and assume other people's identities. His plan is to pose as Captain Kirk, take over the Enterprise, and go off into the galaxy to wreck havoc. But he cannot get on board the ship without knowing the chess-move-password. Kirk and Spock, or course, won't tell him what it is, but the unstable Garth is ready to torture them both until they do.
This episode suffers from a terribly nonsensical climax: Spock is faced with two Kirks, one the real one and one Garth in disguise. All he had to do was ask some question only he and his long-time pal Kirk would know the answer to. Instead, he allows himself to be hit on the head and lets the two Kirks duke it out. The script at this point just does not work, and serves only the rob the whole episode of dramatic tension: we're not going to be impressed by something that makes no sense.
Still, the guest performances help keep the episode from collapsing entirely. Steve Inhat is just great as Garth. He's sauntering, hysterical, and violent, yet his view of the world as a place that needs a strongman is interesting to hear about and his histrionics a joy to watch. Yvonne Craig manages to be both creepy and sexy as the dangerous but beautiful Marta (apparently Marta's a serial killer). And the dinner scene where Garth extols his plans and desires to Kirk and Spock was great drama. Garth's maniacal ravings contrast wonderfully with Spock's calm, composed responses. Watching fascinating characters battle with differing opinions is always great TV. Too bad all of this fits into an episode where the script disintegrates.
I can't help enjoying this episode because of the loopy fun of the guest stars. So I will give it a five out of ten. Like "Plan Nine from Outer Space," it is not competent, but its giddy likability makes it entertaining enough.
This episode suffers from a terribly nonsensical climax: Spock is faced with two Kirks, one the real one and one Garth in disguise. All he had to do was ask some question only he and his long-time pal Kirk would know the answer to. Instead, he allows himself to be hit on the head and lets the two Kirks duke it out. The script at this point just does not work, and serves only the rob the whole episode of dramatic tension: we're not going to be impressed by something that makes no sense.
Still, the guest performances help keep the episode from collapsing entirely. Steve Inhat is just great as Garth. He's sauntering, hysterical, and violent, yet his view of the world as a place that needs a strongman is interesting to hear about and his histrionics a joy to watch. Yvonne Craig manages to be both creepy and sexy as the dangerous but beautiful Marta (apparently Marta's a serial killer). And the dinner scene where Garth extols his plans and desires to Kirk and Spock was great drama. Garth's maniacal ravings contrast wonderfully with Spock's calm, composed responses. Watching fascinating characters battle with differing opinions is always great TV. Too bad all of this fits into an episode where the script disintegrates.
I can't help enjoying this episode because of the loopy fun of the guest stars. So I will give it a five out of ten. Like "Plan Nine from Outer Space," it is not competent, but its giddy likability makes it entertaining enough.