While "Spock's Brain" might be a rotgut to the third season in regards to its storytelling, "Amok Time" more than makes up for it. Getting the chance to explore the Vulcan mating rituals, visit Spock's home planet, and see Kirk forced to combat his friend "to the death" are all surefire reasons this is a classic episode for the Enterprise's Chief Science Officer. Spock going through a peculiar type of puberty, his blood "burning", his emotional and biological state infuriated by Vulcan physiology and the ritual resulting in his chosen mate deciding she wants him to "fight for her"; there are fascinating developments shown to Star Trek fans for the first time. It is clear his chosen mate, T'Pring (Arlene Martel), has eyes and heart for Vulcan, Stonn (Lawrence Montaigne). So T'Pring goes the "logical" route and chooses Kirk as the other participant to vie for her hand in marriage. T'Pau (Celia Lovsky) as the marriage "moderator" with the authority most respected by not just Vulcan but the Federation. Spock's value and recognition has brought great fame, but T'Pring has a desire for a Vulcan at home with her. Meanwhile poor Kirk, who had accepted the challenge because of respect for T'Pau, wanting to represent the Federation and his species well, didn't realize the combat would be to the death, unable to back out! That alone brings plenty of suspense to the ongoing plot. While Spock fights the "blood fever" and, this drive that is more primal instinct than logic, Kirk is pretty much completely on the defensive, not only combating a stronger and superior fighter but the thin atmospheric air deteriorating his strength and conditioning. Even before arriving on Vulcan, there is the development of Spock's health, the warfare inside him raging, with Nurse Chapel, long established as the woman who loves him, making some soup for him that is tossed at her when his temper was uncontrollable! Kirk appealing to Spock to share what is burdening him and why he so badly needs to go on shore leave to Vulcan, while Starfleet Command orders the captain to instead travel on a diplomatic mission to Altair IV provide other unique developments serving as proper connective tissue to the final act. Bones' clever answer as to how to get Kirk out of such a hot mess and how Spock realizes "Jim" isn't dead, his face and voice so overjoyed just bookend this great episode nicely. The show always found ways to innovatively "kill" and "resurrect" James T Kirk.
Review of Amok Time
