All good sci-fi has a deeper meaning and Star Trek is no exception.
In this episode, we watch as complete and absolute power takes over the mind and body of a man and leads him down a dark path. This feeling of absolute authority over the environment around Gary causes a corruption of his soul. We've seen this in dictators and politicians, that feeling of invincibility take over as they see themselves up above all others. We watch as Gary's world comes crashing down around him (literally) as he meets his demise. Man was not intended to have such power.
When you first begin the episode and see the title of "Where No Man Has Gone Before", you assume Kirk and the gang are going into uncharted waters to explore new territory. As it turns out, the "unexplored territory" is within. Gary explores a plane of thought and ability never before experienced by mankind. This episode shows that we as humans are not ready for this plane quite yet.
In this episode, we watch as complete and absolute power takes over the mind and body of a man and leads him down a dark path. This feeling of absolute authority over the environment around Gary causes a corruption of his soul. We've seen this in dictators and politicians, that feeling of invincibility take over as they see themselves up above all others. We watch as Gary's world comes crashing down around him (literally) as he meets his demise. Man was not intended to have such power.
When you first begin the episode and see the title of "Where No Man Has Gone Before", you assume Kirk and the gang are going into uncharted waters to explore new territory. As it turns out, the "unexplored territory" is within. Gary explores a plane of thought and ability never before experienced by mankind. This episode shows that we as humans are not ready for this plane quite yet.