This was the first Star Trek episode I ever saw, as an 11 year old. I wasn't even supposed to be out of bed. I became hooked on science fiction based on realistic science.
But the real value of this episode is to demonstrate that Lt. Uhura was not just the simple 'switchboard operator' as posited by the more brainless feminists. Uhura was a communications engineer, capable of performing repairs and adjustments to the electronics of her equipment -- just as in the episode "The Naked Time", she took over the navigation station from Reilly, showing that all bridge officers were cross-trained for various duties.
But the real value of this episode is to demonstrate that Lt. Uhura was not just the simple 'switchboard operator' as posited by the more brainless feminists. Uhura was a communications engineer, capable of performing repairs and adjustments to the electronics of her equipment -- just as in the episode "The Naked Time", she took over the navigation station from Reilly, showing that all bridge officers were cross-trained for various duties.