SPECTRE OF THE GUN
Season 2 kicked things off with the Halloween themed episode. This time it’s a western. I can’t wait to see what they pull out of the bag in Season Four!
Once again, the Enterprise is on direct orders to make contact with an alien race, regardless of whether that alien race’s wishes. It reminds me of
A Taste Of Armageddon from Season One but far worse, since there’s not even a justification given this time. Speaking of that Season 1 episode, the moral at the end of the story is reminiscent of that as well. The writer of
Spectre Of The Gun (some Johnny-come-lately called
Lee Cronin) has no shame in reusing
Gene Coon’s ideas!
Finally (and although later revealed to be part of the illusion) it seems the crew were prepared to forcibly beam down to the Melkotian’s planet in direct opposition to the buoy’s instructions. This is not diplomacy, this is an invasion!
Their punishment is wholeheartedly deserved.
Having said all that, once we get to the actual western adventure it’s quite enjoyable! The trope of the Enterprise being in danger is avoided entirely, as the highly advanced aliens provide both the isolation to the landing party as well as the ticking clock. And the surreal half finished landscape perfectly compliments the overall tone of the story. The entirely budget based decision to build a partial western town is a refreshing change to the cost cutting "empty Enterprise" that was so prominent in Season 2
Rewatching this I realised I’d forgotten just how many attempts Kirk makes to nullify or avoid participating in the simulation/execution. He’s not some gung-ho adventurer looking to solve the situation using his own machismo (cough!
Triskelion!), he’s a creative individual leading a crew of talented men (sadly, no Uhura).
Also, while Spock’s magic powers are used to resolve the climax, they are only the final ingredient in entire landing party’s investigations which have involved everyone, to one degree or another.
Other thoughts:
- Kirk references both the “phaser crew” and “phaser guns” – it’s like being back in Season One again!
- Chekov is now the romantic lead, it seems
- Whereas Scotty has assumed the role of comic relief (and borderline alcoholic)
- Although McCoy is unfairly grousy at Spock (noted by @Poltargyst ) Spock maintains his cool and is professional throughout. In fact, while constructing the grenade Spock actually compliments McCoy!
- The special effects of the bullets passing through the landing party and exploding is a great moment!
All in all, a promising start to Season 3
Spock uses mind melds to help the others see through the Matrix.
Spock can do all three mind melds in like a minute?
...
Actually, after the mind meld where they now know that nothing is real so that the bullets can't touch them, I'm surprised Kirk can make contact with Wyatt Earp or that they all still see the illusions at all.
Now that I think about it, why did Spock ever see any of the illusion at all? I feel like he should have been puzzled, standing there looking at barren land while the other three ran around talking to characters who weren't there.
I'm not sure these were complete mild melds, more like the hypnosis that Spock performed in
Omega Glory and
A Taste Of Armageddon (oh, for heaven's sake Lee Cronin!!!). After all, Spock doesn't remain touching them which is normally required for the full "mind on mind" action. All they needed was the mental discipline to know that what they were looking at might appear real, but was fake.
That's my interpretation, anyway
