Did Balok Really Fall for It?

[Brutal Strudel]

For that matter, would he have followed through and destroyed the Enterprise had Kirk not bluffed?

I think the answer is no, to both questions. He probably thought Kirk's transparent ruse was cute. Likewise, he probably had no intention of killing anyone, he just wanted to see the funny aliens squirm.

 

[T'Girl]

When Balok got to the end of the countdown, he likely would already have had a reason not to destroy the Enteprise and her crew. The corbomite ploy helped Balok, but he really didn't need the help.

Balok was playing Kirk to see what Kirk would do.

 

[Melakon]

If Balok had encountered a more aggressive species, the Klingons for example, the first contact test probably goes like this:

1. Warning buoy destroyed, Fesarius investigates.

2a. Klingons attack Fesarius and are destroyed, or,
2b. Klingons attack small pilot vessel and are destroyed.

 

[EnriqueH]

Probably wouldn't look unlike the Klingon's attack on V'Ger...

 

[Maurice]

Probably wouldn't look unlike the Klingon's attack on V'Ger...

Except the special effects would have been less... special.

 

[Richard Baker]

"Deeds, not Words"

It was a test of character- a good way to determine how a new species would act in certain situation where they had to make hard choices. As Balok (little guy) said, records could be designed to mislead- how many times have we seen some alien rummage around inside the ships computer (including the films and other series) during a first contact?

 

[feek61]

I have always found it interesting that when Kirk first sees the puppet on Balok's ship; the first thing he does is pull out his phaser. Apparently not threatened by this aggressive behavior; Balok revels himself; apparently vulnerable. Strange reactions for both of them (but still a kick-ass episode). When Balok appeared how did he know Kirk would not phaser him which seemed likely based on Kirk's behavior seconds before?

 

[Melakon]

Bailey probably shot him after hearing that laugh one too many times.

 

[bbailey861]

Yes, as I understand it, that's what my many-times-over grandson will want to do but he got talked out of it at the last minute. Years ago, a tarot card reader told me that.

 

[Richard Baker]

I have always found it interesting that when Kirk first sees the puppet on Balok's ship; the first thing he does is pull out his phaser. Apparently not threatened by this aggressive behavior; Balok revels himself; apparently vulnerable. Strange reactions for both of them (but still a kick-ass episode). When Balok appeared how did he know Kirk would not phaser him which seemed likely based on Kirk's behavior seconds before?

I had forgotten that!

Balok should have at least make a sarcastic remark...

 

[ToddPence]

I am also of the same mind of the Melkots in "Spectre of the Gun". That they never intended any harm to the landing party and were testing them the whole time. That's really the only way Chekov's survival makes sense.

 

[telerites]

I have always found it interesting that when Kirk first sees the puppet on Balok's ship; the first thing he does is pull out his phaser. Apparently not threatened by this aggressive behavior; Balok revels himself; apparently vulnerable. Strange reactions for both of them (but still a kick-ass episode). When Balok appeared how did he know Kirk would not phaser him which seemed likely based on Kirk's behavior seconds before?

Does anyone know if the puppet/head had been used as a prop in some other movie or show? For some reason, it seems like I had seen it before but could just be a mind overload of 1950s B sci fi movies that I have seen.

Edit - I see on ST Memory Alpha that it was created specifically for this episode. Always thought it was very well done.

 

[Hober Mallow]

Does anyone know if the puppet/head had been used as a prop in some other movie or show? For some reason, it seems like I had seen it before--

In the closing credits of the other seventy-eight episodes.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Does anyone know if the puppet/head had been used as a prop in some other movie or show? For some reason, it seems like I had seen it before--

In the closing credits of the other seventy-eight episodes.

The head still exists:
http://www.startrekpropauthority.com/2010/03/special-photostudy-star-trek-original_30.html

This guy's Prop Authority website is really good.

 

[Gov Kodos]

I have always found it interesting that when Kirk first sees the puppet on Balok's ship; the first thing he does is pull out his phaser. Apparently not threatened by this aggressive behavior; Balok revels himself; apparently vulnerable. Strange reactions for both of them (but still a kick-ass episode). When Balok appeared how did he know Kirk would not phaser him which seemed likely based on Kirk's behavior seconds before?

Does anyone know if the puppet/head had been used as a prop in some other movie or show? For some reason, it seems like I had seen it before but could just be a mind overload of 1950s B sci fi movies that I have seen.

Edit - I see on ST Memory Alpha that it was created specifically for this episode. Always thought it was very well done.

He does have a modest similarity to 'The Man From Planet X', but that may be more due to aliens have big brains and heads than direct influence.

 

[Timo]

When Balok appeared how did he know Kirk would not phaser him which seemed likely based on Kirk's behavior seconds before?

This sort of makes one wonder whether the test really is over at that point. Logically, Kirk should try and overwhelm Balok now that he has the enemy at gunpoint, no matter what he looks like. It's a good idea to find out whether Kirk will pursue this logic when an innocent-looking puppet is marched out and takes the place of the threatening-looking one... Or whether Kirk will dump game theory and decide to invest in the future instead. OTOH, even after this part of the test is over, it might not be a good idea for the real Balok to slither out of his cocoon...

One also wonders whether Kirk passed or failed. We never hear of the First Federation again; perhaps Balok just ate Bailey and sat down to wait for a worthier champion?

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Metryq]

Does anyone know if the puppet/head had been used as a prop in some other movie or show?

 

[LMFAOschwarz]

As Balok himself said, (oh wait, first, the tranya...)




"Ahhhhhh!"

Anyhow, Balok said "It was a pleasure testing you.", so I suspect that yes, he knew what was up the whole time.

 

[T'Girl]

^ The two images can't be seen on my screen.

 

[LMFAOschwarz]

^ The two images can't be seen on my screen.

You're the second person whose had that problem with my images recently..