Summary:
The Enterprise is collecting data on a burnt-out supernova when it receives a message in obsolete intersat code. Only one word of the message, "Terratin", can be understood. The message originates in the Cepheus system, where no such communications capabilities are known to exist. Kirk orders a course diversion to investigate.
The planet is discovered to be ravaged by volcanic activity, and mysterious energy waves radiate from its surface. The energy exerts no visible effects on the Enterprise, so they proceed, until the energy suddenly intensifies and leaves the ship immobile by destroying its dilithium crystals. Additionally, the crew soon notices that the objects around them seem to be growing larger.
Spock concludes instead that the crew has been shrinking, and that they eventually will be too small to operate the ship. Sulu is injured in a fall to the floor from his console, and Chapel nearly drowns after falling into an aquarium while attempting to treat his injury. Kirk decides to beam to the surface of the planet to investigate while he still can.
On the planet, Kirk finds that the transporter has returned him to his original size. At the energy waves' point of origin, he discovers a miniature city. Upon returning to the ship, Scotty alerts him that the bridge crew has been transported off the Enterprise. Kirk sends a message to the city, threatening it with destruction if his crewmen are not returned. The city's leader explains that the geological activity on the planet already threatens their destruction, and that the energy waves directed at Enterprise have been an effort to call attention to their plight.
The Terratins, it seems, are the descendants of an Earth vessel that had previously been shrunk by the same energy waves. Unable to restore their size, they made a life for themselves on the planet, which they named Terra X. The leader of these Terratins offers Kirk enough dilithium to restore warp capability, and Kirk agrees to assist in relocating the city to a stable planet. Converting the crew to normal size via the transporter, the day is saved for both the Enterprise and the Terratins.
Analysis:
This is a high-concept episode, whose chief appeal is to be found in the idea of a tiny Enterprise crew. As such, it could either be very interesting and a lot of fun, or just absurd, depending on the execution.
The execution, here, is rather commendable. Despite such ridiculous sights as McCoy operating a medical instrument larger than himself, and Scotty's team working the transporter by pulling on strings tied to the knobs, the explanation behind these events is just strong enough that we are able to accept and enjoy them.
Although a bit of fun is indeed had in the process, I'm left with the impression that a lot of comedic potential was squandered by the swift resolution of the plot. This disappointment is made less egregious, though, by how satisfying that resolution is. The crew's size is able to be restored by the transporters, since it has a record of their previous patterns, and the Terratins are able to provide Enterprise with a means of escape, to their mutual advantage.
The plight of the Terratins is a sympathetic one; although they risk dooming the Enterprise to their own shrunken fate, their lives hang in the balance. Fortunately, the situation is able to be worked out to the satisfaction of all.
Verdict:
7/10. A wacky premise is justified by a nice story, which makes "The Terratin Incident" worthy of a warm recommendation. But more time to have fun with its crazy premise would have been welcome.
The Enterprise is collecting data on a burnt-out supernova when it receives a message in obsolete intersat code. Only one word of the message, "Terratin", can be understood. The message originates in the Cepheus system, where no such communications capabilities are known to exist. Kirk orders a course diversion to investigate.
The planet is discovered to be ravaged by volcanic activity, and mysterious energy waves radiate from its surface. The energy exerts no visible effects on the Enterprise, so they proceed, until the energy suddenly intensifies and leaves the ship immobile by destroying its dilithium crystals. Additionally, the crew soon notices that the objects around them seem to be growing larger.
Spock concludes instead that the crew has been shrinking, and that they eventually will be too small to operate the ship. Sulu is injured in a fall to the floor from his console, and Chapel nearly drowns after falling into an aquarium while attempting to treat his injury. Kirk decides to beam to the surface of the planet to investigate while he still can.
On the planet, Kirk finds that the transporter has returned him to his original size. At the energy waves' point of origin, he discovers a miniature city. Upon returning to the ship, Scotty alerts him that the bridge crew has been transported off the Enterprise. Kirk sends a message to the city, threatening it with destruction if his crewmen are not returned. The city's leader explains that the geological activity on the planet already threatens their destruction, and that the energy waves directed at Enterprise have been an effort to call attention to their plight.
The Terratins, it seems, are the descendants of an Earth vessel that had previously been shrunk by the same energy waves. Unable to restore their size, they made a life for themselves on the planet, which they named Terra X. The leader of these Terratins offers Kirk enough dilithium to restore warp capability, and Kirk agrees to assist in relocating the city to a stable planet. Converting the crew to normal size via the transporter, the day is saved for both the Enterprise and the Terratins.
Analysis:
This is a high-concept episode, whose chief appeal is to be found in the idea of a tiny Enterprise crew. As such, it could either be very interesting and a lot of fun, or just absurd, depending on the execution.
The execution, here, is rather commendable. Despite such ridiculous sights as McCoy operating a medical instrument larger than himself, and Scotty's team working the transporter by pulling on strings tied to the knobs, the explanation behind these events is just strong enough that we are able to accept and enjoy them.
Although a bit of fun is indeed had in the process, I'm left with the impression that a lot of comedic potential was squandered by the swift resolution of the plot. This disappointment is made less egregious, though, by how satisfying that resolution is. The crew's size is able to be restored by the transporters, since it has a record of their previous patterns, and the Terratins are able to provide Enterprise with a means of escape, to their mutual advantage.
The plight of the Terratins is a sympathetic one; although they risk dooming the Enterprise to their own shrunken fate, their lives hang in the balance. Fortunately, the situation is able to be worked out to the satisfaction of all.
Verdict:
7/10. A wacky premise is justified by a nice story, which makes "The Terratin Incident" worthy of a warm recommendation. But more time to have fun with its crazy premise would have been welcome.
