Albatross
McCoy is arrested for the spread of a plague on Dramia, 19 years ago. Kirk, Spock, and a stowaway set out to prove that he isn't to blame, and must deliver a key witness before succumbing to illness.
"Plague ships" are a common motif in naval adventure fiction, therefore well suited to Star Trek. Alas, the premise is not applied well here, as Kirk makes repeatedly baffling judgments. As usual, he seems to enjoy not following Spock's advice. He beams down to a radioactive planet, and then allow the disease to spread anew. Our captain seems highly intelligent, however, compared to the guest characters. The bit about trapping Demos is cute, but he's too dumb to be credible. " I have been tricked." No duh. Kol-Tai - who kept reminding us of Skeletor in Masters of the Universe - is even worse. The color-changing symptom is quite funny because the crew doesn't look much different from their usual starch white. The animators ran out of paint? It's sad too that McCoy doesn't get to do much but rot in jail, and then find a miracle cure. We're really curious as to how he arrives at these! But we just get " Bones, you did it - again!" The Spock/ McCoy banter is entirely worth sitting through for Kirk's super-girly laugh. Overall, a potentially exciting story sunk by plot holes.
Spock Saves the Day: He investigates the planet with Jim (not willingly), pinches a creature, takes command of the ship, and springs McCoy.
Oops: Dude, stand up for yourself! Kirk's clearly having a bad day, and if you're willing to defy one authority...
Developments: Spock seems remarkably detached here; he's just going through the very familiar motions. He never complains about his mounting responsibilities, probably glad to take charge.