The Apple
A primitive people serve their god Vaal, who provides the perfect environment in which they live. But Kirk discovers Vaal is a machine, and intends on restoring the culture's lost vitality.
With this episode, "paradise lost" moves firmly from recurring theme to cliché. The goofy natives, fake foliage, and non-threatening head of Vaal don't help make this fresh. Still, this is the theme in its purest form, and we wonder whether the people of Vaal live up all humanity's aspirations, or lead hollow existences. Many viewers - including your humble webmasters - would side with Spock. The people are happy and healthy, so what's the problem? Kirk sees one, and gives the people "freedom," plus childbirth, pain, death, work . . . drat. Philosophical debates aside, the proceedings are typical: a few fights, awkward musings on native sexual relations, a little romance for young Chekov, an overly simple solution. (Stop feeding the super computer bananas and it dies?) Spock seems to hit all the booby traps meant for redshirts. Though not one of the better episodes, this is what pops into people's heads at the mention of old school Trek, perhaps for its '60s attitudes to cultural influence. Kirk puts it best:" You'll learn to care for yourselves, with our help."
Spock Saves the Day: His readings on Vaal help determine how to destroy it.
Oops: Our poor Vulcan's having a bad day. Shot by poisonous darts, knocked on his arse by a randomly-appearing force field, and struck by lightening. Odd that Vaal should repeatedly attack the one officer trying to preserve him, but he's not a sensible computer.
Developments: Spock's "inhuman" qualities are asserted by wanting humanoids to be happy? While Kirk and McCoy think change, toil, and suffering are necessary for true existence, Spock logically sees this world as fulfilling all human needs and not deserving to be disturbed. He probably could have argued with the captain's questionable decision, but loyalty outweighs his own beliefs. He seems to accept this course of action before its taken: " If we are to destroy Vaal, as it seems we must . . ." He knows Jim too well.