The Infinite Vulcan
An away team finds a race of plant people being led by a Eugenics War tyrant, who brought them disease before salvation. Through cloning Spock he hopes to bring peace to the galaxy.
Lots of good ideas here overshadowed by the most ridiculous Star Trek concept ever: giant Spock clones! Worse even than removing his brain. (Oh wait, they do that here too.) And best (worst?) line of TAS thus far goes to Kirk with: " Spock's death is meaningless if only to create a giant version of himself!" So let's backtrack: what were those good ideas again? Well, that human explorers inadvertently destroy an alien race through disease, not without precedent in Earth history. Plant people are also new, though Sulu's pet is most delightful. (Till it bites him.) His interest in biology is intact. Strange how continuity can be so well maintained while the stories go off the deep end. Then there's the Eugenics War element, useful in exploring political ideas. Has the Federation created universal peace? No, but their liberal democratic approach seems preferable to tyranny, which Keniclius would impose. Any serious thoughts quickly flee one's mind however, in the last few minutes of this episode, as we roll on the floor with laughter. And who's to blame for all this? Chekov! Yes, Walter Koenig wrote the script, and we'm glad to see his imagination has not left him, even if he didn't lend his voice to this show. He could do with a little restraint, however.
Spock Saves the Day: Um, Spock-2 restores Spock's mind and stays with Keniclius to help the Phylosians.
Oops: It seems Spock is perfect and can do no wrong.
Developments: Absolutely nothing fazes our Vulcan. He's still cool as his essence is transferred to a giant body, and then duplicates it to inhabit his original self. Strange that his consciousness can be in two places. (No wonder the show isn't canon: Kirk could have hiked it to Ratlaw to restore Spock's katra in the movies.) Kirk easily talks Spock out of policing the galaxy, pointing out the contradiction with IDIC principles. What's most notable from Spock himself is that he points out Kirk's verbosity! Someone was bound to.