Return of the Archons
Sulu returns from an away mission in a state of mindless bliss shared by an entire population, obeying only the "will of Landru". Kirk vows to restore freedom of thought to the people.
This episode contains many elements that - if not cliché already - soon will be, but it's still fresh and eerie in a way hard to describe. The Midwest town is a nice change from the normally-pastoral paradise planets, and the costumes, music, and townspeople's behavior create an unsettling atmosphere. The zombies are not too creepy, but Sulu and McCoy are excellent when spaced-out. There is some puzzlement as to the purpose of the "red hour", but I would say it's a concentrated, calculated release of the people's energy and baser instincts. If pent up, these feelings could lead to rebellious actions against Landru. Speaking of the super computer, this is the first Kirk talks to death (he practiced on andriods before). Still, his argument is compelling. Indeed, the people need creativity and freedom that machines can't offer. This theme is repeated time and again in TOS. Reger and Marplon are less interesting than even Landru, plus wimpy, but they save Kirk and Spock from absorbsion at least. The Archon's visit has little point, and planetary contamination is better done in A Piece of the Action. Still, this is one of the series's better statements on a clockwork society.
Spock Saves the Day: He helps Kirk figure out Landru's true nature and gives the captain the key to outwitting it.
Oops: In an impulsive gesture, Spock punches a lawgiver!
Developments: Spock sees some flaws in the machine-run society but perhaps not the full implications. He's still flattered when Kirk tells him he'd make a splendid computer. He later attempts to become totally "computer like" but realizes his oversights after a mind meld with V'Ger in The Motion Picture. The Vulcan's penchant for black robes is also established here.