The Savage Curtain
A rock creature, Yarnek, stages the ultimate battle between the forces of good and evil. Kirk and Spock, Surak, Abraham Lincoln face off against the most terrifying figures the galaxy has ever known.
Yarnek should take pride in having staged the lamest battle of good vs. evil ever. Cartoony villains, wimpy heroes: little wonder the ever-formidable Kirk and Spock easily win. One can't believe for a moment they're in real danger. The first half of the episode entertains at least, since the appearance of Lincoln is still mysterious and pretty funny. So is Scotty's kilt-inclusive dress uniform. The captain might have done well to listen to McCoy this time and avoid a lot of silliness on the planet. Even the fistfight seem substandard. How the Excalbians learn anything from this exercise is unclear, as the viewer certainly doesn't. Yet it offers some humour and the redeeming feature of Surak, father of the Vulcan people. (Or rather, Spock's image.) His philosophies of peace might be appreciated more in a more complex situation.
Spock Saves the Day: Spock engages in several fights, and fashions spears and a Vulcan boomerang. (Sadly never seen.)
Oops: Surak is pretty obviously headed for his doom, and Spock just lets him go. But then, it's only an image.
Developments: Kirk and Spock's distinct reactions to watching their childhood heroes come alive is quite interesting. While Kirk is totally sold on Lincoln, Spock knows he cannot meet the real Surak in this way. He greets him as an image, and doesn't seem concerned for his well-being. He also adheres to his Starfleet duties rather than obeying Vulcan philosophy, though he responds to its embodiment with due respect. Since the enemies are also unreal, it's acceptable to fight them. We might gather that Spock believes Vulcan principles alone are insufficient, and must combine with Federation ideals.