This Side of Paradise
The colonists on Omicron Ceti III, presumed dead, are found in perfect health. Before Kirk can figure out why, his officers abandon him for a world of tranquility.
A Spock love story! Definitely noteworthy, even though Kirk gets as much screen time and is inexplicably immune to the spores. Our repressed Vulcan readily accepts them, and it's both amusing and unnerving to see him swing from trees, find shapes in the clouds, and unabashedly smart-mouth Kirk. His scenes with Leila are tasteful and touching. Yet where everyone else finds belonging, Kirk finds only solitude. So why is he such a tough case? I would say it's simply his personality. Since he enjoys taking risks and playing games, he doesn't need a "release," but also has a deeply held belief in struggle and sacrifice. (But summed up as "I need my pain!" in The Final Frontier.) As captain, he has the strength of will to fight . . . paradise. Kirk and Spock's fight is not totally convincing, due to bad doubles and cheap props: cardboard walls, paper tubes, etc. The rematch in Amok Time is better. McCoy is not to be underestimated either, taking down Sandoval. His Southern drawl and mint julep are fine additions. Throw in some Styrofoam space orchids that spew confetti, mouthy mutineers ("It sure is, Mister!") and strings of bad clichés ("... scratch every inch of the way ...") and you've got true entertainment.
Spock Saves the Day: The Vulcan helps construct a subsonic transmitter.
Oops: Spock runs off with a beautiful colonist, abandons his captain and ship, mouths off to Jim, then pummels him.
Developments: Ah, love. One wonders exactly how the emotionless Vulcans handle such things, though all is revealed in Amok Time. For now, we learn that Spock does have some romantic feelings, and they are normally kept in check. The spores, like the disease in The Naked Time, remove his inhibitions. It's a good touch to have Spock in pain as he makes the transition. But once infected, he finds everything on this planet he's always wanted: wholeness, belonging, ease, and even a beautiful woman. Leila is direct in her desires, and Spock appreciates this. But Kirk knows his officers have not really found what they seek, only a temporary substitute. He knows nothing is truly gained without hardship, and Spock must realize this too, or he'd be a lot more upset in the end. But while the spores are gone, emotions are not; they're just subtly expressed. The Vulcan's hint of a smile when Leila asks his name says much.