The Trouble With Tribbles
The ship is called to space station K7 to guard grain for use on a developing planet. Klingons, administration, quarreling officers, and thousands of furry creatures threaten the assignment.
This episode is no doubt popular with fans not only because it's very funny, but because it's well constructed. The three plotlines are tightly and seamlessly interwoven, and there are no gaping holes. A rarity. Even if one considers many of the actual tribble gags and the endless innovations of Russia too cutesy, there's still plenty to enjoy: Kirk's exasperations, Chekov's extremely little joke, Spock and McCoy's bickering over the tribbles' merits, and the elaborate fistfight scene are all wonderful. Scotty's resistance to shore leave seems inconsistent with the previous episode, but I guess K7 does lack exotic dancers. Not much can be said of the tribbles themselves, save that the writer, David Gerrold, is an evil genius. The Squire of Gothos seems to have mutated into a Klingon, but still entertains, as do all the guest characters. Harry Mudd might have been a good tribble dealer, but he's stuck on an android planet. Funniest episode? Either this, Tomorrow is Yesterday, or A Piece of the Action, depending on one's taste. Everyone loves this one, though.
Spock Saves the Day: He helps McCoy to monitor the tribbles and estimates the rate of population expansion.
Oops: While he'd never admit his fondness for pets, Spock is certainly not going to convince anyone he's really immune to the tribbles' appeal.
Developments: A few good zingers from our witty Vulcan, but otherwise he follows established behavior patterns. It's a little eyebrow-raising that in both this and City on the Edge of Forever, always voted fan favorites, Spock is simply Kirk's buddy, the ever-loyal first officer, and not dynamic.