Written by: Samuel A. Peeples

Directed by: James Goldstone

Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Gary Lockwood, Sally Kellerman, George Takei, James Doohan, Paul Fix

The Enterprise encounters a mysterious energy barrier at the edge of the galaxy. After passing through it, two crew members begin developing extraordinary mental abilities.

It’s interesting watching this episode after learning that it’s actually the second pilot for Star Trek. There are quite a few differences from the episodes I’ve watched so far, and it really does feel like the show is starting over.

First, the uniforms are different and they look pretty itchy. The women are wearing pants rather than the familiar skirts, I imagine some producer made that change. Spock is also wearing a gold uniform instead of his familiar blue science officer shirt.

The crew itself is different, too. There’s no Uhura, no Dr. McCoy, and Sulu is barely visible in the background. We do get James Doohan as Scotty, making his first appearance as far as I know.

Paul Fix plays Dr. Mark Piper, the ship’s chief medical officer, and Sally Kellerman appears as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner. It’s a much more ensemble-driven episode, with considerable time spent with the doctors and Gary Mitchell rather than concentrating almost entirely on Kirk and Spock.

The episode also takes time to introduce Spock and explain his Vulcan background, emphasizing that he’s half human and half Vulcan and doesn’t experience emotions the way humans do. It’s another reminder that this was intended as a fresh introduction.

The story itself has a bit of a horror-movie feel. An old ship’s recorder, a mysterious energy barrier, and two crew members exposed to something nobody understands create an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Gary Mitchell, played by Gary Lockwood, becomes the central focus as his abilities begin to develop. Lockwood is particularly good here, gradually taking Mitchell from a charming and likable crewman to someone increasingly unsettling.

There are some interesting ideas running through the story, particularly around evolution and the notion of a superior human being. If someone develops abilities that put them far beyond ordinary people, does that make them better? And what happens when they begin to see themselves as something above everyone else? There’s almost an uncomfortable eugenics angle to the idea of certain people evolving beyond the rest of humanity.

It’s also difficult not to think about “Charlie X,” which explored some similar territory. Both episodes introduce characters with extraordinary powers and ask what happens when those abilities put them beyond the limits of ordinary human behavior. The difference is that Gary Mitchell is an adult whose changing abilities bring a different set of questions about superiority, ambition, and the future of humanity.

The episode does move a little slowly, particularly as it builds toward the inevitable confrontation. But I enjoyed the final showdown, which gives the story a satisfying payoff. Lockwood’s performance helps carry the episode, and there’s a personal element to the conflict that makes it more interesting than a simple battle between Kirk and a dangerous crew member.

As a second pilot, it’s fascinating to see how much of the familiar Star Trek is already here and how much is still taking shape. But watching these episodes out of order, some of the changes are a little off-putting when so much of what we associate with the series is already part of the cultural zeitgeist.

Star Trek Verdict: Engage!