Whom Gods Destroy

3x14 Elaan of Troyius Let That Be Your Last Battlefield Star Trek: The Original SeriesSeason 3

 STORY BY

Lee Erwin & Jerry Sohl

 TELEPLAY BY

Lee Erwin

 DIRECTED BY

Herb Wallerstein

 AIRED ON

January 3, 1969

 RUNTIME

50 minutes

 STARRING

William Shatner	James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	Spock

 VIEWS

282

 LAST UPDATE

2024-09-22 21:28:22

 PAGE VERSION

Version 8

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 SUMMARY

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 STORY

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 BEHIND THE SCENES

• Title Origins: The title of the episode, "Whom Gods Destroy", is a reference to a famous quote attributed to the Greek playwright Euripides (though often misattributed): "Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad." This quote fits with the episode's theme of insanity and power, as the main antagonist, Garth of Izar, is a former Starfleet officer driven mad by his quest for power.
• Yvonne Craig as Marta: Yvonne Craig, who plays the character Marta, is most famously known for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s Batman TV series. Her role as Marta, a seductive yet deranged Orion slave woman, became memorable for her exotic dancing scene. Craig’s portrayal added a layer of wild unpredictability to the episode, and her dance sequence is often cited as one of the more flamboyant and unusual moments in Star Trek history. Interestingly, the makeup artists for Star Trek had issues with Marta’s green body paint, which tended to rub off on other actors and the set. This problem of paint transfer was not new for Star Trek—the makeup for Orion slave women (seen in other episodes) frequently caused similar challenges.
• Steve Ihnat as Garth of Izar: Steve Ihnat, who played Garth of Izar, gave a performance that was intense, theatrical, and slightly over the top, which reflected Garth’s mental instability. Ihnat's portrayal was praised by some fans for its complexity, as Garth is not simply an evil character but a tragic one, a brilliant former Starfleet captain who lost his sanity.
• Ihnat was well-known in Hollywood at the time for playing villainous roles. Unfortunately, Ihnat’s promising career was cut short when he passed away in 1972 at the age of 37, just a few years after filming this episode.
• Script Changes and Tight Budget: "Whom Gods Destroy" was written by Lee Erwin, but the script went through several revisions, and changes were made to accommodate the shrinking budget that Star Trek faced during its third season. The third season of Star Trek is often criticized for its lower production quality, which was a result of slashed budgets and less studio support. Some plot elements in early drafts of the script were either changed or scaled down. For example, the original script called for Garth’s ability to shapeshift to be explored in more depth, but the limited budget prevented more elaborate special effects or scenes.
• Reused Costumes: The green dress worn by Marta (Yvonne Craig) was actually a repurposed costume from a previous Star Trek episode, "The Cage" (the first pilot episode, later incorporated into "The Menagerie"). The original costume had been worn by Vina, who also appeared as an Orion woman in "The Cage". This type of costume reuse was common in the third season due to budget constraints.
• 6. Nimoy’s Frustration
• Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock, was reportedly frustrated with the declining quality of scripts in the third season, and "Whom Gods Destroy" was one of the episodes he expressed dissatisfaction with. He felt the show was not maintaining the same level of intellectual and philosophical depth that it had in earlier seasons. Nimoy's concerns were shared by other cast members, as many felt that the third season lacked the innovative storytelling and production quality that had defined the first two seasons of Star Trek.
• One of the Last Episodes with the Classic Triad: "Whom Gods Destroy" is one of the last episodes to heavily feature the "classic triad" of Captain Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. In this episode, Kirk and Spock work together in a high-stakes situation to thwart Garth’s plans, with McCoy assisting from the Enterprise. The camaraderie and interaction between these three characters had been one of the hallmarks of the series, and this episode provides some final moments of that dynamic.
• Cultural and Historical Context of Mental Illness: The depiction of a psychiatric asylum in "Whom Gods Destroy", while fictional, reflected some of the attitudes towards mental illness prevalent in the 1960s. The Federation's use of the advanced treatment known as the "Federation Neural Neutralizer" was an idealistic view of how science could eventually cure madness. This reflects Star Trek’s optimistic vision of a future where medical science had advanced to the point of curing conditions that were, at the time, not well understood. At the same time, Garth's character arc raises questions about how mental illness, once cured, doesn't necessarily erase the damage done by the illness itself—Garth, despite being cured, still bears the psychological scars of his actions.
• William Shatner and Steve Ihnat Friendship: William Shatner and Steve Ihnat, who portrayed Garth of Izar, were reportedly friends off-screen. Shatner spoke highly of Ihnat’s professionalism and his performance in "Whom Gods Destroy". Their off-screen friendship added to the on-screen tension and dynamic between Kirk and Garth, elevating the emotional stakes of their conflict.
• Fan Reception and Legacy: Despite the budgetary limitations and the fact that the third season is often seen as weaker compared to the first two, "Whom Gods Destroy" has gained a cult following among Star Trek fans. Garth of Izar, in particular, has become a character of interest within Star Trek lore. Fans have speculated about his past as a decorated Starfleet officer, leading to his prominence in various extended Star Trek media, including novels and fan discussions. The episode also contributes to the Star Trek theme of redemption and personal transformation, as Garth, by the end, is shown as someone who was once a hero but became lost due to his madness. This tragic fall from grace made Garth one of the more memorable one-off villains in Star Trek.

 MYTHOLOGY

Kirk and Spock face off against Garth of Izar, a former Starfleet hero turned insane and dangerous.
The episode touches on the theme of the fall from grace and the effects of mental instability on leadership.
Explores the darker side of Starfleet’s history and the challenges of mental illness in a futuristic society.

 QUOTES

Kirk: Captain's Log, stardate 5718.3. The Enterprise is orbiting Elba Two, a planet with a poisonous atmosphere where the Federation maintains an asylum for the few remaining incorrigible criminally insane of the galaxy. We are bringing a revolutionary new medicine to them, a medicine with which the Federation hopes to eliminate mental illness for all time.

Marta: Why can't I blow off just one of his ears?

Kirk: They were humanitarians and statesmen, and they had a dream. A dream that became a reality and spread throughout the stars, a dream that made Mr. Spock and me brothers.
Garth: Mr. Spock, do you consider Captain Kirk and yourself brothers?
Spock: Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it.

Spock: At any rate, you must be aware of the fact that you are attempting to recreate the disaster which resulted in your becoming an inmate in this place.

Scott: Queen to queen's level three. Repeat. Queen to queen's level three.
Spock: He's waiting for the proper reply, Captain.
Scott: Give the countersign as ordered.
Kirk: Scotty, Mr. Spock will give the countersign.
Spock: Give him the countersign, Captain.

Spock: Captain Kirk, I presume.
Kirk: Mr. Spock.

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 REVIEWS

An amazing start! A boring follow-up

Written by Pike on 2020-05-16
★ ★

OUTSTANDING TEASER
The episode started in the perfect way! A strange and dark planet with a prison for psychos. I simply loved it. It was very well executed, even with low budget.

BUT...
Unfortunately, while the first minutes are great, the rest of the episode is quite bad and losing momentum very quickly. Once again, a missed opportunity.

REPETITION
Also, the episode does exactly the same as its predecessor, by putting a female in the arms of Kirk, only to have that woman trying to stab him.

SPOILER
Spoiler alert, REVEAL THE SPOILER!, imagine how great this would have be in a great episode. Unfortunate, really.

And the fact that we are not allowed to get scenes outside "because of budget constraints" doesn't help.

Finally, both the green lady and the so-called emperor characters were really uninteresting.

I'M THE REAL KIRK!
Still a classic scene of "I'm the real Kirk!" Which might not be that classic at the time. Since then, it was overused in pretty much every sci-fi series.

BORING
And this sequence in the third season is so boring. I am dying. The episodes really shouldn't last for more than 45 minutes.

VERDICT
I give it 2 out of 5. Weak.

 TRANSCRIPT

Captain's Log, stardate 5718.3. The Enterprise is orbiting Elba Two, a planet with a poisonous atmosphere where the Federation maintains an asylum for the few remaining incorrigible criminally insane of the galaxy. We are bringing a revolutionary new medicine to them, a medicine with which the Federation hopes to eliminate mental illness for all time. I am transporting down with Mister Spock, and we're delivering the medicine to Doctor Donald Cory, the governor of the colony.
[Control room]

KIRK: Donald, good to see you.
SPOCK: Governor.
CORY: Gentlemen, you don't know what a treat this is for me. It's been too long since I've had company. The force field's back in place now. That means you two are trapped here, and I'm not accepting any excuses for your not dining with me.
KIRK: We'd be delighted.
SPOCK: Governor, you indicated one additional inmate since our last visit, making a total of fifteen. Is that correct?
CORY: It is. The rehabilitation programme isn't progressing too well, and I have my doubts about the effectiveness of this medicine too.
KIRK: Why, Donald, are you becoming a pessimist?
CORY: I'm afraid I have.
SPOCK: A total of fifteen incurably insane out of billions is not what I would call an excessive figure. Who is the new inmate?
CORY: Garth. Garth of Izar, a former Starship fleet Captain.
(He calls up a picture on a monitor)
KIRK: When I was a cadet at the Academy, his exploits were required reading. He was one of my heroes. I'd like to see him.
CORY: Of course.

[Detention area]

(Cory leads them down a corridor, using a hand device to deactivate and reactivate forcefields rather than locking and unlocking doors.)
MARTA: (an Orion woman) Captain! You're making a mistake.
CORY: Captain Kirk is pressed for time at the moment, Marta.
MARTA: There's nothing the matter with me! Can't you see just by looking at me? Can't you tell just by listening?
SPOCK: She sounds rational enough, Captain.
MARTA: I am rational.
KIRK: What is it you want to tell me?
MARTA: I can't tell you in front of him.
KIRK: You're afraid to talk in front of Governor Cory?
MARTA: He isn't really Governor Cory at all, that's just it.
CORY: She's been saying that for days now. Our medical staff can't figure out why.
(They pass an Andorian and a Tellarite)
CORY: Here's Garth. He's been unusually disturbed, and we've had to impose additional restraint.
(The occupant of the cell is suspended in mid-air, and looks exactly like their host!)
KIRK: Cory?
CORY: (in cell) Yes, Jim, I'm Cory. It's true. He tricked you.
(The Cory with Kirk and Spock changes into Garth. He unlocks the other cells and the occupants come out.)
GARTH: You said you wanted to see me, Captain. Well, here I am.
(during the opening titles, Kirk has been put in the cell with Cory, and Spock is dragged away by the Andorian and Tellarite, apparently unconscious.)
GARTH: Your Vulcan friend is still alive, Captain. My phaser was set to stun, not to kill. He'll be quite comfortable. Almost as comfortable as you and our esteemed governor.
KIRK: Garth, do you have to make him suffer like that?
GARTH: You will address me by my proper title, Kirk.
KIRK: I'm sorry. I should've said Captain Garth.
GARTH: I am Lord Garth, formerly of Izar, and I lead the future masters of the universe.
KIRK: I'm sorry, Lord Garth.
GARTH: You Earth people are a stiff necked lot, aren't you?
KIRK: Release him.
GARTH: I'm afraid that subjugating you won't be enough. You must be confined. And all the people of the galaxy who will not bow to my will must be confined or destroyed.
CORY: Captain Garth, listen to me.
GARTH: Oh ho! Our beloved governor has decided to address us, and we have not given him our permission to speak.
KIRK: Are you so afraid of him that you must keep him pinned?
GARTH: (releasing Cory) I'm afraid of no one. You're all powerless against me.
KIRK: Thank you. Now what have you done with the medicine?
GARTH: The medicine? You mean the poison. I destroyed it.
KIRK: Destroyed it? It was your only hope.
GARTH: Silence! The chatter of inferior weaklings wearies me, and it's time I took command of the Enterprise. You'll help me, of course.
KIRK: Of course.
GARTH: My crew mutinied. The first use I will make of the Enterprise is to hunt them down and punish them for that.
KIRK: The crew of the Enterprise will also mutiny.
GARTH: But they won't. You see, Captain, there's a helpful technique I've mastered.
(And Garth changes into Kirk.)
MARTA: Good bye, darling. I'll miss you.
(Garth-Kirk and Marta leave)
KIRK: Governor Cory, how do you feel?
CORY: All right. There is no help for any of us if that madman is in command of the Enterprise. He boasts that he's created the most powerful explosive in the universe, and I believe him.
KIRK: How does he manage to change form at will?
CORY: The people of Antos taught him the techniques of cellular metamorphosis to restore the destroyed parts of his body. By himself, he later learned to use the technique to recreate himself into any form he wished. The first time we knew about it was when a guard, seeing what he thought was me in Garth's cell, released him.
KIRK: He was such a genius. What a waste.

[Control room]

(Kirk is really Garth, remember. The Andorian and Tellarite are with him.)
KIRK: Force field is on. Good. Remain here out of sight until I give the order to join me. Kirk to Enterprise.

[Bridge]

SCOTT: Scott here, sir.
KIRK [on viewscreen]: Beam me aboard.
SCOTT: Aye, sir. Queen to queen's level three.
KIRK [on viewscreen]: I said beam me aboard.
SCOTT: I said, queen to queen's level three.
KIRK [on viewscreen]: We have no time for chess problems. Beam me aboard!
SCOTT: I'm following your orders, Captain. Queen to queen's level three.
KIRK [on viewscreen]: Just testing. Be in touch with you later.

[Control room]

KIRK: (throws a tantrum) No! No! No! (ends up thumping the floor until he changes beck to Garth.

[Bridge]

SCOTT: I gave him the sign. Why didn't he give me the countersign?
MCCOY: Something's wrong.
SCOTT: Using the chess problem was the Captain's own suggestion. He couldn't have forgotten it, and I can't believe he was testing me. Lieutenant, re establish communication.
UHURA: Aye, sir. There's no response, Mister Scott.
SCOTT: Send an armed detail to the transporter room immediately.
UHURA: Aye, aye, sir.
SCOTT: Mister Sulu, what do your sensors show?
SULU: We can't beam anybody down, sir. The force field on the planet is in full operation, and all forms of transport into the asylum dome are blocked off.
SCOTT: We could blast our way through the field, but only at the risk of destroying the Captain, Mister Spock and any other living thing on Elba Two.
MCCOY: How can we be powerful enough to wipe out a planet and still be so helpless?

[Control room]

GARTH: We are going to take the Enterprise, do you hear me? We are going to take her if I have to shatter every bone in Captain Kirk's body.

[Detention area]

GARTH: Captain? Captain Kirk? Well, I hope you haven't been too uncomfortable, Captain.
KIRK: Thank you for your concern. All in all, it's been rather restful.
GARTH: Good. Still, I've been quite remiss in my duties as your host. I did invite you down to dinner, as you may recall.
KIRK: I'd forgotten.
GARTH: But I haven't. You and Mister Spock are to be my guests.
KIRK: Where is Mister Spock?
GARTH: Right here. Marta!
(Spock enters with Marta, the Andorian and the Tellarite)
MARTA: Why can't I blow off just one of his ears?
GARTH: Stop that, Marta. Mister Spock will think we're lacking in hospitality. Won't you join us, Captain?
(He lets Kirk out of the cell)
KIRK: How are you, Mister Spock?
SPOCK: Very well indeed, thank you, Captain.
KIRK: Isn't Governor Cory joining us?
GARTH: No, the governor doesn't seem to be on the guest list.
KIRK: An oversight?
GARTH: An intentional one. The governor's fasting.
KIRK: In that case, we must decline with thanks.
GARTH: (draws a weapon) Captain.
CORY: Don't be a fool, Jim. Go along with him.
GARTH: Good advice, Governor. Well, Captain? You'll find we set a handsome table, and the entertainment is most enjoyable.
KIRK: You're very persuasive.
GARTH: Yes, I am. I certainly am.

[Dining room]

(Other inmates are also there. The current entertainment is the Andorian and Tellarite playing 'wheelbarrow'. When they've finished, Marta goes over to Kirk and starts fondling him.)
GARTH: Keep your hands off Kirk! You treacherous thing!
MARTA: You're jealous!
GARTH: I am above that sort of thing. The Captain is annoyed by your attentions, that's all.
MARTA: Am I annoying you, dearest?
KIRK: Not really.
MARTA: He finds me fascinating and you're bothered by it. Admit it.
GARTH: I may have you beaten to death.
MARTA: No, you won't, because I am the most beautiful woman on this planet.
GARTH: You're the only woman on this planet, you stupid cow.
MARTA: Well, I'm the most beautiful woman in this galaxy!
GARTH: You're repulsive!
MARTA: I'm beautiful! And I'm intelligent too. I write poetry, and I paint marvellous pictures. And I am a wonderful dancer.
GARTH: Lies! All lies! You are the greatest liar I have ever met! Let me hear one poem you've written.
MARTA: If you like.
SPOCK: (muttering) If you could create a diversion, I might be able to find the control room and open the force field.
KIRK: All we need is a few seconds, if Scotty has alerted the security detail.
GARTH: Gentlemen, courtesy for the performer.
MARTA: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and summer's lease hath all too soon
GARTH: You wrote that?
MARTA: Yesterday, as a matter of fact.
GARTH: It was written by an Earth man named Shakespeare a long time ago!
MARTA: Which does not alter the fact that I wrote it again yesterday! I think it's one of my best poems, don't you?
GARTH: I may kill you with my bare hands! (Marta runs to the other men) Actually, Captain, she is a superb dancer. Marta, my dear, won't you dance for our guests? That was not a request.
(Marta starts one of those sinuous Orion dances, although not as good as Vina.)
GARTH: Marvellous, isn't she, Captain?
KIRK: Yes, er, incredible.
GARTH: What is your reaction, Mister Spock?
SPOCK: I find it mildly interesting and somewhat nostalgic, if I understand the use of that word.
GARTH: Nostalgic?
SPOCK: Yes. It is somewhat reminiscent of the dances that Vulcan children do in nursery school. Of course, the children are not so well co-ordinated.
(Marta's dance brings her up close and personal with both Garth and Kirk.)
GARTH: She's yours if you wish, Captain.
KIRK: Oh, er, thank you. That's, er, very magnanimous of you.
GARTH: You'll find that I am magnanimous to my friends and merciless to my enemies, and I want you, both of you, to be my friends.
SPOCK: On what, precisely, is our friendship to be based?
GARTH: Upon the firmest of foundations, Mister Spock. Enlightened self interest. You, Captain, are second only to me as the finest military commander in the galaxy.
KIRK: That's very flattering. I am primarily an explorer now, Captain Garth.
GARTH: And so have I been. I have charted more new worlds than any man in history.
KIRK: And tried to destroy Antos Four.
SPOCK: Why?
GARTH: Well, I could say because they were actively hostile to the Federation.
KIRK: Yes, you could say, but that would be untrue.
GARTH: Agreed. Actually they were quite harmless, and they made me whole when I was maimed and dying. And in my gratitude, I offered them the galaxy. They rejected me, and I condemned them to death.
SPOCK: How could you, a Starship fleet Captain, believe that a Federation crew would blindly obey your order to destroy the entire Antos race, a people famous for their benevolence and peaceful pursuits?
GARTH: That was my only miscalculation. I had changed. I had risen above this decadent weakness which still has you in its command, by the way, Captain. My crew had not. I couldn't sway them, but my new crew, the men in this room, will obey my orders without question. Gentlemen, you have eyes but you cannot see. Galaxies surround us, limitless vistas. And yet the Federation would have us grub away like some ants on some somewhat larger than usual anthill. But I am not an insect. I am master of the universe, and I must claim my domain.
KIRK: I agree there was a time when war was necessary, and you were our greatest warrior. I studied your victory at Axanar when I was a cadet. In fact it's still required reading at the Academy.
GARTH: As well it should be.
KIRK: Very well. But my first visit to Axanar was as a new fledged cadet on a peace mission.
GARTH: Peace mission! Politicians and weaklings!
KIRK: They were humanitarians and statesmen, and they had a dream. A dream that became a reality and spread throughout the stars, a dream that made Mister Spock and me brothers.
GARTH: Mister Spock, do you consider Captain Kirk and yourself brothers?
SPOCK: Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it.
GARTH: Blind! Truly blind! Captain Kirk is your commanding officer and you are his subordinate. That is all. Yet, Mister Spock, you are a worthy commander in your own right, and in my fleet, you will surely have a Starship to command.
SPOCK: Please forgive me, but exactly where is your fleet?
GARTH: Out there waiting for me. They will flock to my cause, and for good reason. Limitless power, limitless wealth, and solar systems ruled by the elite. We, gentlemen, are that elite, and we must take what is rightfully ours from the decadent weaklings that now hold it.
SPOCK: Captain Garth
GARTH: Lord Garth!
SPOCK: As you wish. At any rate, you must be aware of the fact that you are attempting to recreate the disaster which resulted in your becoming an inmate in this place.
GARTH: I was betrayed and treated barbarically.
SPOCK: On the contrary. You were treated with justice, and with compassion which you failed to show towards any of your intended victims. Logically, therefore, one must assume
GARTH: Remove this animal!
(Spock is hauled away, and Garth draws his phaser as Kirk stands. Then he becomes friendly again.)
GARTH: Try some of this wine, Captain. It has a robust, full bodied flavour which you'll find diverting.
KIRK: No thank you. I prefer to join Mister Spock.
GARTH: And I prefer that you remain here. Marta, my dear. We found your little divertissement enchanting, didn't we, Captain? But there's more to come. The entertainment has merely begun. By the way, I assume you play chess.
KIRK: Occasionally.
GARTH: So do I. How would you respond to queen to queen's level three?
KIRK: I'm sure you're aware that there are an infinite number of countermoves.
GARTH: I'm interested in only one.
KIRK: I can't for the life of me imagine which one.
GARTH: For the life of me is a phrase well chosen. It could literally come to that.
KIRK: Dead I am of no use to you.
GARTH: But I can make you long for death, beg for death.
MARTA: In the midnight of November, when the dead man's fare is nigh, and the danger in the valley, and the anger in the sky. I wrote that this morning. Do you like it?
( A slight paraphrasing of AE Housman, actually.)
KIRK: Yes, I think it's very good.
MARTA: Tell him what he wants to know and we'll go away together.
KIRK: I can't.
MARTA: But you must. I beg of you.
GARTH: Oh, don't beg, Marta! It's degrading. Queen to queen's level three, Captain. You'll talk freely and quite soon.
(A chunky chair is wheeled into the room.)
What you see before you, Captain, is my latest invention. Quite ordinary in appearance, almost primitive, wouldn't you say?
KIRK: Yes, I recognise it. It's used for rehabilitation purposes.
CORY: It helped many men back to health.
GARTH: Appearances can be deceiving. Once it was a part of the rehabilitation process, and as such, quite painless. And I might add useless too. It made men docile and of no use to me. I've added certain refinements to the use of ultrasonic waves. The chair is no longer painless. Put the governor in it. Queen to queen's level three, Captain Kirk? It is, in fact, exquisitely painful, as you will now see.
(The lights either side of Cory's head, swirl, and he begins to pant and groan.)
GARTH: Interesting, isn't it? The pain is real and can be prolonged indefinitely, because there is no actual destruction of tissue.
KIRK: Stop it!
(Garth turns it off.)
GARTH: Of course, Captain. You have but to ask. Now, as you can see, he has not been harmed physically, yet the memory of the exquisite torment remains. Queen to queen's level three, Captain.
KIRK: No.
GARTH: Too bad. Remove our distinguished governor. Put Captain Kirk in the chair.
(Kirk tries to make a break for it, but fails.)
MARTA: No, you mustn't do that!
GARTH: You really are becoming offensive to me, my dear. Don't make it necessary for me to put you in it. Queen to queen's level three, Captain Kirk.
MARTA: Please, stop it!
GARTH: You want him, don't you?
MARTA: Yes.
GARTH: Badly enough to join him?
MARTA: Listen to me, my Lord Garth. I can get him to tell me what you want to know.
GARTH: It might be interesting to have you try.

[Bridge]

SCOTT: No breakthrough?
UHURA: No, Mister Scott. Still no response from the planet.
SCOTT: Sensor readings?
SULU: The force field is weakest on the far side of the planet. We can send down a shuttlecraft carrying a team in environmental suits.
MCCOY: It won't work, Scotty. They'd have to cover thousands of miles through poisonous atmosphere before they'd ever reach the asylum.
SCOTT: Aye, you're right. Even if they made it, they couldn't carry anything powerful enough to break through the asylum dome. Only the ship herself could do that.
MCCOY: Probably kill Jim and Spock.
SCOT: Doctor, they may already be dead.

[Room]

In an orange room, Marta gently gives the waking Kirk a drink of water.)
MARTA: Slowly, darling, slowly. Rest.
KIRK: Is this more of Garth's persuasion, Marta?
MARTA: I told him I'd discover your secret. I lied. I would have told him anything to save you from that torment.
KIRK: I believe you mean that.
MARTA: I do. (kisses him) This is where I've longed to be. I think I knew I loved you from the moment I first saw you.
KIRK: Marta. Marta, I can help you, but I must get to the Enterprise to do that.
MARTA: That's not possible.
KIRK: Yes, it is. It is if I can get to the control room and remove the force field, then Garth is finished.
MARTA: Garth is my leader.
KIRK: He will lead you to destruction. He's already destroyed the medicine that could have helped you. But there's more medicine aboard the ship.
MARTA: I'll help you, but you must wait. You do see that, don't you? Soon your friend Spock will be here and then
KIRK: Spock?
MARTA: At least I've arranged that much.
KIRK: How did you manage that?
MARTA: A convincing lie told to a guard who finds me desirable. Darling.
(She kisses him again, then reaches under the pillow for a dagger. Kirk disarms her, she crawls after the blade and Spock arrives.)
MARTA: No, you mustn't stop me. He's my lover and I have to kill him.
(Spock neck-pinches her.)
SPOCK: She seems to have worked out an infallible method for assuring permanent male fidelity. Interesting.
KIRK: I'm very glad to see you.
SPOCK: Thank you, Captain. (draws a phaser) We're now armed. I presume we shall try to reach the control room.
KIRK: Yes, you presume correctly.

(They head along the corridor, until they see a Tellarite standing guard. Spock stuns him. Kirk takes his weapon and they head into the control room.)

[Control room]

SPOCK: Force field is now off, Captain.
KIRK: Kirk to Enterprise.

[Bridge]

KIRK [OC]: Kirk to Enterprise.
UHURA: Mister Scott, it's the captain.
SCOTT: Scott here, Captain.

[Control room]

SCOTT [OC]: You had us worried.
KIRK: Mister Scott, I want a fully armed security detail beamed down here on the double.

[Bridge]

SCOTT: They're already in the transporter room, sir.

[Control room]

KIRK: And have Doctor McCoy prepare additional medicine as quickly as possible.
SCOTT [OC]: Aye, aye, sir.
SPOCK: Captain, I suggest you return to the ship at once. Your safety is vital to the Enterprise.
SCOTT [OC]: Waiting for your order, Captain.
SPOCK: I also request permission to remain here in charge of the security team when they beam down.
KIRK: Very well, Spock.
SCOTT [OC]: Still waiting, Captain.
SPOCK: Mister Scott, the Captain's life is in immediate danger. Beam him aboard at once. The security team will be entrusted to me.
SCOTT [OC]: Queen to queen's level three. Repeat. Queen to queen's level three.
SPOCK: He's waiting for the proper reply, Captain.
SCOTT [OC]: Give the countersign as ordered.
KIRK: Scotty, Mister Spock will give the countersign.
SPOCK: Give him the countersign, Captain.
SCOTT [OC]: Security detail, standby to beam down.
(Spock reactivates the forcefield and turns into Garth.)
GARTH: Blast away, Captain, if you can. Do you think I'm fool enough to give you a charged phaser?
KIRK: What have you done with Spock? Where is he?
GARTH: I have done nothing with him as of yet, but I do have plans for him. The Vulcan will die rather horribly, and his death will be on your conscience.
KIRK: Captain Garth
GARTH: Lord Garth!
KIRK: No, sir. Captain Garth, Starship fleet Captain. That's an honourable title.
GARTH: And I was the greatest of them all, wasn't I?
KIRK: Yes, you were. Yes. But you're a sick man now, sir.
GARTH: I have never been more healthy.
KIRK: No. No, think. Think back to what you were before the accident that sent you to Antos Four. Try.
GARTH: I can't remember. It's almost as if I had died and was reborn.
KIRK: No, I, I can remember. You were the finest student at the Academy, the finest Starship Captain. You were the prototype, the model for the rest of us.
GARTH: Yes, I do remember that. It was a great responsibility, but one I was proud to bear.
KIRK: And you bore it well. And the disease that changed you, it's not your fault. And the terrible things you did since then, not truly responsible.
GARTH: I don't want to hear any more. You're weak, you're trying to drain my strength.
KIRK: No, I'm not. I want you to find what you once had. I want you to go back to the greatness that you've lost, Captain Garth.
GARTH: I am Lord Garth! Master of the universe! You doubt me only because I have not as yet had my coronation.
KIRK: No, sir, listen to me. I
GARTH: Stop! On your knees.
KIRK: No.
GARTH: On your knees before me! All the others before me have failed. Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler, Lee Kuan, Krotus! All of them are dust! But I will triumph! I will make the ultimate conquest!
(Kirk reaches for the forcefield control and gets stunned for his efforts.)

[Dining room]

(The tables are being rearranged.)
GARTH: The throne must be higher. It must be higher than anything else in this room. Use that table as a pedestal. Ah, welcome back, Captain Kirk. I'm glad you could make it for the coronation.
KIRK: Coronation?
GARTH: Yes. Oh, I know that even a real throne is no more than merely a chair, but the symbolism is important, don't you agree?
KIRK: Yes, I agree. You'll wear a crown too, I presume?
GARTH: But again, just as a token. Not impressive in itself, but it will serve as a standard around which our followers will rally.
KIRK: Garth, you have only a handful of men.
GARTH: You do refuse to enter into the spirit of the thing, don't you, Captain? Perhaps you'd like a larger role in the ceremony. You could serve as human sacrifice, for example.
KIRK: No, I wouldn't enjoy that at all. Besides, you seem to need me alive.
GARTH: How true. All right, how about crown prince? That would make you our heir apparent. Heir apparent, I believe, is the proper role for you. Besides, we have other candidates for our human sacrifice. Who knows? Ready.
(Garth goes out and comes in again with Marta on his arm. She carries a crown on a pillow. They walk between two lines of inmates, who kneel.
GARTH: Well, since there is no one mighty enough to perform this ceremony, we'll perform it ourselves. Therefore, we hereby proclaim that I am Lord Garth, master of the universe. And we designate our beloved Marta to be our consort. And we further designate Captain James Kirk of the Starship Enterprise to be our heir apparent.
(Garth walks up and down, then climbs up onto the table and sits on the chair.)
GARTH: Now remove our heir apparent that we may conclude this ceremony.
(Kirk is led out into the corridor by the Andorian and the Tellarite.)

[Control room]

KIRK: Listen to me. This may be our last chance. Garth will destroy all of us unless you help me stop him. And he's using you, you know that, because he wants the power for himself. I brought something that might have cured you, but he destroyed it. If I can get a patrol down, they'd bring more of that medicine and
(Kirk tries to switch off the forcefield and gets hits for his effort. Garth enters.)
GARTH: Well done. Well, Captain, you continue to resist. How stupid of you. Put him in that chair right here. I've arranged a small entertainment. I wouldn't want him to miss any of it. Well, Captain, even you must admit that I'm a genius. What you see here is my latest invention. This is an explosive, the most powerful one in history. If I were to drop this flask, the resulting explosion would vaporise this planet. Now do you see why it is ridiculous to resist me? Well, perhaps you require the demonstration I've arranged. Watch closely.
(Shutters open to show the planet surface on a screen.)
GARTH: Now, it is true that she is deadly as a poisonous serpent, but she is also a beautiful woman, and you have held her in your arms, Captain. I've ordered my men to drive her out of the protective dome. And, of course, she would choke to death on the outside in minutes.
(On the screen, Marta is struggling against two figures in environment suits.)
GARTH: But I've arranged a more merciful end for her because after all, Captain, she is my consort. One tiny crystal implanted in her necklace, a portion of this explosive no bigger than a grain of sand. I propose to detonate it from here.
(Marta is left alone, choking.)
GARTH: Poor girl. Poor, dear, suffering child. I will help her now.
(Boom!)

[Bridge]

SULU: There's been an explosion on Elba Two!
SCOTT: Point nine five!
MCCOY: It must've wiped out everything.
SCOTT: Immediate probe. Is the force field in place, Mister Sulu?
SULU: Yes, sir. Solidly.
UHURA: (at Spock's station) Life continues to exist on the planet.
MCCOY: Got to break through it somehow.
SCOTT: Doctor, I told you we couldn't do it without killing everyone in the asylum dome.
MCCOY: I know it, Scotty.
SCOTT: Well, there's one last thing we might try. Perhaps the ship's phasers can cut through a section of the force field at its weakest point. Where did you say that was located, Mister Sulu?
SULU: On the far side of the planet, Mister Scott.
MCCOY: Will it leave a margin of safety for the people below?
SULU: Yes, sir.
SCOTT: Prepare to change orbital path, Mister Sulu.
SULU: Orbital co-ordinates released, sir.
SCOTT: Break synchronous orbit. Come to course one four mark six eight.
(after a few moments)
SULU: Course one four mark six eight. Synchronous orbit re-established, sir.
SCOTT: Ship's phasers to narrow beam.
SULU: Ship's phasers ready, sir.
SCOTT: Let's punch a hole in it. Full power. Another blast, full power.
SULU: Force field still holding, sir.

[Control room]

GARTH: Here.
(Throws the flask of explosive to the Andorian, then snatches it back.)
GARTH: How are your nerves, Kirk?
KIRK: All I can say, Garth, if it happens to me, it happens to you.
GARTH: You're an extraordinary fellow, Kirk. Your stubbornness defies all logic. Logic, that is the key. Your friend Spock is a logical man. A very logical man. Go and bring the Vulcan here to me.
(Spock is in a detention cell, calmly testing the forcefield in the doorway. When the Andorian and Tellarite arrive, he is lying on the floor. They have to pick him up and carry him between them. Once in the corridor, he neck-pinches the pair of them, takes a phaser and heads off on his own.)
GARTH: Spock is not only a more logical man than you, Captain, but a more intelligent one, I'm sure. I shall establish a rapport with him.
(An alarm alerts him to the approach of the Vulcan.)
GARTH: Fascinating. Your Vulcan friend is a very ingenious fellow. This could be most amusing.
(When the control room doors open for Spock, two Captain Kirks are standing in the room.)
KIRK 1: (to Spock's left) That's Garth, stun him.
KIRK 2: (to Spock's right) Hold it, Spock. That's Garth.
(Spock enters the room)
KIRK 1: Look at me carefully, Spock. Can't you tell I'm your Captain?
SPOCK: Queen to queen's level three.
KIRK 2: I won't answer that. That's exactly what he wants to know.
KIRK 1: Very clever, Garth. That's exactly what I was going to say.
KIRK 2: What are you doing?
SPOCK: Arranging to beam down a security team. Are there any objections?
KIRK 1: Yes. They may walk into a trap.
KIRK 2: That's right. Garth can destroy us.
SPOCK: Fascinating. What maneuver did we use to defeat the Romulan vessel near Tau Ceti?
KIRK 1: Very good, Spock. The Cochrane deceleration.
KIRK 2: Spock, you know the Cochrane deceleration's a classic battle maneuver. Every Starship Captain knows that.
SPOCK: Agreed, Captain. Captains. Gentlemen, whichever one of you is Captain Garth must at this moment be expending a great deal of energy to maintain the image of Captain Kirk. That energy level cannot be maintained indefinitely, and I have time.
(Spock pulls a chair towards him to sit down, and Kirk 2 attacks him. Then the two Kirk's wrestle each other. Finally one is holding the chair over the other's head, ready to smash it down on his helpless victim.)
KIRK: (with chair) I'm your Captain, Spock! Can't you tell? Shoot! Shoot!
KIRK: (on floor) He's right, Spock. You must shoot, but shoot both of us. It's the only way to ensure the safety of the Enterprise.
(Spock shoots the aggressive Kirk with the chair, who then turns back into Garth. Spock switches off the force field.)
SPOCK: Captain Kirk, I presume.
KIRK: Mister Spock.
SPOCK: Spock to Enterprise.
SCOTT: Enterprise here. Queen to queen's level three.
SPOCK: Queen to king's level one.

[Treatment room]

(The inmates are getting their jabs.)
CORY: Will intramuscular injection be satisfactory?
MCCOY: Intravenous is indicated unless circumstances make it impossible.
CORY: How long before it takes effect, Doctor McCoy?
MCCOY: Reversal of arterial and brain damage should begin almost immediately.
(Garth is having a treatment in the chair.)
KIRK: Captain Garth, I'm James Kirk.
SPOCK: I am Mister Spock, science officer on a Starship.
KIRK: The starship Enterprise.
GARTH: Starship. Starship.
KIRK: Yes, sir, the Enterprise. I'm the captain. (Kirk and Garth shake hands) Can I help?
CORY: No, Captain. The medicine seems to be taking effect. I can manage. It's very encouraging.
GARTH: Should I know you, sir?
KIRK: No, Captain. No.
KIRK: Mister Spock.
SPOCK: Yes, Captain.
KIRK: Tell me something. Why was it so impossible to tell the difference between us?
SPOCK: It was not impossible, Captain. Our presence here is proof of that.
KIRK: Yes, and congratulations. What took you so long?
SPOCK: The interval of uncertainty was actually fairly brief, Captain. It only seemed long to you. I was waiting for a victor in the hand to hand struggle, which I assumed would be Captain Garth. Because of your depleted condition. Failing a resolution to the struggle, I was forced to use other means to make my determination.
KIRK: I see. Mister Spock. Letting yourself be hit on the head, and I presume you let yourself be hit on the head, is not exactly a method King Solomon would have approved. Mister Scott, ready to beam up.
SCOTT [OC]: Aye, aye, sir.

 HISTORY

2024-09-22 22:03:46 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-22 22:00:59 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-22 21:48:45 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-22 21:48:08 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-22 21:46:15 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-22 21:32:11 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-22 21:31:37 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-22 21:28:22 - Pike: Added some actors.
2024-09-22 21:27:53 - Pike: Added some trivia.
2024-09-22 21:23:11 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-22 21:14:30 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-22 21:10:26 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-21 19:33:06 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-19 17:21:07 - Pike: Added the writers.
2024-09-17 21:53:09 - Pike: Added the director.
2024-09-14 18:13:51 - Pike: Added a banner.
2024-09-14 15:36:16 - Pike: Added the air date.