Spock behaves radically out of character, resulting in a jaunt to Vulcan.
This is a classic episode with brilliant character moments and a number of memorable scenes.
The story cleverly puts Kirk in a difficult command situation of a choice between a tick-box political mission or an important personal duty to Spock. It also gives a decent spin on sexual and emotional repression within cultures, arranged marriages and shows how primal nature breaks through social construction into outright violence, albeit in a somewhat controlled way.
There are a number of incredibly good dramatic exchanges between Spock and Enterprise crew members right from the start, especially Captain Kirk and Nurse Chapel. These scenes are loaded with tension and intrigue. What follows on Vulcan is another compelling dilemma for Kirk.
As the episode progresses it does some excellent world building within the franchise, particularly regarding Vulcan culture.
Amok Time has great visual storytelling that superbly presents what Spock is experiencing. Little touches like when he holds a blade behind his back during questioning, throws the Vulcan soup in anger and the general focus on his body language. The only minor let down in one otherwise great fight scene is the occasional visibility of the stuntmen. The classic Trek touch of giving Kirk a ripped shirt in battle is used to good effect. The soundtrack heightens the drama and now feels pretty iconic.
Importantly this episode firmly establishes the central trinity of Kirk, Spock and Bones who not only engage in some of the show's most memorable banter but they all make huge contributions to the story.
There is also some nice light hearted banter between Chekhov and Sulu.
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley are all excellent, particularly Nimoy who shows his range in a tortured performance. Majel Barrett is superb in her exchanges with Nimoy. All supporting characters, including the Vulcan characters contribute solidly.
Some aspects of the episode require some suspension of disbelief, but if you do not take certain plot points too seriously you should find it all thoroughly entertaining. For me it's a 9.5/10 but I like to round upwards.
This is a classic episode with brilliant character moments and a number of memorable scenes.
The story cleverly puts Kirk in a difficult command situation of a choice between a tick-box political mission or an important personal duty to Spock. It also gives a decent spin on sexual and emotional repression within cultures, arranged marriages and shows how primal nature breaks through social construction into outright violence, albeit in a somewhat controlled way.
There are a number of incredibly good dramatic exchanges between Spock and Enterprise crew members right from the start, especially Captain Kirk and Nurse Chapel. These scenes are loaded with tension and intrigue. What follows on Vulcan is another compelling dilemma for Kirk.
As the episode progresses it does some excellent world building within the franchise, particularly regarding Vulcan culture.
Amok Time has great visual storytelling that superbly presents what Spock is experiencing. Little touches like when he holds a blade behind his back during questioning, throws the Vulcan soup in anger and the general focus on his body language. The only minor let down in one otherwise great fight scene is the occasional visibility of the stuntmen. The classic Trek touch of giving Kirk a ripped shirt in battle is used to good effect. The soundtrack heightens the drama and now feels pretty iconic.
Importantly this episode firmly establishes the central trinity of Kirk, Spock and Bones who not only engage in some of the show's most memorable banter but they all make huge contributions to the story.
There is also some nice light hearted banter between Chekhov and Sulu.
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley are all excellent, particularly Nimoy who shows his range in a tortured performance. Majel Barrett is superb in her exchanges with Nimoy. All supporting characters, including the Vulcan characters contribute solidly.
Some aspects of the episode require some suspension of disbelief, but if you do not take certain plot points too seriously you should find it all thoroughly entertaining. For me it's a 9.5/10 but I like to round upwards.