Although officially listed as Episode 2, this was considered the pilot of the original series, as Episode 1 featured a different crew. This marked the first appearance of Sulu and Scotty, although both were in different colored shirts than they wore for the rest of the series. Sulu actually had a different job, as a department head. It was also Lt. Leslie's first appearance, though he only ended up doing a handful of others credited, which I'll mention, and plenty of others not credited. I won't worry about recurring extras, but this series had its share. Dr. Boyce is CMO instead of McCoy, and Kirk's Yeoman is Smith, not Rand. The plot concerns Kirk's best friend and navigator, Gary Mitchell, given god-like powers, and Kirk is forced to kill him. I can see why this episode, along with a few others, sold the series.
It is intense, personal drama. Kirk has to face the difficult decision of whether to kill Gary or not. My only real criticism is that Kirk actually fistfights the god Mitchell, and catches him by surprise at least twice. This despite the fact that Gary can read minds and has extraordinary powers. I was also sad that Lt. Kelso was killed so soon, as he seemed like an interesting character. And Alden and Boyce disappeared without a trace after this episode. Still, it was a good episode, for a pilot. I wish Spock were in his customary blue shirt, though.
RECURRING CHARACTERS:
James Doohan as Lt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
George Takei as Lt. Hikaru Sulu
Eddie Paskey as Mr. Leslie
NOTABLE GUEST STARS:
Gary Lockwood as Gary Mitchell
Paul Carr as Lt. Lee Kelso
Sally Kellerman as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner
Paul Fix as Dr. Mark Piper
Andrea Dromm as Yeoman Smith
Quote:
"Morals are for men, not gods." ~ Mitchell to Dehner
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