Operation -- Annihilate!

If anyone doesn't see the similarities to RA Heinlein's Puppet Masters, well, I don't know what to say.

User commentator a_l_i_e_n from Canada does great job of summarizing plot of this episode.

Of interest to me is his comment "The futuristic architecture of the Denovan capital for example is a fine example of the show's use of outdoor locations. The art direction here is vivid, well constructed and definitely a cut above the usually unconvincing indoor sets they so often had to make due with."

In fact the location of this episode's set was the old TRW Defense and Space Systems Group campus in Redondo Beach, CA at Avaiation Blvd and Marine Ave (also adjacent, and just N. of old Redondo HS campus) where I used to work in the late 70s. It was called Space Park or Research Park (address was 1 Space Park, RB, CA) back then. The flight of concrete stairs they come down at beginning of episode was the path to the cafeteria/lecture presentation area. Rest of set (where creatures were stuck to walls and ceiling) was in a typical indoor waiting area in most any of the many architecturally stylish buildings on that campus.

Season 1, episode 29. The Enterprise is tracking a strange straight line pattern where all of the inhabitants of the planets in line are going crazy and dying - some are killing themselves. The next planet in line is Deneva, a Federation Outpost where Kirk's brother Sam is stationed. Kirk, Spock & McCoy beam down to the planet to investigate and to visit Sam and his family. What they find are strange flat flying creatures attacking people and everyone on the planet are either going crazy, dying or already dead. When they get to Sam's place they find Sam is dead, Sam's wife starting to go mad then suddenly dies and Sam's son in a comatose state and dying. Spock is attacked by one of the creatures. The 3 beam back aboard the ship with Kirk's comatose nephew. Kirk, Spock and McCoy race to find the answers and cures, in the process Spock is blinded.

I actually found this episode quite entertaining. The dialogue between Kirk, Spock and McCoy is really good. It shows just how great of a team the three of them are: different ideas, opinions but working together they create good theories and solutions.

8.5/10

When the Enterprise arrives at the planet Deneva they discover the population has been attacked by creatures with the ability to control humans using pain as a motivator.

There are a number of things to recommend about this episode which, in lesser hands, could easily have turned into just another dull exercise in sci-fi mediocrity. The futuristic architecture of the Denevan capital for one is a fine example of the show's use of outdoor locations. The striking design of the place (which is actually the old TRW Defense & Space Group Campus in Renondo Beach, CA. and thanks to Maverick-154 for that info) is vivid, well constructed and definitely a cut above the usually unconvincing indoor sets that producers so often had to make due with.

The alien invaders in the story (resembling some sort of pulsating tumors) are quite repellent, especially with the sound effects enhancement of insect buzzing and repulsive sucking noises. Certainly an unpleasant thing to have landing on you- which is exactly what happens to Mr. Spock here and the viewer feels real sympathy for him as he suffers with the pain of the alien infection. At the same time however we eye him with suspicion as he may just become another unwilling slave to the alien invaders and threaten the safety of the ship. Spock eventually calls upon all the Vulcan will he can muster to contain the alien influence, and here it becomes especially interesting to watch all the little indications of his inner struggle for control. His sporadic facial twitches, an especially stiff gate when he walks, and his fluctuating vocal tones all clearly indicate he's engaged in an internal war. Plus, with Spock being the type of character he is, you understand it's a struggle to maintain personal dignity as well as his self control.

Also worth noting is the inclusion in the story of Kirk's sister-in-law, nephew, Peter, and his brother, Sam, the only family members Kirk ever encountered during the 3 year run of the "Star Trek" series. Sam- or rather Sam's body as he's already dead when Kirk arrives on the scene- is also played by William Shatner wearing a little mustache.

One of the more compelling aspects of this story is the way the characters are faced with making difficult choices that will be costly for some but may accomplish the greater good for all, and this is very much a recurring "Star Trek" theme. Unable to find a method of destroying the alien presence on Deneva, Kirk must consider the cold blooded option of annihilating every living thing on the planet (including Spock and his own nephew) in order to keep the aliens from invading other worlds. When they hit upon a method by which they might destroy the creatures with intensely bright light, Spock volunteers to test that method knowing it may come at the cost of his eyesight. This story is not just about icky space creatures. It's also about moral conflict and brave sacrifice, and it's a most interesting episode all around with a terrific emotional payoff that's worth waiting for.

Parasitic flat fish will send you insane, once they've made it inside you're as good as slain, it's a fight to discover, a remedy to recover, from psychosis inducing such pain.

The population of the Deneva colony come under attack from a space borne parasite that subsequently kills all while putting its host under extreme physical and mental torture.