Whom Gods Destroy

Garth of Izar was revealed as the villain who stabbed Captain Kirk in the fifty-fifth issue of DC Comics's original STAR TREK series. Yet in that issue, he is depicted as an old man with a wrinkled face and a bald head wearing a green leotard and does not resemble Steve Inhat at all - this was due to issues surrounding the use of Mr. Inhat's image in the comic; he had died fourteen years earlier, in 1971. Garth had passed himself off as Ensign Bloemker and then as Sean Finnegan, Kirk's old nemesis from his Academy days, in order to kill him, but he ended up failing miserably, due to Mr. Spock's interference. This last of the regular stories from that series was one of the best as well, yet it is sad that the artist could not use Steve Inhat's image when he drew the evil Garth of Izar for the comic.

I read some of the other criticism of this episode and some feel it was a rehash of a season one episode that I haven't reviewed yet. That may be so but this particular episode is a favorite of mine because of Steve Ihnat's broad and somewhat overacted performance. This is not criticism of Ihnat but his part of former Starship commander Garth is a role that calls for it. Actors love playing crazy people because they can chew the scenery like mad and overact to the max and no one will criticize because that's what the part calls for.

As Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock are about to embark on an away visit to a prison planet to deliver medical supplies, they suspect something isn't quite right. William Shatner arranges a code signal with James Doohan before he beams him and Leonard Nimoy back on board.

That proved to be a wise precaution because when the two beam down the prison and it's a prison for the criminally insane. The warden/governor of the planet Keye Luke has been overthrown and Steve Ihnat has taken over. This former starship commander is as mad as the mad hatter and also has developed shape shifting abilities. The inmates have taken over.

He's got ambitions just as mad people do, to take over the immediate universe with the Enterprise at his disposal and his ability now to become Captain Kirk. But there's that signal code that Shatner arranged with Doohan. Can't do much until he's on the Enterprise.

Ihnat completely takes over this story and dominates this episode. His performance is very similar to the one he gave in Madigan as an absolutely nuts criminal. There are very few performances of the criminally insane on the big and small screen to rival what Ihnat did in this story and in Madigan. He was a great talent who died too young.

It may be a rehash, but absolutely see this one for Steve Ihnat.

Enterprise delivers medication to a mental health facility

This is a relatively enjoyable episode with plenty of entertaining moments.

The plot is fairly unoriginal and contains concepts done to death in the original series. It's take on mental illness seems quite outlandish, but I have actually seen people with delusions of grandeur very similar to the depiction of Garth in this episode.

Garth is an interesting villain who is portrayed at times in a seemingly humorous way by Steve Ihnat, but generally appears to be no threat to the Enterprise. Unfortunately, it is rather fun (and shouldn't be) to watch him ranting and raving in the throws of whatever mental illness he suffers.

Marta is the better of the guest characters, as she feels less of a caricature and more plausible than Garth. Yvonne Craig plays her very memorably.

Kirk and Spock both have decent outings as the away team. They engage in a battle of wits with Garth and it's great to see both characters using their intelligence to resolve a variety of difficult situations. Spock in particular has some typically cool displays of logic in the midst of all the drama.

There are a few issues that are a bit frustrating. Several clichés are used like the double Kirk scene, the torture chair, and the obligatory seduction. Gareth's shapeshifting is not explained particularly well in light of the subject's clothes changing at the same time. In a matter of personal taste I also find that Ihnat's voice grows more and more irritating as the episode unfolds.

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy are both solid, save one hilarious outburst of rage from Shatner.

Visually it's great as always from the original series. The colours, costumes, and practical set designs are all highly enjoyable. One scene where Garth kills someone is quite nasty and has impact.

Season 3, episode 14. The Enterprise has arrived at the planet Elba II, which is an asylum for the criminally insane, with a serum that can possibly cure all of the inmates. Kirk and Spock beam down and find that all of the inmates are running the asylum including former (now insane) starship captain Garth, who's exploits were once required reading at the academy. Garth has learned how to shape-shift and can become anyone including Kirk or Spock. The criminals hold Kirk and Spock captive so he can take over the Enterprise and escape. Kirk and Spock learn of all this and has a surprise waiting for Garth. Before Kirk left, he gave Scotty a chess problem as a sign - which plays an important role in signaling the Ship.

Another one of those "fun" episodes. As others have said, it is flawed but fun to watch. They sure loved to pair Kirk with green skinned or haired women did they. LOL. It's a joy to watch the lovely Yvonne Craig as Marta.

7.5/10

Ms. Craig was a good actress that probably is best remembered as Batgirl. It's fortunate that she was in ST as well and as a green chick. Many don't like the ep which surprises me because it's fairly typical, has Scotty, et al on the ship doing stuff with Kirk and Spock on the planet and interesting crew of guest actors.

Is it the best ep of the series, not by a long shot, but it is far from the worst.