Arena

'Arena' has always been one of my favorite TOS episodes, both for legitimate reasons and ironic. It is a good episode, examining the idea of casualties of war and man's heavy-handed expansion to other planets. An outpost is destroyed, the Enterprise pursues the Gorn ship responsible, and Kirk finds himself facing off against their captain at the will of the Metrons ("We will resolve your conflict in the way most suited to your limited mentalities").

This is where the fun begins. Gaze upon Shatner's grappling with a giant rubber lizard man at Vasquez rocks (there's a reason Trekkies make the pilgrimage to those rocks, and this is it). Lumbering moves, telegraphed punches and really fake boulders; that is what this episode is really about. One drawn-out and ham-fisted fight scene.

This is just the right mix of thought-provoking and hilarious, and the Gorn has lived on as somewhat iconic for a reason. Maybe just a tiny step down in status from the Tribbles.

9/10

This is a very good episode with a very good plot. The only problem for me is that the enemy (the Gorn) is really cheesy-looking--the head barely moves and looks like a crummy mask. Not terrible by 1966 standards, but today it looks pretty poor.

Now as for the plot, it really rocked. The Gorn attack a Federation outpost and kill practically everyone with their super weapons. The Enterprise has no idea who these enemy are but they know they MUST kill them or risk further attacks. However, in pursuing them, they enter Metron space and these advanced beings are horrified by the seeming brutality of these two races. So, to end the problem, they place the captains of BOTH ships on a barren planet and let them fight to the death--and the loser's crew will then be destroyed.

Despite a relatively simple plot, the episode has three different locales and is a good showcase episode for Kirk. Not the best, but definitely among the better episodes made.

This episode really feel like 1966, while the others one didnt. But still I was entertain for a full hour It was a pretty great episode despique the old special effect.

The Enterprise finds itself drawn into conflict with another species.

This is a classic episode with strong themes, great character moments and some enjoyable camp value.

The story is about the violent nature of humans but contains a typically Star Trek slice of hope for a better future. The narrative is simple, starting with a fairly intense situation that twists it into something different and more compelling. I love how ingenuity and intelligence drives the combat scenes as opposed to physical prowess or firepower. For me the final resolution is what makes it special, delivering an important arc for Captain Kirk and making a beautiful statement about the positive side of humanity.

Although Kirk mostly takes centre stage, It is one of my favourite Spock episodes with some superb bridge moments where he respectfully and plausibly challenges Kirk. These exchanges are loaded with tension by making Spock's sharp observations fairly subtle and understated. Later on there are some great moments when Spock is in command but submits to the logic of being powerless to do anything, whilst McCoy finds himself overcome with emotion.

I enjoyed the camp moments for the unintended humour. The creature effects, (or lack of) being the most obvious with the iconic scenes of Captain Kirk battling stuntmen in an outrageous rubber suit. Also, one moment where Uhura screams in reaction to something is another great example.

Generally I think the visuals are good. I particularly enjoyed the use of the location to make a suitably alien environment. One iconic zoom out from Kirk scrambling up Vasquez Rocks is superb. The direction of the actors body language in the bridge scenes is also good considering they were just scenes of people watching something unfold on a big screen. It is done in a way that translates how the characters feel about the situation.

All performances are great, my favourite being Leonard Nimoy who is fantastic in all scenes. I'm not sure if it's intentional or not but it feels like this story is being seen from Spock's perspective and he lives and breathes the character. William Shatner is also strong as he is the main focus of everything. Deforest Kelley doesn't have as much screen time, but when McCoy contributes he is as great as ever.

There was a Gorn captain a lizard, just imagine the size of his gizzard, but his clean and jerk, was no match for our Kirk, although catching flies he was a wizard.

Straying into uncharted territory in chase of an Alien vessel the captain of the Enterprise is cast onto a rocky vista in a battle to the death with his opposite number.