Court Martial

There's a difference in accounts and the ship's log, digital does not confer with analogue, the captain must explain, the evidence is plain, just a heartbeat from metaphorical flog.

A man has lost his life at the hands of the captain but his recollection of events does not align with those recorded by the ship's computer and a court martial is convened to ascertain the truth.

"Court Martial" (Feb. 2, 1967) Old TV Guide synopsis: 'A computer offers damaging evidence against Kirk, who has been brought to trial for criminal negligence.' An episode that seems to divide fans, I always enjoyed this courtroom drama where a Federation starship captain is tried for negligence and willful perjury, brought by Percy Rodrigues as Commodore Stone (Malachi Throne played a similar character in "The Menagerie"). It's nice to see longtime Hollywood veteran Elisha Cook as the bibliophilic attorney Samuel T. Cogley, pitted against the glamorous Joan Marshall as Areel Shaw, among Kirk's numerous loves scattered across the universe. Richard Webb had starred in his own syndicated series, BORDER PATROL, and would be typecast thereafter as lawmen for the most part (1972's "Beware! The Blob"). McCoy gets the best line as he berates Spock's seeming disinterest in his captain's fate while playing chess aboard the Enterprise: "you're the most cold blooded man I've ever known" "why, thank you doctor!"

The legal drama TV show format, so popular in the 60s (The Defenders, Perry Mason etc.), gets a sci-fi makeover with Court Martial, which sees Kirk charged with culpable negligence after the death of his old friend Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Finney (Richard Webb). The Enterprise's computer shows that Kirk jettisoned Finney's research pod during an ion storm while still only on yellow alert, whereas Kirk insists that he strictly adhered to Starfleet regulations and waited until red alert was sounded before pushing the button.

A courtroom drama, albeit one in space, could have been a real snooze-fest, but Court Martial is far from it thanks to an intriguing script that further explores the popular Trek theme of man vs. Machine, an excellent performance from William Shatner, terrific support from Elisha Cook Jr. As defense lawyer Cogley, and a fun final act that once again sees Kirk in a fist fight, his shirt reduced to rags. There's also romantic interest for Kirk in the form of sexy prosecution attorney Areel Shaw (Joan Marshall), an old flame of the captain's (obviously!). All in all, a well-rounded episode.

What should have been one of the worst first season episodes is salvaged by solid performances by William Shatner and guest stars Percy Rodriguez and Elisha Cook Jr, good editing and directing. Cook is especially charming as the defense attorney representing Kirk in a court martial concerning the death of a Lieutenant Commander who shares a rocky history with our captain, and Shatner's acting is spot-on for this difficult episode. Daniels' directing is also fairly good, but hampered by the limitations of the plot.

The initial premise is promising. Kirk is charged with negligence in the death of a Lt Comm Finney, whose career has been overshadowed consistently by Kirk's. Kirk repeatedly claims that he jettisoned Finney's pod after declaring a red alert and telling Finney to get to safety, but the ship's video record and computer logs tell a very different story. (Incidentally, one of the most ridiculous use of props I have ever seen in ST occurs in the crucial courtroom scene involving the video logs - take a close look at the control panel Kirk uses to jettison the pod. How many pods does the Enterprise jettison in a given day, and why does the Captain do this himself from a control panel on his arm rest???).

Unfortunately, just as the full story is revealed, the episode devolves into a poorly considered, rather cliché conclusion - which I will not discuss in order to avoid a spoiler.

Kirk goes on trial for causing the death of a crew member.

This is a moderately entertaining episode with a quite weak story but it does have an interesting theme and some memorable moments.

Legal thrillers can be compelling when done well, but this one feels like nothing other than actors playing courtroom drama. Nothing feels plausible and some of the cross examinations feel contrived. The less said about how the case ends the better, not just for spoilers, but for me it's an anticlimax.

There is a streak of technofear running through the story which has a big man versus machine theme. I did quite enjoy the concept of whether humanity should trust machines more than humans, but unfortunately the chess related turning point feels quite obvious. Knowledge of information technology was not the same in the 1960s and this does make it feel quite dated. However, I can empathise that audiences watching it early broadcasts might have been very intrigued.

Looking at it almost 60 years later I appreciate the central point it makes now more than ever, considering the technology is now programmed to spy on us, collect our personal information, gather market research based on our lifestyles so it can control us and turn computer programmers into multi-billionaires.

There are some scenes I did enjoy, particularly before the trial. I loved Kirk confronting by Starfleet personnel in Starbase 11 and his no-nonsense handling of their hostility. The scene where he meets his defence lawyer is also quite good. Spock and Bones, as ever, are a joy to watch throughout the episode. Even in situations that feel quite forced they manage to entertain. The climactic scene on board the bridge of the Enterprise is a classic Kirk, girl of the week, Spock and Bones moment.

The visuals are a mixed bag, with some quite silly costumes, one ridiculously obvious fight between two stuntmen and a fairly static sequence of the bridge of the Enterprise during a decaying orbit. Starbase 11 sets are good, particularly the lawyer's office and the scenes in the recreation area. I'm not sure what to make of the fixation on the red tapes, but I guess it goes well with the episode themes.

Most of the acting is good, especially William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Elisha Cook Junior. Joan Marshall does well with some fairly poor material. I find Richard Webb's performance quite irritating.

It's a 6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.