Friday's Child

The barbarians on the planet Capella IV, have a penchant for fighting that they adore, throwing pointed razor stars, leaving more than just plain scars, for them killing's what they live for and applaud.

Kirk and the crew end up facing up to a belligerent tribe while encountering a Klingon who makes their life difficult, as does a pregnant local who's due any day soon.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy visit a planet that both the Federation and Klingon Empire want to mine for important minerals.

This is an enjoyable episode for the character moments, world building, and interplanetary politics.

The story is quite strong as it shows the regular characters in contact with an alien society and the sensitive nature of interactions between different cultures. I appreciate the exploitative nature of this type of situation being reflective of real life Earth history. Although the Federation is not depicted as conquering like the Klingons, they are looking to exploit the resources of the planet for a strategic advantage. This is a far cry from what the Star Trek ideals became during 'The Next Generation'. All of this I found to be very interesting.

From a character perspective it really shines, with Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and especially Bones having some very memorable moments.

Kirk is written well as an explorer, diplomat, and soldier in this episode. William Shatner gives both a physical and verbal performance of strength, intelligence and sensitivity.

Spock is as cold and logical as ever, delivering a number of excellent lines. Leonard Nimoy provides great dry humour in another depiction of his classic outsider looking in on humanity.

While the two senior officers are away we are treated to more great scenes of Scotty in command of Enterprise. James Doohan brings a great balance of excitement and confidence to the commander's chair.

Dr 'Bones' McCoy has one of his quintessential episodes as a humanitarian caught in the middle of a conflict situation, who has the responsibility of caring for a pregnant female. In several excellently written scenes we see him contend with an aggressively reluctant mother and these for me are the highlights. DeForest Kelley is on top form and has solid chemistry with Julie Newmar as Eleen.

The visuals are mostly great. I love the fight scenes, particularly some of the early fist fights that are entertaining and quite well done. One part where Shatner throws a pillow at another performer cracks me up every time. This episode uses Vasquez Rocks park to great effect much like other episodes. The downside is the costuming which is relatively funny, but some of those outfits have zero aesthetic quality.

"Friday's Child" (Dec. 1, 1967) Old TV Guide synopsis: 'Kirk jeopardizes the lives of his own men when he intervenes in a society where life is valued below combat and personal integrity.' Outdoor episodes were more expensive than 'bottle' entries confined to the Enterprise, but this is a McCoy storyline where his previous experiences on Capella IV bode well for a Federation treaty for mineral rights. Unfortunately, the 'peaceful' natives have aligned themselves with Kras (Tige Andrews), a Klingon representative, while the presence of a very pregnant Eleen (Julie Newmar) means an heir to elderly leader Akaar (Ben Gage). Kirk and Spock attempt to defend the narrow entrance to their canyon as the doctor tends to his newborn patient, which the mother initially rejects. Aboard the Enterprise, Scott answers a distress call from a freighter that turns out to be a Klingon decoy, though no on screen battle takes place. Julie Newmar takes time off from her slinky Catwoman outfit for a very different role, her exchanges with McCoy over 'his child' (Leonard James Akkar) leading to some amusement from both Kirk and Spock.

When Captain James T. Kirk got this assignment to negotiate a treaty with a planet that is a primitive hunter and gatherer culture he's got every right to think this one a slam dunk. As a junior officer William Shatner spent some time on the planet and got to know the leader real well.

So Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley are a diplomatic delegation and there's a Klingon played by Tige Andrews there and they are negotiating for mining rights. But when the leader that Kirk knew is murdered then the Star Trek diplomats are forced to flee without their weapons. They also flee with statuesque Julie Newmar, widow of the late leader and very pregnant. Good thing Dr. McCoy is along in case they need an obstetrician.

Newmar is great as the Zena the warrior princess character who sometimes is more trouble than she's worth. But as she's carrying the heir to the leadership everyone wants their hands on her.

Must also praise Tige Andrews who unlike Michael Dorn in The Next Generation is one Klingon with damn little honor. Andrews, the future Captain Greer of Mod Squad is hardly recognizable under that makeup.

Give this one a look.

Found it hard to take this episode seriously looking at those ludicrous outfits!!! Warriors with lavender and neon orange fake-fur accessories??? What moron designed those costumes???? Almost ruined the whole episode for me!! More suitable for Laugh-In!!! Update: once I got over the costumes, I find this episode very entertaining and deserving of an 8 rating.