I, Mudd

This episode sees a surprisingly formidable return to the mudd character. When we last saw mudd he was running some weird space wife selling thing I guess which made for some interesting crew dynamics, however Harold was a largely unfunny and unimportant comic relief playing third wheel in an episode named after him. However here mudd drives the plot much more than the previous and traps the enterprise on a planet filled with androids. The pacing is great and the character drama of the enterprise crew attempting to escape as well as mudd's mischievous nature made the episode a thoroughly enjoyable one. The resolution here is a bit corny(plus it was sort of used in 'by any other name') but the concepts brought up are undeniably fascinating and really do the mudd character justice.

The return of Harry Mudd finds him as the presumed ruler of a planet populated by some 207,809 androids, the vestiges of a now extinct extra-galactic civilization. This is one of those intentional comedies from Trek, like the later "A Piece of the Action" and, of course, the popular "The Trouble With Tribbles." The absurdities begin early on in a rather subtle manner. We last saw Mudd a year earlier, in "Mudd's Women." Since then, he'd found himself on the run after pulling one of his scams and, ship damaged, lucked onto this planetoid of obedient android servants. Sometime after that point, the android Norman managed to somehow become a Starfleet officer and came aboard the Enterprise a few days before the episode begins. I suppose nothing is quite beyond an android's formidable abilities if he/it puts a mind to it, meaning an adjustment of computer records or something, but Starfleet and the Enterprise crew seem very blasé about requirements for being on board, as if anyone in a proper uniform can stroll in if they felt like it. No futuristic versions of X-Ray machines, no screening methods like we have at our airports now? All Norman has to do is avoid a medical exam by McCoy for a few days.

Anyway, that's the beginning of Kirk's troubles in this episode. This may be the only original episode to bring back a major guest star for a 2nd go-around. The actor Carmel is as hammy as ever as the scoundrel Mudd, turning out to be a good foil for Kirk, Spock, and all the regulars - sort of an original Trek version of old home week. Mudd seemed out of place in his previous Trek episode but someone got the idea he'd provide decent fun in some calculated amusement - and they were right. And there's more for the regulars to do in this one than is usual: Scotty, Uhura and Chekov get to ham it up a bit almost as much as the main trio. The last act of this episode sort of has to be seen to be believed - the closest we'll ever get to 'Trek on acid' - and it was a bit risky as everyone could have made fools of themselves. Shatner was always even more adept at comedy than drama, so this was a natural for him, but all the others appeared very relaxed in their turns at bizarro behavior. Nimoy as Spock, of course, had to resort to a more dry sense of comic timing, but he also made it work. A very nutty flavor to this one, especially in the 2nd half, and we get to enjoy it. Take note, also, that the Norman android has more than a passing resemblance to Data of 20 years later on the TNG show.

Mudd the first is back, the most disgusting, nasty and cheater human being of the entire Galaxy, what a character, extremely amusing and witty guy, he demands to his Android leader brings the Enterprise to his planet were he rules over likes a King more than 200.000 Androids, Captain Kirk and their major Enterprise's crews are friendly invites by Mudd that they shall stand there forever, living like him an idyllic life without ageing, otherwise he will destroy the spaceship, in exchange he will got the Enterprise by yourself, actually he is tired over so pleasant life, one best episode on second season for while, Mudd (Roger C. Carmel) was terrific and naughtily hilarious, worth a look see Mudd once more!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5

A crew member of the Enterprise forcibly takes the starship to a planet where they meet a previous antagonist.

This is an enjoyable episode if you adopt a light-hearted mindset, but if you take your Trek seriously it will probably be a long 50 minutes.

The plot is a light-hearted retread previous stories like 'What Are Little Girls Made Of?' with a reasonably decent level of humour. I fully appreciate that comedy is in the eye of the beholder so if the jokes do not work for you then neither will the episode. I personally found Kirk's banter with Harry Mudd fairly enjoyable and the succession of nagging wife jokes to be somewhat amusing. I thought Spock's dryness complimented Mudd's shenanigans quite well. I also enjoyed seeing U'Hura doing more that her usual Communications Officer role.

The conclusion is probably the silliest resolution to a Star Trek episode that I have seen, but saying that it's been a while since I watched series 3. I hope there was a lot of improvisation going on by the actors that would give it a bit more credit, but without knowing I cannot properly comment. If you really let go of all seriousness here you might find it fun.

All performances are solid, particularly Roger C Carmel, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

TOS experimented just a little with recurring characters. Most recurring characters were red-shirts, but Harry Mudd was one of the few exceptions, and to an extent set the standard for the later tradition of popular recurring guest stars (perhaps the most celebrated was DS9's Garak). The late Roger Carmel, in his mid-30s, made Harry Mudd a stand-out character. But the episodes in which the character appeared are, unfortunately sub-par. Carmel was, literally, a big presence in 1960s and 1970s TV talent - especially in the growing field of voice-talent. His neurotic, dastardly, and very funny way of ripping through and yet still over-dramatizing his lines was quite memorable.

This time, the Enterprise is commandeered by an android named Norman, who just so happens to be a major player on a planet full of androids who lost their purpose years ago because their creators became extinct. So, they want nothing more than to serve, and imprison humanity in a combined utopian dream/dystopian nightmare. Harry Mudd, their first human, has been elevated to the position of a king among them, and, upon seeing his old "friend" Jim Kirk, he is delighted to share his newfound home with the captain and all of his crew, for the simple price of their freedom and ship.

As others have pointed out, this is one of TOS' comedic explorations. As such, it's quite OK, but really nothing great. Mudd, his wife, and the androids are all funny in their own way, but unlike many similar episodes of TOS and later series in the franchise, the comedy takes the place of a coherent plot, and contradicts some of the socially progressive philosophies expressed elsewhere in the series. Still a good time, but not the best.