1/2
A lot of people poo-poo this episode, but one thing to keep in mind: it’s very funny. Shatner and Nimoy didn’t get all those goofy TV ads just for their recognition — they know how to sell a joke, and they have dynamite comic timing. They zing off each other here more than in any other episode I’ve seen so far. I mean, heck, this episode ends in a freeze-frame straight out of Police Squad! Anyway, this is the one where the planet is structured on 20s gangsters and in order to save the day Kirk must “go native.” It’s idiotic, but hilarious. And Bela Oxmyx is the coolest name for a bad guy I ever heard (and my new internet handle, I think.)
I agree with you on this one. It was funny and that is all it has asked for. The funny episodes were some of the best. Some trek fans take things much too seriously. It is wrong to limit yourselves folks. Enjoy them all for many reasons. Snobbery makes you a Beta-5 computer!