1/2
I may be opening myself up to arguement, but I poo-poo this episode for a few concrete reasons. Firstly, it’s kinda the same conflict as in The Naked Time. I mean, how many times are we to be shocked to see Spock have emotions? Secondly, it is never really explained how Kirk is able to resist the drug of the spores. We are left only to cling to the idea that “Kirk has a strong will.” But a stronger will than Spock? I should think not. (If you are trying to remember if you saw this episode, it is the one where these huge flowers blast happy dust in peoples’ faces.) Finally, I disagree with this episode politically. Why shouldn’t the settlers stay on their planet, high on spores, living, laughing, loving. Kirk yells at them, You’ve had no challenges! You’ve made no progress! The exact quote: “Man stagnates if he has no ambition, no desire to be more than he is.” Well, maybe not everyone wants to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations?! Maybe some people are content to do a little farming, hang out by the lake, screw and listen to music. It’s funny this reactionary, anti-Epicurean, none-too-veiled attack on hippie culture episode would air just after A Taste of Armageddon and its anti-Vietnam sentiments. As the Enterprise sails off to its next adventure, Spock looks back on the planet and says that for the first time in his life, he was happy. Maybe dude should reassess his career?
In my little book of Notes I label this one “Gut-wrenching.” Leila is so convincing and it is hard to watch Spock say quietly at the end, when asked, that it is the only time he was truly “happy”. I do agree with you about not everyone wanting to explore and fight and claw their way through life though 🙂 and certainly I see nothing wrong in wishing to live a peaceful life in harmony and joy <3 but overall, this is one of my favourites.
I quite agree with your comments. It’s a ridiculous problem and it is out of character for Spock to say a thing like that. Besides… why would that particular woman appeal to him? One of the worst episodes .