*COURT MARTIAL*

Another take on "Kirk versus a Computer" - but with a twist. A nice device to put Kirk in the dock.

Some very, very nice performances from the guest stars - Joan Marshall (a former showgirl) is convincing as one of Kirk's old flames, Areel Shaw - and is a rare example of someone his own age. Alisha Cook's Cogley is one of my favorite TOS guest roles and Richard Webb (television's Captain Midnight

from the 1950s) was wonderfully malevolent and crazy as Finney.

I like this show more and more as I get older because, as an attorney, I like to anticipate how technology will be used in the future - and, obviously, it was some of my first exposure to courtroom drama.

In addition to Kirk's testimony and Spock's dealing with the computer, another scene I liked was in the bar where there is a cold reception for Kirk from his fellow officers, particularly academy classmates. This shows there is some resentment for Kirk's rapid rise through the ranks. It was only brought to the surface by the death of Finney - apparently someone they all liked, crazy though he was.

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Posted by Master of Sinanju

Member since Feb 2012

11374 posts

Posted on 8/23/13 at 9:06 am to Ace Midnight

Very good episode. Of all the times we see Kirk in danger of being killed, captured, tortured, ect., the idea of him being disgraced is the most threatening of all. Episodes like this, where the hero is wrongfully accused, always get me more worried for the character than other episodes.

quote:
STONE: I'm thinking of the service. I won't have it smeared...
KIRK: By what, Commodore Stone?
STONE: All right. By an evident perjurer who's either covering his bad judgment, his cowardice, or
KIRK: That's as far as you go, sir.

Great scene. I would've liked to see an apology from Stone at the end, since they seemed to be friends as the episode started.

quote:
SPOCK: Lieutenant, I am half Vulcanian. Vulcanians do not speculate. I speak from pure logic. If I let go of a hammer on a planet that has a positive gravity, I need not see it fall to know that it has in fact fallen.
SHAW: I do not see what that has to
SPOCK: Gentlemen, human beings have characteristics just as inanimate objects do. It is impossible for Captain Kirk to act out of panic or malice. It is not his nature.

Another great scene from Spock, showing his trust and loyalty to Kirk.

This is the first we see of the dress uniforms, which were well done. Also the first time we hear the term "starfleet".

Speaking of uniforms, I find it interesting that Stone wears red as a Commodore.

As a child, I never liked the heartbeat scene. The sound of that single heartbeat and the idea of someone hiding and creeping about alone in that empty ship always freaked me out.