“The Squire of Gothos” is a relentlessly annoying episode whose only real value is derived from a similarity to a memorable recurring character from The Next Generation. That isn’t to say that the episode is a total loss, however, it is, almost entirely, a pointless exercise in absurdity – much like “Shore Leave.” In fact, it is episodes like this one which are responsible for a lot of the derision which the series often receives from detractors. The ludicrous plot might have been forgivable had it served a true character arc, or exploration of the human equation. As it is, there is only a token attempt to view humanity as a kind of predatory species, but considering the entire focal point of the episode is the Squire of Gothos himself, such an attempt is meaningless.

The episode opens with the Enterprise en route to deliver supplies when they encounter a rogue planet in their way. Without warning, Sulu and Captain Kirk are quickly teleported off of the bridge and the initial mystery is established: what happened to the two Enterprise crewmembers, and how can they be retrieved from a planet which appears to be completely uninhabitable. But never fear! They are alive and well, and in the custody of an entity which calls himself Trelane, the Squire of Gothos (William Campbell). What unfolds is a series of “cat and mouse” games by which Trelane tests (and taunts) the humans he abducts – from Kirk, to Spock, to Uhura.

I found the character of Trelane to be amusing only insofar as he resembles the infinitely entertaining Q, from TNG. Their motivations, actions and even dialogue are very similar and there’s little doubt that the performance of Q was greatly influenced by this episode. Fortunately for TNG, actor John de Lancie brought a devilish charisma to his character that Campbell is unable to muster. The result is that instead of the highly memorable and enjoyable interactions we see from TNG, we get a character who is capable of inspiring only a retching sensation in the pit of your stomach. Whether or not there was any explicit connection between the two characters was intended, one thing is for certain, Trelane is the kind of character you hope to never see again. In your entire life. Even if you plan on rewatching the original series episode-by-episode all over again.

What ensues are a series of poorly planned and executed scenes. Whether it is the pistol duel, the sword duel, the trial, or the yelling matches between Kirk and Trelane, none of them manage anything close to entertainment. Indeed, the more I reflect upon this episode, the more apparent it becomes that it is simply a waste of time. The briefly broached subject of human violence and aggression is wholly undone by the machinations of Trelane who merely annoys the hell out of the crew, rather than pushing them to the brink of real violence. Heck, even Balok, in “The Corbomite Maneuver” was better at manipulating the crew.

Of course, all of this is explained by the episode’s deus ex machina moment. The instant just before Trelane stabs Kirk with a sword, the entire exercise is halted … by Trelane’s parents. It seems that Trelane has been a naughty, naughty boy, and has mishandled his human “pets” – and therefore the parents are taking the pets away from him. What the ending does, of course, is to simply undermine any possible commentary on humanity. It wasn’t Kirk’s stratagems which saved the Enterprise and her crew. It was simply a boy who went too far and got caught by his parents.

So why did we have to endure this drivel again?

“The Squire of Gothos” is an episode that is memorable for its visuals, and forgettable for everything else. I honestly see no value whatsoever to this episode beyond a couple of moments where the crew tries to think its way out of a clearly unpalatable situation. But because they crew is saved not by their own doing, but by some random force, the whole point of those scenes is lost anyways.

Filed under: Original Series