“This Side of Paradise” is a close look at the potential benefits of a purely peaceful, sedentary life. At the center of the episode’s thematic conflict is Kirk’s assertion that humanity needs challenges and conflict in order to grow and evolve – to be human, in other words. And that life in paradise robs humanity of its vital need to improve itself through industry and hard work to overcome the obstacles which provide the motivation for our growth. Unfortunately, these issues are more or less buried in an episode that seems more concerned with the “wow” factor of Spock climbing trees and falling in love than it does with staying on message.

The main premise of the episode revolves around the Enterprise discovering a planet filled with colonists who act as if they are have taken, in Spock’s words, a “happy pill.” In truth, the condition is the result of spores from an indigenous plant. But either way, the episode becomes a rather transparent allegorical commentary on the hippie drug culture of the 1960s. From the commune-like colonist society, to the notion that they “all belong,” the intended target of the episode is fairly obvious. Fortunately, there is just enough commentary from Kirk to allow viewers to see the bigger thematic elements of the need for challenge and conflict.

What keeps the episode from realizing its full potential are a number of issues with its main narrative. The spores are presented fairly implausibly – even if they are meant to serve metaphorically. And there is little value to their influence over the crew due to the fact that Kirk remains fairly inexplicably the only one not effected by their influence. As is explained, strong emotions undo the influence of the spores – and are the key to Kirk finally turning the tide and saving his crew. But if so, how come Kirk was the only crew member feeling strong emotions at any time during the distribution of the spores?

And to that end, what about Spock himself? After being infected, he is shown exhibiting strong negativr emotions – the same emotions which Kirk will later use to reverse the effect – and yet Spock becomes just another “hippie” falling in love, climbing trees, watching cloud formations, and admiring the beauty of rainbows. In truth, watching Spock act and behave this way is certainly entertaining, particularly when he gleefully disobeys Kirk’s direct orders. But because his behavior is so implausible to begin with, there is little benefit to watching him go through these paces, outside of the novelty of seeing Spock acting on emotion.

There are two other notable scenes. The first comes when Kirk does indeed provoke Spock’s negative emotions. The scene is played high on the camp factor, with Kirk tossing out all manner of insults, including calling Spock the son of a “computer” and an “encyclopedia” (Spock’s father and mother, respectively). But this scene, too, is little more than novelty – getting to watch Kirk and Spock duke it out for a few moments.

The other memorable scene carries a bit more heft to it and is, in fact, the one scene worthy of true drama. After being “saved” from the effect of the spores, Spock brings aboard Leila (Jill Ireland) a former acquaintance with whom he had developed a relationship while under the spore’s “happy pill” influence. Watching Spock treat Leila very tenderly, even though he is back in full Vulcan mode, is enjoyable to see and is, perhaps, the only real character development of the episode. As Spock later says, his time in “paradise” was the only time in his life in which he was happy.

But of course, the episode’s commentary on the matter is driven home by the colony’s leader, Elias Sandoval (Frank Overton) who, upon coming to his senses for the first time in years, remarks on how little growth he and the colonists have made in their time in paradise. Sure, paradise is a great place to be … but the price is that you stagnate and lose your humanity.

“This Side of Paradise” certainly gets a great deal of credit for its intended, if rather obvious commentary. More valuable, however, is the fact that the commentary is able to be extended to a greater generalization and, therefore, to a more widespread discussion. Unfortunately, the episode simply doesn’t present its ideas in a cohesive, compelling, or even plausible narrative.

Filed under: Original Series