Star Trek’s second season opens with “Amok Time” – an inside look into the Vulcan culture by way of its “mating rituals.” There are a few themes being explored in this episode from biological urges that Freud would have a field day with, to the balance of logic and emotion, to friendships. On when the episode stays close to these concepts it succeeds wonderfully. But “Amok Time” is also an example of the show being overly gratuitous. The pomp and circumstance of the Pon Farr ceremony (starting with the name itself) is a reason why Star Trek is so often caricatured. Don’t get me wrong, the detail with which the Vulcan culture is portrayed in this episode is very much compelling. But there is such a thing as overplaying your hand.

The episode begins with Kirk and McCoy discussing some uncharacteristically odd behavior from Spock. And much of the first third of the episode focuses on the developing mystery of: What’s wrong with Spock? as his behavior deteriorates into outbursts of emotion and even outright insubordination. Spock’s performance is nuanced enough (his shaking hands for example) to convey the deep inner struggle he is experiencing. And the efforts of his friends, particularly Kirk and Nurse Chapel are genuine and plausible. (As a side note, it’s interesting to see Chapel’s continued interest in Spock.)

The concept of friendship is continued by way of Kirk’s ability to finally break through Spock’s wall of silence – and then to disobey Starfleet orders simply to save his friend’s life. Kirk’s insubordination is entirely plausible and is rather compelling. As for Spock’s problem, well … think of it this way: Spock is in heat. I almost think that if there had been a moon hovering in his quarters he’d have been barking and howling at it. Essentially, Spock has to return to Vulcan to perform the Pon Farr, the mating ritual, to finally be wed to his “wife” T’Pring. It’s a bit of an awkward concept, however, it does allow for the exploration of how our inner needs and drives will always find ways toward expression – no matter how disciplined we are in repressing them. In this way, in seeing how despite Spock’s stoic logic, he’s coming completely unhinged, Freud would have enjoyed the episode.

More broadly, the concept of Spock’s rising emotions, and the ceremony of, essentially, pure emotion introduces the concept of balance. As McCoy would at one point quip, “perhaps this is the price for all that logic the rest of the time.” And indeed, like the inner urges always finding an expression, emotions, too, almost always find expression. And watching Spock struggle and confront his own emotions – not to mention how Vulcans as a society do so as well – is certainly compelling.

But there are more than a few faults to this episode, beginning with the Pon Farr itself. It seems highly unrealistic and implausible that such a condition as having Vulcan officers nearly lose their mind due to biology would not be something known in Starfleet. Or, if this is the very first instance of a Vulcan officer going through such a process, for Kirk and company to keep the matter strictly confidential would be a detriment to Starfleet which ought to be aware of the possibility that their Vulcan officers might just start acting irrationally and insubordinately.

More pressing for the episode is the presentation of the Pon Farr itself. While the ceremony is a fascinating concept, it’s simply given far too much screen time in the episode. The multiple shots of silver-clad Vulcans shaking what amounts to an abacus-like bell contraption are just plain silly. And as for Kirk being chosen to be a champion to fight Spock … though the episode does explain the “logic” of the choice, it still seems a highly contrived circumstance to showcase the Captain and First Officer in a fight to the death. And what’s with Kirk jumping into a fight without first asking a bit more about it? That, too, is simply a contrivance.

But all is not lost. T’Pau, who oversees the proceedings as a kind of matriarch, is well done. And McCoy’s final solution to the settle the fight – to simulate Kirk’s death – is both ingenious and enjoyable – even if Kirk’s reappearance in Sick Bay is a bit cheesy. The truth is, the setup is worth watching Spock’s overjoyed reaction of “Jim!” at seeing is friend alive. And McCoy’s final utterance of “In a pig’s eye” completes what is, simply, one of the most memorable “character” moments of the entire series – especially in terms of reinforcing the friendships of Kirk, McCoy and Spock.

“Amok Time” is a classic episode of Star Trek. Avid Trek fans will often include this episode as one of their favorites – and with the exploration of Vulcan culture and the deepening friendships of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy it’s easy to see why. Even the music is well-done. But there are too many faults to consider it an exceptional episode. Even the title seems to be an awkward fit.

Filed under: Original Series