“The Enterprise Incident” is easily one of the finest episodes of the series, featuring a compelling spy narrative, wonderful character growth from Spock, and a memorable guest star who just so happens to make the whole thing come together in as close to perfection as possible. This episode is, truly, a joy to watch and experience. But its mastery isn’t simply in its twists and turns – it’s in how well those turns show up on screen. The plot itself isn’t terribly well disguised and it’s quite possible to figure out what is going on just a few minutes into the story … but, as it turns out, doing so proves quite irrelevant to the enjoyment of the episode.

The episode begins with a voiceover from McCoy detailing how Kirk is close to becoming unhinged, seemingly due to stress. True to form, Kirk snaps at everyone on the bridge crew and when he inexplicably orders the Enterprise through the Romulan Neutral Zone and into Romulan space alert viewers will automatically know something is up. Kirk isn’t this stupid or this crazy. And even though that element to the plot twist isn’t particularly well hidden, the episode remains entertaining thanks to the highly enjoyable way the narrative unfolds.

In short order, the Enterprise finds itself surrounded by three Romulan warships which are armed with a new cloaking device (incidentally, the only real flaw in the episode is in using Klingon ships to portray the Romulan ships – it’s explained in a line of dialogue, but it proves just too jarring). Again, one can figure out that Kirk is after knowledge about the cloaking device – and is acting like a lunatic to insulate his crew – but the way it all unfolds makes the episode just as enjoyable. And really, that’s the mark of a truly great story … how well it will hold up to repeat viewings.

Of course, once the Enterprise is surrounded, Kirk must parlay with the Romulan Commander (played with great ability by Joanne Linville). During the talks, she happens to take a liking to Spock who then plays his role in the ruse by occupying her attentions while Kirk (after faking his death) returns to the ship in Romulan guise to steal the cloaking device. Spock’s scenes with the Romulan commander are notable for the intense (erotic) emotions they convey under a very minimalist performance. Both Spock and the commander are very restrained in their outward actions and vocal inflections, but there’s enough there to know that Spock, despite is stoic Vulcan exterior, isn’t bothering to fight the deep stirring of human emotion within himself.

It’s a scene that proves powerful enough to leave a lasting impact on an episode that was, otherwise, a spy-thriller story. It demonstrates, without question, the depth and power of Spock’s emotions as well as the fact that he cannot simply cut them off completely. That Spock ultimately rebuffs the Commander’s advances becomes a poignant moment of tragedy – the two did indeed share something worthwhile, but duty intervened.

As for the rest, this is a narrative that is briskly paced, filled with enough twists and memorable moments (Kirk in Romulan attire is particularly enjoyable) to make this one of the best episode in the entire run of the Original Series.

“The Enterprise Incident” is an example of what Trek is like when it’s firing on all cylinders. Regrettably, this doesn’t happen often enough but when it does, the result is fantastic. This is one that will easily find its way to the pinnacle of many a top ten Trek episodes list. And there’s no mystery why. It’s just that good.

Filed under: Original Series