“The Tholian Web” is an example of classic Trek. Indeed, this is an episode in which Trekkies ought to find many memorable and compelling moments. It certainly is entertaining and briskly paced, with an approach not often seen in the series – namely a distinct lack of focus on Captain Kirk – and a mood, inspired by tales of ghost ships on the high seas, that is thoroughly captivating. But in spite of all its strengths, there just isn’t enough to this episode to elevate it into something truly exceptional.

The episode opens with the Enterprise in search of the Defiant, a ship which has gone missing. What the Enterprise discovers is a ghostly apparition of the Defiant. Beaming on board, Kirk and company discover that the crew is all dead – victims of their own internal violence. The scenes are eerie and ominous and very effective at conveying a sense of doom and gloom. This would make for a perfect Halloween episode.

The mood is important because it carries the narrative a long way through its paces. Indeed, by the time the Defiant disappears altogether, with Kirk on board, this episode is already on its way to being the best “ghost story” of the entire franchise. In fact, the ghost story manages to survive the “technical” explanation of “interphasing” – a concept which only adds to the mystery of what has happened to the captain of the Enterprise.

In Kirk’s absence, there are three forces at work. First is the ascension of Spock to the captaincy – due to the fact that the crew assumes (all too quickly) that Kirk is dead. Second, there is a “disease” at work, causing madness in the crew, thanks to the interphasing. And third is the Tholian presence – a race of aliens who are working to create a “web” from which the Enterprise can never escape.

Surprisingly, this dynamic works quite well to heighten the tension and build the character relationships of Spock and McCoy – even if there are a couple of scenes in which McCoy goes a little overboard in his attacks on Spock. In truth, this is an episode about the two of them finding an understanding – without Kirk to be the moderator of their disputes.

In the end, Kirk’s “ghost” reappears long enough for the crew to realize that he might still be alive. Their efforts to escape the Tholians and cure the “disease” both payoff and the day is won – and Kirk is saved. Due in part to the episode’s wonderful pacing and compelling mood, the whole story is both compelling and entertaining.

“The Tholian Web” does a very good job of telling its story. There isn’t anything here that is above and beyond the Trek universe, but even so, the craft with which this story is told is noteworthy.

Filed under: Original Series