The
Man Trap
(First aired: September 8th,
1966)
The
one that started it all. (Of course, The
Cage is
the one that started it all, but this is the one that NBC viewers saw
first.) The Enterprise
stops
at M-113 on a routine visit, but quickly discover that something has
gone horribly wrong. The episode quickly establishes the characters,
particularly Kirk and McCoy. The latter especially, as it is revealed
that the Doctor had been romantically involved with Nancy some time
in the past. (Before she met Robert.) It is still a senstive area, as
he is offended by Darnell's remark about her being identical to
someone he had met on Wrigley's Pleasure Planet.
Kirk
is established as a capable leader, who looks out for his crew. (Not
that it does Darnell, Sturgeon and Green any good.) Spock's nature as
a logical Vulcan is also established. Uhura's playful teasing doesn't
faze him. (Still, I wonder if their relationship in the Kelvin
Timeline was inspired by this moment?) And she's aghast at his
unemotional response to the report that a member of the landing party
had died. Various crewmembers aboard ship are also established (and
are certainly put off by the 'Salt vampire's' imitation of Green.
Particularly Rand.)
Part
of the role of the Enterprise
is established. (Checking
up on various Federation outposts.) The suspense as the characters
investigate what is happening, is very well realised. The initial
reluctance of Crater to cooperate leads well into the later
situation. The confrontation on the planet between the Starfleet
officers and Crater (after the creature had infiltrated the
Enterprise)
was well done.
Overall, it is an excellent introduction to the series, and the
overall setting.
Rating:
8.5/19.
Stardate:
1513.1 – 1513.8
Introductions:
Overall setting; USS
Enterprise NCC 1701;
Kirk, James T.; Spock; McCoy, Leonard H; Uhura, Nyota; Sulu, Hikaru;
Rand, Janice; Crater, Robert; M-113;
Deaths:
5 (Nancy Crater, Darnell, Sturgeon, Green and the Creature/'Salt
Vampire')
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