Star Trek, the original series, season 1 episode 18: Arena

release year: 1967
genre: television sci-fi
viewing setting: home streaming 10/31/24 and many other times in the past

synopsis: After chasing aliens that massacred an outpost, Kirk is put on an empty planet with the commander of the alien ship - who's a lot stronger and more savage - for one-on-one combat to decide the matter.

impressions: This was another of the good ones...not because of Kirk's superior tact and restraint (he didn't display any of that...he was like a kid who wanted a fight no matter what) or because of the realistic aliens (these were all-powerful and basically made the two captains fight because they'd acted foolishly and violently) but because of the thrills of Kirk and a giant lizard-man running around fighting each other or setting traps. Highly entertaining.

acting: As noted, Kirk is little more than a child in the first part of this episode. Spock has some odd moments cheering from the sidelines, so to speak, as he realizes the weapon that Kirk can put together if he, too, figures it out.

final word: Good action-packed episode from the early days of the series.

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