Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is usually an indomitable hero in Star Trek: The Original Series, but I always feel bad for him in this season 2 episode. As Captain of the USS Enterprise, Kirk leads a historic five-year mission of galactic exploration. Kirk’s legend is of glamorous journeys, making First Contact with numerous aliens, thrilling battles with Star Trek enemies like the Klingons and the Gorn, and lusty romances with all manner of women Kirk meets in our space.
