Season 2 is off to a very good start.
It’s not hard to imagine that the genesis of this episode was the contract negotiations with Leonard Nimoy demanding more screen time and more interesting roles. As opposed to other great examples of actors demanding their own way (*cough* Star Trek V *cough*) this one turns out pretty well.
The episode is a bit heavy in the made-up Vulcan mythology, but it mostly works pretty well. It sets up the future appearances of Vulcans in most of the important details, in a way that past episodes really didn’t.
But the core of the episode is in the Kirk & Spock relationship, which drives the episode. Although McCoy has a great moment with his own bit of initiative.
Great trek moments: First, if I’m not mistaken, that was the first appearance of the famous Star Trek fight music. And secondly, the Vulcan Salute and ‘Live Long and Prosper’.
(And, in a few shots, I have to say that the resemblance between Old Spock and New Spock (Zachary Quinto) is pretty good).
30 down, 707 to go.