Digital Death and the Power of a Really Good Hat

TOS: Episode 23: A Taste of Armageddon

Episode Summary
An ambassador travels to a distant planet aboard the Enterprise. Upon arrival, Uhura intercepts a signal warning all ships to stay away from the planet's surface. Ambassador's carry superior power over a ship's captain, however, and the ambassador demands the Enterprise continue against the signals advise. The ambassador's intention is to establish a treaty with the people of the planet and is willing to face the possibility of inter-planetary war by going against the signal demands.

To protect the ambassador, Kirk beams to the planet surface along with an away team (including Spock), leaving the ambassador aboard the Enterprise with Scotty in charge. Upon arrival, a beautiful woman, and her security detail greet the away team, already aware that they would be arriving and where. She escorts Kirk and his team to the high counsel of the planet, after first warning him of the incredible danger to be found in the area. The counsel warns the team that the third planet in the solar system is at war with them. Evidence suggests that no actual war is occurring, and yet the population continues to behave as though they are under attack.

The Enterprise crew is finally able to determine that the war is not a physical occurrence, but an operation taking place entirely on a computer simulation. The complication is that, even though the war itself is only mathematically calculated and represented by machine, real people actually submit themselves to death via disintegration machine if the calculations determines they have been killed. Shortly after having the circumstances explained to them, Kirk also finds out that his entire ship has been declared a casuality. All crew members, except the away team (since it was the ship that was hit and 'destroyed'), therefore, are required to report to disintegration machines too.

Episode Tidbits
Let's be honest, sometimes episode review is tedious. It's hard to delve into any deep ethical implications with this episode, when its plot line is so implausible and inconsistent. Don't misunderstand me. It's not implausible because of it being fantasy, but instead because of how inconsistently the plot elements are dealt with. The story is written in a manner that makes it hard to care about.

First Contact Citizens of the Planet; The Woman and her Security Detail

Considering that, can we talk about what really matters? The fabric of the above woman's outfit is completely sweet. If I was stuck being the "I am only here because I am attractive and so make our viewers care more deeply about the fact that I must die" love interest for Kirk, I'd totally choose this outfit too. Do you see what else of interest is going on in this episode? The craziest hats I have ever seen show up here on Star Trek episode 23. Let's find more examples of what I'm talking about, shall we?

The Planet Residents Viewing the Results of their Computer War

Kirk Pissed, Being Held by Security Detail, Having Been Told That His Crew Is Going to Die

Kirk and Spock have completely forgotten about the Prime Directive that was focused on only a couple of episodes earlier. He intervenes in an attempt to stop the killing occurring on the planet, thereby absolutely interfering with the local government.

The episode certainly stretches the previous limits of Star Trek imagination, a great relief if our goal is to venture into Sci-Fi space. The plot is wonderfully implausible as well, though perhaps holds the virtue of ambition as excuse for its various failings.

Also, keep an eye out for the Renoir-allusion sculptures that occasionally show up in the background of this episode.