TOS - The Savage Curtain

 Plot:  The USS Enterprise is halted by an object in space: Its Abraham Lincoln! Once aboard,  Mr. Lincoln persuades Kirk and Spock to beam down to the local planet where a rock like creature demands they engage in a struggle with some of the greatest villians in history - including lovable Ghenjis Khan.

As a young boy, this was one of my favorite TOS episodes. Noble (if foolish) Surak. A talking high IQ rock. Historical figures. The slimey Col. Green. Honest Abe taking a spear in the back. Lots of  sophmoric philosophy about peace/war and how to battle evil. 

On rewatch it all seems a little silly, but its still enjoyable. The first 20 minutes is very good.  I love Kirk slapping down McCoy for being insuborinate. But once the action begins its let down by the extremely low budget, fake sets, and badly directed fights. 

And like many other 3rd season episodes it has problems in logic.  I could list all the plot holes, and logical inconsistencies, but hey, I have a life. So, I'll list just one. Why would a race as advanced as the Excalbians (they can read minds, create historical figures out of thin air, create livable atmosphere on a planet with no oxygen, and destroy the Enterprise at will) not understand good and evil?

Best Quote:

Lincoln: What a charming negress. Oh, forgive me, my dear. I know that in my time some use that term as a term of offense.

Uhura: But why should I object to that term, sir? You see, in our century, we've learned not to fear words.

Favorite Scene:

Scotty and McCoy try to convince Kirk not to beam down to the planet, leading Kirk to say:The very reason for the existence of our starships is contact with other life. Although the method is beyond our comprehension, we have been offered contact; therefore, I shall beam down.

Worst Scene:

Kirk is upset at the Alien for threatening the Enterprise and strikes it.  Damn it Jim, its a Rock.  What was Kirk thinking?