TOS - The Cloudminders

Plot: The Enterprise arrives at Ardana to obtain "Zenite", the only cure for a plague on another planet. However, the troglodyte miners and the elite rulers in the beautiful cloud city of "Stratos" are locked in conflict. Can Kirk find a way to get the rare mineral in time to save millions?

Pros: Beautiful actresses and set design, not a bottle episode, philosophical plot, some Spock flirting, Kirk behaves like Kirk
Cons: Obvious message, weak villain, bad fights, static first half.

Cloudminders while average in execution is a welcome change from most of season 3. Finally, we're given a "new civilization" with some good set design. And we're not looking for Spock's brain, but following Kirk as he attempts to obtain a needed rare mineral and navigate the conflict between the "have-not" minors in revolt, and the upper-class cloud dwellers.

And Kirk is Kirk 

He's focused on the mission - not some beautiful android. Also nice are the two beautiful actresses. One, in a pretty blue dress, plays Plasus' daughter, and has some nice flirty moments with Spock. The other, is the tough resistance leader, battling for justice.

Substandard Jeff Corey as the villainous Plasus.
Corey simply doesn't have enough Charisma for the part. This guy is the leader of Stratos? I don't think so.   Corey is more of a  supporting actor, and playing against Shatner exaggerates his limitations.  Plus, he's far too old to be fighting with Kirk.

The talky over-obvious first half
While its enjoyable to visit Stratos and learn about their society, the first-half is far too talky and static. We pick up the situation fairly quickly: 

(1) the planet divided into workers and cloud people;

(2) Parus is prejudiced against the troglodytes; and 

(3) the workers are oppressed. 

But after these points are made, the first-half just drones on, with a needless torture scene and Plasus- Kirk arguments. Its not until the 3rd act, when Kirk decides to beam down to Vanna's prison cell, so she can help procure the Zinone gas, that the story starts moving again.  Albeit in a predictable direction.

The bad fights
The Director does a poor job with the two extended fights The one between Corey-Kirk is unbelievable, since Corey is too old and small. The beginning fight is poorly choreographed. Why Spock doesn't use his nerve pinch, and can't beat a 120 lbs girl isn't made obvious. Both lack any sense of danger and go on far too long. 

Best Quote

Droxine : You only take a mate once every seven years?

Mr. Spock : The seven-year cycle is biologically inherent in all Vulcans. At that time, the mating drive outweighs all other motivations.

Droxine : And is there nothing that can disturb that cycle, Mr. Spock?

Mr. Spock : Extreme feminine beauty is always disturbing, Madam.

Plasus : Gentlemen, one of our planet's most incomparable works of art: my daughter Droxine. 

Captain Kirk.  And First Officer Spock.

Droxine : I have never before met a Vulcan, sir.

Mr. Spock : Nor I a work of art, Madam.

Summary:  An average episode let down by some bad casting of the villian, and weak direction.  A message episode that needed less repetition and more wit.  However, the actresses are lovely, we get off the Enterprise, encounter a new world,  and the story is logical and mildly interesting.