Amok Time

Season 2, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

Spock must go to Vulcan in order to perform the Vulcan mating ritual.
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Fan Episode Reviews (9)

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  • It could be a little better, but this is a unique look into the "Vulcans."

    6.2
    "Fair"
    By The_MOW, Nov 14, 2011 Report Abuse
    "Spock" (Leonard Nimoy) is showing strange, erratic behavior and "Capt. Kirk" (William Shatner) asks "Dr. McCoy" (DeForest Kelly) to examine the First Officer. "McCoy" learns in his examination that "Spock" MUST return to his homeplanet "Vulcan" within eight days (maximum) or he will die. However, "Spock" refuses to explain why he must return to his homeworld and why it threatens his life at first. He eventually explains that he is suffering from "Pon Farr" and must mate with his mate that was picked for him when he was a child or he will die.

    "Kirk" jeopardizes his career, and orders the Enterprise divert from their current mission to bring "Spock" to his native world.

    As they arrive at "Vulcan," "Spock" asks "Kirk" and "McCoy" to accompany him to the planet surface as his guests. The three "beam down" to the planet where "Spock's" chosen mate, "T'Pring" (Arlene Martel) awaits. To "Kirk's" surprise, one of "Vulcan's" most respected leaders, "T'Pau" (the late Celia Lovsky) is to conduct the ceremony.

    Trouble starts when "T'Pring" stops the ceremony to announce she wishes to marry a "Vulcan" named "Stonn" (Lawrence Montaigne). She envokes her right to have "Spock" fight for her, and, to every one's surprise, chooses "Kirk" to fight on her behalf instead of "Stonn."

    However, the biggest surprise to "McCoy" and "Kirk" is that the fight, with hand-held weapons which have large blades at one end and a blunt object on the other, is to the death.

    The episode, written by Theodore Sturgeon, was the Season Two premiere episode that had a memorable entry march and music with interesting costumes for the "Vulcan" wedding party which greets "Spock" and his guests in a set that might remind you of Stonehenge.

    Both Arlene Martel and the late Celia Lovsky did good jobs both as a young (Martel) and elder (Lovsky) "Vulcan" females. Both are stoic as required as a "Vulcan". Lovsky stands out a bit more, as she talks with her Czech accent making her performance a little more memorable.

    Another standout performance is done by Nimoy, who does a wonderful job portraying "Spock" as one who is trying to retain control while feeling the urge to return home like the bass must return to the stream it was born in to spawn. Shatner also does a good job as "Kirk," who puts his career, and neck, on the line to save his First Officer and close friend.

    The episode lags in some places, and the fight scene seems to take up more time than it should, but they help with advancing the story to the surprise ending. The scenery is fairly boring, yet interesting as you can see hints of the "Vulcan" red-colored sky and the redish "rock" of the structures which surround the area for the wedding.

    To sum things up, "Amok Time" is an interesting look into the "Vulcan" culture and biological needs.
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  • Spock givesKirkthe gong during the Vulcan version of Spring Break.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By millerem99, Aug 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    Logic and stoicism take thebackseat when Spock's mating instincts kick in, transforming him into a short-tempered mammal and compelling him to return to his home planet of Vulcan. Kirk risks all to help his first officer and pal fulfill his carnal urges. Once on Vulcan, however, Spoc still can't get a break - he is forced to fight his captain and his friend, unto the death.
    The suspense in the storyline works well, as does the revelation of a side of Spock not normally seen. The planet Vulcan, with its glittering pebbles and red sky, vaguely reminiscent of Vegas desert, is a great match for the hot-blooded plot. Then there's tiny little T'Pau, with her Euro-Vulcan accent and mix-up of old Engish grammar (saying "thee" instead of "thou", etc.), all ready to kill Kirk and McCoy if one of them steps out of line. But the burgeoning loyalty between the trio is the plasma that holds the whole episode together.
    Episodehighlights include the ends of the deadly lirpas breaking off like pieces of rock candy from a stick; the Vulcan ceremonial stand-ins shaking the bells like they're a part of the Salvation Army at Christmas; and the men talking at the end about whether Spock actually got lucky.
    Then there's poor Nurse Chapel. She expresses her undying love through a bowl of plomik soup, only to have it literally thrown back in her face. When Spock's hormones get the better of him, he makes a half-hearted pass at her, which she reproaches, before nearly doing a dance of sheer delight at his request to make him more plomik soup. Shortly afterwards, her momentary glee turns to dismayed shock at glimpsing Spock's much younger, hotter bride. By the end of the episode, she must be totally confounded, as Spock is unattached, returned to his duties, yetdiffusedof those alarmingly exciting recent impulses.moreless

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  • Kirk must rush Spock to Vulcan for a mating ritual which turns into a battle to the death between Kirk and Spock.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Celedorian, Nov 22, 2010 Report Abuse
    With Spock becoming a household name, Star Trek decided to open their second season with a visit to his home planet to look at the culture he grew up in. It was a daring and ambitious idea, but thanks to Ted Sturgeon's script, the result is another great Spock episode. Sturgeon was a savvy guy who knew that unlike his books where he could write anything, budget limited what a TV show could do; so instead of writing a script focused on the external issues of Vulcan, he delivered a tightly written script that examines the internal battles each Vulcan must face. This episode also introduces Chekov, who has some great banter with Sulu. Actually, the entire cast of Star Trek looks more comfortable beginning with this episode which is one of the reasons the second season of Star Trek is a favorite. The most significant guest star in Amok Time is Celia Lovsky (T'Pau), who facially resembles Leonard Nimoy (Spock). Her accent and stage presence combine to create an unforgettable character that is part of an unforgettable climax.

    Composer Gerald Fried's original score is, possibly, the greatest score for any episode of Trek. Much of the music in this episode would be reused time and time again in later episodes of Trek, especially for Spock. (The lonely bass guitar theme for the Vulcan is, in my opinion, the greatest leitmotif in all of Trek.)

    A great episode.moreless

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  • Nurse Chapel upsets Spock by forgetting to put cloves in his Plomik soup

    8.0
    "Great"
    By hrtonslv, Nov 22, 2010 Report Abuse
    I loved the script. And it includes a touching moment that most people glaze over and don't talk about. In the turbo lift Spock invites Kirk to attend the ceremony. He then slowly turns to the doctor and says "I also request McCoy". I just absolutely loved the way he delivered the line with the pause and head turn toward McCoy. All the Vulcan lingo was great. "Kali fee"! "Kryka!", "Ponn Far", "Plak tow". Did you catch Nurse Chapel's expression when Spock said "That is T'Pring, my wife."? Priceless.moreless

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  • Spock is behaving very out of character, and requests that the Enterprise divert to planet Vulcan. It transpires that he must return home in order to perform the Vulcan mating ritual, or he will die. Not one of my Top 10 favourites, but a notable episode.moreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Jay-Spacedust, Nov 13, 2008 Report Abuse
    The second season kicks off with this notable episode (although "Catspaw" was the first episode of the season to be produced).

    The second season introduces Walter Koenig as Helmsman Chekov, who makes his first on-screen appearance in this story. He was brought it partly to try and win younger viewers, with his look based upon 'The Monkees' (which started the same year as 'Star Trek'); and he was made Russian to reflect their position in the 1960s space race.
    Also with the second season, DeForest Kelley's name is added to the main credits, reflecting how he had grown to be a key character over the first season of the show.

    Anyway, the story itself. The episode is notable for our first glimpse of Vulcan, and many of their customs. It marks the first appearance of the Vulcan hand gesture (suggested by Leonard Nimoy), as well as the first on-screen uttering of "Live long... and prosper".

    Many of 'Star Trek's episodes mirror human conditions, and this story can be dubbed 'Spock hits puberty'! He certainly acts like an angry teenager, throwing food offered to him at the wall, and shouting a lot.

    This is one of 'Star Trek's most famous episodes, with the fight between Spock and Kirk being the most memorable scene. It has also been spoofed a lot, such as in the movie 'The Cable Guy' (1996), and in the second season 'Futurama' episode 'Why Must a Crustacean Fall In Love'.

    The story is okay, and has some interesting details, but I confess to finding it a bit dragged out, and my attention did start to wander in places.

    This is one of the most iconic episodes of Original 'Star Trek', but I wouldn't necessarily class it as one of the very best. It certainly has some good moments and some nice details, but I'm afraid there are many that I like better.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • (Translation) Vulcan: [Koon-ut] English: [Marriage] or [Marriage or] (Translation) Vulcan: [Pon Farr] English: [Time of Mating] (Translation) Vulcan: [Plak Tow] English: [blood Fever] (Translation) Vulcan: [Kroykah] English: [Stop] (Translation) Vulcan: [Kal-if-fee] English: [Challenge] Edit
    • Spock throws the soup out of his quarters, then Kirk has a conversation of several minutes with him. When Kirk leaves, the soup is still on the wall, which doesn't speak well for the crew's clean-up efficiency. Edit
    • Trivia: This episode introduces the concept of Pon Farr. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • It is said that Celia Lovsky (T'Pau) was unable to spread her fingers unassisted in order to make the Vulcan hand salute, and needed to do it off camera. As such, while Spock separates his fingers with his hand already raised, T'Pau raises her hand with her fingers already spread. Edit
    • This episode was originally (and perhaps rather unfortunately) summarized by TV Guide with the double-entendre "Mr. Spock succumbs to a powerful mating urge and nearly kills Captain Kirk." Edit
    • Starting with this episode the episode titles are in the Star Trek main title font, and the episode's writer and director credits get moved from the end of the episode to the beginning shown directly after the episode title. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Sulu: How do you figure it, Chekov? First we're going to Vulcan, then we're going to Altair, then we're headed to Vulcan again. Now we're headed back to Altair. Chekov: I think I'm going to get spacesick. Edit
    • T'Pau: Spock, are our ceremonies for outworlders? Spock: They are not outworlders. They are my friends. Edit
    • McCoy: Jim, when I suggested to Spock that it was time for his check-up, your logical, unemotional first officer turned to me and said, "You will cease to pry into my personal matters, Doctor, or I shall certainly break your neck." Edit

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