" Arena " is an episode of the original American science fiction television series Star Trek. This is the first season episode, # 18, production # 19, first broadcast January 19, 1967, and repeated on July 6, 1967. It was written by Gene L. Coon, based on a short story by the same name by Fredric Brown, and directed by Joseph Pevney. This episode introduces Gorn.
In the episode, while pursuing an unknown foe for an apparently unwarranted attack, Captain Kirk is forced by a powerful entity to fight an unarmed opponent's captain.
Video Arena (Star Trek: The Original Series)
Plot
USS Enterprise arrived at Post Cestus III by invitation from its commander, but the crew found out the outpost was wiped out. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), First Spock Officer (Leonard Nimoy), Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and security forces descended to find one survivor (Tom Troupe) who said the base was under heavy pressure. bombardment of an unknown enemy. The landing party found themselves under fire from up close, with two security teams killed in an early volley. The Enterprise is also attacked from an unknown ship, preventing the crew from beaming until the landing party. On the surface, Kirk finds grenade launchers from stores at the outpost, and uses them to spread the power of aliens. The foreign ship found its crew from the surface and began to retreat. The landing party will return to the ship Enterprise before they catch up.
Both ships entered the unexplored space sector, and shortly thereafter, lost all driving force. The Enterprise is contacted by a species that calls itself Metron (voiced by Vic Perrin), who vigorously guard their space sector from intrusion. They announced that they would pit their captains to each other in "trial by battle", battle one-on-one to death, with the losing captain's ship to be destroyed and the other vessels free to leave. Captain Kirk is suddenly transported to the surface of a rocky and arid planet along with the captain of another ship, which is a species of reptile known as Gorn (voiced by Ted Cassidy). The Metrons spoke to Kirk, explaining that while the captain had no communication with his ship, each had been given a vocal recording device that would translate their words to the opposing captain as well as send it to their ship. Kirk is told that the planet has a lot of resources both captains can use to defeat others. Above Enterprise , the crew is allowed to keep an eye on Kirk's actions.
Kirk tried to communicate with Gorn, but received no response. The Gorn tracks Kirk, and Kirk realizes that he is superior physically and relies on his dexterity to run faster than Gorn. Kirk is caught in a rope trap set by Gorn that injures his leg and slows it down. The Gorn ends up communicating with Kirk through a translation device and offers to get rid of him from his misery. Kirk accuses the Gorns of being butchers, but the aliens defend their attacks against Cestus III, which says the outpost has been built on what Gorn considers their territory. They see the Federation's presence in this section of the room as a nuisance and a possible starting point for a full-scale invasion.
Trying to stay ahead of Gorn, Kirk discovers many valuable minerals and resources on the planet, which seem useless at this point. He was inspired to discover bamboo stems and raw chemicals that could be mixed into a black powder formula. He built an emergency weapon, using diamond pieces as ammunition. Kirk lies down waiting for Gorn and shoots him, injuring the aliens. Kirk prepares to attack Gorn to kill him, but realizes Gorn's attack on Cestus III is likely only to defend himself, and allow Gorn to live. Suddenly, Gorn disappears, and Metron (Carole Shelyne) shows up to Kirk, congratulating him not only of winning the battle but showing the graceful nature of progressing to one's enemies. Kirk refuses to have Metron destroy the Gorn ship, leading Metron to comment that "you are still half barbarian, but there is hope", and that the Federation should look for Metron again in a few thousand years. Suddenly Kirk finds himself on top of the Enterprise, the wound heals, and the crew finds a ship on the other side of the galaxy, 500 parsecs from the Metron chamber, Gorn's ship is out of reach.
Maps Arena (Star Trek: The Original Series)
Production
- According to an account by Herbert Solow in the book Inside Star Trek, The Real Story, the relationship with Brown's short story may be an unconscious inspiration. After Coon wrote what he thought was the original script, Desilu's research department, headed by Kellam de Forest, noted the similarities. It was therefore agreed that the Desilu Business Affairs office would summon Brown and offer a fair price for the story, before being shot and broadcast. Brown agrees without knowing that his story has been written; he was given screen credits.
- This episode was filmed partly at a location in Vasquez Rocks, which was later used as a filming location in other Star Trek episodes and movies.
- Captain Gorn's vocalization was given by actor Ted Cassidy, who also appeared live on Star Trek's "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" episodes. and cast a threatening Beam in the episode "The Corbomite Maneuver". The Gorn is described by stuntmen Bobby Clark and Gary Combs and by additional Bill Blackburn at close range.
- William Shatner recalls standing too close to the stage explosion while filming the episode, causing his tinnitus to this day. Leonard Nimoy also suffered. Shatner has it in his left ear and Nimoy keeps it in his right ear.
- "Arena" is the first episode of Star Trek that was broadcast in color by the BBC when it was first shown in the UK in November 1969.
- The ability to build weapons that work from bamboo and black powder was tested (and apparently unreasonable) in an episode of MythBusters television show titled Mini Myth Mayhem.
Reception
Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gives an 'A' rating episode, notes the effect of the episode and notices the use of the Star Trek theme, exploration uncertainty.
References
External links
- "Arena" on StarTrek.com
- "Arena" in IMDb
- "Arena" on TV.com
- "Arena" in Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
- "Arena" Screenshot before and after remastering on TrekMovie.com
- "Arena" Short story and episode comparison
- Bobby Clark talks about playing with Gorn
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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