"A sustained warp seven will be dangerous."
--Spock
"Diamond is the hardest known substance.
--Spock
"It's impossible."
--Sulu
"[You have displayed] the advanced [trait] of mercy."
--Metron
"He knows, doctor. He has reason[ed it out | to doubt]."
--Spock
"They've locked on to my tricorder!"
--Spock (how dare they!)
PLOT
The Gorns (a race of lizard-like beings) destroyed the Federation's Cestus
3 outpost. The Enterprise is in pursuit, when Kirk and the Gorn commander
are transported to a planet by the Metrons (a highly advanced race who live
1500+ year lives) for a duel to the death, winner is allowed to leave with
his ship. The two ships are allowed to view the battle on viewer screens.
Kirk wins, but refuses to kill the Gorn, saying that they can probably talk
out their differences.
FACTS
The Enterprise is moved 500 parsecs instantly at the end of the show.
When Kirk finally manages to build a cannon to shoot the Gorn, the scene
is strikingly similar to the beginning of the episode.
The Metron says that the loser's ship will be destroyed, but then when
Kirk wins, the metron acts as if letting Kirk live was an afterthought.
The book version clarifies this by saying the Metron lied; he'd intended
to destroy the winner's ship all along.
OPINIONS
Why does long life imply intelligence? There are quite a few species on
the Earth that live longer than humans.
The Gorn commander was foolish to attempt to kill Kirk after lifting
the rock off him (since Kirk has the speed/maneuverability advantage).
