The Corbomite Manuever

This is the first of the regular productions of the original series of Star Trek, an enthralling epsiode that deals with the themes of fear of the unknown and how appearences can be deceiving. Much of the epsiode is from Lt. Bailey's perspective; a young Officer learning to deal with the dangers space exploration holds.

More importantly, this episode deomonstrates Captain Kirk's ability to lead and to think outside the box when it comes to dealing with alien threats. Tension is high as the alien ship 'The Fesarius' has threatened to the destroy the Enterprise, giving it's Captain and crew 10 minutes to say their farewells. To Kirk of course this just allows him 10 minutes to formulate a plan. Spock can see no 'logical alternative' and he is almost heartbroken when Jim snaps at him: "Is that your best recommendation?" Spock makes to say "Sorry" but stops himself.

This episode contains one of the first really obvious slash moments, with this exchange between Kirk and Spock, which seems to bear no relevance to the story other than to demonstrate they they are very close indeed: Spock: "has it occured to you that there's a certain...ineffeciency in constantly questioning me on things you've already made up your mind about?" Kirk: "It give me emotional security." Honestly they are like an old married couple in this scene, and they end the scene by looking lovingly into each others eyes...awww, so sweet.

This episode also makes it very clear that Kirk is not interested in women and particularly not in his female Yeoman (poor Janice). He complains to McCoy that he has been assigned a female yeoman and Bones, cluelessly suggests that Kirk doesn't trust himself. Kirk clears up any doubts quickly by saying the only female he thinks about is the Enterprise...hmm seems he's not quite ready to let his doctor in on the fact that he is lusting after Spock. Which by the way is kind of obvious by the way that in the introduction to the action Kirk contacts Spock three times between Sick Bay and the Bridge and twice of those are visual communications, whilst he is shirtless...flirting again Jim?

Kirk of course outwits Balok the alien commander, they make friends and everybody lives happily ever after. Great episode with slash galore, please watch it for yourself and enjoy the show.