Balance of Terror

What can one say about 'Balance of Terror' that hasn't already been said? This episode is consistently voted as the most popular/best episode of TOS. A classic battle of wills. Two commanders, each as brilliant as the other, engage in a game of cat and mouse; each using every trick in their books to outsmart the other. There is much at stake as the action takes place along the Neutral Zone between the Romulan Empire and Federation controlled space, and any incursion by the Enterprise into Romulan Space could spark an interstellar war. And the Romulans are testing new technology (cloaking device) and a new weapon, which may well make them a real threat to the Federation. Everything about this episode is perfect; the script is tight, the action enthralling, the performances brilliant and the emotional content intense.

There are two powerful sub-plots: the imminent marriage between Angela Martine and Robert Tomlinson and the prejudice displayed by navigator Andrew Stiles. One resolved in a negative way (in the death of Tomlinson) and the other in a positive way (Stiles over-coming his bigotry). And probably the most beautiful scene in TOS, between Kirk and McCoy, as Kirk questions his ability to lead:

KIRK: I wish I were on a long sea voyage somewhere. Not too much deck tennis, no frantic dancing, and no responsibility. Why me? I look around that Bridge, and I see the men waiting for me to make the next move. And Bones, what if I'm wrong?

MCCOY: Captain, I...

KIRK: No, I don't really expect an answer.

MCCOY: But I've got one. Something I seldom say to a customer, Jim. In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don't destroy the one named Kirk.

There is no overt slash in this episode, however the silent bond between Kirk and Spock is still on display. When Stiles makes a snide comment about Spock being related to the Romulan enemies, Kirk immediately and vehemently confronts the crewman on his remark, defending Spock's honour in effect.