Amok Time

Though I can’t imagine any way to prove this with actual evidence, I suspect this episode has inspired more fan-written amateur porn than any other 60 minutes in television history. The idea of Spock suddenly coming down with an overpowering case of lust that must be slaked lest he die suggests so many different sexual scenarios. Most of the ones that I’ve seen involve Kirk and Spock trapped on a deserted planet when the pon far (which I’ve also seen spelled pon farr) seizes the Vulcan, forcing the pair to take their relationship to the next level.

The actual story here isn’t quite so “complicated.” Spock’s performance of his routine shipboard duties begins to be disrupted by inexplicable emotional outbursts. In response to the captain’s concern, he’s forced to confess the embarrassing truth about Vulcans: they aren’t really emotionless, just very, very repressed. Once every few years everything comes bubbling to the surface, and unless the victim can return to the home world, complete the mating ceremony and get some, he can die of emotional overload.

Of course this must be fairly common among Vulcans, so much so that one wonders that there’s no Star Fleet standard order for dealing with the situation. But apparently this is new to everyone, forcing Kirk to decide between completing an important mission and transporting his friend back to Vulcan before he dies. Naturally he chooses the latter.

After dropping Spock off at the appointed place, Kirk and McCoy are invited by Vulcan poobah T’Pau to stay and watch the ceremony. This turns out to be a mistake, because Spock’s bride, T’Pring, chooses to challenge the marriage and names Kirk as her “champion.” This means Kirk and Spock must now fight to the death. The ensuing battle is a legendary moment.

Of course everything turns out alright in the end (otherwise it would have been an odd way to start the second season). McCoy contrives a way to fake Kirk’s death, so it appears Spock has won. Oddly enough, this quenches his uncontrollable lust. And boy is he ever happy – briefly but openly displaying his relief – when Kirk turns out to be alive. Thanks to intervention by T’Pau, the captain’s deviation from orders is excused.

Episode rating:

Stardate: 3372.7

Episode type: Enterprise crew

Written by: Theodore Sturgeon

Original air date: September 15, 1967

Season One: Operation - Annihilate! / Who Mourns for Adonais?

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