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Star trek: The original series 2.03a - The apple

Stardate 3715.0
Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Episode propaganda

On Gamma Trianguli VI, Kirk (William Shatner) and a landing party are plagued by poisonous plants, exploding rocks and attacks by lightning. They learn from the childlike natives that the planet is ruled by Vaal, an omniscient god, which interprets Kirk's presence as a threat to the stability to the culture. To preserve this simplistic society, Vaal plans to destroy Kirk and the Enterprise!

Persons of interest

William Shatner .... Captain James Tiberius Kirk
Leonard Nimoy .... Commander Spock
Deforest Kelley .... Doctor Leonard H McCoy
James Doohan .... Lieutenant Montgomery Scott
Nichelle Nichols .... Lieutenant Uhura
George Takei .... Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig .... Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov
Majel Barrett .... Nurse Christine Chapel
Grace Lee Whitney .... Yeoman Janice Rand
David Soul .... Makora
Keith Andes .... Akuta
Celeste Yarnall .... Yeoman Martha Landon
Shari Nims .... Sayana
Max Ehrlich .... Screenwriter
Joseph Pevney .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Studios and distributors:

Star trek official site

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Intelligence report

Ethics, philosophy and a lot of bare skin.

The apple marks the first use of the Prime Directive (Non-interference Directive), and what better way to introduce it than by bringing sin to paradise? Spock and McCoy get to argue the two sides of a meaty dilemma: is it better to leave a humanoid race in enforced innocence or to expose them to reality so that they can grow, learn and possibly achieve their maximum potential? No prizes for guessing that McCoy takes the Humanist side and Spock the logical (in terms of the Prime Directive and the fact that the natives are in a symbiotic relationship with Vaal).

To add insult to injury, Kirk has been ordered by Starfleet to investigate the anomalous readings produced by the planet. He can't just pack up and leave because there's a philosophical problem. On top of these ethical dilemmas is the physical dilemma that Vaal is trying to destroy both the Enterprise and the landing party (there are more red-shirt Ensigns in this episode than you can point a bolt of lightning at).

It's a very well crafted episode that will keep you on your toes, both for the ethical questions and for the action. Enjoy.

FYI: The title refers to the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of which Eve and Adam ate in the Garden of Eden, from Judaeo-Christian mythology.