Star Trek - The Naked Time

"I can't change the laws of physics...I've got to have 30 minutes."

****/****
One of my all-time favorite Original Series' scenes is that marvelous sickbay confrontation between Spock and an infected Nurse Chapel when touches his hand, telling him she's in love with him, spreading the planetary "madness sickness" to him. And the subsequent battle within Spock to combat the human emotional side that wants to countermand the Vulcan control. Nimoy, may he rest in peace, is just on fire when portraying this duality of species fighting for supremacy. Poor Kirk needing to get control of his ship back before the gravitational pull drags the Enterprise into its eventual disintegration.

Sulu and his fencing sword, Riley lost in a drunken Irishman routine singing about Kathleen, Joe lamenting about why man is exploring space where he should leave well enough alone, Spock weeping about his repression of emotion, Nurse Chapel all lovey-dovey, an officer laughing at his painting brush, and another officer serenading Yeoman Rand; the madness continues to take its toll on Captain Kirk's crew.

The engine room "held hostage" by Helm Officer Riley as he repeats his inebriated ode to Kathleen while Kirk debates with Scotty over the time constraints they're up against

• Kirk was ordered to monitor the deteriorating planet which was home to an outpost of scientists affected by the water which caused them to react out of character due to the mental "drunk" resulting from infection, with the close proximity of the Enterprise eventually an issue.
• Using a blow torch to get inside (and then trying to do something with the cut-off engines in order to get them to move the Enterprise out of the orbit and away from the planet before it dies), Scotty can only go so fast.
• This episode is a testament to Scotty's reliability as an engineer. You totally understand why Doohan is so beloved for this character.

Sulu snapping out of it when McCoy, who never is infected, perfects a serum, but also victim to giggling lab techs unable to help him. Kirk finally knickered by the infection when engaged in slapping Spock literally out of his whimpering as he waxes sore about his love for his one tried and true lady, the Enterprise. Scotty insisting that Kirk's idea about imploding engines by mixing matter and antimatter based on an untested theory is impossible yet nonetheless willing to risk it. Spock coordinating with Scott as Kirk returns to the Bridge still warding off the infection wanting to alter his perception. The time warp that results. It all builds to quite an exciting climax. This is all just so great.

I love how the time warp backwards 71 hours is a seed planted here for future use. The little scenes, too, I don't take for granted like Kirk and Uhura getting cross with each other, realizing their error and just expressing regret. The painted expressions on a wall and turbolift. The profound question of if man should be out there exploring strange, new worlds, seeking out life and new civilizations. Kirk revealing to few his loneliness and secret desire for Rand. Despite the odds, Scott comes through with reservations. Certainly this is a top ten ST:TOS episode of mine, for sure . Takei just looked like he had a ball. And this was Nimoy's coming out party with this complex character...the inner turmoil inside him playing out when influenced by forces he encounters never failed to compel me and many other Trek fans. And Sulu takes that neck pinch like a champ!