I've always remembered this episode as the one in which Captain Kirk had to quickly think on his feet in order to save the Enterprise with only a ten minute warning. The countdown actually got pretty low before Spock inadvertently hinted a solution to Kirk with his chess reference, triggering the Captain's thoughts to a more formidable game of bluff. It was a very cool resolution for Kirk to challenge Balok with his corbomite maneuver while puzzling the crew with what seemed like a top secret plan that no one else knew anything about. It showed just how deft the Captain could be when the fate of the entire Enterprise was put on the line.
Watching these shows again in original air date order, it's interesting to see Dr. McCoy challenge Kirk in his medical records twice in a row; he had done so in the prior episode, "Dagger of the Mind" as well. Just that idea showed how far Gene Roddenberry and his writers had developed the concept of a highly disciplined structure in which a United Earth Ship had to operate. On the flip side however, it looks almost comical for them to have goofed on a simple idea like the countdown clock flipping to 1:59 with a minute left to respond to Balok.
But this was Kirk at his best, making an impossible decision with a coolness of character matched only by Spock in this and future episodes. If I'm not mistaken, this was the first time Spock used his signature line - "Fascinating". And a first for Bones as well, uttering one of his many to come comparisons when asked to perform outside of his regular duties - "What am I, a doctor or a moon shuttle coordinator"?
Watching these shows again in original air date order, it's interesting to see Dr. McCoy challenge Kirk in his medical records twice in a row; he had done so in the prior episode, "Dagger of the Mind" as well. Just that idea showed how far Gene Roddenberry and his writers had developed the concept of a highly disciplined structure in which a United Earth Ship had to operate. On the flip side however, it looks almost comical for them to have goofed on a simple idea like the countdown clock flipping to 1:59 with a minute left to respond to Balok.
But this was Kirk at his best, making an impossible decision with a coolness of character matched only by Spock in this and future episodes. If I'm not mistaken, this was the first time Spock used his signature line - "Fascinating". And a first for Bones as well, uttering one of his many to come comparisons when asked to perform outside of his regular duties - "What am I, a doctor or a moon shuttle coordinator"?