Designed as a pure comedy episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles" does once again have the Enterprise contending with the Klingons. This time a Klingon warship orbits a space station containing grain important to both sides, agriculturally relevant on a planet which compatible soil. Shore leave gives plenty reason for a bar fight between Klingon and Federation officers. And the tribbles - furry, soft, purring reproductive creatures – are introduced to Uhura by a trader, buying and selling merchandise from one sector to another (Stanley Adams, known as Tybo, the giant carrot on the infamous Lost in Space episode, "The Great Vegetable Rebellion") looking to turn a buck or two on the station.
Charlie Brill (of Silk Stalkings) is Arne Darvin, assistant to William Schallert, whose grain of interest economically is awaiting arrival to Sherman's Planet (a disputed planet desired by both the Federation and the Klingon Empire), with Whit Bissel in charge of the space station which has become (much like the Enterprise) engulfed in breeding tribbles. William Campbell (Squire of Gothos) has a less significant role as the Klingon commander, Koloth, with Michael Pataki as his second in command, Korax. Korax is the one who insults Scotty's ship which initiates the memorable barfight. Sherman's Planet is the location where the grain goes to grow crops, with a diplomatic incident potentially threatening to the Federation's interests while the Klingons obviously wish to cause a disaster affording them access to the planet themselves. A Klingon agent is loose on the station, the tribbles and poisoned grain factor perhaps in his undoing. The tribbles disliking Klingons turns out to be a help to Kirk although their breeding is certainly a hindrance.
The agriculture dispute and Klingon conflict with the Federation are an outline for tribble comedy. Kirk's headaches with Klingons and Schallert's constantly complaining agriculture officer should be enough, but his ship being enveloped by tribbles makes matters even worse. Tribbles spilling out of a grain containment bin and on top of Kirk, with Shatner emerging from a pile of them embarrassed and flummoxed is one of the series' enduring moments. A very popular episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles" has remained a classic among Star Trek fans. It is also a pop culture darling, recognized by even those who aren't Trekkies. Deep Space Nine had a brilliant follow up to this episode celebrating the 30th anniversary. What Scotty does with the tribbles, via transport, to get them off the Enterprise (Kirk had actually sat in his Bridge command chair on one!) is fitting and ironic they couldn't have found a better home! Adams' trader left to gather up the tribbles off the station is also plenty of proper punishment for his own contribution to Kirk's woes. A light-hearted romp, this has nary an intense moment to be had, but this episode is all the same wonderful. And it has one of the best supporting casts of B-vets you could ever ask for. When even Kirk's soup and coffee are intruded upon by the tribbles, the captain has had enough...Spock and McCoy debating tribbles and love for cute animals included makes for such good times.
Charlie Brill (of Silk Stalkings) is Arne Darvin, assistant to William Schallert, whose grain of interest economically is awaiting arrival to Sherman's Planet (a disputed planet desired by both the Federation and the Klingon Empire), with Whit Bissel in charge of the space station which has become (much like the Enterprise) engulfed in breeding tribbles. William Campbell (Squire of Gothos) has a less significant role as the Klingon commander, Koloth, with Michael Pataki as his second in command, Korax. Korax is the one who insults Scotty's ship which initiates the memorable barfight. Sherman's Planet is the location where the grain goes to grow crops, with a diplomatic incident potentially threatening to the Federation's interests while the Klingons obviously wish to cause a disaster affording them access to the planet themselves. A Klingon agent is loose on the station, the tribbles and poisoned grain factor perhaps in his undoing. The tribbles disliking Klingons turns out to be a help to Kirk although their breeding is certainly a hindrance.
The agriculture dispute and Klingon conflict with the Federation are an outline for tribble comedy. Kirk's headaches with Klingons and Schallert's constantly complaining agriculture officer should be enough, but his ship being enveloped by tribbles makes matters even worse. Tribbles spilling out of a grain containment bin and on top of Kirk, with Shatner emerging from a pile of them embarrassed and flummoxed is one of the series' enduring moments. A very popular episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles" has remained a classic among Star Trek fans. It is also a pop culture darling, recognized by even those who aren't Trekkies. Deep Space Nine had a brilliant follow up to this episode celebrating the 30th anniversary. What Scotty does with the tribbles, via transport, to get them off the Enterprise (Kirk had actually sat in his Bridge command chair on one!) is fitting and ironic they couldn't have found a better home! Adams' trader left to gather up the tribbles off the station is also plenty of proper punishment for his own contribution to Kirk's woes. A light-hearted romp, this has nary an intense moment to be had, but this episode is all the same wonderful. And it has one of the best supporting casts of B-vets you could ever ask for. When even Kirk's soup and coffee are intruded upon by the tribbles, the captain has had enough...Spock and McCoy debating tribbles and love for cute animals included makes for such good times.