Kirk visits a penal colony and makes a disturbing discovery.
I enjoyed this episode for the character moments, themes and campiness.
The plot is okay but somewhat random at times, with certain events supposedly having consequences that never actually materialise. It is notable as the first showing of a famous Vulcan technique that we come to see many times in later shows and movies. Speaking of Vulcan techniques, who needs that neck pinch when a nicely executed chop to back puts a man down in much the same fashion?
That being said I really enjoyed the episode theme of the psychological 'cure' for the criminal mind. This was a popular topic in the sixties with books such as 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', addressing it. Here it's done in a very Star Trek way with a 'mad scientist' type formula with the heroic Captain Kirk at the centre of it, alongside a beautiful love interest of the week.
For me, 'Dagger Of The Mind' has some of the most memorable dialogue of the series, with Spock delivering the great line quoted in my review title in a nice exchange with Bones. Kirk's line about the advantage of being captain is also good.
William Shatner is great as always but strays over the top on a few occasions. This for me though is all part of the fun of the original series. Leonard Nimoy and Deforest Kelley have great chemistry and their scenes are always a pleasure. All the guest actors do a fine job in some key roles.
The visuals are great, with some good focus on actors facial expressions and a great colourful plastic sixties feel to everything.
I enjoyed this episode for the character moments, themes and campiness.
The plot is okay but somewhat random at times, with certain events supposedly having consequences that never actually materialise. It is notable as the first showing of a famous Vulcan technique that we come to see many times in later shows and movies. Speaking of Vulcan techniques, who needs that neck pinch when a nicely executed chop to back puts a man down in much the same fashion?
That being said I really enjoyed the episode theme of the psychological 'cure' for the criminal mind. This was a popular topic in the sixties with books such as 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', addressing it. Here it's done in a very Star Trek way with a 'mad scientist' type formula with the heroic Captain Kirk at the centre of it, alongside a beautiful love interest of the week.
For me, 'Dagger Of The Mind' has some of the most memorable dialogue of the series, with Spock delivering the great line quoted in my review title in a nice exchange with Bones. Kirk's line about the advantage of being captain is also good.
William Shatner is great as always but strays over the top on a few occasions. This for me though is all part of the fun of the original series. Leonard Nimoy and Deforest Kelley have great chemistry and their scenes are always a pleasure. All the guest actors do a fine job in some key roles.
The visuals are great, with some good focus on actors facial expressions and a great colourful plastic sixties feel to everything.