This is a well executed exploring the human condition of trauma in the form of another Shatner acting clinic. The episode bait and switches a few times in regards to Kirk's mental fitness for command but ultimately it is his logic and self examination/doubt that keep him from experiencing the typical ending of a revenge story.
Creating Ensign Garrovick for this story was an excellent idea to hold a mirror up for Kirk to see a young version of himself. Kirk is feeling guilty and takes the blame for the death of the crew on the Ferragut and takes out that guilt on Garrovick for reacting the same as Kirk had previously.
The episode does an excellent job of hiding Kirk's true state of mind and we get to go on the rollercoaster ride of Kirk's logic and guilt battling one another throughout.
This is one of those reflective episodes that you can identify with Kirk's dilemma if you have had some life experience with guilt.
Creating Ensign Garrovick for this story was an excellent idea to hold a mirror up for Kirk to see a young version of himself. Kirk is feeling guilty and takes the blame for the death of the crew on the Ferragut and takes out that guilt on Garrovick for reacting the same as Kirk had previously.
The episode does an excellent job of hiding Kirk's true state of mind and we get to go on the rollercoaster ride of Kirk's logic and guilt battling one another throughout.
This is one of those reflective episodes that you can identify with Kirk's dilemma if you have had some life experience with guilt.