Kirk encounters a mysterious cloud-like entity which he had previously dealt with approximately a decade ago (when he was a lieutenant on a different starship). Harboring an inordinate amount of guilt since the resulting tragedy, Kirk truly obsesses over understanding, and ultimately defeating this entity. This he does despite knowing that the Enterprise *needs* to transport some perishable medication to another planet in a timely manner.
'Obsession' is a decent episode with an interesting "antagonist" and a heavy psychological approach. It really does oblige the viewer (and the ever-logical Mr. Spock) to think about human idiosyncrasies, namely the tendency to *fixate* on a certain thing, to the possible detriment of other things. In the end, Kirk is going to have to learn to stop blaming himself. And, in the same position in the current time frame, is a young ensign (Stephen Brooks, 'Days of Our Lives') who also hesitated at a critical moment, and feels shameful about it.
Shatner is in fine form, doing some of his finer acting on the series to date, and Majel Barrett likewise has one of her best moments so far as *Chapel* uses some psychology on the ensign to get him to *eat* something.
In the end, it's typically entertaining watching Spock attempting to understand human frailties such as irrationality; he and Bones do express concern over Kirks' behavior, until it becomes clear that the Enterprise *will* have to do something about this creature.
This wasn't up there with the truly great episodes for this viewer, but it's certainly a good, thought-provoking one.
Seven out of 10.
'Obsession' is a decent episode with an interesting "antagonist" and a heavy psychological approach. It really does oblige the viewer (and the ever-logical Mr. Spock) to think about human idiosyncrasies, namely the tendency to *fixate* on a certain thing, to the possible detriment of other things. In the end, Kirk is going to have to learn to stop blaming himself. And, in the same position in the current time frame, is a young ensign (Stephen Brooks, 'Days of Our Lives') who also hesitated at a critical moment, and feels shameful about it.
Shatner is in fine form, doing some of his finer acting on the series to date, and Majel Barrett likewise has one of her best moments so far as *Chapel* uses some psychology on the ensign to get him to *eat* something.
In the end, it's typically entertaining watching Spock attempting to understand human frailties such as irrationality; he and Bones do express concern over Kirks' behavior, until it becomes clear that the Enterprise *will* have to do something about this creature.
This wasn't up there with the truly great episodes for this viewer, but it's certainly a good, thought-provoking one.
Seven out of 10.