The Enterprise landing party, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Crewman Darnell, are transported to M-113 to check on the Carters, a two-member research team on an otherwise dead planet. The Captain’s log reveals that Nancy Crater is a former romantic companion of McCoy.
Upon their arrival Kirk ribs a nervous McCoy, who jibes back and later scolds himself for joining the mission (“how do I let myself into things like this?”). McCoy leads the team into the Carter’s dwelling, which appears to be the ruins of a temple. Nancy arrives and is happy to see McCoy, who marvels that though it’s been 12 years it seems she hasn’t aged a day. We realize that each team member sees Nancy differently, and she is played by 3 different actresses as the 3 different men look at her.
Darnell notes that he recognizes her from Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet, but he is sharply rebuked by McCoy. Kirk instructs a stammering Darnell to wait outside (thus separating the landing party). As the two old lovers talk, Kirk learns that “Plum” is her nickname for Bones and will tease him about it later. Nancy tells the two that she will go find the Professor and as she steps outside she clearly flirts with Darnell, who follows her.
Dr. Crater returns home to find Kirk and Bones poking around through his belongings and is understandably peeved. He crossly instructs the team to leave, but asks that his salt supplies be restocked. Kirk insists on proceeding with the medical examination, citing Starfleet code, and Dr. Crater relents. Upon realizing that McCoy is an old acquaintance of Nancy’s, Dr. Carter expresses surprise that they’ve already seen Nancy and thereafter his demeanor softens. He apologizes to Kirk and speaks openly:
Crater: …it gives me great pleasure to know that she’s gotten to see an old friend and has a chance for some company. It’s different for me, I enjoy solitude. But for a woman…you understand, of course.
Crater’s implication here, which he expects the other men to acknowledge, is that woman require socialization more so than men. This oversimplified observation—spoken by an archeologist of all people—could certainly be a character-revealing perspective, but it more likely is an example of 1960’s American paternalism finding its way into the dialogue.
Kirk snaps at McCoy and demands an answer.
The Enterprise landing party, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Crewman Darnell, are transported to M-113 to check on the Carters, a two-member research team on an otherwise dead planet. The Captain’s log reveals that Nancy Crater is a former romantic companion of McCoy.
The Enterprise landing party, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Crewman Darnell, are transported to M-113 to check on the Carters, a two-member research team on an otherwise dead planet. The Captain’s log reveals that Nancy Crater is a former romantic companion of McCoy.
Themes: perception versus reality, perspective, subjective reality, Eye of the Beholder, seduction, deception, betrayal, murder, loneliness, survival, changeling, love, loss, age
Tags: Kirk-McCoy, McCoy, Spock-Uhura
Starfleet Protocol: We learn, through Kirk, that all research personnel must undergo annual medical checkups by a starship surgeon.
Stardate: 1513.1
Planet: M-113, a hot arid planet upon which lies the ruins of an ancient and long-dead civilization
Mission: A routine medical examination of planet’s two inhabitants
Landing Party: Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, Crewman Darnell
On Planet: Dr. Robert Crater, Nancy Crater
Ruins of Planet M113
Kirk teases McCoy
Crewman Darnell
The dwelling place of the Crators
McCoy and Nancy meet again
Nancy first seen by McCoy
Nancy seen by Kirk
Nancy seen by Darnell
Bones examines Dr. Crater
“How your lost love affects your vision, Doctor, doesn’t interest me. I’ve lost a man. I want to know what killed him!.”
“He’s all yours, Plum—Dr. McCoy.”
“I don’t like mysteries, They give me a bellyache, and I’ve got a beauty right now.”
“Is that how you get girls to like you: by bribing them?”
“A little less mouth, Darnell!”