WARNING: This thread WILL contain unhidden spoilers for this entry. Because this re-watch is in a slightly-subjective chronological order and not in production order, please refrain from talking about the content of other episodes or movies in this thread. If you do, please put that content inside spoiler tags. Some people here may be watching Star Trek for the first time.
#32: Star Trek: The Original Series, season 2, episode 1 "Amok Time"
Written by Theodore Sturgeon, directed by Joseph Pevney.
Stardate 3372.7 (November 2267)
"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all than wanting." - Commander Spock
The Enterprise is on course for Altair VI to take part in a show of power during an inauguration ceremony that would see the entire region become far more stabilized. En route, Spock begins to behave erratically but refuses to explain why. When Spock is finally convinced to allow Doctor McCoy to examine him, the Doctor emphatically pleads with Captain Kirk to divert the Enterprise to Vulcan ...or else Spock will be dead within a matter of days.
Originally released: 15 September 1967
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What did you think?
Well, there's an all-time, all-time ep.
In terms of the 'fatal' battle, I'm not totally sure that the combat and medical sabotage logic fully held up, but it was a fun fight, gave us some iconic musical fanfare later preserved in Futurama, and three classic Nimoy-Spock moments. One, in which he dejectedly declares himself a criminal in the aftermath. Two, in which his 'human half' temporarily blasts through his cold, Vulcan exterior in a moment of pure joy. And Three, in which he savagely but coldly and logically gets his revenge on his faithless fiancee.
But really there were earlier, amazing moments as well, as with him slowly losing his mind and slipping towards death, and behaving completely inscrutably.
Once again, this ep reminds me that Shatner and Nimoy were some towering iconic, acting figures in TOS, greatly helping to make the series such a smashing, unique breakthrough in SF live media of the time. (also looking at you, Kubrik's "2001")
And not unlike M*A*S*H, which started up a couple years later, the rest of the cast was very strong indeed.