Home > Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 17, Episodes 33 & 34: Who Mourns For Adonais/Amok Time

• Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 18, Episodes 35 & 36: The Doomsday Machine/ Wolf in the Fold
• Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 20, Episodes 39 & 40: Mirror Mirror/ The Deadly Years
• Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 13, Episodes 25 & 26: This Side of Paradise/ The Devil in the Dark
• Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 16, Episodes 31 & 32: Metamorphosis/ Friday's Child
• Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 14, Episodes 27 & 28: Errand of Mercy/ The City on the Edge of Forever

"Amok Time"
Easily one of the best episodes from the original Star Trek series, "Amok Time" was written by the novelist Theodore Sturgeon, who came up with a story about a Vulcan mating cycle that occurs every seven years and drives the normally stolid, logical, pointy-eared humanoids wild. When Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is suddenly caught in the grip of pon farr, a crazy-making urge to mate, he sets a course for his home planet despite orders to the contrary from Captain Kirk (William Shatner). Kirk comes around, however, and accompanies Spock and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) to Vulcan, where Spock is to wed T'Pring (Arlene Martel) in an arranged marriage. But T'Pring formally rejects Spock, forcing a duel in which the captain must participate or let Spock die. There's high drama galore in this one, beginning with Spock's feverish savagery and extending to the fascinating complexity of Vulcan rituals, set against the eerie emptiness of the planet's landscape. For good measure, there's also the startling sight of Kirk and Spock fighting it out to the death. Supporting performances are terrific, including that of Celia Lovsky (the real-life wife of Peter Lorre) as the matriarch T'Pau. This is also the episode that gave birth to the split-fingered Vulcan salute (inspired by Nimoy's memories of the kohanin blessing at Jewish temples) and the phrase "live long and prosper." One of Trek's more highly charged episodes, you can feel a certain spontaneous energy here--indeed, some of the more inspired actors even made up their own lines. --Tom Keogh

"Amok Time" Spock MUST visit Vulcan and marry a woman or die.

a classic, 2007-09-08
This by far the best Star Trek episode.Celia Lovsky was the right actress to play T'Pau.As an aspiring sci-fi writer I wished I had written this episode.

One strong show, and one true classic, 2003-09-03
Who Mourns for Adonais? This is a strong show about the Greek god Apollo. When Trek was at its best, it generally combined thought-provoking and socially relevant questions with tight, internally consistent, and action-packed stories. Who Mourns for Adonais is one such episode. In addition to the interesting idea that the Gods may have been real, we have the very real themes of 1) the pros and cons of hero worship/letting others make decisions for you, 2) the quest for power, and 3) the pros and cons of a simple, care-free life. The guest acting is pretty good here, too, and there aren't too many holes in the plot.

Overall, a strong episode, although I for one at times tire of the more 'literal' episodes, enjoying instead the dreamy, surreal, and menacing ones. I see no reason why we should expect to encounter a moral code (or any system for that matter) similar to our own in outer space. Also there are quite frankly limits to just how good a `literal' take can consistently be, especially after 35 years and given the time and budget constraints of an episode. That is why I am drawn to the more off-beat shows.

Having digressed, I must return to the fact that this is one of the better of the `literal' shows. (4 stars)

Amok Time-This episode, in which Spock must return to his home planet, is deservedly a classic. Amok Time typifies the vitality and fast-pacing of the second season shows. There is real mystery as we try to comprehend just what is wrong with Spock. Certainly it is no coincidence that the thoughtful and critical Nimoy's strongest performance came in the show that gave him both a range of emotions AND a plausible reason for stepping out of character. Nowhere is Spock's shame about his (and all of our) dualistic natures more palpable than here.

This episode is helped also by the musical score and minimalist sets on Vulcan, as well as solid acting by the other Vulcans. If one is willing to look beyond minor script problems such as the humans' utter ignorance of Vulcan biology and the details of how Spock ends up fighting Kirk, there really isn't much to gripe about. Funny too how success breeds success; there is a warmth and chemistry between the big three here that just couldn't be reconjured in episodes that didn't earn the actors' trust. (4.5 stars)

That Tau Pow, All of Vulcan in One, 2005-11-17
In Amok Time, we get a first hand view of the power and influence of Spock's family. In the book, "Spocks World" the author describes Spock's family possessing vast amounts of land. By right, Jim and McCoy may accompany Spock, as his friends, too his home world and beam down onto the Spock's families land. The customs of Vulcan are not open to outsiders. Jim says to McCoy, "Now I know what 'Hot as Vulcan means', the air is thinner than earth's air.

Spock tells Jim that a short ritual will transpire and Ta Pring will become his wife. The marriage arrangement was established when both Spock and Ta Pring were very young, a mind melt; less, than a marriage but more than a betrothal. As the marriage party approaches, Ta Pow leads the brides family. Jim leans over too McCoy and says, "Do you know who that is? That is Ta Pow. All of Vulcan, in one. The only person ever to turn down a seat on the federation. Spock never told me his family was this influencial."

Ta Pring initiates her ancient rite to Kali Fe, the challenge. Spock must fight for her hand in marriage. Long before logical and peace doctrines surpressed violent warlike drives, combat and warfare were the methods of conquest and possession. Ta Pring was within her rites. A Vulcan could not divorce himself from his custom, beliefs, and heritage; nor, could a Vulcan ignore the ancient drives to select a mate or die trying. Ta Pring choses Jim, as her champion. Spock begs Ta Pow, too forbid the challenge with Jim, declaring, "He does not understand, I will do what I must. Forbid!" Ta Pow respect for Spock seems lacking, "It is said, 'thy blood is thin! Are thee Vulcan or Human?" Spock's family honour does not go tainted, "My eyes burns, my heart burns. In the name of my fathers, forbid!" Ta Pow has other plans.

Jim looks over at Stonn but is staunchly told by Ta Pow, "Do not interfere". Jim tells McCoy, he does think Spock will be able beat Stonn, in his current condition; he will fight Spock and if he starts to winn, he will allow Spock too win; the challenge is accepted, Ta Pow ask Ta Pring, if she is willing to become the property of the victor; and narrates, "as it was in the beginning, so it is now. Challenge was been legally accept. The fight will commence with the Lippa and then too the iron womb until one is dead." Jim holds his own against Spock. McCoy tells Ta Pow, "Do you call this Vulcan Chivalry? The air is too thin." Ta Pow, says "the air is the air. What can be done?" McCoy holds up a vial of medication and says, "I can give him this." McCoy slips Jim a neural paralyzer which simulates death. Spock wins the battle and demands the Ta Pring explain. Ta Pring says, "specify". Spock rebuttals, "explain why the challenge." "Stonn wanted me and I wanted Stonn". Spock seems disgussed, "I see no advantage in chosing Stonn over me." Spock had become famous among the people of Vulcan for his achievements in science. "I realized I did not want to become a consort of a legand. If I had dared to challenge you, you would have put me off, and I would still have Stonn. If you had not put me off, you would be gone and I would have Stonn. If you did not put me off, I would have my property and household; and Stonn would still be here" Spock seems satified, "Logical, flawlessly logical." Spock tells Stonn wisdom, "Wanting is a more pleasing thing than having. It is not logical but often true." When Spock gets back on the enterprise, his human emotions break through,as he yells, "Captain Kirk. Jim!", as he grabs Jim and smiles. McCoy pokes fun at Spock and says, "You can't tell me that when you saw Captain Kirk that you let a emotion outburst that would have brought down the roof." "No doctor, it was my mere expression of relief of Star Fleets not loosing a good captain." McCoy slyly says, "In a pigs eye."

A Keeper! Among the Very Best Eps of the Second Season!, 2006-10-15
If you are picking and choosing which volumes to keep this is definitely one of them. There's no denying that the second season of Classic Trek is the best one with many seminal and definitive episodes which basically make ST:TOS what it is. "Amok Time" is probably among the top 5 ever episodes of TOS and rightfully so. We get drama, suspense, humour and a surprise ending: all the ingredients that go into making the perfect episode. The pacing of the scenes is also first class and all in all makes this a very memorable episode.

The first episode holds a lot of melodrama and is based upon an interesting premise: what if the ancient Greek gods we actually aliens? The overall episode is average though but still worth getting on dvd.

Highly recommended!