Space Seed

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

The Enterprise chances across a DY-100 class ship, launched from Earth “in the 1990s”. It carries around seventy people, who have been hibernating since their launch. The ship’s systems revive the leader, whom Kirk soon learns is Khan Noonien Singh, the leader of a group of genetically enhanced “supermen” who nearly took control of Earth during the Eugenics Wars. They have essentially fled to the future, and with their capabilities, Khan plans to revive his campaign to place “superior” men in positions of leadership.

Our Take

Ricardo Montalban gives the series one of its best villains, all charm and menace without ever raising his voice. The pacing is tight for a change, and the cat-and-mouse between Khan and Kirk feels genuinely tense because the script takes Khan’s intellect seriously. It’s a strong hour even if you’ve never seen Wrath of Khan, and better if you have.