This Side of Paradise

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

The Federation established a colony on Omicron Ceti III before it knew that the system’s star emitted Berthold Rays, which degrade animal tissue. Tolerable for short periods with precautions, these rays spelled doom for the colony. So how are they still alive, and in better health than when they left Federation space? And perhaps more importantly, why have they accomplished… nothing? The answer threatens the Enterprise…

Our Take

A quiet, oddly affecting hour that gives Spock his best material so far this season. The mind-altering spore premise is thin and the colonists barely register as characters, but the slow build of the crew abandoning ship has real tension, and Spock’s brief taste of happiness lands harder than expected. Worth it for that alone, even if the resolution wraps up too tidily.