[TOS] A Private Little War

[TOS] Season 2, Episode 19 (Netflix: S2 E19): A Private Little War

A Private Little War

Rating: 2

This episode is centered around an obvious Cold War analogy, and it has some truly silly elements to the story. If you’re into Prime Directive concepts like we are, then it’s of interest as part of the larger context of that idea within Trek. It’s depiction of how even benevolent intervention can cause unforeseeable and possibly dangerous change is a little on the nose, but I’d still count it as one of this episode’s strengths. There are also some good Kirk and Bones moments throughout.

Read more at Memory Alpha

Notes:

Kirk, Spock and Bones want to check out a planet. They thought the inhabitants would only have bows and arrows, but they got guns!

Kirk, Spock and Bones want to check out a planet. They thought the inhabitants would only have bows and arrows, but they got guns!

Spock gets shot

Spock gets shot

Kirk gets attacked by a monster. Things aren't going that well

Kirk gets attacked by a monster. Things aren’t going that well

They go to a village where a magic lady can cure Kirk. Bones is supposed to keep a low profile, but he goes around zappin rocks. The magic lady sees him and wants a phaser

They go to a village where a magic lady can cure Kirk. Bones is supposed to keep a low profile, but he goes around zappin rocks. The magic lady sees him

I think she wants a phaser

I think she wants a phaser. Look at these costumes and wigs. As an excuse, “It was the 60s” can only go so far.

She heals Kirk

She heals Kirk in a totally normal way.

Kirk wakes up. He's introduced to Nona, told that she's a kahn-ut-tu, and that she saved him. Kikr says "congratulations." I'm not sure if that's directed toward her being a kahn-ut-tu, or that she saved him. Either way it's a weird thing to say

Kirk wakes up. He’s introduced to Nona, told that she’s a kahn-ut-tu, and that she saved him. Kirk says “congratulations.” I’m not sure if that’s directed toward her being a kahn-ut-tu, or that she saved him. Either way it’s a weird thing to say

They find out the Klingons are giving the brown-haired people weapons.

They find out the Klingons are giving the brown-haired group weapons.

They smack Spock around until he's better

They smack Spock around until he’s better

So Kirk teaches the blond-haired group to use guns

So Kirk teaches the blond-haired group to use guns

Kirk tells the audience that this is kind of like those 20th century brush wars in Asia

Kirk tells the audience that this is kind of like those 20th century brush wars in Asia

Nona shows Kirk a plant

Nona shows Kirk a plant

She steals his phaser and confronts the brown-haired group

She steals his phaser and confronts the brown-haired group, although she doesn’t use it. I guess she doesn’t know how it works

Fight!

Fight!

Now the blond-haired group wants a load of guns. Kirk created a monster

Now the blond-haired group wants a load of guns!

Kirk tells Spock and Scotty to prepare to beam down 100 serpents to the garden of Eden. I don't think they know what you're talking about, Kirk.

Kirk tells Spock and Scotty to prepare to beam down 100 serpents to the garden of Eden. I don’t think they know what you’re talking about, Kirk.

 

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