Star Trek Volume 13
featuring the episodes This Side Of Paradise and The Devil In The Dark
The thirteenth volume of Star Trek on DVD offers a couple of solid episodes for the Spock fans out there. Still an early contender in the race to see how many episodes could break the rules and show Spock emoting, This Side Of Paradise at least takes a somewhat original approach to the task. Almost equally involving is Kirk’s plight, and his attempt to snap Spock back to his senses.
Devil In The Dark is that pivotal episode that introduces us to the Vulcan mind meld. Legend has it that Leonard Nimoy lobbied for some kind of non-violent means to communicate with the Horta, rather than just shooting at it, during the story’s development. Whoever gets the credit for that particular plot device…good for them. It’s one of Spock’s defining moments, and it went a long way toward selling Star Trek’s - and humanity’s - future as a peaceful one. If only because of the confusion and numerous legends (doubtless urban and otherwise) surrounding the latter story, this is a disc where bonus features and/or commentaries would’ve been lovely things to have. Alas, we’re still stuck with just some preview trailers.