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===Teaser===
 
===Teaser===
 
[[File:Gideon.jpg|thumb|The ''Enterprise'' orbiting secretive Federation candidate Gideon in [[2269]]]]
 
[[File:Gideon.jpg|thumb|The ''Enterprise'' orbiting secretive Federation candidate Gideon in [[2269]]]]
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} is in [[synchronous orbit]] over the [[planetary capital|capital city]] of [[Gideon (planet)|Gideon]], a candidate for [[Federation]] membership. The [[physio-cultural report]]s the [[Gideon]]s have submitted describes their [[planet]] as a [[paradise]], with a [[bacteria|germ]]-free [[atmosphere]]. Yet for the duration of the delicate negotiations, [[Starfleet]] has agreed to the Gideons' unusual stipulation that no [[Sensor|surveillance]] scans be carried out upon their planet. [[Hodin]], the [[Gideon Council]]'s ''de facto'' [[ambassador]] to the Federation, accordingly provides the coordinates for the [[landing party]]'s [[Transporter|beam-down]] – 875-020-079 – a spot he says is within the [[Gideon Council Chamber|Council Chamber]]. Furthermore, the ''Enterprise'' party must comprise only one particular individual: [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]]. Kirk arrives in what seems to be a completely depopulated ''Enterprise''. He presumes the beam-down was unsuccessful, and on the empty [[bridge]] satisfies himself that he and the ship are "still orbiting Gideon."
+
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} is in [[synchronous orbit]] over the capital city of [[Gideon (planet)|Gideon]], a candidate for [[Federation]] membership. The [[physio-cultural report]]s the [[Gideon]]s have submitted describe their [[planet]] as a virtual [[paradise]], with a [[bacteria|germ]]-free [[atmosphere]]. Yet for the duration of the delicate negotiations, [[Starfleet]] has agreed to the Gideons' unusual stipulation that no [[Sensor|surveillance]] scans be carried out upon their planet. [[Hodin]], the [[Gideon Council]]'s ''de facto'' [[ambassador]] to the Federation, accordingly provides the coordinates for the [[landing party]]'s [[Transporter|beam-down]] – 875-020-079 – a spot he says is within the Council Chamber. Furthermore, the ''Enterprise'' party must comprise only one particular individual: [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]]. After being beamed down by [[Commander]] [[Spock]], Kirk arrives in what seems to be a completely depopulated ''Enterprise''. He presumes the beam-down was unsuccessful, and on the empty [[bridge]] satisfies himself that he and the ship are "still orbiting Gideon."
   
 
===Act One===
 
===Act One===
 
[[File:Hodin.jpg|thumb|The Gideon High Council's point man in full prevarication]]
 
[[File:Hodin.jpg|thumb|The Gideon High Council's point man in full prevarication]]
Kirk searches every part of the ship, and finds no one. He has sustained a bruise on his arm, but has lost any recollection of the incident or indeed the minutes in which it occurred. The High Council's Ambassador Hodin denies responsibility for the loss of the captain, suggesting that the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s equipment must be faulty. He frustrates ship's [[surgeon]] [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] and even [[First Officer]] [[Spock]] with his steadfast refusal to drop his planet's sensor-jamming [[shields]]. He claims they are necessary to protect Gideons against any "contaminating contact" with violent otherworldly nature. Hodin does assent to a "thorough search" but pretends that Spock has agreed that the High Council should be the party to institute it.
+
Kirk searches every part of the ship, and finds no one. He has sustained a bruise on his arm, but has lost any recollection of the incident or indeed the minutes in which it occurred. The High Council's Ambassador Hodin denies responsibility for the loss of the captain, suggesting that the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s equipment must be faulty. He frustrates ship's [[surgeon]] [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] and even [[First Officer]] Spock with his steadfast refusal to drop his planet's sensor-jamming [[shields]]. He claims they are necessary to protect Gideons against any "contaminating contact" with violent otherworldly nature. Hodin does assent to a "thorough search" but pretends that Spock has agreed that the High Council should be the party to institute it.
   
 
Kirk encounters [[Odona]] wandering the empty corridors of the ship in an ecstasy of new-found personal space. She says that on her world "''thousands pressed in against me. I could hardly breathe.''" When she evinces fear Kirk consoles her, offering his hand.
 
Kirk encounters [[Odona]] wandering the empty corridors of the ship in an ecstasy of new-found personal space. She says that on her world "''thousands pressed in against me. I could hardly breathe.''" When she evinces fear Kirk consoles her, offering his hand.
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[[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] tells Spock that [[Starfleet]] wants him to go through diplomatic channels – the Federation – but that the department she has been referred to, the [[Federation Bureau of Planetary Treaties|Bureau of Planetary Treaties]], has, of course, no treaty with the Gideon and wishes Starfleet to handle the crisis.
 
[[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] tells Spock that [[Starfleet]] wants him to go through diplomatic channels – the Federation – but that the department she has been referred to, the [[Federation Bureau of Planetary Treaties|Bureau of Planetary Treaties]], has, of course, no treaty with the Gideon and wishes Starfleet to handle the crisis.
   
Seeing the [[chronometer]], Kirk says that his missing minutes are nine in number. Odona is plainly a Gideon, but apparently is not in the habit of calling her world by that name. Putting the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s forward environs onto the [[viewscreen|main viewer]], Kirk finds that they seem no longer to be in orbit, but rather in some unfamiliar [[Stellar cartography#United Federation of Planets, et al.|quadrant]]. Having no way to control their voyage, the two discuss their survival – the unlikelihood that they can ever use up the air and the provisions meant to feed 430 crewmembers for [[Five-year mission|five years]].
+
Seeing the [[chronometer]] on the [[astrogator]], Kirk says that there are indeed some nine minutes that are unaccounted for since his transport. Odona is plainly a Gideon, but apparently is not in the habit of calling her world by that name. Putting the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s forward environs onto the [[viewscreen|main viewer]], Kirk finds that they seem no longer to be in orbit, but rather in some unfamiliar [[Stellar cartography#United Federation of Planets, et al.|quadrant]]. Having no way to control their voyage, the two discuss their survival – the unlikelihood that they can ever use up the air and the provisions meant to feed 430 crewmembers for [[Five-year mission|five years]].
   
 
===Act Two===
 
===Act Two===
Meanwhile, back on the USS ''Enterprise'', the ambassador informs Spock that Kirk is not on Gideon after a thorough search of the planet by the natives. However, Spock insists on transporting to the planet. The ambassador grants permission with the provision that a Gideon co-worker beam aboard the ''Enterprise''. Spock agrees, and [[Scotty]] beams a Gideon representative aboard, but when Spock begins to press for his beam-down to the planet, the Gideon ambassador prevaricates again, and claims he acted outside his authority to grant Spock the permission to come to the planet. Spock is clearly insistent and exasperated by both the bureaucratic logjam in the Federation, and by the diplomatic stonewalling of the ambassador. He tells Uhura to demand an answer from Starfleet about the issue of beaming to the planet's surface.
+
Meanwhile, back on the USS ''Enterprise'', the ambassador informs Spock that Kirk is not on Gideon after a thorough search of the planet by the natives. However, Spock insists on transporting to the planet. The ambassador grants permission with the provision that a Gideon co-worker beam aboard the ''Enterprise''. Spock agrees, and [[Scotty]] beams [[Krodak]], a Gideon representative aboard but when Spock begins to press for his beam-down to the planet, the Gideon ambassador prevaricates again, and claims he acted outside his authority to grant Spock the permission to come to the planet. Spock is clearly insistent and exasperated by both the bureaucratic logjam in the Federation, and by the diplomatic stonewalling of the ambassador. He tells Uhura to demand an answer from Starfleet about the issue of beaming to the planet's surface.
   
 
At the same time, Kirk and Odona are together on the bridge of the empty ''Enterprise'', and unable to raise any form of communication at all. The captain drops the ship out of [[warp]], explaining this to Odona, who remarks that it feels exactly the same as when they were at warp. This gets Kirk's attention because there "''is no change in how the ship feels.''" He gets suspicious and looks at the viewscreen, which is displaying a field of stars moving slowly. Odona asks if he is having a problem with the way the stars look.
 
At the same time, Kirk and Odona are together on the bridge of the empty ''Enterprise'', and unable to raise any form of communication at all. The captain drops the ship out of [[warp]], explaining this to Odona, who remarks that it feels exactly the same as when they were at warp. This gets Kirk's attention because there "''is no change in how the ship feels.''" He gets suspicious and looks at the viewscreen, which is displaying a field of stars moving slowly. Odona asks if he is having a problem with the way the stars look.
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After Odona and Kirk toy with the idea of remaining alone aboard the ''Enterprise'', Kirk decides he has to discover and contact whoever is manipulating them. He asks Odona about her homeworld, and she says she doesn't remember; she only knows she is happy. She explains that her home planet is packed to the brim with people.
 
After Odona and Kirk toy with the idea of remaining alone aboard the ''Enterprise'', Kirk decides he has to discover and contact whoever is manipulating them. He asks Odona about her homeworld, and she says she doesn't remember; she only knows she is happy. She explains that her home planet is packed to the brim with people.
   
While Kirk and Odona walk about the ship and discuss Kirk's bruise, they hear a strange thumping noise. Though Odona believes it is the engines or a storm, the captain knows better. He opens a viewport, which shows an ordinary star field after a momentary ghostly appearance of the planetary population ''en masse'', with the captain surmising the thumping sound was the heartbeats of all the people he saw out the window.
+
While Kirk and Odona walk about the ship and discuss Kirk's bruise, they hear a strange thumping noise. Though Odona believes it is the engines or a storm, the captain knows better. He opens a viewport, which shows an ordinary star field after a momentary ghostly appearance of the dense planetary population ''en masse'', with the captain surmising the thumping sound was the heartbeats of all the people he saw out the window.
   
As Kirk begins to request answers from Odona, she begins to feel faint with the manifest prognostics of illness as the ambassador – her father – and his aides watch from the council chamber. Hodin then boards what Kirk now knows to be a fake ''Enterprise''. The captain and the ambassador partake in a brief exchange regarding Odona's health before Hodin takes Kirk prisoner and lays Odona in a bed in one of the crew quarters. The two muse on the feelings of pain.
+
As Kirk begins to request answers from Odona, she begins to feel faint with the manifest prognostics of illness as the ambassador – her father – and his aides watch from the council chamber. Hodin then boards what Kirk now knows to be a fake ''Enterprise''. The captain and the ambassador partake in a brief exchange regarding Odona's health before Hodin takes Kirk prisoner and lays Odona in a bed in the captain's quarters. The two muse on the feelings of pain, alien to both of them.
   
Meanwhile, Spock contacts Starfleet Command and argues with an [[admiral]], who refuses to allow Spock to beam down to the planet's surface. On the planet, Kirk gets in a fistfight with the Gideon guards while Hodin, whose only tools are words, watches as his daughter is dying of [[Vegan choriomeningitis]].
+
Meanwhile, Spock contacts Starfleet Command and argues with [[Admiral]] {{dis|Fitzgerald|Admiral}}, who refuses to allow Spock to beam down to the planet's surface. On the planet, Kirk gets in a fistfight with the Gideon guards while Hodin, whose only tools are words, watches as his daughter is dying of [[Vegan choriomeningitis]].
   
 
===Act Four===
 
===Act Four===
 
On the ''Enterprise'', Spock finally resolves to violate Starfleet orders. He demonstrates the slight difference between the coordinates given them for beaming down Kirk to those beaming up the Gideon councilman. He orders McCoy and the others to remain aboard the ''Enterprise''.
 
On the ''Enterprise'', Spock finally resolves to violate Starfleet orders. He demonstrates the slight difference between the coordinates given them for beaming down Kirk to those beaming up the Gideon councilman. He orders McCoy and the others to remain aboard the ''Enterprise''.
   
Spock then beams down to the original coordinates Kirk was transported to.
+
Spock then beams down to the original coordinates Kirk was transported to. He hopes to rescue the captain before the experiment reaches its conclusion with the result meaning the captain dying.
   
Hodin explains to Kirk how Gideon was once a paradise, and its atmosphere has always been germ-free. The life span of the inhabitants increased; death became virtually unknown. The birthrate continued to rise. Eventually, Gideon became encased in a living mass, with no space to live in comfort. Hodin explains why they refuse to consider any form of birth control. Eventually, they decided to introduce mortal illness to Gideon, choosing Kirk as its source, and Odona as an inspirational model of self-sacrificial heroism.
+
Hodin explains to Kirk how Gideon was once a paradise, and its atmosphere has always been germ-free. The lifespan increased and death became almost unknown. The birthrate continued to rise until Gideon became encased in a living mass, with no space to live in comfort. Hodin says sterilisation is impossible as their organs renew, and contraception is unthinkable because of their "love of life." Eventually, they decided to introduce mortal illness to Gideon, choosing Kirk as its source, and Odona as an inspirational model of self-sacrificial heroism.
   
 
Hodin tries to convince Kirk to stay and provide the necessary [[virus]]. Kirk argues against it. They are notified of the approaching death of Odona as Spock initiates a search for Kirk on the duplicate ''Enterprise''. Kirk attempts to convince Odona to let them cure her, explaining that the virus in her blood could serve the Gideons just as well as his own.
 
Hodin tries to convince Kirk to stay and provide the necessary [[virus]]. Kirk argues against it. They are notified of the approaching death of Odona as Spock initiates a search for Kirk on the duplicate ''Enterprise''. Kirk attempts to convince Odona to let them cure her, explaining that the virus in her blood could serve the Gideons just as well as his own.
   
Spock arrives, and nerve-pinches the two Gideon guards. On Kirk's orders, Spock asks Scotty to beam up him, Kirk, and Odona. He warns Hodin not to interfere. McCoy then cures Odona, and Kirk shows her around the real ''Enterprise''. She tries in vain to persuade Kirk to go live with her on Gideon. They part, and she beams down to save her planet.
+
Spock arrives and nerve-pinches one Gideon guard and bodily throws the other across the hallway. On Kirk's orders, Spock asks Scotty to beam up him, Kirk, and Odona. He warns Hodin not to interfere. McCoy then cures Odona and Kirk shows her around the real ''Enterprise''. She tries in vain to persuade Kirk to go live with her on Gideon. They part, and she beams down to save her planet.
   
 
==Log Entries==
 
==Log Entries==
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*"''Log entry made by Captain James T. Kirk. I am alone on the ''Enterprise''. I have searched every area of the ship and still cannot find a trace of the crew, or an indication of how its disappearance was managed. The one thing that is obvious is that I suffered a memory lapse, during which time I bruised my arm. It is causing me some irritation.''"
 
*"''Log entry made by Captain James T. Kirk. I am alone on the ''Enterprise''. I have searched every area of the ship and still cannot find a trace of the crew, or an indication of how its disappearance was managed. The one thing that is obvious is that I suffered a memory lapse, during which time I bruised my arm. It is causing me some irritation.''"
   
*"''Ship's Log, Stardate 5423.8. First Officer Spock reporting. Obviously, the Gideons have transported Captain Kirk onto this replica of the ''Enterprise'' to so confuse his mind as to make him susceptible to some extraordinary experiment. It is my intention to locate the captain and warn him before the experiment reaches its conclusion, which logic indicates means the end of the captain's life as he knows it.''"
+
*"''Ship's Log, Stardate 5423.8. First Officer Spock reporting. Obviously, the Gideons have transported Captain Kirk onto this replica of the ''Enterprise'' to so confuse his mind as to make him susceptible to some extraordinary experiment. It is my intention to locate the captain and warn him before the experiment reaches its conclusion, which [[logic]] indicates means the end of the captain's life as he knows it.''"
   
 
==Memorable Quotes==
 
==Memorable Quotes==
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"''Diplomats and bureaucrats may function differently, but they achieve exactly the same results.''"
 
"''Diplomats and bureaucrats may function differently, but they achieve exactly the same results.''"
 
: - '''Spock''', to Sulu
 
: - '''Spock''', to Sulu
  +
  +
  +
"''And just when I was beginning to think you might find a whole new career as a diplomat, Mr. Spock.''"<br />
  +
"''Do not give up hope, doctor.''"
  +
: - '''McCoy''' after '''Spock''' is yet again unsuccessful in gaining permission from Hodin to beam down to Gideon
   
   
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[[File:Looking through the Exterior viewing port.jpg|thumb|The view from the exterior viewing port is not what Kirk expected]]
 
[[File:Looking through the Exterior viewing port.jpg|thumb|The view from the exterior viewing port is not what Kirk expected]]
 
* The story for this episode was co-written by [[Stanley Adams]], who previously played [[Cyrano Jones]] in {{TOS|The Trouble with Tribbles}}. Reportedly, Adams was deeply concerned about the issue of overpopulation and had some casual discussions with [[Gene Roddenberry]], during the production of "The Trouble with Tribbles", in which he suggested that ''Star Trek'' do an episode reflecting that subject matter. This episode is the evident result of those conversations. (''[[Star Trek: The Original Series 365]]'', p. 324) Adams' writing of this episode was influenced by advice from his son. Explained the writer, "''My son says, 'Dad, you're in a position to really say something about the overpopulation problem.' He stood over my shoulder while I wrote around the beehive society.''" (''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]]'' issue #3, p. 29) A detailed description of the episode's initial story outline can be found [http://www.fastcopyinc.com/orionpress/articles/mark_of_gideon.htm here].
 
* The story for this episode was co-written by [[Stanley Adams]], who previously played [[Cyrano Jones]] in {{TOS|The Trouble with Tribbles}}. Reportedly, Adams was deeply concerned about the issue of overpopulation and had some casual discussions with [[Gene Roddenberry]], during the production of "The Trouble with Tribbles", in which he suggested that ''Star Trek'' do an episode reflecting that subject matter. This episode is the evident result of those conversations. (''[[Star Trek: The Original Series 365]]'', p. 324) Adams' writing of this episode was influenced by advice from his son. Explained the writer, "''My son says, 'Dad, you're in a position to really say something about the overpopulation problem.' He stood over my shoulder while I wrote around the beehive society.''" (''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]]'' issue #3, p. 29) A detailed description of the episode's initial story outline can be found [http://www.fastcopyinc.com/orionpress/articles/mark_of_gideon.htm here].
* This is the second of two TOS episodes that show an empty {{ShipClass|Constitution}} bridge, the other installment being the [[TOS Season 2|second season]] outing {{e|This Side of Paradise}} (which shows the bridge of the actual ''Enterprise'').
+
* This is the second of two TOS episodes that show an empty {{class|Constitution}} bridge, the other installment being the [[TOS Season 1|first season]] outing {{e|This Side of Paradise}} (which shows the bridge of the actual ''Enterprise'').
* When Kirk tries to address anyone on the ship, one of the shots, showing an empty corridor, is recycled from {{e|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}}.
+
* When Kirk tries to address anyone on the ship, one of the shots, showing an empty corridor, is recycled from {{e|Is There in Truth No Beauty?}}. Also, another shot shows an empty Sickbay - with the Red Alert indicator light flashing, an obvious pickup shot from an earlier episode.
 
* This is also the only episode showing an exterior viewing port. The only other time a window looking outside the ship is seen is on the observation deck in {{e|The Conscience of the King}}. Of course, in this case, the port seen is not on the real ''Enterprise''. The exterior viewing port from this episode is the same design as the one used to witness [[Marta]]'s execution in {{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}.
 
* This is also the only episode showing an exterior viewing port. The only other time a window looking outside the ship is seen is on the observation deck in {{e|The Conscience of the King}}. Of course, in this case, the port seen is not on the real ''Enterprise''. The exterior viewing port from this episode is the same design as the one used to witness [[Marta]]'s execution in {{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}.
 
* [[Fred Freiberger]], producer of [[TOS Season 3|Season 3]], was satisfied with this episode. He related, "''One of my pet themes is overpopulation and I thought this was a good idea. We were taking a shot at something fresh and gutsy, and it worked out pretty well. That one was also shot entirely on the ''Enterprise''. I felt that if we had to do the show under those restrictions, we had to come up with good stories and that one worked.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 74)
 
* [[Fred Freiberger]], producer of [[TOS Season 3|Season 3]], was satisfied with this episode. He related, "''One of my pet themes is overpopulation and I thought this was a good idea. We were taking a shot at something fresh and gutsy, and it worked out pretty well. That one was also shot entirely on the ''Enterprise''. I felt that if we had to do the show under those restrictions, we had to come up with good stories and that one worked.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 74)
 
* Both Stanley Adams and his son were not, however, as pleased with the episode's final form. In hindsight, Stanley Adams commented, "''[My son] sees the TV version. He says, 'What did they do?!' But they do it to you. When you write for TV, there's an old expression: 'Take the money and run.{{'}}''" (''Starlog'' issue #3, p. 29)
 
* Both Stanley Adams and his son were not, however, as pleased with the episode's final form. In hindsight, Stanley Adams commented, "''[My son] sees the TV version. He says, 'What did they do?!' But they do it to you. When you write for TV, there's an old expression: 'Take the money and run.{{'}}''" (''Starlog'' issue #3, p. 29)
  +
* Remarkably, this episode did not run afoul of NBC censors, despite Kirk broaching such sensitive matters as sexual sterilization and birth control.
  +
* Among the many disembodied Gideon citizens seen on the viewscreen is frequent background performer [[William Blackburn]]. His face is pointed out in the finale of the bonus featurette "Billy Blackburn's Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories", offered on the third-season DVD collection of [[Star Trek Original Series]].
 
* In their unofficial [[reference works|reference book]] ''[[Trek Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to the Entire Trek Saga]]'' (pp. 138 & 139), co-writer [[Mark A. Altman]] scores this episode 2 out of 4 stars (defined as "mediocre") while fellow co-writer [[Edward Gross]] rates the installment 1 out of 4 stars (defined as "lousy").
 
* In their unofficial [[reference works|reference book]] ''[[Trek Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to the Entire Trek Saga]]'' (pp. 138 & 139), co-writer [[Mark A. Altman]] scores this episode 2 out of 4 stars (defined as "mediocre") while fellow co-writer [[Edward Gross]] rates the installment 1 out of 4 stars (defined as "lousy").
 
* ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' gave this episode 1 and a half out of 4 stars. (''Cinefantastique'', Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 104)
 
* ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' gave this episode 1 and a half out of 4 stars. (''Cinefantastique'', Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 104)
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===References===
 
===References===
[[assistant]]; [[atmosphere]]; [[auditorium]]; [[birthrate]]; [[blood]]; [[Bureau of Planetary Treaties]]; [[bureaucrat]]; [[capital city]]; [[diplomacy]]; [[diplomat]]; [[Excellency]]; [[Federation]]; [[fetus]]; [[fever]]; [[five-year mission]]; [[germ]]; [[Gideon (planet)]]; [[Gideon]]; [[Gideon Council]]; [[Gideon Council Chambers]]; [[language]]; [[life span]]; [[medical kit]]; [[medical practitioner]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[microorganism]]; [[oxygen]]; [[paradise]]; [[physio-cultural report]]; [[population]]; [[prime minister]]; [[quadrant]]; [[red priority]]; [[repairman]]; [[representative]]; [[scientist]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[sterile]]; [[synchronous orbit]]; [[transporter]]; [[tricorder]]; [[Vegan choriomeningitis]]; [[viewing port]]; [[Vulcan neck pinch]]; [[USS Enterprise (replica)|USS ''Enterprise'' (replica)]]
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[[assistant]]; [[atmosphere]]; [[auditorium]]; [[birthrate]]; [[blood]]; "[[Bones]]"; [[Bureau of Planetary Treaties]]; [[bureaucrat]]; [[capital city]]; [[diplomacy]]; [[diplomat]]; [[Excellency]]; [[Federation]]; [[fetus]]; [[fever]]; [[five-year mission]]; [[germ]]; [[Gideon (planet)]]; [[Gideon]]; [[Gideon Council]]; [[Gideon Council Chambers]]; [[language]]; [[life span]]; [[logic]]; [[medical kit]]; [[medical practitioner]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[microorganism]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[oxygen]]; [[paradise]]; [[physio-cultural report]]; [[population]]; [[prime minister]]; [[quadrant]]; [[red priority]]; [[repairman]]; [[representative]]; [[scientist]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[sterile]]; [[synchronous orbit]]; [[transporter]]; [[tricorder]]; [[Vegan choriomeningitis]]; [[viewing port]]; [[Vulcan neck pinch]]; [[USS Enterprise (replica)|USS ''Enterprise'' (replica)]]
   
===External link===
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=== External links ===
* {{NCwiki|The Mark of Gideon}}
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* {{Startrek.com|mark-of-gideon|"The Mark of Gideon"}}
  +
* {{NCwiki|The Mark of Gideon|"The Mark of Gideon"}}
  +
* {{wikipedia-quote|The Mark of Gideon}}
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* {{ml|the-mark-of-gideon|"The Mark of Gideon"|external}}
   
 
{{TOS nav|season=3|last={{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}|next={{e|The Lights of Zetar}}|lastair={{e|Let That Be Your Last Battlefield}}|nextair={{e|That Which Survives}}|lastair_remastered={{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}|nextair_remastered={{e|The Lights of Zetar}}}}
 
{{TOS nav|season=3|last={{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}|next={{e|The Lights of Zetar}}|lastair={{e|Let That Be Your Last Battlefield}}|nextair={{e|That Which Survives}}|lastair_remastered={{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}|nextair_remastered={{e|The Lights of Zetar}}}}
   
 
[[Category:TOS episodes|Mark of Gideon, The]]
 
 
[[de:Fast unsterblich]]
 
[[de:Fast unsterblich]]
 
[[es:The Mark of Gideon]]
 
[[es:The Mark of Gideon]]
[[fr:The Mark of Gideon]]
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[[fr:The Mark of Gideon (épisode)]]
[[ja:TOS:長寿惑星ギデオンの苦悩]]
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[[ja:長寿惑星ギデオンの苦悩(エピソード)]]
 
[[nl:The Mark of Gideon]]
 
[[nl:The Mark of Gideon]]
 
[[pl:The Mark of Gideon]]
 
[[pl:The Mark of Gideon]]
[[Category:TOS episodes|Mark of Gideon, The]]
 

Revision as of 03:26, 22 March 2015

Template:Realworld

Kirk is held captive on an empty duplicate of the USS Enterprise.

Summary

Teaser

Gideon

The Enterprise orbiting secretive Federation candidate Gideon in 2269

The USS Enterprise is in synchronous orbit over the capital city of Gideon, a candidate for Federation membership. The physio-cultural reports the Gideons have submitted describe their planet as a virtual paradise, with a germ-free atmosphere. Yet for the duration of the delicate negotiations, Starfleet has agreed to the Gideons' unusual stipulation that no surveillance scans be carried out upon their planet. Hodin, the Gideon Council's de facto ambassador to the Federation, accordingly provides the coordinates for the landing party's beam-down – 875-020-079 – a spot he says is within the Council Chamber. Furthermore, the Enterprise party must comprise only one particular individual: Captain Kirk. After being beamed down by Commander Spock, Kirk arrives in what seems to be a completely depopulated Enterprise. He presumes the beam-down was unsuccessful, and on the empty bridge satisfies himself that he and the ship are "still orbiting Gideon."

Act One

Hodin

The Gideon High Council's point man in full prevarication

Kirk searches every part of the ship, and finds no one. He has sustained a bruise on his arm, but has lost any recollection of the incident or indeed the minutes in which it occurred. The High Council's Ambassador Hodin denies responsibility for the loss of the captain, suggesting that the Enterprise's equipment must be faulty. He frustrates ship's surgeon McCoy and even First Officer Spock with his steadfast refusal to drop his planet's sensor-jamming shields. He claims they are necessary to protect Gideons against any "contaminating contact" with violent otherworldly nature. Hodin does assent to a "thorough search" but pretends that Spock has agreed that the High Council should be the party to institute it.

Kirk encounters Odona wandering the empty corridors of the ship in an ecstasy of new-found personal space. She says that on her world "thousands pressed in against me. I could hardly breathe." When she evinces fear Kirk consoles her, offering his hand.

Uhura tells Spock that Starfleet wants him to go through diplomatic channels – the Federation – but that the department she has been referred to, the Bureau of Planetary Treaties, has, of course, no treaty with the Gideon and wishes Starfleet to handle the crisis.

Seeing the chronometer on the astrogator, Kirk says that there are indeed some nine minutes that are unaccounted for since his transport. Odona is plainly a Gideon, but apparently is not in the habit of calling her world by that name. Putting the Enterprise's forward environs onto the main viewer, Kirk finds that they seem no longer to be in orbit, but rather in some unfamiliar quadrant. Having no way to control their voyage, the two discuss their survival – the unlikelihood that they can ever use up the air and the provisions meant to feed 430 crewmembers for five years.

Act Two

Meanwhile, back on the USS Enterprise, the ambassador informs Spock that Kirk is not on Gideon after a thorough search of the planet by the natives. However, Spock insists on transporting to the planet. The ambassador grants permission with the provision that a Gideon co-worker beam aboard the Enterprise. Spock agrees, and Scotty beams Krodak, a Gideon representative aboard but when Spock begins to press for his beam-down to the planet, the Gideon ambassador prevaricates again, and claims he acted outside his authority to grant Spock the permission to come to the planet. Spock is clearly insistent and exasperated by both the bureaucratic logjam in the Federation, and by the diplomatic stonewalling of the ambassador. He tells Uhura to demand an answer from Starfleet about the issue of beaming to the planet's surface.

At the same time, Kirk and Odona are together on the bridge of the empty Enterprise, and unable to raise any form of communication at all. The captain drops the ship out of warp, explaining this to Odona, who remarks that it feels exactly the same as when they were at warp. This gets Kirk's attention because there "is no change in how the ship feels." He gets suspicious and looks at the viewscreen, which is displaying a field of stars moving slowly. Odona asks if he is having a problem with the way the stars look.

Act Three

After Odona and Kirk toy with the idea of remaining alone aboard the Enterprise, Kirk decides he has to discover and contact whoever is manipulating them. He asks Odona about her homeworld, and she says she doesn't remember; she only knows she is happy. She explains that her home planet is packed to the brim with people.

While Kirk and Odona walk about the ship and discuss Kirk's bruise, they hear a strange thumping noise. Though Odona believes it is the engines or a storm, the captain knows better. He opens a viewport, which shows an ordinary star field after a momentary ghostly appearance of the dense planetary population en masse, with the captain surmising the thumping sound was the heartbeats of all the people he saw out the window.

As Kirk begins to request answers from Odona, she begins to feel faint with the manifest prognostics of illness as the ambassador – her father – and his aides watch from the council chamber. Hodin then boards what Kirk now knows to be a fake Enterprise. The captain and the ambassador partake in a brief exchange regarding Odona's health before Hodin takes Kirk prisoner and lays Odona in a bed in the captain's quarters. The two muse on the feelings of pain, alien to both of them.

Meanwhile, Spock contacts Starfleet Command and argues with Admiral Fitzgerald, who refuses to allow Spock to beam down to the planet's surface. On the planet, Kirk gets in a fistfight with the Gideon guards while Hodin, whose only tools are words, watches as his daughter is dying of Vegan choriomeningitis.

Act Four

On the Enterprise, Spock finally resolves to violate Starfleet orders. He demonstrates the slight difference between the coordinates given them for beaming down Kirk to those beaming up the Gideon councilman. He orders McCoy and the others to remain aboard the Enterprise.

Spock then beams down to the original coordinates Kirk was transported to. He hopes to rescue the captain before the experiment reaches its conclusion with the result meaning the captain dying.

Hodin explains to Kirk how Gideon was once a paradise, and its atmosphere has always been germ-free. The lifespan increased and death became almost unknown. The birthrate continued to rise until Gideon became encased in a living mass, with no space to live in comfort. Hodin says sterilisation is impossible as their organs renew, and contraception is unthinkable because of their "love of life." Eventually, they decided to introduce mortal illness to Gideon, choosing Kirk as its source, and Odona as an inspirational model of self-sacrificial heroism.

Hodin tries to convince Kirk to stay and provide the necessary virus. Kirk argues against it. They are notified of the approaching death of Odona as Spock initiates a search for Kirk on the duplicate Enterprise. Kirk attempts to convince Odona to let them cure her, explaining that the virus in her blood could serve the Gideons just as well as his own.

Spock arrives and nerve-pinches one Gideon guard and bodily throws the other across the hallway. On Kirk's orders, Spock asks Scotty to beam up him, Kirk, and Odona. He warns Hodin not to interfere. McCoy then cures Odona and Kirk shows her around the real Enterprise. She tries in vain to persuade Kirk to go live with her on Gideon. They part, and she beams down to save her planet.

Log Entries

  • "Captain's Log, Stardate 5423.4. We are orbiting the planet Gideon which is still not a member of the United Federation of Planets. The treaty negotiations have been difficult because Gideon has consistently refused the presence of a delegation from the Federation on its soil, or any surveillance by the ship's sensors. They have finally agreed to a delegation of one. They insisted it be the captain of the Enterprise. I am, therefore, beaming down at once."
  • "Log entry made by Captain James T. Kirk. I am alone on the Enterprise. I have searched every area of the ship and still cannot find a trace of the crew, or an indication of how its disappearance was managed. The one thing that is obvious is that I suffered a memory lapse, during which time I bruised my arm. It is causing me some irritation."
  • "Ship's Log, Stardate 5423.8. First Officer Spock reporting. Obviously, the Gideons have transported Captain Kirk onto this replica of the Enterprise to so confuse his mind as to make him susceptible to some extraordinary experiment. It is my intention to locate the captain and warn him before the experiment reaches its conclusion, which logic indicates means the end of the captain's life as he knows it."

Memorable Quotes

"We must acknowledge once and for all that the purpose of diplomacy is to prolong a crisis."

- Spock, to McCoy


"Diplomats and bureaucrats may function differently, but they achieve exactly the same results."

- Spock, to Sulu


"And just when I was beginning to think you might find a whole new career as a diplomat, Mr. Spock."
"Do not give up hope, doctor."

- McCoy after Spock is yet again unsuccessful in gaining permission from Hodin to beam down to Gideon


"You're mad!"
"No. We are desperate."

- Kirk and Hodin, on Odona's deliberate infection


"Your report to the Federation was a tissue of lies! You described conditions that would make Gideon a virtual paradise!"

- Kirk to Hodin, in the council chamber


"We are incapable of destroying or interfering with the creation of that which we love so deeply. Life, in every form, from fetus to developed being. It is against our tradition, against our very nature. We simply could not do it."
"Yet you can kill a young girl."

- Hodin and Kirk


"Your Excellency, please do not interfere. I already have one serious problem to resolve with upper echelons."

- Spock's parting words to Hodin


"How can you bear to look at me after the way I deceived you?"
"At least you owe me the privilege of letting me look at you."
"You are a gentleman, Captain Kirk."

- Odona and Kirk, after her recovery


"As crowded as my planet is, I could wish for it to hold one more person."

- Odona, to Kirk

Background Information

Looking through the Exterior viewing port

The view from the exterior viewing port is not what Kirk expected

  • The story for this episode was co-written by Stanley Adams, who previously played Cyrano Jones in TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles". Reportedly, Adams was deeply concerned about the issue of overpopulation and had some casual discussions with Gene Roddenberry, during the production of "The Trouble with Tribbles", in which he suggested that Star Trek do an episode reflecting that subject matter. This episode is the evident result of those conversations. (Star Trek: The Original Series 365, p. 324) Adams' writing of this episode was influenced by advice from his son. Explained the writer, "My son says, 'Dad, you're in a position to really say something about the overpopulation problem.' He stood over my shoulder while I wrote around the beehive society." (Starlog issue #3, p. 29) A detailed description of the episode's initial story outline can be found here.
  • This is the second of two TOS episodes that show an empty Constitution-class bridge, the other installment being the first season outing "This Side of Paradise" (which shows the bridge of the actual Enterprise).
  • When Kirk tries to address anyone on the ship, one of the shots, showing an empty corridor, is recycled from "Is There in Truth No Beauty?". Also, another shot shows an empty Sickbay - with the Red Alert indicator light flashing, an obvious pickup shot from an earlier episode.
  • This is also the only episode showing an exterior viewing port. The only other time a window looking outside the ship is seen is on the observation deck in "The Conscience of the King". Of course, in this case, the port seen is not on the real Enterprise. The exterior viewing port from this episode is the same design as the one used to witness Marta's execution in "Whom Gods Destroy".
  • Fred Freiberger, producer of Season 3, was satisfied with this episode. He related, "One of my pet themes is overpopulation and I thought this was a good idea. We were taking a shot at something fresh and gutsy, and it worked out pretty well. That one was also shot entirely on the Enterprise. I felt that if we had to do the show under those restrictions, we had to come up with good stories and that one worked." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 74)
  • Both Stanley Adams and his son were not, however, as pleased with the episode's final form. In hindsight, Stanley Adams commented, "[My son] sees the TV version. He says, 'What did they do?!' But they do it to you. When you write for TV, there's an old expression: 'Take the money and run.'" (Starlog issue #3, p. 29)
  • Remarkably, this episode did not run afoul of NBC censors, despite Kirk broaching such sensitive matters as sexual sterilization and birth control.
  • Among the many disembodied Gideon citizens seen on the viewscreen is frequent background performer William Blackburn. His face is pointed out in the finale of the bonus featurette "Billy Blackburn's Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories", offered on the third-season DVD collection of Star Trek Original Series.
  • In their unofficial reference book Trek Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to the Entire Trek Saga (pp. 138 & 139), co-writer Mark A. Altman scores this episode 2 out of 4 stars (defined as "mediocre") while fellow co-writer Edward Gross rates the installment 1 out of 4 stars (defined as "lousy").
  • Cinefantastique gave this episode 1 and a half out of 4 stars. (Cinefantastique, Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 104)
  • In the unauthorized reference book Beyond the Final Frontier (p. 50), co-writers Mark Jones and Lance Parkin give their opinions of this installment; "An episode that starts out spooky and tense, but collapses well before the end under a mass of plot holes – leaving aside how the people of Gideon built such an exact replica of the Enterprise that even Kirk is fooled, there's just no reason why they build it. And if Kirk's so infectious, why is he allowed to beam down to planets in the first place?"
  • The Star Trek Concordance (p. 82) also laments the plot holes; its synopsis of the episode unusually editorializes that "Odona ... is to die as a symbol (of the faultiest logic in the galaxy)."

Production Timeline

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

and

Guest stars

Uncredited co-stars

References

assistant; atmosphere; auditorium; birthrate; blood; "Bones"; Bureau of Planetary Treaties; bureaucrat; capital city; diplomacy; diplomat; Excellency; Federation; fetus; fever; five-year mission; germ; Gideon (planet); Gideon; Gideon Council; Gideon Council Chambers; language; life span; logic; medical kit; medical practitioner; medical tricorder; microorganism; Milky Way Galaxy; oxygen; paradise; physio-cultural report; population; prime minister; quadrant; red priority; repairman; representative; scientist; Starfleet Command; sterile; synchronous orbit; transporter; tricorder; Vegan choriomeningitis; viewing port; Vulcan neck pinch; USS Enterprise (replica)

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