As mammals we have a layer of intellect and empathy that, for most of us at least, acts as a safeguard against relentless pursuit of territory and other material goods for the sake of all else. That primitive part that drives us forward is regulated by this sense of empathy and higher purpose (for lack of a better phrase).
But, when it comes down to it, when man competes with himself, other animals, or nature itself, it is the inner reptile that drives us forward. We seek land and raw materials to gratify us and perpetuate the species. It is what keeps us going, and in this sense preserves us.
So what happens when a species whose sole purpose is survival, and has starship weaponry to back it up? What happens when it confronts another species also bent on territorial expansion? The result; a clash.
This first season episode is a bit in the low budget department, but the drama is not lost on the viewer. By today's standards the Gorn alien captain and space SFX are certainly primitive, but the story endures. Lifted from a short story by Frederick Brown, also entitled "Arena", Trek shows the conflict between Kirk and a reptilian alien who has brain and brawn to match Kirk's Star Fleet training... mostly.
As another reviewer noted, we are also witnessing hypocrisy flagrantly thrown in the face of the two embattled starship captains by the Metrons, the so-called super-race of beings who force the two CO's to settle their differences on some far flung world (allegedly an asteroid). The would stop the carnage created by a starship on starship duel with their version of ultimate-fighting, complete with close circuit coverage for the bridge crew to watch.
The Metrons claim superiority, but with their promise to destroy and kill the ship and crew of the losing captain, they demonstrate an astute inferiority, or rather an arrogance and condescension that the two starship captain, for all of their bluster of threatening the other side, do not stoop to. Both Kirk and Gorn, in spite of being high on a blood lust, do not thumb their nose with false promises.
In the end Kirk succumbs to his inner mammal, and confronts the Metrons with their own devices. Or perhaps the Metrons were applying behavioral conditioning to one of Federation's finest? Testing the UFP to see what caliber of species they may encounter and interact with in the future? We don't know, but the hint is awfully strong.
Other than that, it's a good old fashioned actioner with some moments of tension and a few thrills. The script is tight and it's a very well shot piece of TV sci-fi drama.
Watch and enjoy.
But, when it comes down to it, when man competes with himself, other animals, or nature itself, it is the inner reptile that drives us forward. We seek land and raw materials to gratify us and perpetuate the species. It is what keeps us going, and in this sense preserves us.
So what happens when a species whose sole purpose is survival, and has starship weaponry to back it up? What happens when it confronts another species also bent on territorial expansion? The result; a clash.
This first season episode is a bit in the low budget department, but the drama is not lost on the viewer. By today's standards the Gorn alien captain and space SFX are certainly primitive, but the story endures. Lifted from a short story by Frederick Brown, also entitled "Arena", Trek shows the conflict between Kirk and a reptilian alien who has brain and brawn to match Kirk's Star Fleet training... mostly.
As another reviewer noted, we are also witnessing hypocrisy flagrantly thrown in the face of the two embattled starship captains by the Metrons, the so-called super-race of beings who force the two CO's to settle their differences on some far flung world (allegedly an asteroid). The would stop the carnage created by a starship on starship duel with their version of ultimate-fighting, complete with close circuit coverage for the bridge crew to watch.
The Metrons claim superiority, but with their promise to destroy and kill the ship and crew of the losing captain, they demonstrate an astute inferiority, or rather an arrogance and condescension that the two starship captain, for all of their bluster of threatening the other side, do not stoop to. Both Kirk and Gorn, in spite of being high on a blood lust, do not thumb their nose with false promises.
In the end Kirk succumbs to his inner mammal, and confronts the Metrons with their own devices. Or perhaps the Metrons were applying behavioral conditioning to one of Federation's finest? Testing the UFP to see what caliber of species they may encounter and interact with in the future? We don't know, but the hint is awfully strong.
Other than that, it's a good old fashioned actioner with some moments of tension and a few thrills. The script is tight and it's a very well shot piece of TV sci-fi drama.
Watch and enjoy.