How does one select the worst episode of Star Trek? There are over 900 entries across almost 50 series to choose from. With numbers like those, there have to be a few missteps. Some might pick the episode of Voyager in which Tom Paris and Captain Janeway become salamanders and spawn children. Others might name the extraordinarily racist TNG entry in which African-themed aliens kidnap Tasha Yar. Those fans that prefer the early terrible episodes can't go wrong with "Spock's Brain."
It's hard to imagine what the creators of early Star Trek would think about the franchise's modern state. The shows spread across mediums, capturing wildly different fan bases and exploring engaging new ideas. Though some corners of the story feel stuck in the past, it would likely shock some old writers to see how far it's all come. It's fair to denigrate the franchise's current state, but it's worth remembering the rough times in the early days.
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What Happens in "Spock's Brain?"
"Spock's Brain" kicks off the third season of Star Trek: The Original Series with a bang as the Enterprise stumbles onto an alien ship. Suddenly, a woman from the opposite vessel teleports onto the Enterprise and activates a bracelet that stuns the crew. She selects First Officer Spock and touches his head. When Kirk wakes up, McCoy informs him that Spock is in the sick bay. He explains that the alien lady surgically removed Spock's brain, leaving him on life support. Vulcans can survive without their brain for 24 hours, giving Kirk and the crew a ticking clock to save their science officer. They follow the ship's trail to Sigma Draconis VI, a seemingly pre-industrial planet covered in ice. Their voyage drains sixteen hours, leaving them with only 8 to find Spock's brain.
On Sigma Draconis VI, the Enterprise crew meets the locals. They encounter a group of male humanoids who look like cavemen. They're called Morg. One of them warns them of "the others." Kirk asks him where the women of his species reside, and the Morg becomes confused. Chekov discovers a hidden city beneath the surface of Sigma Draconis VI. McCoy beams down with Spock's brainless body, having fitted him with a remote control to let him walk. They travel underground to meet the Eymorg, the females of the local species. They seem to have child-like intelligence. Kirk establishes contact with Spock's brain through his communicator, but the woman who invaded the Enterprise arrives and knocks out the landing party again. The Eymorg leader, Kara, doesn't understand what a brain is when Kirk demands Spock's back. They learn that Kara and the Eymorg are using Spock's brain as the "controller," a complicated computer rig operating the underground civilization. After the landing party escapes the Eymorg's clutches, they place Kara in a machine called the teacher. Kara threatens Kirk with a phaser as they debate the proper fate of Spock's brain.
How Does "Spock's Brain" End?
"Spock's Brain" raises a new problem. If they don't know how Kara took out Spock's brain, they won't know how to reinstall the organ. The teacher grants the knowledge necessary to operate. Scott pretends to faint, allowing Kirk to take Kara's phaser and turn the tables. McCoy realizes he can use the teacher to learn the steps involved, but it will only provide him knowledge for three hours. He dons the teacher helmet and begins brain surgery. While he's operating, the information slowly slips away from him. He panics, but his internalized medical knowledge allows him to reconnect Spock's speech centers. Spock, still blessed with the nigh-omniscient perspective his position as the controller granted him, talks McCoy through the operation. Spock regains his brain and launches into a long-winded speech about Sigma Draconis VI's history. Kara fears for the Eymors' continued survival without the controller. Kirk reasons that they can leave their underground city and learn to coexist with the men of their species.
"Spock's Brain" is broadly considered one of the worst episodes of Star Trek ever produced. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy publicly insulted it, expressing embarrassment and frustration with NBC's treatment of the show. It was the first episode released after the network moved Star Trek to a 10 P.M. timeslot, disadvantaging it in ratings. Several outlets rank it among their worst list, either among The Original Series or the franchise as a whole. It's a fair rating. The episode's premise makes no sense, and its execution borders on unhinged nonsense. Some small contingent of fans see "Spock's Brain" as a treasure among "so bad it's good" episodes of the long-running series. At least it's terrible in a fun way. Despite its bizarre take on gender relationships, it isn't particularly offensive. It's like a 50s B-movie played out in the middle of a Star Trek episode. Fans looking for the goofier side of Star Trek need look no further than "Spock's Brain."
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