When I saw this first time round, I was too young really to understand the full implications. Watching as a much older person, I find it much more problematic.
Partly it is just too cheesy for words. Kirk loses his shirt early on and never regains it and goes on to have an improbable "romance" with one of the Thrals - or more accurately, manipulates her into helping him and his crew then effectively dumps her. No matter how diligently Shahna "learns" we all know she's never getting off that planet of seeing Kirk again. It's not a hopeful future for her.
Even more disturbingly, within minutes of being abducted by the Gamesters, Uhura is fending off a rapist and while she does appear to push him off this time, if the Enterprise crew were really in this situation there is absolutely nothing to prevent the Thral in question trying it again. A line to say he had been prevented in some way would have been welcome as reassurance. (And to the reviewer who implied she should have been pleased, as the man was attractive: THAT'S NOT THE POINT! Uhura did not consent!)
Frankly, Kirk lets the Gamesters off far too lightly. He should have fired a phaser through their glass dome & then arranged for the Federation to come and re-educate or re-settle the Thrals. Instead he trusts that they will "teach" the people they've been abusing for who knows how long. It's a really bad way to leave things.
As for what goes on back on the Enterprise, I found myself realising how extremely annoying McCoy can be. He knows NOTHING to help in this situation - why is he even loitering on the bridge? - yet he continually questions Spock's course of action until Spock quite rightly asks him (& Scotty) if they're intending to mutiny. McCoy was VERY annoying!
It is obvious that, probably due to some of the casting & costuming, this episode has remained memorable for many, but it really is not one of Star Trek's high points.
Partly it is just too cheesy for words. Kirk loses his shirt early on and never regains it and goes on to have an improbable "romance" with one of the Thrals - or more accurately, manipulates her into helping him and his crew then effectively dumps her. No matter how diligently Shahna "learns" we all know she's never getting off that planet of seeing Kirk again. It's not a hopeful future for her.
Even more disturbingly, within minutes of being abducted by the Gamesters, Uhura is fending off a rapist and while she does appear to push him off this time, if the Enterprise crew were really in this situation there is absolutely nothing to prevent the Thral in question trying it again. A line to say he had been prevented in some way would have been welcome as reassurance. (And to the reviewer who implied she should have been pleased, as the man was attractive: THAT'S NOT THE POINT! Uhura did not consent!)
Frankly, Kirk lets the Gamesters off far too lightly. He should have fired a phaser through their glass dome & then arranged for the Federation to come and re-educate or re-settle the Thrals. Instead he trusts that they will "teach" the people they've been abusing for who knows how long. It's a really bad way to leave things.
As for what goes on back on the Enterprise, I found myself realising how extremely annoying McCoy can be. He knows NOTHING to help in this situation - why is he even loitering on the bridge? - yet he continually questions Spock's course of action until Spock quite rightly asks him (& Scotty) if they're intending to mutiny. McCoy was VERY annoying!
It is obvious that, probably due to some of the casting & costuming, this episode has remained memorable for many, but it really is not one of Star Trek's high points.