This Side of Paradise

The spores in the early drafts were a communal intelligence; when someone was possessed by them, that individual was granted telepathic abilities to link up with other possessed minds. The abilities of the spores to restore health were complete enough to enable them to return the dead to life. The antidotes for the spores were either the possession of a certain blood type or the introduction of alcohol into the affected person. Originally, Kirk leaped onto Spock and forced liquor down his throat to restore him to normal. This was presumably deemed unrealistic for various reasons including Kirk would not be strong enough to force alcohol on Spock and even if he did, Spock could just spit it out because the alcohol would have to enter the bloodstream to have an effect. It is established in various stories that, while Vulcans will occasionally drink alcohol, it doesn't affect (intoxicate) them in the same way it does a human. (On the other hand, in the novelisation of 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home', Spock states that the sugar sucrose, in the candies that Kirk bought to get change for the bus, has the same effect on Vulcans as ethanol does on humans.) In a surprise ending, the spores were revealed to be benevolent, conscious entities who never intended to act against anyone's will.

When Kirk goes to look for Spock, he tells McCoy, "Have the landing party work in teams of two, I don't want anyone left alone." After which he goes off to find Spock...leaving McCoy alone.

Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song

Edited into Star Trek: The Next Generation: Relics (1992)