Retro-review, Star Trek Original Series: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (Episode S01E01)

by Adrian Martinez

Rating: 5 Stars out of 5
Preview link: Remastered episode

One of the early missions of the Enterprise has her traveling to the edge of the galaxy to find out what is out there. Along the way, she picks up an old-style ship recorder identified as coming from the SS Valiant, a ship believed lost two centuries before. The recorder yields tapes that describe the crew traveling to the edge of the galaxy, encountering a magnetic storm of some sort, and then frantically searching for information about the ESP potential of the crew members. The recording ends with the captain of the Valiant ordering her destruction. In spite of the possibility of the Enterprise meeting the same fate, Kirk decides to continue with the mission and encounters the same phenomenon that the Valiant did. What's more, nine members of his crew are dead and his helmsman and best friend, Gary Mitchell, is displaying a weird silvery glow in his eyes. Problems escalate quickly as Mitchell discovers that he has god-like powers and proceeds to play with the Enterprise, seducing Dr. Elizabeth Dehner along the way. Kirk realizes what had forced the captain of the Valiant to order self-destruct but can he bring himself to kill his best friend in order to prevent unleashing a mad god upon the galaxy? What's more, how does one kill a god?

Even after all this time, this episode still grabs my attention and holds it to the very end. The acting is good, though dated; the pace is brisk; the emotions, honest. I feel this is a good example of Heinlein-style science fiction where, though the environment and situation may change because of the wonders of technology and the new vistas it opens up, humans remain human, and that is a good and desirable thing. Samuel A. Peeples, the writer of the show, makes sure that all the characters are accessible to us by giving us little glimpses such as Spock's gloating over Kirk's impending checkmate (or so he thinks), Mitchell's holding the hand of Yeoman Smith, Kelso's talent for cobbling together something that works in a pinch — a gift that is passed on to Montgomery Scott in later episodes — and so on. The behavior of the crew echoes the camaraderie that must have developed among those serving on navy vessels in World War II. These are people we can all relate to and would wish well.

The production quality of the show and the representation of future technology keep me keenly aware of the era in which the show was produced: it feels like a direct descendant of “The Forbidden Planet” and a worthy one at that. But while the movie focuses on the wonders and terrors of the unknown, this episode focuses on the reactions of those confronting it. Mitchell's new-found powers is not the main issue, it is Kirk's insistence on seeing the being killing his crew as still the man who once saved his life and whom he called friend. How does one deal with that and not be damaged in some way?

The elements that I love about Star Trek are showcased very well in this episode: the exploration of the Human Condition, Optimism about our Future, and the reality of having to make hard choices to keep our Humanity intact. Ultimately, Kirk does the right thing and we witness the price he is forced to pay.

This is another episode that I would show to those new to the franchise. Though it brings us back to a simpler, less complicated time, it shows us that the crew of the Enterprise knew how to make tough choices and, more importantly, how to live with them.