32) Metamorphosis

We're excited to once again be joined by Ralph Senensky for our deep dive on "Metamorphosis," the second "Star Trek" episode he directed. When the Shuttlecraft Galileo is thrown off course by a powerful field of energy, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and Assistant Commissioner Nancy Hedford are forced to make an emergency landing on a small planet in an asteroid belt. But they are not alone. Also marooned there for many years is a man named Zephram Cochrane, who knows a lot more than he is letting on about why they are really there. But time is running out -- Commissioner Hedford must be taken to the Enterprise to be treated for a rare disease, so she can be cured in time to stop a war on a distant planet. But when Kirk's aggressive tactics to escape wind up aggravating the situation even worse, he is forced to re-think his strategy and try a different approach when the true identity of their captor becomes clear. Over the years, "Metamorphosis" has hardly ever been mentioned as being one of "Star Trek's" best episodes. But it should be, because it's a sensitive, brilliantly-written and beautifully-directed story about love, compassion, communication and tolerance that represents what "Star Trek" is all about. And it's bolstered even further by gorgeous cinematography, a sublime musical score and superb performances from William Shatner and guest star Elinor Donahue. Like a fine wine, "Metamorphosis" has aged extremely well, and it has properly come to be reappraised as one of "Star Trek's" finest hours.

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