Original air date: October 13,1966 | Run time: 50min
Captain’s Log, Stardate 1329.8
SYNOPSIS
The Enterprise picks up untrustworthy entrepreneur Harry Mudd accompanied by three beautiful women who immediately put a spell on all the male crew members.
CANON CONTEXT
Because each episode is a stand-alone many were filmed but never put in any particular order when released. This episode, for instance, was one of three second pilot episode options when The Cage was first introduced and rejected by NBC. When the time came to start airing the series it was slotted in at the sixth episode in season one. In truth, it could’ve appeared at any time.
RECAP
Obviously we must begin with Mudd if we are to understand this episode. Who is Mudd? Well, he appears to be a sort of pirate who travels the galaxy in a small spacecraft, ferrying cargo (sometimes stolen) that he sells to make ends meet. But of course, there is more to Mudd than meets the eye.
This episode reminded me a lot of a combination of Xena, Warrior Princess and Gilligan's Island. The former because of Mudd and how his character reminds me a lot of Salmoneous, a conman who’s always trying to make a buck however he can.
And Gilligan’s Island because of the women. In many ways used for the same reasons.
So, Mudd is chased by the Enterprise and because he fails to respond when they ask who he is and what’s he’s up to, they transport him and his “cargo” onto their ship where he is to stand trial for his crimes. From what I understand, his crimes are pretty small but they begin to rack up when they discover he’s driving without a proper license and dealing in questionable goods. For starters, the women. He’s taking them to another planet where they can be wives to men who are in need. :cue eye roll:
The women all want this very badly as they all come from planets where men are few and far between. :cue another eye roll:
Eventually, it is discovered that these women suffer from the environments they were born into and therefore look a bit “worn” I think is the best way to describe it. They aren’t ugly, just, homely and less attractive. Mudd, has a supply of some sort of magic pill that, when taken, accentuates the parts you have to make you “more of” that thing. So, women become more sensual and attractive to men, while men would be stronger masculine types.
While all this is happening, the Enterprise is losing life support and must stop at a nearby planet that has just what they need to survive. Coincidentally, this planet also happens to have three lonely men who haven’t seen a women in quite some time. Of course Mudd, and the women, are delighted to hear this and quickly devise to make a trade. In short, the women for the crystals that the Enterprise requires.
One thing leads to another and one of the men on the planet, left alone with one of the women, Eve, discovers that something isn’t quite right. Because the two of them don’t hit it off right away she begins to change back to her natural look.
Of course, the question of which version of Eve he wants, the self-centered one or the warm and caring one, comes into play. It’s a really well done scene with plenty of layers and nuances to it, if you overlook the fact that these three women are essentially traded away. Then again, it’s what they want so how bad can it be, really?
In the end, Eve, and the other women, stay behind on the planet with the men, warts and all.
And the Enterprise gets what they needed to bring life support back online and go about their journey.
DID THEY REALLY SAY THAT?
Captain James T. Kirk: [referring to the women] Is this your crew, Captain?
Mudd: Well, no, Captain. This is me cargo.
Eve: Oh, the sound of male ego. You travel half way across the galaxy and it's still the same song.
Mudd: Don't you think you could possibly, by accident, arrange to leave me behind here? On this planet, that would be punishment enough.
Captain James T. Kirk: I can't do that, Harry, but I will appear as a character witness at your trial, if you think that'll help.
Mudd: They'll throw away the key.