Star Trek at 50: Arena

Season 1

Episode 19: Arena

Filmed: November 1966 

First Air Date: January 19, 1967

Karen: He's here at last: the Gorn! Easily one of the most recognizable Star Trek aliens, and a fan favorite, we have finally reached "Arena," a hallmark episode. Besides the memorable alien, there is a story here about the desire for vengeance, and the need for understanding and mercy. Everything seemed to come together in this episode to give us a story that is exciting and thought-provoking.

Karen: This episode was written by producer Gene Coon. He put together the first teleplay and it was substantially similar to what was filmed. However -during review of the teleplay, personnel at Kellam Deforest Research discovered that the plot points matched up closely to a story by Frederic Brown, also called "Arena," published in Astounding magazine in 1944. Coon had read the story but had apparently forgotten about it. Obviously the story was too similar to Brown's, so Desilu's legal department contacted Brown to buy the rights to his work. Brown was amenable, and  would get screen credit for the story. 

Karen: "Arena" is a favorite of mine. Yes, the battle between Kirk and the Gorn is exciting, but I find the exchanges between Kirk and Spock to also be highlights. After they return to the Enterprise from the attack on Cestus III, the Captain and First Officer discuss the situation in Kirk's quarters. Kirk is dead certain that the destruction of the outpost by the aliens can only mean one thing: they intend to invade. Spock protests, saying there could be other reasons, but Kirk will have none of it; he is adamant that there is no other explanation. The Captain seems unusually bloodthirsty. Spock appears ill at ease with this conclusion but if this is what Kirk believes, then he must ensure the alien (whom they are pursuing) never reaches his home base. Kirk says he intends to. He pushes the ship to high warp speed in the pursuit. On the bridge, Spock again asks Kirk if the destruction of the alien is necessary. "A regard for sentient life," he starts out when Kirk cuts him off, "There's no time for that." After some odd looks from Uhura and Spock, Kirk explains weakly that they are the only policeman around. It is one of the few times where Kirk is shown  off-balance. He has a point, but so does Spock.

"They've locked onto my tricorder..."

Karen: Before they can catch the aliens, both ships are halted by an unseen force. They have blundered into the territory of the Metrons. A voice informs them that their conflict will be resolved in a way best suited to their limited mentalities. And with this, Kirk and the captain of the Gorn ship are transported to a mysterious planet, to battle each other to the death.

Karen: That mysterious planet was Vasquez Rocks, a park in northern Los Angeles county. At the time this episode was filmed it was privately owned. Vasquez Rocks,with its unusual angled rock formations, has appeared in many TV and motion picture productions. Star Trek filmed there several times, but "Arena"  is probably the episode that most people associate it with. I made the trip out to the park a couple of years ago and it was a real thrill to be standing in the same spot where Kirk and the Gorn had fought! If you ever go, be sure to check out the visitor center -they are well aware of the Trekkie interest in the park.

Kirk meets Gorn...

and so do I!

Karen: Kirk's opponent, the Gorn, was a complete suit created by effects man Wah Chang, who had also created the Salt Vampire for "The Man Trap" and the Romulan ship, as well as numerous monsters for The Outer Limits. Although it seems to come under ridicule today, for the time, it was a striking image (personally, I still find it impressive). Stuntman Bobby Clark alternated with Gary Combs in the suit, with actor Bill Blackburn, who was usually in the background at either the navigation or helm positions, putting on the outfit for a few shots. The suit consisted of a wet suit with a muscle overlay, gauntlets, and huge 16" feet. It wasn't easy moving or even seeing in the suit, but the three men got the job done. Admittedly, the Gorn moved ludicrously slow -when he swipes at Kirk and it takes half a minute, it strains credibility. But still, the Gorn does have an air of menace. As Kirk says into his recording device, "Like most humans I seem to have an instinctive revulsion to reptiles."

Karen: The Metrons informed both Kirk and the Gorn that there would be raw materials to make weapons on the planet. But Kirk is unable to turn up anything useful. However he comes across a variety of mineral deposits. This puzzles Kirk; he feels like there's something he should know. However, the Gorn has made a knife and set snares, and pins Kirk under an incredibly fake-looking boulder. Just like in The Galileo Seven, we are faced with the peril of styrofoam boulders. However, Kirk manages to escape. By this point, the Metrons have allowed the Enterprise crew to watch the action on the ship's viewscreen. The Gorn reveals that he has heard every word Kirk has said into his recording device. He offers a merciful death for Kirk. When Kirk fires back, asking if it was mercy they showed the colonists on Cestus III, the Gorn captain says they were defending themselves against invaders. McCoy, on the bridge, appears startled and turns to Spock and says if that's true, "We could be in the wrong." This is what Spock had been trying to get across earlier, with no success. 

Karen: Kirk and Spock both seem to figure out what to do with all those raw chemicals and minerals that are just lying around on the planet. As a kid when I saw it, I felt like I really should study chemistry more! The legend of Kirk's amazing hand cannon lives on; even the Mythbusters have tried to make one. Of course the Captain does manage to overcome his more powerful foe, actually shooting diamonds into his chest. No wonder Kirk is a legend in Starfleet. With the Gorn helpless, Kirk picks up his foe's knife and prepares to make the killing blow -and stops. He says, "No, no I won't kill you. Maybe you thought you were protecting yourself when you attacked the outpost." He faces skyward and shouts, "No, I won't kill him!" On the hill above him a shimmering being appears. It is a Metron. It looks like a fairy. Honestly, I would swear I can almost make out the outline of glittering wings on his back. In any case, it is quite ethereal. The Metron states  that Kirk has demonstrated the advanced quality of mercy. He offers to destroy the Gorn ship but Kirk says no, they will try to work things out. The Metron smiles and says very good. Maybe in a thousand years or so, mankind will be ready to meet with his people.Kirk is transported back to the ship, where the crew are both perplexed and delighted to see him -they did not see the last few minutes of what occurred. Kirk merely tells them that humanity is a very promising species.

Karen: "Arena" highlights one of Trek's main concepts: humanity overcoming our baser instincts. Kirk recognizes his prejudice, his anger, and in the end, moves past it. I am so impressed with this episode even now. It has great pacing, and provides practically everything you could ask for: action, conflict, drama, suspense, and a real, emotional core. It's almost a shame that we didn't get to see if a peace treaty was ever made between the Federation and the Gorn. William Shatner is still hanging around with the Gorn Captain, and the two of them are still having trouble getting along...