McCoy does call the White Rabbit in. Kirk and Spock were receiving McCoy's White Rabbit report in Kirk's cabin. Kirk laughs and tells McCoy alright, I've got one for you. The rabbit was followed by a little blonde girl. Clearly playing along with what he thinks is McCoy's whimsical effort to persuade a reluctant Kirk to beam down and get some rest. Which leads to one of my favorite scenes where Spock cleverly sets Kirk up by reporting on a certain crewman who refuses to go down to the planet and rest. Citing too low reaction times and other issues related to his job. Kirk stiffens up and tells Spock that those scores are much too low. And tells Spock that that crewman will go down to the planet on his orders. What's his name? Spock replies, "James Kirk." It's a priceless scene where we get to see another side of Spock-- the clever and yet respectful way he gets a point across to the captain without being direct. And Kirk's reaction that he just got set up by his logical First Officer is hilarious every time. Interesting observation about Sulu picking up the gun and firing it, rather than reporting it to Kirk first. That said, it would be very boring if Sulu acted professionally. And it doesn't take me out of the immersion because I would rather have the writers inject fun and give Sulu some room to act a little unprofessional. Explained by an enthusiastic Sulu that, as a gun collector, he found a beautiful antique in perfect condition. Then, as Kirk whimsically says, you better give me the gun. The fresh air seems to have made you trigger happy. Funny every time. Btw, we don't appreciate it until later that the writers were smartly putting the gun in Kirk's possession, which he then later uses on the charging knight. You could also say that Kirk also loses himself briefly when Ruth shows up out of nowhere. Good point about how future Trek should have made it Ruth instead of Carol Marcus. The tie-in would be great and make a lot of sense. Finnigan is terrific. Bruce Mars' performance is delightfully over-the-top, and I can't help but laugh as Finnigan needles Kirk by calling him an "old man" while Finnigan is still 20 years old. I never saw this episode as silly. There were plenty of underlying scientific effects coming from below the planet's surface that Spock was investigating. The energy from the planet was severely interfering with ship communications and ability to beam down. And Spock noted that this energy indicated industrial activity. So there was just enough danger and intrigue from not just interference with the ship but the sometimes deadly effects from the things the crew was encountering. A combination of mystery, danger, fun, deadly interactions, love, comedy, character reveal, all makes this a solid 8 White Rabbits out of 10.
McCoy, thinking the knight is an illusion, stands his ground and takes a lance to the chest while protecting the Yeoman. I like the episode because it is a needed bit of levity after Balance Of Terror. There is just enough danger to keep you on your toes.
