A Piece of the Action (Star Trek: The Original Series)
| "A Piece of the Action" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Original Series episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 17 |
| Directed by | James Komack |
| Story by | David P. Harmon |
| Teleplay by |
David P. Harmon Gene L. Coon |
| Cinematography by | Jerry Finnerman |
| Production code | 049 |
| Original air date | January 12, 1968 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
|
"A Piece of the Action" is a second season episode of the American science fiction television series, Star Trek first broadcast on January 12, 1968; its repeat on August 30, 1968, was the last episode to air in the 8:30 pm time slot on Friday nights. It is episode #46, production #49, written by David P. Harmon and Gene L. Coon, and directed by James Komack.
In the comedic episode, the Enterprise visits a planet with an Earth-like 1920s gangster culture, with Runyonesque dialog and costumes.
The Federation starship USS Enterprise has been ordered to Sigma Iotia II, where the space vessel Horizon had been reported missing 100 years earlier. The ship receives contact from Bela Oxmyx, an Iotian, who promises information about the Horizon and invites the crew to come to the planet. First Officer Spock notes that their interference in the planet's development could endanger the Prime Directive, but Captain James T. Kirk contends that the Horizon's arrival a century ago, predating the Directive, would have already contaminated the culture. Kirk, Spock, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy transport to the planet.
They find themselves in a city fashioned after the 1920s period in the United States, and most of the residents appear to be gangsters carrying Tommy guns. The landing party is escorted by Oxmyx's men to his offices, during which they observe a drive-by shooting that kills one of their escorts, but the other continues on as if nothing had happened. They arrive at Oxmyx's office, where Oxmyx orders his men to make a retaliatory attack against their rival gang led by Jojo Krako. Spock discovers an Earth book "Chicago Mobs of the Twenties", and determines it was left by the crew of the Horizon. Oxmyx explains they have modeled Iotian society off "The Book", which Kirk compares to the "cargo cults" of Earth's 20th century. Oxmyx demands the Enterprise crew supply his gang with phasers, and when Kirk refuses, threatens to kill them if Kirk cannot deliver these. The landing party is held in captivity while Oxmyx uses a communicator to reiterate the deal to Chief Engineer Scott.
...
Wikipedia