"The Mark of Gideon" is a third season episode of the American science fiction television series, Star Trek, and was broadcast on January 17, 1969. It is episode #71, production #72, written by George F. Slavin and Stanley Adams (who portrayed Cyrano Jones in "The Trouble With Tribbles"), and directed by Jud Taylor.

In the episode, a race of aliens from an overpopulated planet abduct Captain Kirk to solve their problem.

On stardate 5423.4, the Federation starship Enterprise arrives at the planet Gideon to begin diplomatic relations and invite the inhabitants to join the Federation. Gideon is reported to be a virtual paradise where the people live incredibly long lives in a nearly germ-free environment.

Upon arrival, however, the Gideon representative, Ambassador Hodin, refuses to allow anyone to beam down to the planet except for Captain Kirk, to whom he gives specific coordinates where to transport. Kirk agrees to beam down and after transport finds himself apparently still aboard the Enterprise. After looking around and roaming the decks, he finds, to his surprise, that the ship is completely devoid of any crew.

First Officer Spock, on the Enterprise, is informed that the Captain never arrived on the planet; however, Ambassador Hodin refuses to allow a search team to investigate. Spock contacts Admiral Fitzgerald of Starfleet to report Kirk's disappearance and request further instruction; however, Starfleet is bogged down by bureaucratic red tape between Gideon and the Department of Planetary Treaties. Fitzgerald orders Spock to "stand by" for the time being.

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