Search - Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 23, Episodes 45 & 46: A Private Little War/ The Gamesters of Triskelion on DVD

Aimee M. (AimeeM)
Reviewed on 2/21/2010...

A PRIVATE LITTLE WAR
This was another "Indian/Native American (only they aren't on Earth)" episode. Also was a commentary on Arms Races. Anyway, not a terribly great episode.

However, it has some good things going for it.
One it has a very famous, though brief, scene of this monster thing that attacks Kirk. I say famous merely because they sold action figures of the silly thing. :)
Two: It was "wound main character week" Yep. Each member of the Trio (Kirk, Spock, McCoy) gets wounded. Cracked me up the first time I watched it... I was thinking, "Man... Kirk has gotten it. So has Spock... why hasn't McCoy been shot in the arm or something?" Two second later... BANG! He's been shot in the arm. I still laugh to this day at that scene.

Other than that it isn't too thrilling an episode, but worth watching.

GAMESTERS OF TRISKELLION
This one is one of the classic ones that has been referenced on Simpsons and other shows. So it isn't a terrible episode... but there is just one flaw...

Ok, there is a scene where Kirk has to fight and stay "in the yellow part of the floor" if he touches "the blue part" then he loses and the Enterprise will be destroyed. Ok... epic. Except the darn stunt guy dances in and out of the yellow line ALL THE TIME! The Enterprise should have exploded three dozen times by the time he was done. I don't so much blame him... who was directing? Sheesh!

Anyway, good episode. Has a poofy-green-haired-obviously-a-wig lady that Kirk goes for. Plus it has the classic "Brains" scene.
Worth watching simply for the cultural references.

This is Trek at it's best

blb24 | Yuma, Arizona USA | 04/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two of the best episodes as far a Star trek is concerned. A private Little War is great because it mirrored the Cold War. With the Klingons(Soviets)and the Federation(United States)having to arm a smaller race/nation. Watching this episode gives you a idea of the political situation at that time. The Gamesters of Triskelion on the other hand is pure sci-fi. Alien women in gladiator schools falling for Kirk. Kirk having to save the day and out smart the colored brains. It just doesn't get any better. For those who like Trek to be serious then P.L.W is a episode for you. If you like the lighter more adventurous side then T.G.O.T is for you."

Mega-woman for Kirk

McHenry John | McHenry, Illinois United States | 06/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shanya (Angelique Pettyjohn) rubs lips with Kirk in "Gamesters"Hey! Hands off, she's mine!"Private Little War" is probably the most controversial episode in the 2nd season seeing it takes the Vietnam War issue head-on."

TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF GREAT STAR TREK EPISODES!

Jared Insell | Canada | 10/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two of Star Trek's second season episodes that are quite memorable appear on the Volume 23 of this DVD collection. One tackles a huge issue of the 60's while the other is just a classic Star Trek episode. A PRIVATE LITTLE WAR obviously attacks the Vietnam War issue that plagued the world at the time (the late 60's). This had been attempted to a lesser extent in the earlier episode FRIDAY'S CHILD. However A PRIVATE LITTLE WAR is far more successful at getting the message across. Kirk and McCoy arrive at a peaceful primitive planet which Kirk had visited years earlier. However upon their arrival they find the planet has been divided and they're using flintlocks. As it turns out the Klingons have been supplying villagers with weapons to kill tribesmen. One of these tribesmen is Tyree a good friend of Kirk's from years earlier. As Kirk tries to help he realizes that he is violating the prime directive. And in the end the peaceful Tyree even falls into the hatred and bloodshed when his manipulative wife Nona is murdered by villagers. This episode ends on a real down note. For it is extremely tragic what happens to this peaceful planet because of the Federation and Klingons. It really relates to the Vietnam war when you think about it. This episode is one of the more serious Star Trek outings however the Mugatu ape beast is somewhat cheesy looking and so this episode does have a few funny moments. There is a great lesson to be learned from A PRIVATE LITTLE WAR but it's never been a personal favourite of mine. It is a good episode though. The other one here is the classic GAMESTERS OF TRISKELION. I am greatly suprised at the amount of negative reviews for this episode however. I always found this to be one of Star Trek's finest and a true classic. Kirk, Chekov, and Uhura are abducted by superior beings and forced to fight "drill thralls" in a gladiator like fashion. The superior beings (known as the Providers) end up being talking brains that bid over these gladiator battles. This episode has tons of colourful characters including a beautiful green haired humanoid named Shahna whom Kirk falls in love with (kinda predictible huh?). Meanwhile Spock and the Enterprise crew search for the missing crew members until they are captured when they find them. The episode ends in Kirk making a bet with the providers if he can defeat three drill thralls the providers will let everyone go free and Kirk and his crew may return to the Enterprise and if he fails the entire Enterprise crew will be forced to become part of these gladiator games. I dunno if that was the best bet for Cpt. Kirk to make but he was successful and thats what's important. I have always loved this episode it is a classic. It is a typical 'superior beings play with inferior beings' episode but the gladiator fight scenes have to be watched! It's memorable!Overall I highly recommend Volume 23. It has two great episodes from Star Trek's second season, one tragic and one classic but both are great. Highly recommended!"