As Sulu pilots the ship through space we learn that negotiations between the Federation and a war-like race known as the Klingon Empire have broken down. While this is bad news for the crew, for viewers familiar with Star Trek there is a lot of air punching and shouting of “Yes!” Kirk’s mission is to go to planet Origami (or something like it) to negotiate a Federation base being set up. When the Enterprise crew learn that the Federation has gone to war, it becomes even more crucial that they stop the Klingons taking control of this strategically important base.
Kirk and Spock beam down to the planet’s surface, leaving Sulu to babysit the Enterprise. He’s under orders not to engage the Klingons in combat if he can avoid it, and to make sure he returns it with a full tank of gas.
The planet Organia (I didn’t think Origami sounded right) appears to be a primitive culture. Kirk meets with the council of elders. He tells them that their strategic location makes them attractive to the Klingons who enslave them. The Federation offers them the hand of friendship. However, the elders do not want to give up their traditional way of life and decline Kirk’s offer. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot convince them that it is in their interest to accept his help. He even offers free biscuits. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The Enterprise respond to the distress signal, and Kirk, Spock and Bones beam down to the planet. They meet head miner Vanderberg and Ed, a man with plastic hair and pink coveralls. Ed claims that he shot the creature but it didn’t even slow it down. He seems less than impressed by Kirk and suggests that without their fancy starship they’re just a big bunch of nancies. Yes, well, they’re not the ones dressed head to toe in pink, Ed.
Living amongst the settlers is Layla, a girl that Spock knew from many years earlier. She shows him around and tells him that they want for nothing. She leads him to a bunch of artificial-looking plants which expel their spores at Spock. Spock looks pained at first until a relaxed, happy expression falls upon his face. He tells Layla that he loves her. This is most unlike him. Most unlike him, indeed. 
In star cluster NGC321 (the party star cluster), the Enterprise receives a message from planet Eminiar 7, giving code 7-10, meaning not to approach the planet. Ambassador Robert Fox, along for the ride, orders the Enterprise to approach anyway.
