Captain's Log, Stardate 4385.3: The "USS Enterprise", under the command of "Captain James T. Kirk" (William Shatner), is on a First Contact mission to "Theta Kiokis II", home of the "Melkotians". However, they are intercepted by a buoy which relays a message (voiced by series regular James Doohan) to stay away from "Melkotian" territory.
"Kirk" decides to ignore the warning, and orders to have the mission proceed. When the "Starship" establishes orbit and a "Landing Party" consisting of "Kirk", Science Officer/First Officer "Spock" (Leonard Nimoy), Chief Engineer "Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott" (Doohan), Chief Medical Officer "Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy" (DeForest Kelly) and navigator "Chekov" (Walter Koenig) beams down to the planet. The "Melkotians" are angered that the warning was ignored and imprision them in an illusion created by the incomplete memories where they will be involved in the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral.
This is probably one of the most memorable looking episodes in the series run. When the "Landing Party" is transported into the illusion (via an extreme zoom-in as the special effect) we see what look to be incomplete sets. We see signs, clocks and paintings appear to hang in mid-air where walls should be, and only the front of buildings. These are to represent the incomplete memories of "Kirk", who either doesn't recall details or doesn't have enough knowledge of the era.
It is obvious that Tombstone, Arizona is a studio. This is thanks to budget constraints, which was the reason for the incomplete sets. They did very little to make it appear that Tombstone is much bigger than it really is, as it is obvious that the sets were really small. It is also painfully obvious that the red "sky" is actually a backdrop.
The guest cast appear to be one-dimensional and have little to no depth. This, however, is possibly be design because they come from "Kirk's" memories. It is like this is how he expects them to be based on what he has read about the famed gunfight. All the people who play the Earps (Ron Soble, Charles Maxwell and Rex Holman) and John Henry "Doc" Holiday (Sam Gilman) are pretty stiff and seem to perform nearly exactly the same. Their performances could be intentional however due to they are playing the characters as the way "Kirk" expected them to be. If you ask me, they played them in a villainous way that worked pretty well. Other performers in the illusion appear to be a little over-the-top to me and may annoy some viewers.
One thing that was a bit odd was that "Chekov", who the illusions see as Billy Claiborne, is instantly attracted to a woman identified as "Sylvia" (Bonnie Beecher). The relationship was barely expanded upon and they appeared to be forced into this minor subplot. They gave very little development with this relationship, but it does lead to a plot twist that could effect the end of the episode, and possibly the series.
As for the special effects, this is a typical "Star Trek" episode. However, there are some subtle changes in the sound effects used when a person presses a button on the "Enterprise" bridge set. There is also a new sound effect for the planet surface, which replaces one used frequently in the first two seasons. The "Melkotian" (voiced by Abraham Sofaer) is obviously fake. It is not animated, but is strangely lit, surrounded by smoke and in front of a black backdrop.
People who know anything about the Gunfight at the OK Corral will instantly notice numerous historical mistakes. All mistakes are explained as the illusion is formed from bits and pieces of "Kirk's" memory. If you have an interest in the gunfight, you might get annoyed by the inaccuracies that will stick out like a sore thumb to you.
Wardrobes are nicely done in this episode. The main cast is wearing new, cheaper costumes made of polyester that might look different from previous seasons costumes if you are paying attention. The "Ancient West" costumes look pretty authentic in this episode, and look like they have been worn numerous times if you ask me.
This episode has no development in the main cast. We do get some minor development with "Lieutenant Uhura" (Nichelle Nichols) at the beginning of the episode, as we learn that her native tongue is an African language.
Despite some historic flaws, which are explained away, this is a good episode. However, for new fans, this is not one to start watching the series with since, by the third season, the main characters are established.