Podcast Enterprise: S2E16 Gamesters of Triskelion

Space, the final frontier. These are the podcasts of the Podcast Enterprise. Its only mission: to explore story structures, to analyze our favorite characters and plotlines, to boldly talk what everyone has seen before

We will analyze all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series or TOS for short using the following guiding structure:

1. Synopsis or summary of the episode
2. Story structure
3. Character analysis
4. Our likes and dislikes

The synopsis: When this episode opens, the Enterprise is in orbit around a planetoid called Gamma II, which appears to be uninhabited. Captain Kirk, Ensign Chekov, and Uhura are tasked with beaming down to the planet’s surface to investigate and carry out some studies. However, when they enter the transporter room and attempt to beam down, something unexpected happens—they simply vanish. This disappearance has nothing to do with the transporter or an engineering glitch, as Scotty tries to explain to Mr. Spock. They have been whisked away to another world by an unknown power.

Kirk, Chekov, and Uhura find themselves in a peculiar arena-like area, where they are suddenly confronted by three strange characters. The first is a large figure with fangs, the second is an orange-hued woman in a swimsuit-like outfit, and the third is another woman with green hair, also dressed in a silvery swimsuit. These characters approach in a threatening manner, and then a fourth figure appears, convincingly dressed like Dracula. He introduces himself as Galt, the master thrall, and informs them that they are now on the planet Triskelion. He tells them that they are thralls and must be trained for combat in the arena.

On Triskelion, Kirk and his crew learn about the “Providers,” mysterious beings who are the true owners of the thralls but are never seen. Kirk, Chekov, and Uhura are thrown into jail cells, each assigned to a trainer or drill sergeant. Kirk is paired with the green-haired woman, and a strange romance develops as he tries to stir feelings of rebellion and affection in her. Meanwhile, the crew members are fitted with slave collars, preventing them from escaping and forcing them into fights where they suffer injuries.

While all this is happening on Triskelion, Spock aboard the Enterprise deduces that Kirk and the others are not on Gamma II but have been taken elsewhere. Following what McCoy calls a hunch, but Spock insists is logical and scientific, Spock traces them to Triskelion, located at the other end of the galaxy. The journey strains the Enterprise’s engines, but they locate Kirk and the crew. However, they are not allowed to beam back to the Enterprise.

In the climax, Kirk manages to communicate with the Providers and is teleported underground to discover that they are three glowing, plasticky brains obsessed with wagering on the thralls’ battles. They consider themselves a superior race. Kirk cleverly tricks them into granting the thralls their freedom, and finally, they return to the Enterprise. The episode ends with Kirk and his crew back on the ship, free from the bizarre challenges of Triskelion.

That brings us to the end of this episode. Thank you for listening to the Podcast Enterprise. Please do share your reviews with us and please share this podcast with any of your writing friends or trekkies. Live long and prosper!

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Acknowledgements

1. Intro music: Music from anchor.fm
2. Descript for editing the podcast
3. References: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/