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| Kirk is feeling a little blue... |
The Enterprise is delivering medical supplies to the distant Draman system. The ship is about to leave when one of the Dramians serves Kirk with a warrant for Dr. McCoy's arrest - for murder! McCoy had been to Dramia II, another world in the system, 19 years before, to perform a series of innoculations. After he left, a plague wiped out the entire planet. The Dramians blame him for the plague, and have convened a trial.
Kirk investigates, and manages to find a witness: the planet's sole survivor, who is willing to testify on McCoy's behalf. But on the way back to the Draman homeworld, the unthinkable happens: the entire Enterprise, save for Mr. Spock, becomes infected with the plague!
CHARACTERS
A strong episode for the Big Three, though there's only minimal moments for the rest of the cast. Kirk is determined to save McCoy, certain that he could not be responsible for the plague. McCoy has doubts, fearing that he may have made a horrible mistake in his inocculations, and spends the episode paralyzed with guilt. Spock is the voice of caution and reason, while his Vulcan Voodoo grants him a plot-required immunity to the disease.
THOUGHTS
Another good episode. The Dramians are an interesting alien design, humanoid enough to be relatable as characters but alien enough to be visually different from our regulars. One difference I am seeing between the first season animated episodes and the second season - The second season does seem to use its visuals far more effectively. The pigmentation changes caused by the disease create a strong visual, its colorful nature very appropriate to the animated series' strengths.
Albatross is very much a TOS episode, right down to ending with a lame, would-be humorous exchange between Spock and McCoy. The characters' behavior and concerns are completely consistent with their live action personalities. The structure is relatively simple: Problem - Travel to a location - Travel back - Complication. But it's enough to keep the pace lively throughout, while the complication of the plague creates a dramatic shift at the midpoint, raising the stakes for our characters and providing an opportunity for Spock and McCoy to shine.
Once again, the short running time may result in some rushing. The plague is resolved a bit too simply and neatly for my tastes, with no sense of ongoing consequences. But overall, the structure utilizes the animated series' limitations well, leaving an episode that's tightly-paced without being stuffed to bursting.
Rating: 7/10.
Previous Episode: The Practical Joker
Next Episode: How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth
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