This is the first entry being written immediately following the show, so there's that.
Alright, so this is the second pilot, and it's interesting seeing Kirk, Spock, Sulu and Scotty admist an entirely different crew otherwise. The Enterprise is exploring near the edge of the galaxy when they come across a black box belonging to the SS Valiant, lost 200 years prior. Apparently, they hit a magnetic storm, frantically searched for information on extrasensory perception (ESP), and then the captain forced the ship to self-destruct.
The Enterprise then hits the same energy field, leaving the ship's warp drives damaged (meaning it's now several years to the nearest planet, instead of a few days), several crewmembers dead and a couple injured. Helmsman Gary Mitchell is knocked unconscious, along with the ship's new psychiatrist, and when the helmsman awakens, he finds he has psionic powers that allow him to do things like mentally control the ship's electronics and read minds.
His powers continue to increase, and he begins to threaten to the crew. Kirk reluctantly decides to abandon him on an empty planet with only an unmanned, automated mining facility, and hopes to find what they need to repair the ship. Mitchell telepathically kills a crewmember and friend, then escapes from the facility, bringing the sympathetic psychiatrist with him.
Kirk follows him with a phaser rifle, only to be forced to his knees to "pray" to Mitchell, who declares himself a god and has prepared a grave for the captain. The doctor's own psionic powers begin to awaken, and as Kirk appeals to her remaining humanity, she and Mitchell begin trading telepathic blows. With Mitchell weakened, Kirk knocks him into the grave, recovers his phaser rifle, and blasts the nearby rock, which covers Mitchell and the grave. The psychiatrist dies of her wounds, and Kirk beams back to the ship.
Kirk reports that Mitchell and the doctor both gave their lives "in performance of their duty", and laments that Mitchell didn't ask for what happened to him and so should be remembered as a good man and soldier. Spock expresses sympathy, and Kirk notes, with a smile, "I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mister Spock."
Another one that was a little telegraphed, but enjoyable. Star Trek definitely doesn't shy away from moral gray areas. Kirk struggles with how to deal with a man he's known for fifteen years who has suddenly become a danger to everyone on board, while Spock emotionlessly tells him to kill him or strand him, much to Kirk's frustration. At the end, we see a hint of how their relationship will develop.
With both pilots done, now we can move forward in normal order! Not sure why this one was bumped to episode 4 on the list; it has only a portion of the full crew, and takes place a year before the series begins. But whatever! We have Kirk, we have Spock, and I'm ready to rock!
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