Star Trek: The Trouble With Tribbles… In 10 Screencaps Or Less
Today: We’re recapping the classic Star Trek episode “The Trouble With Tribbles” …
Tomorrow: We’ll use this story recap as a springboard into a discussion about seemingly predator-free environments.
< SPOILER WARNING >
Key plot points from this story about a fluffy lil’ pet becoming a menace when it reproduces out of control, and then unwitting heroes when they reveal a deadly alien plot, are pictured herein. You have been warned!
< / SPOILER WARNING >
Captain Kirk and the Enterprise answer a priority-one distress call at a space station orbiting a planet disputed by the Federation and the Klingon Empire.
Under the terms of the peace treaty between the two groups, the planet will be awarded to whichever side proves it can manage the barren world most efficiently.
As it turns out, the distress call was a little bit of a fake: The Agriculture Undersecretary, Nilz Baris, just wanted someone to guard the shipments of grain bound for the planet below.
Kirk is not amused. But the Federation demands he help Baris.
Meanwhile, an independent merchant brings a batch of Tribbles onto the station, and gives one to Uhura to help market and promote the furry lil’ things.
Uhura brings the Tribble aboard the Enterprise–where it, unexpectedly, reproduces! The crew love the Tribbles…
… but are not as thrilled with the Klingons who come aboard the space station for “shore leave”, per the treaty.
Spock and Dr. McCoy discover that the new batch of Tribbles, with no natural predators around, is also reproducing at an incredible rate.
And we learn that Tribbles–who love most everyone–hate Klingons. The feeling is mutual.
Baris and his bureaucratic flunky, Arne Darvin, don’t think Kirk is taking any of this seriously. Klingons! On board the station! Probably here to tamper with the grain!
On board the Enterprise, Kirk discovers that the hungry Tribbles are entering essential ship systems–and actually pose a real threat to the grain stores in the space station.
Baris is furious when they discover that the Tribbles have eaten the grain. Even worse, the Klingons are demanding a formal apology from Kirk because some of his men got into a barroom brawl with the Klingons on board the space station.
Dr. McCoy discovers that the Tribbles who ate the grain are dead or dying–because the grain was poisoned. By the Klingon spy–Arne Darvin!
All the Tribbles eating their way through the Enterprise are beamed onto the departing Klingon warship–and the Enterprise crew share a good laugh.
THE END
Tomorrow: We’ll use this story recap as a springboard into a discussion about seemingly predator-free environments.
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