Ep 22. The Savage Curtain

In Star Trek season 3 episode 22, titled "The Savage Curtain," the crew of the USS Enterprise are pulled into a deadly game by a race of aliens who seek to understand the concept of good and evil.

The episode begins with the Enterprise encountering an unusual planet with a highly unstable atmosphere. As they investigate, they discover a group of aliens who claim to be historical figures from various cultures, including Abraham Lincoln, Surak, Kahless the Unforgettable, and Genghis Khan. The aliens explain that they have brought the crew to their planet to participate in a test to determine which qualities are necessary to defeat evil.

The test takes the form of a deadly game, in which the crew is divided into two teams. One team, made up of Kirk, Spock, and other members of the Enterprise crew, is tasked with representing the forces of good. The other team, made up of Surak, Kahless, Lincoln, and Genghis Khan, is tasked with representing the forces of evil.

The playing field is a rocky wasteland, and the two teams are separated by a pool of lava. The teams must navigate the terrain in order to reach each other and engage in combat. However, the playing field is not without its dangers. There are strange creatures lurking in the shadows, and the lava pool is constantly bubbling and shifting.

As the game progresses, it becomes clear that the alien judges are not impartial observers. They are manipulating the game, testing each team's strengths and weaknesses in order to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts of good and evil. Kirk and his team must use all of their cunning and skill if they hope to emerge victorious.

One of the key themes of the episode is the idea of sacrifice. Both teams must make difficult choices and be willing to put themselves in harm's way in order to achieve their goals. For Kirk and his team, this means risking their lives to protect their ideals and defeat evil. For the historical figures, it means embodying the worst aspects of humanity in order to teach their opponents a valuable lesson.

Overall, "The Savage Curtain" is a thought-provoking and action-packed episode that delves deep into the concepts of good and evil. While it may not be the most memorable episode of the series, it is still a solid entry that is sure to entertain fans of Star Trek.