Ep 5. Is There in Truth No Beauty?

As the U.S.S. Enterprise prepares to transport a Medusan ambassador and his human assistant, Dr. Miranda Jones, tensions begin to rise amongst the crew. The Medusans are a race that are so hideous to humans that even gazing upon them can cause insanity. The ambassador, Kollos, must therefore be transported in a specially-constructed container that is shielded from the crew's view.

Dr. Jones, who has studied the Medusan culture extensively, is tasked with accompanying Kollos on the journey. However, her arrival on the Enterprise does not go unnoticed by the ship's chief medical officer, Dr. McCoy, who is surprised to find that she is an old acquaintance of his.

As the journey begins, tensions rise even further as it becomes apparent that Dr. Jones has a deeply personal and emotional relationship with Kollos. This causes further concern amongst the crew, particularly as they become increasingly suspicious of Kollos' true intentions.

The situation is complicated further by the presence of a mysterious force that begins to take control of the Enterprise, causing the crew to act out of character and turning the ship into a deadly and hostile environment. With the lives of all on board the Enterprise at risk, Kirk and his team must find a way to stop the force and prevent further harm to the ship and its crew.

As tensions reach boiling point and the true nature of the force is finally revealed, Kirk, McCoy, and Spock are forced to confront their own deepest fears and desires. The episode culminates in a thrilling showdown as Kirk and Spock risk everything to protect the ship and its crew.

Is There in Truth No Beauty? is ultimately a meditation on the nature of beauty, love, and perception. It asks whether true beauty lies in what we see, or whether it resides deep within us, waiting to be revealed. The episode is a classic example of the original Star Trek's ability to blend thrilling sci-fi action with thought-provoking philosophical questions, and is still regarded by many fans as one of the series' best episodes.