I Love This Star Trek: The Original Series Episode Even Though Kirk’s Behavior Is Disturbing

I love Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 12, "The Conscience of the King," even though - and perhaps because - Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) behavior is disturbing. Written by Barry Trivers and directed by Gerd Oswald, "The Conscience of the King" sees Captain Kirk confront a ghost from his past to prove a celebrated actor named Anton Karidian (Arnold Moss) is the mass murderer known as Kodos the Executioner.

"The Conscience of the King" is one of Star Trek's first glimpses of James T. Kirk's life before he was Captain of the Enterprise. In 2246, a teenage Kirk survived a purge on Tarsus IV where Governor Kodos put half its population to death to conserve resources for the remaining half. Twenty years later, Captain Kirk learns someone is murdering Tarsus IV survivors who can identify Kodos. During his investigation, Captain Kirk romances Anton's comely daughter, Lenore Karidian (Barbara Anderson), before learning Lenore is both the murderer and a mad woman.

Captain Kirk’s Behavior Is Disturbing In Star Trek's “The Conscience Of The King”

Even Spock Grows Concerned About Kirk

"The Conscience of the King" shows different and darker shades of Captain Kirk's personality. Jim is hellbent on proving Anton Karidian is Kodos the Executioner, but he is also distracted by his attraction to Lenore. Kirk grows cold and cruel as he forces answers from Anton, but it's Jim and Lenore's mutual seduction aboard the Starship Enterprise that raises red flags. Lenore may be charming and attractive, but she is only 19 at this point in Star Trek's timeline, while Kirk is in his early 30s.

Captain Kirk's erratic behavior even leaves Spock (Leonard Nimoy) concerned. The Vulcan Science Officer consults Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForrest Kelley) with his findings about Kirk's past on Tarsus IV and his obsession with proving Anton Karidian is Kodos the Executioner. Kirk's gallantry as Captain is pushed aside in his single-minded pursuit of the truth about Kodos. Meanwhile, the reality that Lenore is criminally insane evades him until it's too late, and the daughter accidentally murders her father instead of Captain Kirk.

Why “The Conscience Of The King” Is An Underrated Star Trek Episode

Madness, Murder, And Shakespeare - Oh My!

Star Trek: The Original Series' "The Conscience of the King" is a compelling psychological thriller and murder mystery full of scintillating performances. Captain Kirk's pursuit of Kodos the Executioner uncovers secrets and lies, and it's a provocative cavalcade of murder and madness. At its heart is the tragedy of a daughter killing to protect her father in a twisted display of devotion. Kirk himself is equally obsessed with the truth about Anton Karidian, and he all but crosses the line with the twisted teenager Lenore.

"The Conscience of the King" is rarely hailed among the best Star Trek: The Original Series episodes, but it's a compelling and welcome break from starship battles and exploration. Captain Kirk skirts near madness until he's confronted with genuine criminal insanity. With odes to Macbeth and Hamlet, "The Conscience of the King" is an early example of Star Trek as a reflection of Shakespeare. Captain Kirk isn't his usual heroic self in "The Conscience of the King," which makes it an hour of Star Trek: The Original Series I enjoy revisiting.