Interesting.
An Arkturian Macbeth.
Watch him.
Watch Macbeth.
Is he dead?
Speak. Is King Duncan dead?
All great Neptune's ocean,
wash this blood clean from my hands.
That voice.
How is it with me, when every noise appalls me?
That man on the stage.
I'm certain of it.
That's Kodos...
the Executioner.
Pluck'd out mine eyes!
Space--the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission--
to explore strange new worlds...
to seek out new life and new civilizations...
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Captain's log-- star date 2817.6.
Starship Enterprise diverted from scheduled course.
Purpose--to confirm discover by Dr. Thomas Leighton
of an extraordinar new synthetic food
which would totally end the threat off a mine
on Signia Minor, a nearby Earth colony.
You mean you've called me three light-years off my course
just to accuse an actor of being Kodos?
He is Kodos. I'm sure of it.
You said you discovered a new food concentrate.
What do I put in my log,
that you diverted a starship
with false information?
You're not only in trouble,
you've put me in trouble, too.
I did it to trap Kodos!
Kodos...
is dead.
Is he?
Is anyone sure?
A body burned beyond recognition?
Tom, the authorities closed the book on that case
years ago.
Then let's reopen it.
Jim, 4,000 people were butchered.
Martha, you tell him.
I can't tell him anything,Jim.
He's been like this
since the company of actors arrived.
Kodos is dead.
I'm satisfied with that.
Well, I'm not.
I remember him.
That voice.
The bloody thing he did.
Jim...
Jim, I need your help.
There were only eight or nine of us
who actually saw Kodos.
I was one. You're another.
If he's to be exposed--
He's dead.
Then it will be a ghost
Martha and I receive in our home tonight.
I invited the entire company
to a cocktail party.
I have to be sure.
I have to get back to my ship
and figure out
how I'll enter all this in my log.
Tom. Martha.
Librar computer.
History files.
Subject--
former Governor Kodos of Tarsus 4,
also known as Kodos the Executioner.
After that, background on actor Anton Karidian.
Working.
Kodos the Executioner. Summar--
governor of Tarsus 4 20 Earth years ago.
Invoked martial law.
Slaughtered 50% of population
Earth colony that planet.
Burned body found when Earth forces arrived.
No positive identification.
Case closed. Detailed information follows.
On stardate 2794.7--
Stop.
Kodos--
Information on Anton Karidian.
Directo rand star
of traveling company of actors
sponsored by galactic cultural exchange project.
Touring official installations last nine years.
Has daughter Lenore, 19 years old--
Stop.
Give comparative identification
between the actor Karidian and Governor Kodos.
No identification records available
on actor Anton Karidian.
Give information on actor Karidian
prior to Kodos' death.
No information available-- Anton Karidian
priorto 20 year sago.
Photograph Kodos.
Photograph Karidian.
Now photograph both.
Mr. Spock.
You know Dr. Leighton, don't you?
Would you say he's given to fantasy?
A good empirical research scientist.
Steady, reputable, occasionally brilliant.
With a very long memory.
I have no information on that, Captain.
We are ready to leave orbit.
We'll delay departure for a time.
I'm beaming back down to the planet again.
[Laughter]
Where's Tom?
He went to town.
He called. He's on his way back.
The others are on the patio.
I take it you're the welcoming committee.
Is that for me?
Why not?
I saw your performance tonight.
May I extend my appreciation?
My father will be delighted, Mr...
Mr...
Captain James Kirk,
Starship Enterprise.
Oh. We're honored.
I had hoped
to meet your father tonight personally.
I'm sorry, Captain Kirk.
He has a rigid rule about that.
He never sees anyone personally,
and he never attends parties.
An actor turning away his admirers?
Very unusual.
Karidian is a most unusual man.
You saw Macbeth.
That was my father.
Well, then I'll talk to Lady Macbeth.
So, captain of the Enterprise.
Interesting.
So, Lady Macbeth. Interesting.
What's your next move?
We play two performances at Benecia
if the Astra I Queen can get us there.
She's a good ship.
Thankyou.
You were very impressive as Lady Macbeth.
Thank you.
And as Lenore Karidian?
Very impressive.
Lenore.
I'd like to see you again.
You mean professionally?
Not necessarily.
I think I'd like that.
Unfortunately, we must keep a schedule.
You don't have a schedule now, do you?
You mean leave?
But I've only just arrived.
So have I.
And you hate to overstay a welcome.
Exactly.
Why not?
Good.
I'll make our apologies to our hostess.
I'll meet you outside.
Tired of walking?
No.Just thinking.
About what?
At the party, you were such a brash young man.
And now?
Now somehow different.
Not a ship's captain
with all those people
to be strong and confident in front of.
You know, you're really very dear, aren't you?
In some ways...
very lonely.
It's Tom Leighton.
He's dead.
At least he has peace now.
He never really had that before.
Oh, why was Tom killed
if what he suspected wasn't true?
I don't know.
I'll try and find out.
Oh,Jim.
How I'll miss him.
Kirk to Enterprise.
Bridge here, Captain.
Put me through to Captain John Daley
of the Astra I Queen in orbit station.
Put it on scramble, will you?
Captain Daley's on, sir.
John.Jim Kirk.
[Daley] Hi,Jim.
Can you do me a favor?
I owe you a dozen. Just ask.
Don't make your pickup here.
You mean strand allthose actors?
I'll pick them up.
And if there's any trouble,
it'll be my responsibility.
Will do. Anything else?
Just keep this between the two of us
and accept my thanks. Over and out.
Kirk to Enterprise.
Bridge here, Captain.
Transporter room.
Ready to beam up.
Aha.
Good.
Ready to resume course, Captain.
I think we're due for a pickup.
What kind, personnel? Cargo?
Captain?
A Miss Karidian has been transported aboard ship.
She requests permission to see you.
Tell her to come up to the bridge.
Escort Miss Karidian to the bridge.
How did you know
this lady was coming aboard?
I'm the captain.
I didn't think we'd be meeting again so soon.
You probably wouldn't believe me
if I told you I arranged it.
No, but it's a delightful thought.
Captain, we need your help.
We've been stranded.
It seems that our transportation
has canceled out on us.
Can't you make other arrangements?
Well, yes, but not in time.
Our schedule is like a chain--
one break, and it all collapses.
Be a shame if that happened.
If ever we needed a good Samaritan.
Well, l...
I appeal to you.
The regulations are very clear
about taking on passengers.
I'll make a bargain with you.
What have you got to trade?
Special performance for the crew
in exchange for a lift.
You make it sound very interesting.
The crew's been on patrol for a long time.
They could use a break in the...
monotony.
Then you'll do it?
You've got me backed into a corner.
The men would never forgive me
if I deprived them of your performance
and your presence.
Thank you, Captain.
I'm eternally grateful.
I'll get the company ready.
This means so much to them.
Mr. Spock,
prepare to leave orbit
as soon as the Karidian company
is aboard the ship.
May I inquire as to our course?
Benecia Colony.
Benecia Colony is eight light-years off our course.
If my memory needs refreshing,
I'll ask you for it.
In the meantime, follow my orders.
Captain's log-- stardate 2818.9.
There are many questions in my mind--
too many, perhaps--
about the actor Karidian and his daughter.
For personal reasons,
I'm almost afraid to learn the answers.
Mr. Spock,
E.T.A. the Benecia Colony.
We'll arrive stardate 2825.3, Captain,
Approximately 1 500 Benecia time.
Librar computer.
Data on questions submitted to personnel files.
Data being received.
Kodos file--
Of all survivors,
there are nine actual eye witnesses
who can identify Kodos.
Stop.
Give list.
Kirk,J.--presently Enterprise captain,
Leighton, T.,
Moulton, E.,
Riley, K.,
Eames, D.--
Stop.
Is that Star Service Lieutenant Kevin Riley?
Affirmative. Riley, Kevin,
presently assigned U.S.S. Enterprise communications section.
Stop.
Mr. Spock.
Captain.
Lieutenant Kevin Riley in communications--
I wish him transferred to the engineering decks.
He came up from engineering, Captain.
Well, I'm sending him back.
Any explanation?
He's a fine young officer.
He's bound to consider this transfer
a disciplinary action.
I don't wish to discuss it.
Please follow my orders.
When the man on top walks along his street,
the chain of command is often a noose.
Spare me your philosophical metaphors, Doctor.
The captain is acting strangely.
I'm asking if you've noticed.
Negative. This is the first time in a week
I've had time for a drop.
Would you care for a drink, Mr. Spock?
My father's race was spared
the dubious benefits of alcohol.
Oh. Now I know why they were conquered.
What are you worried about?
Jim generally knows what he's doing.
It was illogical for him
to bring those players aboard.
Illogical? Did you get a look at that Juliet?
That's a pretty exciting creature.
Of course your, uh, personal chemistry
would prevent you from seeing that.
Did it ever occur to you
that he might like the girl?
It occurred.
I dismissed it.
You would.
Did you know
that he suddenly transferred Riley to engineering?
Lots of things go on here
that I don't know, Mr. Spock.
He's the captain.
He can transfer whoever he pleases.
You can look that up
in a hundred volumes of space regulations somewhere.
Come on. Have a drink.
No, thank you.
Well, you're welcome. But I will.
And please, Mr. Spock,
if you won't join me,
don't disapprove of me.
At least not until you've tried it, huh?
This is the, uh, observation deck.
That's the flight deck down there--
with the shuttle craft.
Interesting.
Isn't it?
Tell me, Captain Kirk.
Anything.
Did you order the soft lights
especially for the occasion?
If I had ordered soft lights,
I'd also have arranged for music and flowers.
Unfortunately, it isn't so.
On the Enterprise, we try to duplicate
earth conditions of night and day
as closely as possible.
Star light, star bright.
I wish I may, I wish I might.
Do you remember that, Captain?
It's very old.
Almost as old as the stars themselves.
And this ship.
All this power surging and throbbing,
yet under control.
Are you like that, Captain?
All this power at your command,
the decisions that you have to make...
Come from a very human source.
Are you, Captain?
Human?
You can count on it.
Tell me about the women in your world.
I'd rather talk about you.
You must have wanted to perform
since you first saw your father act. When?
In the beginning.
Tell me about it.
That's not fair.
You haven't answered my question
about the women.
What would you like to know?
Has the machine changed them?
Made them just... people
instead of women?
Worlds may change,
galaxies disintegrate,
but a woman...
always remains a woman.
All this...
and power, too.
The Caesar of the stars
and the Cleopatra to worship him.
Librarcomputer.
Full personal dossiers on the following names--
Dr. Thomas Leighton,
Anton Karidian,
Lieutenant Kevin Riley.
And Captain James T. Kirk.
Accomplished. Standing by.
Correlate. Check their past histories.
Report any item,
any past episode or experience
they all have in common.
Affirmative.
I appreciate whatever concern you may have
for the ship's company, Mr. Spock--
I will continue, Doctor.
According to our library banks,
it started on the Earth colony of Tarsus 4.
The food supply was attacked
by an exotic fungus.
There were over 8,000 colonists
and virtually no food.
And that was when Governor Kodos seized full power
and declared emergency martial law.
I've heard of it.
You may not have heard it all.
Kodos began to separate the colonists.
Some would live,
be rationed whatever food was left.
The remainder would be immediately put to death.
Apparently he had his own theories of eugenics.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the first.
Perhaps not.
But he was certainly among the most ruthless,
to decide arbitrarily who would survive,
using his own personal standards,
and then to implement his decision without mercy.
Children watching their parents die.
Whole families destroyed.
Over 4,000 people.
They died quickly, without pain,
but they died.
Relief arrived,
but too late to prevent the executions.
And Kodos,
there never was a positive identification of his body.
What's Karidian to do with it?
His history begins
almost to the day where Kodos disappeared.
And you think Jim suspects he's Kodos?
He'd better.
There were nine eye witnesses
who survived the massacre
who'd actually seen Kodos with their own eyes.
Jim Kirk was one of them.
With the exception of Riley and Captain Kirk,
every other eye witness is dead,
and my library computer shows
that wherever they were--
on Earth, on a colony, or aboard ship--
the Karidian Company of Players was somewhere near
when they died.
It's unbelievable.
Hey. Rec room. Somebody.
Talk to me.
Larry Matson here.
Is that you, Riley?
What's up?
Not me.
I am down.
In the engineering room.
You've been a bad boy.
Maybe so.
Whatever I've done,
they're keeping it a secret from me.
Hey. Is that Uhura playing?
Let me talk to her.
I think his heart is sore.
What can I do for you?
A song.
Yep, make it a love song.
Just something to reassure me
I'm not the only living thing
Ieft in the universe, huh?
Well, you're not.
I'll prove it to you.
' The skies are green and glowing '
' Where my heart is'
' Where the scented lunar flower's growing'
'Somewhere beyond the stars'
'Beyond Antares'
' I'll be back, though it takes forever '
' Forever is just a day '
'Forever is just another journey'
' Tomorrow a stop along the way'
'Andlet theyears go fading'
' Where my heart is '
' Where my heart is'
' Where my love eternalis'
' Waiting'
'Somewhere'
'Beyond the stars'
'Beyond Antares"
How'd you like that, Riley?
[Gags]
[Coughs]
Help me...
please.
[Glass Shatters]
You've got to pull him through.
I'm not sure I can.
If he dies,
the only one who'll be able to identify Kodos
is the captain,
and he'll be the next target.
Captain's log--
stardate 2819. 1.
Ship's officer Riley's condition worsening.
Dr. McCoy making lab analysis
to determine cause and antidote.
Entire crew deeply concerned.
As of this date,
lab report indicates presence
of appreciable amount of tetralubisol,
a highly volatile lubricant in use aboard ship.
Someone tried to poison him.
Tetralubisol's a milky substance.
Someone could have gotten careless
and made a mistake.
I don't believe that. Neither do you.
I want the captain to see that report.
When I've finished logging it.
Now.
All right.
[Buzzer]
Come.
My report on Lieutenant Riley.
Will he make it?
He's got a good chance.
We predict the same foryou.
All right, Mr. Spock.
Let's have it.
Lieutenant Riley was a witness.
So were you.
[Sighs]
All right.
Someone tried to kill him.
Could have been an accident.
You should be told the difference
between empiricism and stubbornness, Doctor.
I checked with the library computer as you did.
I got the same information.
Aren't you out of line?
My personal business--
It's my business when it might interfere with this ship's operation.
That happened?
It could.
I don't like anyone meddling
in my private affairs.
Jim, Spock's simply trying--
I know what he's doing.
It's his job. You know it.
And you also know...
that nothing is proven.
Even in this corner of the galaxy, Captain,
two plus two equals four.
Certainly an attempt will be made to kill you.
Why do you invite death?
I'm not.
I'm interested in justice.
Are you?
Are you sure it's not vengeance?
No, I'm not sure.
I wish I was.
I've done things I've never done before.
I've placed my command in jeopardy.
I've got to determine whether or not Karidian is Kodos.
He is.
You sound certain.
I wish I could be.
Before I accuse a man of that, I've got to be.
I saw him once, 20 years ago.
Men change.
Memory changes.
I look at him now, he's an actor.
It'll change his appearance.
No.
Logic is not enough.
I've got to feel my way,
make absolutely sure.
What if you decide he is Kodos? What then?
Do you play God,
carry his head through the corridors in triumph?
That won't bring back the dead,Jim.
No.
But they may rest easier.
Dr. Leighton was murdered
while the Karidian Company was on Planet Q
An attempt's been made against Riley
while the company is on board the Enterprise.
Doc isn't sure there was a murder attempt.
Besides, I have an idea--
Shh. Listen.
[Humming]
Do you hear it? That low hum.
A phaser.
On overload.
[Humming]
This is the captain.
There's a phaser on overload.
If it blows, it'll take out the entire deck.
Evacuate all personnel in this quadrant.
Double red alert.
[Siren]
You get out of here.
You can't stay.
Go on. Block off this section.
Hurry. I'll find it.
Evacuate this section. Seal it off.
Clear section C4 and C5.
[Explosion]
[Siren Stops]
[Door Opens]
We're overdue for our talk, aren't we?
I had hoped
you would have respected my privacy, Captain.
A moment ago, we narrowly averted an explosion
which would have destroyed several decks of this ship.
Before that, someone tried to poison one of my crewmen.
I am sorry to hear that.
I'm sure you are.
Are you Kodos?
I asked you a question.
Do you believe that I am?
I do.
Then I am Kodos,
if it pleases you to believe so.
I am an actor.
I play many parts.
You're an actor now.
What were you 20 years ago?
Younger, Captain.
Much younger.
So was I.
But I remember.
Let's see if you do.
Read this into that communicator on the wall.
It will be recorded
and compared to a Kodos voice film we have in our files.
The test is virtually infallible.
It will tell us whether you're Karidian...
or Kodos the Executioner.
Ready for voice test.
Disguising your voice will make no difference.
"The revolution...
"is successful,
"but survival depends on drastic measures.
"Your continued existence
"represents a threat to the well-being of society.
"Your lives means slow death
"to the more valued members
of the colony."
Therefore I have no alternative
but to sentence you to death.
Your execution is so ordered.
Signed, Kodos,
governor of Tarsus 4.
I remember the words.
I wrote them down.
You said them like you knew them.
You hardly glanced at the paper.
I learn my parts very quickly.
Are you sure you didn't act this role out
in front of an audience
whom you blasted out of existence without mercy?
I find your use of the word mercy
strangely inappropriate, Captain.
Here you stand,
the perfect symbol
of our technical society--
mechanized,
electronicized...
and not very human.
You've done away with humanity,
the striving of man
to achieve greatness
through his own resources.
We've armed man with tools.
Striving for greatness continues.
But Kodos--
Kodos, whoever he was--
Or is.
Kodos made a decision of life and death.
Some had to die that others might live.
You're a man of decision, Captain.
You ought to understand that.
All I understand
is that 4,000 people were needlessly butchered.
In order to save 4,000 others.
And if the supply ships
hadn't come earlier than expected,
this Kodos of yours might have gone down in history
as a great hero.
But he didn't.
And history has made its judgment.
If you're so sure that I'm Kodos,
why not kill me now?
Let bloody vengeance take its final course!
And see what difference it makes
to this universe of yours.
Those are beautiful words,
well acted.
They change nothing.
No, I suppose not.
They're merely tools,
Iike this ship of yours.
There are no previous records
to Anton Karidian
prior to 20 years ago.
Blood thins.
The body fails.
One is finally grateful
for a failing memory.
I no longer treasure life,
not even my own.
I am tired!
The past...
is a blank.
Did you get everything you...
wanted, Captain Kirk?
If I had gotten...
everything I wanted...
you might not walk out of this room alive.
Captain Kirk.
You better rest...
now.
There's a stain of cruelty
on your shining armor, Captain.
You could have spared him...
and me.
You talked of using tools.
I was a tool, wasn't l?
A tool to use against my father.
In the beginning perhaps.
But later,
I wanted it to be more than that.
Later.
Everything's always later.
Later.
Latest.
Too late.
Too late, Captain.
You are like your ship--
powerful...
and not human.
There is no mercy in you.
If he is Kodos,
then I've shown him more mercy than he deserves.
And if he isn't...
then we'll let you of fat Benecia,
and no harm done.
Captain Kirk.
Who are you to say what harm was done?
Who do I have to be?
Medical log--
Lieutenant Riley's sufficiently recovered
to be discharged,
but the captain has ordered him
restricted to sick bay
to prevent contact with passenger
who calls himself Karidian
and who's suspected of being Kodos the Executioner
and of murdering the Lieutenant's family.
Captain's log--
stardate 2819.8.
Suspect under surveillance.
Strategic areas under double guard.
Performance of the Karidian Players
taking place as scheduled.
[Fanfare Plays]
Tonight, the Karidian Players
present Hamlet,
another in a series of living plays
presented in space,
dedicated to the tradition of classic theater.
Hamlet is a violent play
about violent times
when life was cheap
andambition was God.
I believe we have a match, Captain.
But not an exact match, Mr. Spock.
We're dealing with a man's life.
No machine can make that decision.
In the long history of medicine,
no doctor has ever caught
the first few minutes of a play.
Don't forget--
Riley?
- Captain Kirk, McCoy here. - Yes, Doctor.
Riley's gone.
I was recording my log about Karidian and Kodos.
If he overheard--
You've made your point, Doctor.
Captain, security, "H" deck--
The weapons locker has been broken into.
One phaser is missing.
This is the captain.
Security 2 alert.
Find and restrain Lieutenant Kevin Riley.
He's armed
and possibly headed towards the ship's theater.
Whither wilt thou lead me?
Speak, Uncle.
No further.
Mark me.
I will.
My hour is almost come,
when I to sulphurous
and tormenting fires
must render up myself.
Speak.
I am bound to hear.
So art thou to revenge...
when thou shalt hear.
I am thy father's spirit,
doomed for a certain term
to walk the night...
Riley...
get back to the sick bay.
He murdered my father...
and my mother.
You could be wrong.
Don't throw away your life on a mistake.
I'm not wrong.
But that I am forbid to tell the secrets
of my prison-house...
I know that voice.
That face, I know it.
I saw it.
He murdered them.
Thy soul,
freeze thy young blood.
It's an order.
Give me the weapon.
If thou didst ever
thy dear father love...
Get back to the sick bay.
Go on.
[Applause]
It's going beautifully.
What is it?
What's wrong?
There was a voice out of the past
haunting me,
torturing me.
There was another part I once played long ago.
I never told you about it.
Now that same curtain rises again.
The time has come.
No, Father.
The time will never come.
Tonight,
after my performance,
the last two who can harm you
will be gone.
What are you saying?
There were nine.
Now there are only two,
and they will be gone as soon as I--
Don't look at me like that.
What have you done?
What had to be done.
They had to be silenced.
All of them?
All seven?
More blood on my hands?
No, Father.
Not anymore.
I'm strong, Father.
It's nothing.
Second act--
three minutes.
We'll be ready.
Don't you see?
All the ghosts are dead.
I've buried them.
There's no more blood on your hands.
Oh, my child.
My child.
You've left me nothing!
You were the one thing in my life
untouched by what I'd done.
But you're safe now, Father.
I've saved you.
Now...
no one can touch you.
Not even Captain Kirk.
See Caesar come.
He's awed by your greatness...
your shining brightness.
Bright as a blade...
before it is stained with blood.
Bright as a blade.
Come with me,
both of you.
Of course.
After the play.
The play is over.
It's been over for 20 years.
I was a soldier in a cause.
Terrible things had to be done.
Stop it, Father!
You have nothing to justify.
Murder,
flight,
suicide,
madness.
I never wanted the blood on my hands
ever to stain you.
I did it foryou.
I've saved you.
By killing seven innocent men.
They weren't innocent!
They were dangerous!
I would have killed a world
to save him!
Curtain going up-- one minute.
The play, Captain.
He must go on.
This is the great...
Karidian.
Guard.
You cannot deny him his last performance!
Lenore, don't!
Aah! Aah!
You'll never get off the ship.
Then it will become a floating tomb,
drifting through space
with the soul of the great Karidian
giving performances
at every star he touches.
I know how to use this, Captain.
Lenore, no.
Caesar,
beware the ides of March.
No, child! Don't!
Uhh!
Aah!
Father.
O...
proud...
death!
What feast is toward
in thine eternal cell...
that thou, such a prince,
at a shot so bloodily
hast struck?
The curt--
The curtain.
The curtain rises.
It rises.
'This no time to sleep.
The play.
The play's the thing...
where in we'll catch the conscience of the king.'
Medical report.
[Beep]
She'll receive the best of care,Jim.
She remembers nothing.
She even thinks her father's still alive
giving performances before cheering crowds.
You really cared for her, didn't you?
Ready to leave Benecia orbit, Captain.
Stand by, Mr. Leslie.
All channels cleared, Uhura?
All channels clear, sir.
Whenever you're ready, Mr. Leslie.
Leaving orbit, sir.
You're not going to answer my question, are you?
Ahead warp factor 1 , Mr. Leslie.
That's an answer.