A Taste of Armageddon (S01E23)
Airdate: February 23rd 1967
Written by: Robert Hamner & Gene L. Coon
Directed by: Joseph Pevney
Running Time: 50 minutes
The authors of Star Trek: The Original Series often aimed to use their distant future setting as a mirror for contemporary societal issues, reflecting Roddenberry’s belief that science fiction could allegorically critique and inspire real-world change. While this intent was undeniably commendable, the execution occasionally stumbled, resulting in episodes that felt preachy, underdeveloped, or overly simplistic. A Taste of Armageddon, first broadcast in 1967, exemplifies this tension. The episode boasts an intriguing premise—a planet at war with its neighbour through abstract, computer-simulated violence—but falters in its exploration of deeper themes, leaving it as a curious footnote rather than a standout entry in the series’ canon. Its ambition to address the absurdity of war through allegory is evident, yet the script’s rushed pacing and lack of nuance prevent it from achieving the emotional or intellectual resonance it aspires to.
The plot follows the Enterprise on a diplomatic mission to Eminiar VII, a planet locked in a centuries-old conflict with Vendikar. Despite Captain Kirk’s reluctance, Federation envoy Ambassador Robert Fox (Gene Lyons) overrides his authority, insisting on direct negotiations. When Kirk and his crew beam down, they encounter Eminiar’s leaders, Anan 7 (David Opatoshu) and Mea 3 (Barbara Babcock), who reveal the war’s peculiar terms: instead of physical combat, the two planets simulate attacks via computers, with those “killed” required to report to disintegration chambers. This ritual, they claim, spares their societies from physical destruction. However, when the Enterprise is declared a casualty of a simulated strike, Anan 7 pressures Kirk’s crew to comply with disintegration. The conflict escalates as Eminiar fears Vendikar will revert to real warfare if their rules are broken.
The episode’s allegorical roots are unmistakable. Written by Robert Hamner and Gene L. Coon, A Taste of Armageddon is widely interpreted as a commentary on the Vietnam War and Cold War anxieties of its time. The abstract nature of the computerised war mirrors the U.S. military’s reliance on body counts and metrics to justify prolonged conflict, while the mutual assured destruction (MAD) doctrine of the Cold War finds an echo in Eminiar’s insistence on maintaining ritualistic rules to prevent escalation. The idea that bureaucratic systems could perpetuate violence without tangible resolution resonated with 1960s audiences weary of geopolitical stalemates. Yet, the script fails to explore how such a system might psychologically or socially fracture Eminiar’s population. Instead, the episode treats the premise as a plot device, prioritising Kirk’s intervention over thematic depth.
One of the episode’s greatest missed opportunities lies in its refusal to interrogate the societal implications of the simulated war. How has this centuries-old agreement shaped Eminiar’s culture? What moral compromises have its citizens made to preserve their civilisation? The script offers no answers, treating the premise as a given rather than a catalyst for introspection. This oversight leaves the episode feeling hollow, its central conflict more plot-driven than thought-provoking. Even Anan 7, though portrayed as a logical yet rigid leader, lacks nuance; his motivations—rooted in fear of annihilation—are understandable but not deeply explored. The episode’s anti-war message, while well-intentioned, feels more like a soapbox than a nuanced critique.
Technically, however, A Taste of Armageddon holds up remarkably well. The production design of Eminiar VII, with its stark matte paintings and futuristic architecture, creates a visually striking backdrop. The costumes, particularly Mea 3’s revealing attire worn by Barbara Babcock, are a product of 1960s sensibilities, blending futuristic aesthetics with a hint of risqué flair that was daring for the era. The set pieces, though modest by modern standards, contribute to a sense of otherworldliness, enhancing the episode’s “alien” setting. These elements, combined with the urgency of the plot, lend the episode a compelling surface-level appeal.
The pacing is brisk, particularly in the latter acts, as Kirk stages a defiant stand against Eminiar’s demands. His bluff—invoking the fictional “General Order 24,” which permits planetary destruction—becomes a hallmark of his leadership style: bold, improvisational, and occasionally morally ambiguous. While this decisiveness drives the narrative to a satisfying climax, it also underscores the episode’s reliance on Star Trek’s familiar tropes. Kirk’s heroism overshadows the potential for deeper exploration of the conflict, reducing the story to a standard “captain saves the day” template. The resolution, though tidy, feels somewhat abrupt, leaving little room for lingering questions about the war’s aftermath or the characters’ growth.
Decades later, the episode’s influence resurfaced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s episode Armageddon Game (1994). While the homage acknowledges the original’s themes, it also highlights how some of A Taste of Armageddon’s ideas could have been expanded.
A Taste of Armageddon remains an intriguing but flawed episode. Its allegorical ambitions and Cold War-era relevance are clear, yet its execution suffers from a lack of thematic depth and rushed characterisation. The episode serves as a reminder of The Original Series’ potential when its writers leaned into bold ideas—and the pitfalls of letting procedural plot points overshadow substance. For all its earnestness, it remains a curiosity, a missed opportunity to transform an intriguing concept into a truly memorable exploration of war’s absurdity.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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