"A Piece of the Action" plunges the Enterprise crew into the wild politics of Sigma Iotia. The Iotian culture has been severely deformed after exposure to "The Book," a textbook on Chicago mobs left behind by an earlier starship, the Horizon. The planet is divided into gangland territories that fight continually, though even the various bosses realize the futility of their system and desire the benefits of unification. Kirk accepts responsibility for the Horizon's contamination and announces he's "got an idea" to unite the planet under the Federation until a new moral order can be established. Convincing the bosses of this arrangement is a lot more hilarious than it sounds!

TOS goes to the well of "new planet, historical culture" several times but never with such well-armed levity. Reinforcing the mood is a host of talented guest stars keeping the Iotians simultaneously simple, affable, but also ruthless. Anthony Caruso depicts Oxmyx as a cold-blooded, double-crossing businessman who just happens to see himself as "a peaceful man." Vic Tayback takes JoJo Krako to the loudmouthed hilt, arrested behavior and all. Even comedian Lee Delano as Bela's henchman Kalo makes an impression. The regular cast is in fine flippant form, particularly Kirk, but even "Spocko" who readily joins his captain's hunch after the computers find no logical resolution. (At least he sees his own piece of the action with no less than three nerve pinches!)

The period details of costume design (and AM radio ads?) meet suitable studio back-lot standards but there's really more to smile at than admire here. Kirk's hapless attempts to master the complications of a clutch-driven "flivver" are aggravated before the apprehension of his First Officer. (Funny though that Kirk quickly masters the Iotian idiom perplexing the rest of his crew: "Right?" "Check!") Confusing their guards with the fraud ("spock...") of the Beta Antares ("spock...!") card game Fizzbin creates an escape opportunity for the landing party (with "karate chop" McCoy assisting) that is as memorable as it is inspired and played.

The Iotians are exceptionally compliant in turning their planet over to the Federation after Kirk announces he's "giving the orders here." Yet a century of mob living may have left them yearning for more, especially come face to face with the "authors" of The Book so deftly capable of "bagging" both Oxmyx and Krako and a city block's worth of stunned gangsters. So avoid the concrete galoshes, keep your heaters ready, celebrate the syndicate and by all means enjoy Trek at its light-hearted best. Except on Tuesdays!