"Operation -- Annihilate!" ends the first season with a mindless encounter against a mindless enemy that, unlike lizard starship captains or misunderstood silicon mommas, are "things, horrible things" that simply must be destroyed. Enterprise tracks a trail of destroyed civilizations just in time to chase a suicidal Denevan into his sun claiming he's finally "free." Free from what turns out to be a dimly lit collection of nasty blobs supposed to resemble brain cells but looking rather like fried egg-shaped whoopee cushions with a preposterous provenance "where our physical laws do not apply."

The visit to Deneva is bright and beautiful, an unusual urban treat in several outdoor scenes (in reality some futuristic office buildings). It's sad that such a visit must be coupled to such loss wherein Kirk loses his brother, sister-in-law, and almost his nephew to the threat. (Aren't there supposed to be two more sons here somewhere...?) Like other Denevans the guest stars add little flavor to the story. Joan Swift as Aurelan Kirk only gets a little exposition before dying in agony, whereas a barely referenced Craig Hundley just lies there. Even the parasites get better screentime!

Speaking of, a phaser beam can barely stun one yet the UV leak through humanoid skin and bone is sufficient to kill it (without, one assumes, the dead parasite dissolving into a subdermal goo that would no doubt result in serious infections). The ultraviolet light (complete with high pitched squeal!) would likely result in potentially severe health effects. (Maybe they beamed down buckets of sunscreen first, in flimsy-painted metal collection boxes complete with key lock!) And how do they not show up on a tricorder if they're made up of anything that interacts with "living matter or energy as we know it?" Rubbish!

But nonsensical science, as a thing of the mind, can be controlled and Spock's adventures carry us beyond as he pauses for Kirk's grief, endures peaked medpanel pain, beats up four bridge officers and yet still partakes of mutual McCoy snark. "And I am...quite blind" is a stunning moment to be sure, full of anguish for Kirk and (especially) McCoy, yet is it fair to resort to a heretofore unknown "inner eyelid" to restore eyesight to the best (Vulcan) First Officer in the fleet? Anyway watch also for rare angles of the bridge and ship and gobs of teamwork with McCoy snapping at Chapel, Scotty drawing on Spock, and Kirk insisting on that third alternative. All in all it would be uproarious if not taken so seriously.