In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Deadly Years, which aired on December 8, 1967, Star Date 3478.2.

When Chekov, Spock, Lt. Gallway, McCoy, Kirk, and Scotty beam down to resupply the experimental colony on Gamma Hydra 4, they initially find no one home. They find the leader, Robert Johnson, and his wife, Elaine. Both appear to be extremely old. Kirk beams the landing party up together with those of the colonists who are still alive. Aboard the Enterprise, the colonists die of old age.

Kirk then begins to lose his memory and displays advanced arthritis. Commodore Stocker becomes increasingly concerned about Kirk’s condition and forces Spock to hold a competency hearing. Kirk is found incompetent, and Commodore Stocker takes over. An injection containing adrenaline, used on Kirk and the shot, is effective. Kirk assumes back control of the Enterprise, which is now under attack by the Romulans thanks to Stocker’s incompetence in violating the Neutral Zone.

Using an old subterfuge, Kirk transmits a message that he will destroy the Enterprise using a corbomite device. The Romulans give a little ground lest they be destroyed in the upcoming explosion, and Kirk immediately races out of the Neutral Zone and into Federation space at Warp 8.

Compliance Takeaways:
1.     Just because research is discontinued does not mean it is invalid.
2.     Training-Why was Chekov’s reaction like that of a schoolboy?
3.     How do you show your compliance team’s quality, ability, and competence?
Resources
Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein
MissionLogPodcast.com
Memory Alpha