In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Plato’s Stepchildren which aired on November 12, 1968 and occurred on Star Date 5784.0
This is one of the most difficult episodes of TOS to watch. It involves a planet of immortal mind-control beings who take pleasure through the torment of others with their psychokinetic powers. They have their own personal plaything (read: slave) who has endured their torment until the Enterprise arrives. The beings then turn on the landing crew. In one of the most difficult scenes in all of TOS they force Kirk to kiss Uhuru. While it is celebrated as the first interracial kiss on television, it is in reality a mind rape of both. Kirk eventually overcomes their power.
Compliance Takeaways:
1. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
2. How do you document an internal control override?
3. What happens when senior management is in on the illegal conduct?
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