In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Let That Be Your Last Battlefield, which aired on January 10, 1969, and occurred on Star Date 5730.0
On its way to decontaminate the planet Arianis, the Enterprise intercepts a shuttlecraft stolen from Starbase 4 together with its pilot. The pilot is an alien with solid white on his right side and solid black on his left. His name is Lokai, and he claims to be a political refugee from Cheron. Shortly after, a spaceship deposits another alien on the Enterprise bridge just before it disintegrates. The new alien identifies himself as Bele, a police officer from Cheron who has been tracking Lokai for over 50,000 years. Bele is black on the right and white on the left and is outraged when Kirk sees no difference in them. Bele considers his coloration superior to Lokai and others “his kind.” Lokai and Bele claim to be in the right, but Kirk stays above the argument, offering to drop them off at a Starbase.
Bele attempts to force the Enterprise to Charon but returns control to Kirk when he threatens to self-destruct the Enterprise. After the Enterprise has decontaminated Arianis, Bele deactivates the destruct mode and forces the Enterprise to Cheron. Here, Bele and Lokai discover that all life there has been destroyed by years of racially motivated fighting. Driven mad by the sight, Lokai and Bele both beam down to the surface, continuing to fight each other until one or both are dead.
Commentary
The episode features the Enterprise encountering two aliens, Loki and Beale, whose half-black, half-white skin serves as a metaphor for racial prejudice. The plot explores themes of racism, hatred, and conflict resolution. Fox reflects on the show’s impact, especially in the context of real-world racism. He extends the discussion to compliance, focusing on strategies to address unconscious bias through training, fair hiring practices, performance management, and data monitoring. This episode highlights the ongoing relevance of Star Trek’s social messages and their application in today’s workplace.
Key Highlights
- Story Synopsis: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
- Fun Facts and Production Insights
- Reflections on Racism
- Compliance and Unconscious Bias
- Strategies for Addressing Unconscious Bias
Resources
Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein
