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In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Dagger of the Mind which aired on November 3, 1966, Star Date 2715.1.
The Enterprise makes a supply run to planet Tantalus V, a colony where the criminally insane are confined for treatment. The facility’s director is Dr. Tristan Adams, a psychiatrist famous for advocating more humane treatment of such patients. After the Enterprise delivers supplies and receives cargo from Tantalus, a man emerges from the container taken aboard and assaults a technician. Reaching the bridge, the intruder demands asylum, but Spock subdues him with a Vulcan nerve pinch. In sickbay, the intruder identifies himself as Simon van Gelder, and a computer check reveals that he is not a patient, but Dr. Adams’ assistant.
On the Enterprise van Gelder becomes increasingly frantic, warning that the landing party is in danger. Spock learns that the neural neutralizer can empty a mind of thoughts, leaving only an unbearable feeling of loneliness and that Adams has been using it on inmates and staff to gain total control of their minds.
Kirk decides to test the neutralizer on himself, with Noel at the controls. Adams appears, overpowers Noel, seizes the controls, increases the neutralizer’s intensity, and proceeds to convince Kirk that he has been madly in love with Noel for years. Adams inadvertently reactivates the neural neutralizer, emptying his mind completely, killing him. Back on the Enterprise, Kirk is informed that van Gelder has destroyed the neural neutralizer. McCoy is surprised that loneliness could be lethal, but Kirk, after his experience, is not.