In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Corbomite Maneuver which aired on November 10, 1966, Star Date 1512.2.
Novice navigator Lt. Dave Bailey spots a large spinning multi-colored cube floating in space. He advocates attacking it with phasers. Kirk instead orders the ship to back away from the object. The cube pursues them, emitting harmful radiation, and Kirk reluctantly destroys it. Thereafter a gigantic glowing sphere approaches the Enterprise, explaining that the destroyed cube was a border marker and the First Federation will destroy the Enterprise for trespassing into theirn territory. Kirk tries to bluff Balok, telling him that the Enterprise contains “corbomite”, a substance that automatically destroys any attacker.
Kirk, McCoy, and Bailey form a boarding party to render assistance. They beam over and discover that the “Balok” on their monitor was an effigy. The real Balok, looking like a hyperintelligent human child, enthusiastically welcomes them aboard. He explains that he was merely testing the Enterprise and its crew to discover their true intentions. As Kirk and company relax, Balok expresses a desire to learn more about humans and their culture, and suggests they allow a member of their crew to remain on his ship as an emissary of the Federation. Bailey happily volunteers, and Balok gives them a tour of his ship.
Compliance Takeaways:
- Never pass up the chance for a cross-cultural exchange.
- Should discipline have a remedial component or be simply punitive?
- How much stress can you or should you put on your employees?
Resources
Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for The Corbomite Maneuver
MissionLogPodcast.com-The Corbomite Maneuver
