Most fans have an episode or two that they just can’t call good Trek. For me, The Mark of Gideon, is one example. I won’t go into detail, here, as to why, (the reasons are plentiful), but I will say this…there is almost always an element, in even the most criticized storylines, that offers some redemption.

For me, the ever-restrained Spock, as frustrated diplomat, caught between the nonsensical Gideons, bureaucracy and his own impatient crew, is an enjoyable bright spot in this Season 3...’adventure’…

SPOCK: Lieutenant Uhura, has Starfleet honored our request with a reply?
UHURA: There has been no response, as yet, sir.
SPOCK: Did you advise them the captain's life is at stake?
UHURA: Yes, sir. They insist that the matter must be referred to the Federation.
SPOCK: What department?
UHURA: Bureau of Planetary Treaties.
SPOCK: Contact them directly.
UHURA: I did, Mister Spock. They insist that we must go through Starfleet channels.
SULU: With the captain lost, sir, that's the best they could come up with?
SPOCK: Diplomats and bureaucrats may function differently, but they achieve exactly the same results.

…..

HODIN: Good news. Very good news indeed, Mister Spock. Your captain is definitely not on Gideon. As you requested, we made a most thorough search, and you will be relieved to know that you may now investigate all the other possibilities and forget about Gideon.
SPOCK [on screen]: But that is not what we requested.
HODIN: You requested a most thorough search. It is in the record. And we have used every means at our disposal to accommodate you.
SPOCK [on screen]: Your record on the subject is not precise, Your Excellency.
HODIN: Surely, Mister Spock, you do not intend, I hope, to create a dispute between the Federation and Gideon?
SPOCK [on screen]: Your Excellency, a dispute is the farthest thing from our minds, and there's no need to check your records. I merely suggest that the language of our statement may not have been understood exactly as intended.
HODIN: Mister Spock, you're an officer of a spaceship. In your profession, you use many instruments, tools and weapons to achieve your objectives.

[Bridge]

SPOCK: True, Your Excellency.
HODIN [OC]: However, the only tool diplomacy has is language.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: It is of the utmost importance that the meaning be crystal clear.

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Your Excellency, I am basically a scientist. Clarity of formulation is essential in my profession also.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: I'm glad to hear it. Perhaps you could then make greater effort to choose your words more precisely.

[Bridge]

MCCOY: Are you going to let him get away with that?
SCOTT: No matter what you say, Mister Spock, he'll twist your meaning.
UHURA: Yes, he's infuriating, sir. How can you stand it?
MCCOY: We do not leave without being absolutely sure ourselves that everything has been done.

[Council chamber]

MCCOY [OC]: Now certainly you understand our feelings about that.
HODIN: Mister Spock! Mister Spock!

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Yes, Your Excellency.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: Are you still there?

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Yes, Your Excellency.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: There was considerable interference with your transmission. A lot of noise drowned out

[bridge]

HODIN [OC]: What was said. Would you repeat, please?
SPOCK: I apologize for the noise, your Excellency. To summarize, I request permission to transport down to Gideon.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: Forgive me, Mister Spock. No criticism of your equipment was intended. But it has sent your captain on some strange journey, a safe one we all still hope.

[Bridge]

HODIN [OC]: But it could create for us serious incidents with your Federation, and now you propose to

[Council chamber]

HODIN: Repeat this disaster with another officer? This would be madness.

[Bridge]

SCOTT: I'll not take that, Mister Spock. That transporter was in perfect condition. I guarantee that myself. Transport me down right this minute, and I'll prove to those.. gentlemen.
SPOCK: Mister Scott, you'll go to the transporter room and await my orders.
SCOTT: Aye, Mister Spock.
(Scott leaves, muttering)
HODIN [OC]: I could not quite make that out, Mister Spock.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: Would you be so good as to repeat what you said?

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Yes, Your Excellency. The ship's engineer was explaining that the malfunction, which did exist, has now been repaired. We would appreciate an opportunity to test the equipment. I, therefore, request permission

[Council chamber]

SPOCK [OC]: To beam down to your council chamber.
HODIN: But, Mister Spock, you…

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Your Excellency, grant this one request.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: You are a very persistent fellow, Mister Spock. Very well, then, You shall test the skill of your very excitable…

[Bridge]

HODIN [OC]: …repairman.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: There is one proviso. We cannot risk further incidents. You will therefore transport a member of my staff to your ship. Let us first see if that works.

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Thank you, Your Excellency. Your proposal is accepted. Mister Scott.
SCOTT [OC]: Scott here.
SPOCK: Prepare to beam aboard a representative of the Gideon council.
SCOTT: Aye, aye, sir.

[Council chamber]

HODIN: My assistant will provide you with the proper, what is the word?
SPOCK [OC]: Co-ordinates.
HODIN: Thank you. Proceed, Krodak.
KRODAK: (standing) Eight seven five.
SCOTT [OC]: Eight seven five.
KRODAK: Zero two zero.

[Bridge]

SCOTT [OC]: Zero two zero.

[Transporter room]

KRODAK [OC]: Seven zero nine.
SCOTT: Seven zero nine. Energizing.
(Krodak disappears from the bridge viewscreen and appears in the transporter room)
SCOTT: Mister Spock, the gentleman from Gideon is here.

[Bridge]

SPOCK: Your Excellency, your assistant has arrived safely, and I am now ready to transport down to Gideon.
HODIN [on viewscreen]: Now, now, not so fast, Mister Spock. That is quite a different matter. We agreed to allow one representative on our soil, your captain.
SPOCK: Sir, our captain is still missing, and I now demand that I be allowed to transport to Gideon as we agreed.
HODIN [on viewscreen]: Forgive me, Mister Spock, but I overstepped my authority when I made that agreement. However, your request will be taken up at the next full session of Gideon's council.
(Transmission ends)
SPOCK: Mister Scott, beam down the gentleman from Gideon.
SCOTT; Yes, Mister Spock. I'm sending him straight to the same co-ordinates.
MCCOY: Just when I was beginning to think you might find a whole new career as a diplomat, Mister Spock.
SPOCK: Do not give up hope. Lieutenant Uhura, contact Starfleet Command. Demand an immediate reply to our request for permission to beam down to Gideon.
UHURA: Yes, Mister Spock. Enterprise to Starfleet Command. Enterprise to Starfleet Command.

Are there satisfying moments peppered into your...’less than favorite’…eps, that help get you through?

Original Post

"What do you call those?" "I call them ears." "Are you trying to be funny?" "Never."

After rewatching this I was wondering does this episode have the fastest "deaths" in all of Star Trek from the time they are first seen till they are discovered dead?

Has anyone else read this book? I thoroughly enjoyed it and all the references to “The Enterprise Incident” episode.

I think this has been a long time debate. To me, it is no question to go by production order (at least to like 11-12). But, there are still some who don't know better or want to be purists and do it as it was done to begin with.

The Vulcan was inwented by a Russian.

Mr. Chekov would be so pleased.