The Corbomite Maneuver story
The Enterprise is menaced by a gigantic alien ship whose commander condemns the crew to death. The alien ship appears all-powerful and the alien commander refuses all attempts at negotiation, forcing Kirk to employ an unorthodox strategy to save the ship.
23 total · 2 choice · 3 major · 18 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| cracking under pressure | choice | Dave Bailey :: Bailey in confrontation with Balok; especially during Sulu's countdown |
| facing an overpowering adversary | choice | crew at Balok |
| appearances can be deceiving | major | all-powerful Balok had the body of a todder |
| bluffing | major | Kirk bluffed Balok by claiming he had an immensely destructive device known as "the corbomite device". He also discovered that he had been somewhat bluffed by Balok, who had transmitted a far more threatening image of himself than the jejune shape he actually possessed. |
| facing a mortal enemy | major | crew face Balok |
| anger | minor | Dave Bailey :: Bailey |
| boredom | minor | Dave Bailey :: Bailey complains they have been star-mapping for three days |
| charting unknown territory | minor | Kirk decided to press on to contact the aliens who made the space buoy |
| clash of wills | minor | Kirk/McCoy :: Kirk and McCoy |
| cultural exchange | minor | Dave Bailey :: Bailey volunteers to stay aboard with Balok |