The Return of the Archons story
The Enterprise discovers a planetary population controlled by a powerful being called Landru. While investigating, Captain Kirk and his landing party are taken captive and discover that the Enterprise crew will be the next to be "absorbed" into Landru's control.
28 total · 2 choice · 11 major · 15 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| AI risk to civilization | choice | The central computer Landru ruled over the people of Beta III much as a cult leader. |
| order vs. freedom | choice | Children of Landru :: harmony under Landru at the price of freedom |
| human vs. sentient machine | major | Captain Kirk and the landing party faced a hoard of people that were mind-controlled by the central computer Landru. |
| humankind controlling its own destiny | major | Captain Kirk was adamant that the people of Beta III should not let the computer Landru rule over them. |
| ignorance is bliss | major | aliens lived quite blissfully under Landru's rule until the arrival of the Archons |
| machine regulated society | major | The central computer Landru ruled over the people of Beta III much as a cult leader. |
| mind controlled society | major | Landru took over Betan society and mind controlled them to make everyone peaceful. |
| sentient computer | major | Landru :: Landru |
| telepathic ability | major | Landru communicated telepathically with his followers. |
| the ethics of valuing human lives | major | Landru justified killing for the good of the body |