Davin News Server

AI/LLM reviews of Star Trek Whom Gods Destroy

ChatGPT

### **Review: *Star Trek - Whom Gods Destroy***  
**Rating: 72/100**

---

**“Whom Gods Destroy”** is a classic *Star Trek: 
TOS* bottle episode that plunges the crew into 
a psychological chess match with a delusional 
former Starfleet hero. It’s part cerebral 
thriller, part campy villain showcase, 
and part cautionary tale about unchecked 
power and the fragility of the mind.

---

### **🧠 The Premise:**

Captain Kirk and Spock beam down to **Elba II**, 
a high-security asylum for the criminally insane, 
to deliver a revolutionary new drug that may 
cure insanity. But things go sideways quickly 
when they discover that the inmates have taken 
over the facility, led by **Garth of Izar** — a 
once-renowned Fleet Captain who’s 
now dangerously unhinged.

Garth has mastered **molecular metamorphosis**, 
allowing him to shapeshift and impersonate 
others — including Kirk. What follows is 
a tense series of mind games, identity tests, 
and attempted coups, as Kirk and Spock try 
to outwit their captors and escape.

---

### **🌟 What Works:**

- **Garth of Izar = A+ Space Madman:**  

  Actor **Steve Ihnat** gives an over-the-top 
  but captivating performance as Garth. 
  He’s Shakespearean in both ego 
  and madness, quoting classic literature 
  and reveling in villainy with theatrical 
  flair. You never know what he’ll do 
  next — and that’s the fun of it.

- **The Identity Test Scene:**  

  One of the most memorable beats is 
  when Kirk forces Spock to determine 
  which of two identical Kirks is real. 
  It’s a classic Trek logic puzzle, 
  and the solution (the real Kirk knows 
  Spock would never kill him without 
  absolute certainty) is clever 
  and character-driven.

- **Dark Commentary on Mental Illness:**  

  While dated in many respects, the episode 
  does grapple with the fine line between 
  genius and madness — especially in the 
  military context. Garth was once a hero, 
  but his fall from grace is both tragic 
  and frightening.

- **High Stakes with Low Budget:** 
 
  Despite being set mostly in one 
  location, the episode keeps the 
  tension alive through suspense, 
  shifting power dynamics, 
  and the unpredictability of Garth 
  and his fellow inmates.

---

### **🪓 What Falls Short:**

- **Campy, Even for TOS:**  

  While Garth is entertaining, 
  the tone veers into near-slapstick at times. 
  The costumes and performances from the other 
  inmates (especially Marta) feel like 
  something out of a sci-fi stage play.

- **Mental Health Representation Is Outdated:** 
 
  The episode treats mental illness in a very 
  1960s way — associating it with violence, 
  erratic behaviour, and physical grotesquery. 
  The concept of a "cure-all drug" for insanity 
  also oversimplifies complex 
  psychological conditions.

- **Little Character Growth:**  

  Kirk and Spock are competent and composed, 
  but they don’t go through much change. 
  It’s a “survive the madness” episode rather 
  than one that evolves the crew.

---

### **🧪 Final Thoughts:**

“Whom Gods Destroy” is a mix of tension, 
theatrics, and vintage Trek weirdness. 
It shines when it lets Garth play out 
his delusions of grandeur, and it gives 
us a memorable confrontation built 
on logic, loyalty, and identity. 
It’s not as philosophically deep 
as the best of Trek, 
but it’s an entertaining 
ride with a worthy villain.

---

### **Final Verdict: 72/100**  

A fun, dark, slightly campy entry 
with a standout villain 
and a clever central dilemma. 
Not peak Trek, but a solid psychological showdown.

Google Gemini

"Whom Gods Destroy" is a Star Trek episode that 
explores themes of sanity, power, 
and the potential for redemption. Here's a review:

**Strengths:**

* **Intriguing Premise:** The episode presents 
a compelling scenario: the Enterprise visits 
a planet that serves as a rehabilitation 
center for the criminally insane, only to 
find that the inmates have taken over 
and are holding the staff hostage.

* **Strong Guest Performances:** The episode 
features a memorable performance by Steve 
Ihnat as Garth of Izar, a charismatic 
but dangerous former Starfleet captain 
who believes himself to be a god.

* **Exploration of Themes:** The episode 
delves into the nature of sanity, 
the corrupting influence of power, 
and the possibility of finding humanity 
even in those who have committed 
terrible acts.

* **Suspenseful Narrative:** The episode 
maintains a strong sense of tension 
and danger as Kirk and his crew must 
outwit Garth and his followers 
to regain control of the asylum.

**Possible Weaknesses:**

* **Dated Special Effects:** As with 
most original series episodes, 
the special effects are noticeably dated.

* **Simplistic Resolution:** Some viewers 
may find the resolution of the conflict 
to be somewhat simplistic.

* **Pacing:** The pacing might feel 
uneven to some modern viewers.

**Overall Impression:**

"Whom Gods Destroy" is a thought-provoking 
and suspenseful Star Trek episode that offers a 
unique perspective on the nature of sanity 
and the potential for redemption. Its strong 
guest performance and intriguing premise 
make it a memorable entry in the series.

**Rating:**

Considering its strengths and weaknesses, 
I'd rate "Whom Gods Destroy" an **87/100**. 
It's a highly recommended episode 
for any science fiction fan.

**Breakdown for viewers:**

* **For Star Trek fans, viewers who 
appreciate thought-provoking narratives, 
and those interested in themes of sanity 
and power:** 90/100

* **For viewers seeking modern special effects 
and a more nuanced plot:** 82/100

-- 
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Canada -Save the Nation from Donald Trump - Vote Liberal!