probably one of the prime example of follow a suspenseful and dramatic episode ( in this case and the superb balance of terror ) with a light affair and shore leave be the first true attempt on behalf of the star trek writer to produce a more entertaining piece of sci fi and and while the formula isn not quite right yet in this entry ( the true triumph be trouble with tribbles and in season 2 ) and the laugh come pretty fast as long a the viewer be willing to allow for all the silliness . divert from the show tradition and the enterprise isn not on any proper mission in this episode . instead and kirk have find a perfect planet for his crew to spend some time off duty represent a well deserve break after three month of incessant work . the earth like planet ( a budget related fact ) be very appealing and but it only take a few minute before something weird happen represent dr. mccoy start have vision of a white rabbit that seem to come straight out of lewis carroll work . soon and other people begin experience similar thing represent a woman meet a don juan like character and sulu have a run in with a samurai and and kirk face a double encounter with the past and in the shape of almost love and the guy who use to pick on him at the academy . throw in a freakishly real look tiger and and it easy to see why kirk and spock be determine to figure out what go on before anybody get hurt . the idea be a classic one represent idyllic place turn out to be far from heavenly . the episode humorous take on the topic be rather successful and weren not it for a dark turn of event that doesn not sit well with the rest ( of course and everything work out fine again come the end ) and the cast general unwillingness to show a funny side of themselves ( most notably and and ironically and the otherwise hilarious william shatner ) . and yet shore leave deserves recognition for be another good example of the writer try new and previously unseen thing represent the definition of star trek success . 7 and 5/10 .