an apt description by spock of an all powerful fop into whose clutch fall the crew of the enterprise . this be one sector of space our starship should have avoid represent first sulu and kirk simply disappear off the bridge while a land party follow them to the surface of an unknown planet and encounter trelane and a seemingly aristocratic man dress in attire from an earth of many century past . but he demonstrate ability of someone or something far beyond human and doesn not register on mccoy medical tricorder . the officer manage to escape back to the ship but and like some bad cosmic penny and trelane keep pop up . he bring them all back and include some female companionship and to continue his game . the dilemma now take on element of the most dangerous game out in space and there an exasperating and even infuriate aspect to the crew utter helplessness before such unbridled power . what really make this a great episode be the memorable performance by guest star campbell a the overpower but not all know alien . his character be obviously an early version of q and who be introduce 20 year later in the pilot for the tng series . trelane confrontation scene with spock stand out among all the strange drama which unfold . a usual and kirk quickly begin to look for possible weakness in his new nemesis and despite be quite outmatch . the answer to exactly what or who trelane be be right in front of u the whole time so and when we do learn the truth and it make complete sense in view of campbell pitch perfect act . he indulge himself constantly and preen before some unknown audience and remark on thing with a flair which be infectious but not quite right we can not quite pin it down at first and but there something miss here . every few minute and his tone become sinister and the crew now appear to be in serious danger . in a way and you can not take your eye off him and always wait to see what he do next . actor john de lancie capture that similar tone a q on the next generation series .