Real World article
(written from a Production point of view)


Summary Edit



Act OneEdit





Act TwoEdit

Kirk and Noel embrace

"I wouldn't recommend it for weak hearts."


Tantalus V surface remastered

The entry to the penal colony



Act ThreeEdit

Vulcan mind meld

Spock performs a mind meld on Dr. Simon Van Gelder


Adams shows Kirk and Noel the neural neutralizer

Dr. Adams shows Kirk and Noel the neural neutralizer


Act FourEdit


In an ironic twist, Dr. Adams dies of exposure to the neural neutralizer after Kirk knocks him down and leaves him near it when Spock restored the power. However, Dr. Noel notes the neutralizer was not on high enough to kill Adams. Kirk says he died because he was alone, his mind emptied by it, "without even a tormentor for company." Dr. Van Gelder is cured, and resumes his responsibilities at the colony. He also dismantles and destroys the neural neutralizer equipment. Before the Enterprise heads away from Tantalus V, McCoy says, "It's hard to believe that a man could die of loneliness." Kirk tells him, "Not when you've sat in that room." He then instructs Spock to break orbit and proceed away at warp factor one.

Log entries Edit

  • "Captain's log, stardate 2715.2. Standard orbit… planet: Tantalus 5… mission: routine investigation and report as per ship's surgeon medical log. As for my last entry, it seems that I will get to meet Dr. Adams at last, however I would prefer other circumstances."

Memorable quotes Edit

"A cage is a cage, Jim."

- McCoy, on penal colonies


- Spock, to McCoy


- Spock, to McCoy

"Make that definite, doctor. He's aboard."


"I want asylum."
"At gunpoint?"



- Van Gelder to Kirk, in sickbay


- Adams, toasting with Kirk and Noel


- Kirk, to Noel


- Spock, performing his first mind-meld on a Human

"I have no desire to damage my brain. Can this be handled with reasonable safety – yes or no?"

- Kirk, to Helen Noel on the neural neutralizer

"Not when you've sat in that room."

- McCoy and Kirk, on the death of Doctor Adams

Background information Edit


    Is this a dagger which I see before me
    I have thee not, and yet I see thee still
    Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
    To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but
    A dagger of the mind, a false creation
    Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain?
  • The name of the colony, Tantalus, is also a reference to Greek mythology. Tantalus was a former king imprisoned in Tartarus for various evil deeds. Tantalus was forever chin deep in water, and fruit-laden branches hung within easy reach. But when he tried to eat or drink the fruit and water receded from him so that he could not.


Sets and propsEdit





Preview Edit


Production timeline Edit

Video and DVD releases Edit

Links and referencesEdit

Starring Edit

Also starring Edit

Guest star Edit

Co-starring Edit


Featuring Edit

Uncredited co-stars Edit

Stunt double Edit


References Edit

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Unreferenced materials Edit


External links Edit

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