Episode 61 – Spectre of The Gun

Trekking Through Compliance

In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode Spectre of the Gun, which aired on October 25, 1968, Star Date 4385.3.

On a mission to establish contact with the reclusive Melcotians, Kirk ignores the message of a space probe. The landing party encounters a Melcotian who informs them they are an outside disease that must be destroyed. Their trespassing is to be punished by death, and the pattern of their death will be taken from Kirk's memories. As Kirk's ancestors pioneered the West, the landing party finds itself teleported to Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881.

Desperately, Bones and Spock cooperate to build a tranquilizer bomb that will incapacitate the Earps. Scotty volunteers to test the potion Bones has cooked up. Despite Bones' careful preparation, it does not work. Spock is the only one who understands the significance of this fact, saying, "You do not seem to understand. It did not function. But it must function." Spock realizes that nothing around them is real; the whole scenario is taking place in their minds.

They end up at the OK Corral, and the Melcotians, impressed that Kirk did not kill, then extend an invitation to establish relations with the Federation.

Compliance Takeaways:

1. How do you overcome biases?

2. Have you looked at your Supply Chain for innovation?

3. How do you move compliance into the DNA of your organization?

Resources

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein

MissionLogPodcast.com

Memory Alpha

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