We’re celebrating the premiere broadcast anniversary of
"A TASTE OF ARMAGEDDON". 
This episode originally aired during Season 1 on Thursday, February 23, 1967.

Picture
Unaired film trim courtesy of Gerald Gurian.

THE STORY:

The ruler of a seemingly peaceful space nation whose reluctance toward establishment of diplomatic relations draws Captain Kirk into the center of an interplanetary war.  The unexplained hostility of leader Anan 7 baffles Kirk who is denied permission to deliver Ambassador Fox to the planet Eminiar for a top-level diplomatic conference.

Kirk and Spock decide to investigate and soon find themselves prisoners of war in a simulated but deadly conflict between two planets.
Interesting factoids about this episode:
  • “The Federation” had previously been mentioned in “Arena”.   The alliances full name, “The United Federation of Planets”, is revealed in this episode, courtesy of Gene Coon’s rewrite.
  • This is the second time that a soon-to-be familiar formula is used: landing party in trouble; ship under fire and unable to help; Kirk must save all (first used in “The Return of the Archons”). 
  • We previously saw Spock’s ability to perform the Vulcan mind-meld (from “Dagger of the Mind”). Here we learn he can also use “inception” to plant ideas into the minds of others. This device would be used again in “By Any Other Name” and “The Omega Glory”.
Picture
Unaired film trim courtesy of Gerald Gurian.
In honor of the broadcast anniversary, watch the original episode (try amazon.com, Netflix or hulu plus) in a whole new way by reading all of the great behind-the-scenes details in Marc Cushman’s, These are the Voyages: TOS, Season One.  Get your copy today!