Star Trek 1406: Uncertain Prescriptions

1406. Uncertain Prescriptions

PUBLICATION: Star Trek: Burden of Knowledge #1, IDW Comics, June 2010

CREATORS: Scott and David Tipton (writers), Federica Manfredi (artist)

STARDATE: 7097.3 (early in Year 5 of the original 5-year mission)

PLOT: The Enterprise is tasked with evaluation a potential member world, Mygdalia, where medicine is particularly advanced. The landing party can soon check it out when Veritili ships attack and a Lt. Thompson is gravely wounded. Mygdalian medicine saves his life, but the doctor and the landing party (Kirk, Spock and McCoy, of course), are beamed to a Viritili ship. There is apparently a breach of contract on the part of the Mygdalians and the Viritili want their meds. Kirk and crew escape and reach the bridge just as the ship is under attack from the Enterprise herself. They quickly surrender and when Kirk proposes to act as mediator in their dispute, they instead quickly confer and come to an agreement. Though Kirk commends them on their espousal of Federation values, he's left to wonder just how they made a deal so quickly and why...

CONTINUITY: None.

DIVERGENCES: None.

PANEL OF THE DAY - The question was bound to come up sometime.
REVIEW: I'm not head over heels about Manfredi's art, but it is solid enough if perhaps at times overwhelmed by the colors. As for the story, it's the old "two alien factions" bit that writers seem to fall into whenever their Trek story has to run for more than one issue, but the Tiptons at least make it fun and mysterious. The set-up isn't unlike TNG's Symbiosis, but we don't have enough information at this point to call it either way. The writers are obviously fans of the TOS trio and as usual, quite good at playing their comedy bits. Spock fails to find enough of a shoulder to nerve pinch a Viritili. The Viritili give up as soon as they see Kirk on their bridge. And the banter very much in the show's style. Burden of Knowledge provides a solid entertainment package with its first issue - we'll see where it goes from there.

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