The Galileo Seven ( episode ) Spock faces difficult command decisions when his shuttle crashes on a hostile world populated by barbarous giants . Summary . Teaser . On the bridge of the , Captain Kirk receives a signal from Spock that the shuttlecraft " " is ready for launch . A crew composed of Spock , Lieutenant Commander Scott , Dr . McCoy , Lieutenant s Latimer , Gaetano , and Boma , and Yeoman Mears , has been assembled aboard the shuttlecraft for this scientific mission . High Commissioner Ferris enters the bridge from the turbolift and reminds the captain of his objection to this diversion from the greater priority of delivering medical supplies . The plague on the New Paris colonies is spiraling out of control , he contends , and the " Enterprise " must make the rendezvous on Makus in order for the supplies to be transferred from there to the colony . Kirk understands this , but he also states that he is under orders from Starfleet to investigate " all quasars and quasar - like phenomena " and observes that the rendezvous is in five days , while the trip to Makus will only last three . Hence , he reasons , he has 48 hours with which to study the phenomenon . The " Galileo " proceeds to launch . While inside the phenomenon , the shuttlecraft encounters some rough turbulence , knocking it off - course . The electrical interference generated by the phenomenon makes sensor s unreliable and communication impossible for the shuttlecraft , as well as for the " Enterprise " . However , Uhura does manage to make out the words " blown off - course " in an extremely garbled transmission . Kirk must attempt a rescue without working sensors inside a quasar - like formation which contains four solar system s in the immediate vicinity . Act One . The " Galileo " is forced to make an emergency landing on Taurus II , a lone planet at the heart of Murasaki 312 . While Scott attempts repairs on the damaged craft , Latimer and Gaetano are sent out to scout the area and instructed to maintain visual contact with the ship . Meanwhile , on the " Enterprise " , the sensors remain inoperative and the transporters are not operating in a safe manner . Kirk orders that a second shuttlecraft , " Columbus " , prepare for launch in order to search the planet ' s surface for the other craft . Tensions mount between Kirk and Ferris as Kirk makes it clear that he plans to use every spare minute to search for his stranded shipmates . Uhura temporarily acts as science officer and helps to narrow the search for " Galileo " by discovering that one planet in the area , Taurus II , is type M . Kirk has Sulu set course for the planet . As Scott assesses the damage , he finds that the " Galileo " has lost a great deal of fuel – so much that they would be unable to reach escape velocity , and to even reach orbit they would need to leave at least five hundred pound s lighter than when they arrived . Noting that very little of the equipment on board is dispensable , and that five hundred pounds roughly equals the weight of three grown adults , Spock prepares himself for the difficult decision of which three crewmen to leave behind in order that the rest may survive . It is at this point that Spock ' s cold logic begins to unnerve some of the crew , most noticeably Lieutenant Boma . Boma proposes that they draw lots to determine who stays behind , but Spock replies that he is better qualified to make the decision than would be a " random drawing of lots . " While on their scouting expedition , Latimer and Gaetano hear strange grinding sounds , seemingly coming from all around them in a dense fog . Attempting to escape back to the " Galileo " , they encounter a giant , spear - wielding , " cave man " - like humanoid . The creature is hostile , and attacks the two crewmen . Taken by surprise , Latimer is hit by a spear in the back , mortally wounding him . He falls from a rock ledge to the ground and Gaetano then attempts to fend off the Taurean with his phaser , firing blind . Act Two . Gaetano , successful in driving the Taurean away , is found by Spock and Boma , slumped over , staring dumbfounded at the body of his fallen crewmate . After running a bit ahead to make sure that the giant is gone , Spock returns and examines the spear . He observes a similarity to the Folsom point , commenting that it is " crude " and " not very efficient . " Again , Spock ' s words unnerve his crewmates , who find it highly inappropriate for him to be musing about archaeology when one of their comrades has just been slain . Spock , logical as ever , responds , " " My concern for the dead will not bring him back to life , Mr . Boma . " " Boma and Gaetano decide to carry the body back to the ship . Spock has no objection , since doing so will not interfere with the repair efforts . When he offers to help them , they refuse . There is no change in the status of sensors , transporters , and communications . The search party has found no sign of the " Galileo " or its passengers . Kirk orders the " Columbus " to " widen its course two degrees on every lap from now on . " Sulu objects that this leaves significant gaps in the search area , but Kirk notes that they simply do not have enough time to cover the entire planet , and this way they cover the most area , even if they leave gaps in doing so . Kirk advises Sulu to keep his attention on the helm . Back inside the shuttlecraft , McCoy and Yeoman Mears report to Spock that they were able to gather about one hundred and fifty pounds of non - essential machinery for removal from " Galileo " . Spock commends them , but observes that even after dumping that weight , they are still 150 pounds too heavy . McCoy and Spock argue a bit about the ethics of leaving behind one man to save six , but they are interrupted by Boma , who upon entering the craft announces that they are ready for Latimer ' s funeral ceremony . Spock has no interest in performing such a ceremony as his expertise is needed in assisting Scott with the repairs . He attempts to push off the funerary duties to Dr . McCoy , but McCoy insists that it is Spock ' s responsibility as their commanding officer . Spock accepts this duty , but insists that the repairs take the utmost priority . He argues that by taking care of " first things first " he intends to maximize the chances of survival for the remaining crew . Boma leaves and closes " Galileo " s doors . Later , while Scott and Spock continue to attempt repairs , a ruptured tube leaks all the remaining fuel . The shuttlecraft is now without any means of propulsion . Disappointed by the event , Spock advises a pessimistic Scott to " consider the alternatives , " stating , " there are always alternatives . " Outside , loud grinding noises are heard again . Spock identifies the sounds as wood , rubbing on leather . Boma suggests that if the Taureans are a tribal culture , and thereby have a sense of unity , the crew can use that to their advantage . By hurting them , they can be dissuaded from bothering the crew again . McCoy and Gaetano agree that this is a " logical " course of action . Spock is hesitant , but concedes that there is logic to the plan , though he abhors unnecessary violence toward other forms of life . He proposes a third plan – to scare them by blasting phasers near the giants – firing not to injure or kill , but to simply frighten . He sends McCoy and Mears back to the shuttlecraft to assist Scott , while he leads Boma and Gaetano towards the Taureans . The plan appears to be executed successfully , and Spock returns with Boma to the shuttlecraft , leaving Gaetano to stand guard and stay in communication with the ship . When he returns , Scott tells Spock of an idea he has to reconfigure the main reactor to function on the energy from the hand - held phasers . Unfortunately , their only means of escape happens to be their only means of defense . Using the phasers for fuel disallows their use for defensive measures against the giants . Spock and the others conclude that it is their only option . Scott begins the modifications . The " Enterprise " transporters are now operational , and Kirk decides to beam three landing parties down directly to the planet in hopes of increasing the chances of finding the lost crew . Crewman Gaetano is attacked and loses his phaser when a large rock is thrown against his hand . He tries to scramble up a cliff , but cannot , and is ultimately killed horribly by a Taurean . Act Three . Spock , McCoy , and Boma arrive at Gaetano ' s last known position . He is nowhere to be found but Spock discovers his phaser lying on the ground . Spock orders the other two to return to the craft and hands over Gaetano ' s phaser to Scott for conversion . Boma objects , but Spock ' s response is to hand them his ( Spock ' s ) phaser as well . Spock then pursues a " scientific curiosity " regarding what happened to Gaetano . Sneaking up to the Taureans , Spock finds Gaetano ' s lifeless body and carries it off towards the shuttlecraft . The Taureans soon notice him and begin throwing numerous spears , one of which just narrowly misses Spock ' s head , but is blocked by the tip a protruding rock . Soon after Spock makes it back , one of the creatures ( which followed Spock ) begins assaulting the craft itself by slamming large rocks against it , with the terrified crew inside . Spock comes up with an idea to use the ship ' s batteries to electrify the outer hull . Apparently the Taureans were actually touching the ship at the time it was electrified , as the creatures leave shortly after . Boma then argues that it is time to perform the funeral rites for their two fallen crewmates . Eventually , Spock relents and allows the burial , " provided the creatures will permit it . " On the " Enterprise " , landing party two has just beamed back with a few casualties and no shuttlecraft survivors . Lieutenant Kelowitz , who led the party , reports back to the captain , describing the same giant creatures encountered by the " Galileo " crew . By his account , Ensign O ' Neill " " got a spear through the body before we even knew they were around . " " Lieutenant Immamura survived with severe lacerations and a dislocated shoulder but should be fine . Commissioner Ferris arrives on the bridge and informs the captain that his time has run out . Ferris now assumes command of the ship under the powers granted him by Title 15 , Galactic Emergency Procedures . Kirk orders the remaining landing parties to return and calls the " Columbus " back in , holding out hope that the " Galileo " might still report in the time it takes for the others to return . With great reluctance , Kirk commands Sulu to set course for Makus III . Act Four . According to Uhura , the " Columbus " will be back and docked within 23 minutes . Thus , only 23 minutes remain for the search . On the surface , Scott has just finished draining the last phaser into the ship ' s power supply and estimates that they have just enough power to maintain orbit for a few hours , and even enough to perform a controlled - burn re - entry . Scotty says that the ship will be ready to take off in eight minutes . Spock then tells McCoy and Boma that they have ten minutes to bury Gaetano , and that he will assist them . The " Columbus " returns to the " Enterprise " and docks . The landing parties have all been beamed aboard . Kirk is left without any further excuses for delay . Therefore , the " Enterprise " begins the trip to Makus III at " space - normal speed " , and Kirk , not ready to give up hope for the " Galileo " crew , orders full reverse sensor scans , beams directed aft . On Taurus II , the funeral ceremony is interrupted by flying spears . McCoy , Boma , and Spock are attacked by the Taureans again , and race back to the ship . After throwing one of the spears back at the assailants in order to buy more time for the others , Spock turns and makes for the ship as well . But after just a few steps , a large rock is hurled at him and traps him against a rock face . He tells the others to take off without him , but they disregard the command and roll the heavy boulder off of him so that he can return . The three make it back to the shuttlecraft , but the extra time taken to free Spock allowed the Taureans to gather around the ship and physically hold it down to prevent it from taking off . After firing the boosters they are able to break free and take off . Unfortunately , once they attain orbit , they come to the realization that without the boosters , they will not be able to make a soft landing , and if they are not rescued , will face a burn - up in the atmosphere upon re - entry . Spock grimly reminds his party that thanks to Boma and McCoy trying to save him , they will have ruined their slim chance for survival . At this point , Scott reminds Spock of his earlier comment that " there are " always " alternatives . " Spock , in an act that surprises the others , acknowledges that he " may have been mistaken . " When they achieve orbital altitude , while chasing the " Enterprise " , Scott estimates they have enough fuel to maintain it for 45 minutes . At this point , Spock commits an act of desperation . He jettisons the fuel and ignites it in the hope that the " Enterprise " might see the flare and come to their rescue . This leaves them just 6 minutes of orbit . The " Galileo " crew is shocked , but soon Scott realizes that Spock ' s action was " like sending up a flare " , and offering that it was " a good gamble . " Fortunately , the gamble pays off . The flare catches Sulu ' s watchful eye , whereupon he informs the captain , and they change course 180 degrees to once again attempt a rescue , this time without Ferris noticing . As the " Galileo " s orbit begins to decay , the five surviving passengers prepare for the inevitable burn - up . Just as the ship is about to incinerate , the " Enterprise " beams the crew out , alive and well . Upon hearing the good news , an emotional Kirk orders Sulu to resume the course to Makus III at warp factor 1 . With Spock and McCoy safe and sound on the bridge , Kirk confronts Spock at his science station about his actions , trying to get Spock to admit that the flare was a purely emotional act . Spock tries to evade the question by framing the action as a logical decision to act in desperation . Kirk puts it to him directly , asking if he is going to admit that it was a purely Human emotional act . " " No , sir . " " replies Spock . Kirk then comments that Spock is a very stubborn man . " " Yes , sir . " " is Spock ' s response . With the exception of Spock , the bridge crew all has a good long laugh . Memorable quotes . " " Finding a needle in a haystack would be child ' s play . " " " " Picturesque descriptions will not mend broken circuits , Mister Scott . " " " " Mister Spock , life and death are seldom logical . " " " " But attaining a desired goal always is , doctor . " " " " It is more rational to sacrifice one life than six , doctor . " " " " Mister Scott , there are always alternatives . " " " " I ' m frequently appalled by the low regard you Earthmen have for life . " " " " I am not interested in the opinion of the majority , Mister Gaetano ! " " " " Mister Spock , respect is a rational process . Did it ever occur to you they might react emotionally ? With anger ? " " " " Strange . Step by step , I ' ve made the correct and logical decisions – and yet two men have died . " " " " I intend to continue the search . Foot by foot , inch by inch , by candlelight if necessary , until the last possible moment ! " " " " I ' m sick and tired of this machine ! " " " " Mister Spock , remind me to tell you that I ' m sick and tired of your logic . " " " " That is a most illogical attitude . " " " " Well , at least I lived long enough to hear that . " " " " It may be the last action you ' ll ever take , Mister Spock , but it was all Human . " " " " Totally illogical . There was no chance . " " " " That ' s exactly what I mean . " " " " Mister Spock , you ' re a stubborn man . " " Background information . Remastered information . The remastered version of " The Galileo Seven " aired in many North American markets during the weekend of . The episode received fairly heavy treatment , due to the number of special effects in the original . Like all other remastered episodes , the physical model of " Enterprise " has been wholly replaced by a CGI model throughout the episode . Similarly , " Enterprise " is universally shot at different – and typically closer – angles than in the original . As might be expected , this episode also required a new CGI model of " Galileo " itself . The most widely employed new effect is that of the " Murasaki effect " and the planet Taurus II . Whereas in the original the graphic is largely confined to a long - range viewscreen shot of the Murasaki 312 quasar itself , the remastered version depicts the phenomenon as more of an omnipresent " effect " , serving as the background for most shots . Also , in the original , the planet Taurus II is seen as primarily green in color , while the remastered planet is largely grey and rocky , like the surface . The shuttlebay and launch sequences of shuttles received a thorough reworking . The resting " Columbus " can now be seen briefly during the " Galileo " launch , and the " Galileo " s takeoff occurs with a more naturalistic " wobble " as the ship stabilizes before achieving forward momentum . Once launched , " Galileo " now casts a shadow on the shuttlebay to further lend verisimilitude to the sequence . As the " Galileo " departs the shuttlebay the interior shot of the shuttlebay is missing the " Columbus " . The new TOS - R chronometer is also briefly seen in the episode . The final flight of " Galileo " has been given perhaps the most significant narrative attention . The " flare " caused by Spock ' s fuel dump is now more evident , both in close - ups of the shuttle and in long range " Enterprise " viewscreen images of the planet . As " Galileo " descends into the atmosphere , the ship glows a brilliant red - orange to indicate the heat – something that did not noticeably occur in the original version . Links and references . References . 1925 ; ångström ; angel ; anthropoid ; ape ; argon ; astral anthropology ; atmosphere ; auxiliary power ; auxiliary tank ; battery ; bloody nose ; booster ; burial ; chronometer ; " Columbus " ; conduit ; course ; distress signal ; electromagnetic spectrum ; escape velocity ; flare ; flight deck ; flight hatch ; Folsom point ; fuel ; Galactic Emergency Procedures ; " " ; hangar deck ; Hansen ' s Planet ; Hansen ' s Planet anthropoid ; harmonic ; haystack ; head ; heart ; High Commissioner ; hull ; hull plating ; Human ; Immamura ; ion storm ; krypton ; laceration ; landing party ; leather ; logic ; M - class ; main reactor ; Makus III ; ; meteorite ; mile ; millimeter ; Murasaki 312 ; needle ; neon ; New Mexico ; New Paris ; New Paris colonies ; ninth power ; nitrogen ; North America ; nose ; Old World calendar ; O ' Neill ; Order 480 - G ; ordnance condition 1 - A ; orbit ; oxygen ; Phase One separation ; pound ; pressure ; primary intake valve ; PSI ; quadrant ; Quadrant 779X by 534M ; quasar ; radiation ; scanner ; sector ; sensor ; sensor section ; shield ; shoulder ; shuttlecraft ; solar system ; space normal speed ; space regulations ; spear ; ; summer resort ; Taurus II ; Taurus II anthropoid ; tribe ; wood Unreferenced material . Amen ; Athos IV ; axe ; baseball bat ; cat ; chess ; Lake People ; nucleonic attraction ; ; titanite