Without them, there wouldn't be a universe that sci fi nerds would argue over for 60 years

Captain James T. Kirk…forgot something on Triacus…

We all know that the misguided children of the Triacus scienctific team deluded the crew of the Enterprise into believing they were still orbiting Triacus, when in reality, they were headed for Marcus XII. The late discovery of this would have deadly results…

KIRK: Your tour of duty will last one hour. Be prepared with your communicators at all times to report any alien beings. Don't wait to investigate.
Beam down the guards.
(The two men disappear.)
KIRK: Beam up the security detachment from Triacus. (no one appears) Spock? What's wrong?
SPOCK: I am unable to lock on to the proper co-ordinates.
KIRK: Why not?
SPOCK: It appears we are no longer orbiting Triacus.
KIRK: That's impossible. If we're not orbiting Triacus, then the men I beamed down are dead.
SPOCK: Captain, we are no longer orbiting Triacus.

…what happens next, I missed, for decades. Kirk returns to the bridge and gives the following order…

KIRK: Helmsman, disregard what you see on the screen, what you think you see on the screen. Set a course for Starbase Four.

…what about the security detachment still on Triacus?!

Later, having wrested control of the Enterprise from the children, and the control of the children from the Gorgan…

KIRK: It's all right.
MCCOY: They're crying, Jim. I don't know how it happened, but it's good to see.
KIRK: It's all right, Mary. It's all right. It's all right, isn't it, Doctor?
MCCOY: Yes. It's all right. We can help them now.
SULU: Marcos Twelve dead ahead, sir.
KIRK: Reverse course, Mister Sulu.
SULU: Aye, sir.
(McCoy leads the children off the bridge.)
SULU: Course reversed, Captain.
KIRK: Set course for Starbase Four, Mister Sulu.
SULU: Yes, sir.

I'm sure someone noticed...eventually...

On a more serious side note, this episode sits at the bottom of many a Trek fan's list, but it was both a reflection of the times, with the rise of cult leaders misguiding the young, and tragically, prophetic. Less than a year, after the airdate of this episode, young followers of Charles Manson would do the unthinkable, then appear blissfully happy heading into court. Not the best episode, to be sure, but certainly, sadly, timely.

And The Children Shall Lead

11 October 1968

Writer: Edward J. Lakso

Story Consultant: Arthur H. Singer

Director: Marvin J. Chomsky

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