The Cloud Minders (Episode)
| Series | Star Trek |
| Season | 3 |
| Episode | 21 |
| Production Number | 74 |
| Release Date | 28 Feb 1969 |
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Stardate 5818.4: Kirk is forced into negotiating peace on a planet with severe class inequities.
In search of the crucial and rare mineral zenite, which is needed to stop a plague on planet Merak II, the Enterprise travels to Ardana, where the substance is excavated by miners — Troglytes — who are forced to live on the harsh surface while the ruling class — Stratos-dwellers — reside in a luxurious city, floating high above the planet's surface. When the Troglytes refuse to turn over the zenite, Captain Kirk is drawn into their struggle for equality. Plasus, the High Adviser of Ardana's ruling council, maintains that the Troglytes are naturally inferior beings. While Spock is involved with Droxine, Plasus' daughter, Kirk befriends Vanna, a Troglyte leader. Kirk, Vanna, and other Troglytes enter a zenite mine, where Kirk causes a cave-in that isolates them, and has Plasus transported into the mine with them. Without protective gas masks, they all begin to display violent, unreasoning behavior. Plasus, now aware of the reason for the Troglytes' mental state, reluctantly agrees to address his planet's social structure — and the Troglytes agree to gather the needed zenite.
Story
David Gerrold & Oliver Crawford
Writer
Margaret Armen
Director
Taylor, Jud
Starring
William Shatner … Captain Kirk
Leonard Nimoy … Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley … Dr. McCoy
Also Starring
James Doohan … Scott
George Takei … Sulu
Nichelle Nichols … Uhura
Walter Koenig … Chekov
Guest Starring
Diana Ewing … Droxine
Charlene Polite … Vanna
Fred Williamson … Anka
Henry Evans … Midro
Jeff Corey … Plasus
