| 1 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cosmic_cloud_engulfs_the_enterprise.jpg]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:350:"Mmmmmmmm, metal alloys."]] |
| 3 | |
| 4 | The ''Enterprise'' encounters a giant cloud that consumes planets that lie in its path. The crew's problems are compounded when Spock hypothesizes the cloud may be intelligent. |
| 5 | ---- |
| 6 | !!This episode provides examples of: |
| 7 | * TheBusCameBack: Bob Wesley, the commodore from "[[Recap/StarTrekS2E24TheUltimateComputer The Ultimate Computer]]", returns in this episode as the primary authority on a planet threatened by the cloud, having left Starfleet to become a governor. |
| 8 | * CallBack: When pondering potentially killing the space cloud, Kirk asks [=McCoy=] about the morality of it, [[Recap/StarTrekS1E23ATasteOfArmageddon bringing up his previous assertion that man learned civilization by deciding he won't kill today]]. |
| 9 | * EmergencyRefuelling: As the Enterprise goes through the living space cloud it must expend an enormous amount of energy to power the shields. It eventually runs out of antimatter fuel and has to get more by removing part of the creature's alveoli, which are made of antimatter. |
| 10 | * HeroicSacrifice: Kirk initially plans to self-destruct the ''Enterprise'' once the ship reaches the cloud's "brain", thus saving Mantilles and any other planets in the solar system the creature might consume. However, Spock's improvised system to mind-meld with the cloud provides another option. |
| 11 | * PlanetEater: The space cloud intakes and breaks up planets to absorb energy. |
| 12 | * TookALevelInKindness: Possibly due to circumstances. This episode shows off more of Bob Wesley's vaunted "[[JerkWithAHeartOfGold humanity]]" than his last appearance; he busies himself with evacuating as many civilians as possible and transmissions between him and Kirk are always cordial and respectful. |
| 13 | * WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: The crew's method of dealing with the cloud relies primarily on confirming whether it's intelligent or not, and thus whether killing it is a wise action or not. [[spoiler: The cloud had much the same problem; it had no idea that the organisms on the planet it was planning to eat were sentient because they were just ''so unfathomably tiny'' to it, that it couldn't converse with or understand them until Spock mind-melded with it.]] |
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FollowingContext Recap / StarTrekTheAnimatedSeriesS1E3OneOfOurPlanetsIsMissing
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