By 
Title: The Ambergris Element
Airdate: 12/1/1973
Plot Summary
In The Ambergris Element, while exploring the planet Argo, Kirk and Spock are turned into water breathers. There they meet people who are distrusting of air-breathers but are unaware that their planet is in danger from various earthquakes.
The Enterprise was sent to study this planet to save another with similar problems, unaware there was life on this one. They must make peace, cure their condition, and save the planet before time runs out.
Risk Is Our Business
Kirk is correct that he can’t command a ship as a water breather from a tank in sickbay. He’s the first to suggest that he and Spock go back down to the planet to figure out what happened to them.
Logical
Spock really doesn’t do too much in this episode except confirm or comment on what’s already been established.
He’s Dead, Jim
Bones just doesn’t have the miracle in his bag to return Kirk and Spock to their original states. Well he’s not perfect.
Helm Sluggish Captain
Sulu is absent.
Hailing Frequencies Open, Sugar
Uhura is only seen once at her station.
My Wee Bairns
Scotty works as the liaison when Kirk and Spock are underwater. He also studies the quakes and has to try to find the right phaser strength to save the planet.
Three Arms Are Better Than Two, Ya Fuzzy Face
Arex and M’Ress are also absent.
Getting Animated
Lots of underwater work here, another example of something that was probably near impossible in the live action days.
Ambergris is a solid, waxy substance originating from the digestive system of sperm whales, formed from indigestible parts of their diet, such as squid beaks.
So I guess the writers thought “Eh. Sounds like an ocean word. Close enough. Go with it.” Even though there’s no real whales in this episode anywhere. That would change with Star Trek IV.
Technobabble
The Enterprise has a submersible shuttle. It seems to be able to take a bit of punishment which actually makes sense given it would have to be made of sterner stuff to deal with water pressure. However it can’t hold up so they end up on a nice little speed boat when they return.
The life support belts make a return which turn out to be handy for going underwater.
What It Means To Be Human – Review
The Ambergris Element is another example of a great concept done in by the shorter run time. There’s a lot going on here and some of it makes no sense.
When Kirk and Spock are “rescued” by the mer-people, they said they mutated them to save their lives. Ok, wanted to keep them from drowning but why exile them immediately afterwards to the surface? And if you didn’t want more people to come around, you pretty much guaranteed it by changing them. Of course people were going to come demanding answers and wanting to be changed back.
Aside from that though, we get a planet in trouble, another planet also in trouble by much of the same tectonic issues, a race of people with a shrouded past, and new understanding and peace between peoples. It’s all very Star Trek.
The additions of the watercraft was a nice a touch and bringing back the life support belt for Scotty to use when underwater was a cool call back. We do get some tension as Kirk takes the unproven formula and nearly turns into a lizard before all is ok.
All in all, The Ambergris Element is definitely another episode that would benefit from being rebooted and extended. Of course, not by the current keepers of Trek. Still I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I would.
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