A Private Little War is a second season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, first broadcast February 2,1968. It is episode #45, with the screenplay written by Gene Roddenberry and Gene L. Coon, based on a story by Judd Crucis , and directed by Marc Daniels .
Quick Overview: Captain Kirk must save a primitive people from the technological interference of the Klingons.
On stardate 4211.4, the starship USS Enterprise arrives at the planet Neural, 3rd planet in the Zeta Bootis System, which was surveyed by Captain James T. Kirk, sixteen years earlier during a previous mission as a lieutenant on the USS Farragut. Kirk also reports that the people of the world are still primitive, having just developed the secrets of ironworking. Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy beam down to the surface.
Upon their arrival, McCoy finds the planet is a medical treasure trove of materials needed for various serums and drugs. Meanwhile, Kirk tries to find Tyree, a friendly native he met on his prior visit. Soon the landing party is ambushed by a hostile group of natives and Kirk is shocked to see they possess flintlock pistols and other fire arms. He knows it is impossible for them to have advanced to this stage so quickly. Kirk tosses a rock to make a distraction, but this causes one of the native's guns to go off and a chase ensues. Spock is shot by one of the natives, and Kirk orders an immediate beam out back to the ship.
Once back aboard the Enterprise, Spock is looked after by Dr. M'Benga who specializes in Vulcan physiology. He informs Kirk that he has done all he can for Spock who has fallen into a healing trance, and hopefully will recover on his own. Suddenly sensors detect a Klingon vessel in orbit around the planet and Kirk orders Mr. Chekov to maintain a position outside of their sensor range. In the meantime, Kirk wants to return to the planet to seek information from Tyree. Kirk has befriended Tyree on his first visit and hopes he can explain what is going on.
Kirk returns with McCoy, who are now both disguised as local natives to blend in. Kirk bets the Klingons have something to do with the culture's speedy development. Suddenly the two are attacked by a horned gorilla-like creature called a Mugato . The beast bites Kirk, injecting him with poison before he can kill it with his phaser. McCoy is unable to call for help Kirk since the Enterprise has moved out of communication range.
The friendly group of natives locates Kirk and McCoy and takes them to their cave where Kirk discovers Tyree is now their tribal leader. Tyree, who just returned from a hunting mission, is married to Nona, a witch doctor who has a cure for the Mugato bite. In reality Nona is influencing Tyree with her herbal drugs and keeps urging him to acquire the hostile tribe's "fire sticks" for their tribe, but he still refuses, maintaining his pacifist views.
On hearing of Kirk's arrival, Nona heads for the caves, getting there just in time to see McCoy using his phaser to heat up rocks to keep Kirk warm. Nona is intrigued and wants to know more about their mysterious guests. Nona treats Kirk by cutting her hand and pressing a Mahko root against his wound. Now, according to legend, Kirk will be unable to refuse Nona anything once he recovers.
Meanwhile back on the Enterprise, Spock seems to be recovering well. M'Benga informs Nurse Chapel that once Spock revives, she must do as Spock tells her no matter how bizarre the request.
Once Kirk recovers he asks Tyree about the "fire sticks" possessed by the other tribe. Tyree says he seen the weapons for the first time about a year ago, and believed the villagers were making them, since he has not seen any strangers like the Klingons that Kirk talks about. Kirk asks Tyree if they will help him on a reconnaissance mission to the other village under the cover of night.
Nona also tags along, trying to persuade Kirk to help Tyree become a more powerful leader. Kirk refuses, since he knows that Tyree is a pacifist and against killing people. Once in the enemy village, they locate a forge in which they find a chrome steel drill and some virtually carbon-free iron which is the evidence of the Klingon's involvement. Soon a Klingon appears with the village leader Apella and Kirk's group ducks to hide. The two discuss the manufacture of improved weapons. Kirk and McCoy sneak up and overpower them, taking a flintlock weapon, and escape with Tyree's help.
Back aboard the Enterprise Spock finally wakes, but is only partially conscious. He requests Nurse Chapel to strike him repeatedly until he recovers fully. She hesitantly does so, lightly at first but then starts wailing on him. Mr. Scott happens to stop in and witnesses Chapel's beating of Spock and tries to stop her, however M'Benga arrives and explains Spock's life is in danger and resumes the slapping. Spock finally comes out of his trance and thanks the bewildered Nurse Chapel for her assistance.
Back on the planet, Kirk shows the villagers how to shoot the flintlock weapons, but Tyree refuses to handle it. McCoy loudly protests, telling Kirk he is violating the Prime Directive and interfering with the native's normal development. Kirk maintains that the irreversible damage has already been caused by the Klingons, and if the two warring tribes are not on equal ground one will slaughter the other. McCoy is horrified, but he finds no alternative solution.
Thinking Tyree is to weak and hesitant to arm the people, Nona tries to seduce Kirk with her potions but Kirk resists and Tyree witnesses her treachery. He is angry enough to pick up the flintlock and take aim at his wife, but he is unable to kill her and puts the weapon down. Suddenly another Mugato attacks, and Kirk vaporizes it with his phaser. Nona knocks him out and grabs the phaser, which in her mind is a weapon that will give her ultimate power. She runs away to face off with her tribal enemies, and the others rush to stop her.
When Kirk, McCoy, and Tyree arrive, they find Nona being attacked by the enemy villagers. Nona tries to defend herself, but she is unable to figure out how to fire the phaser, and the enemy tribe kills her. The enemy tribe is driven off, and McCoy reaches the stolen phaser and retrieves it.
In the end, Tyree realizes the importance of the "fire stick" weapons, and Kirk orders Mr. Scott to manufacture and beam down hundreds of the flintlocks and ammunition for the tribesmen, which will put them on an even footing with their enemy.
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