Ep 23. A Taste of Armageddon

Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew receive a distress signal from Eminiar VII, a planet known for its peaceful and diplomatic ways. Upon arrival, the crew is greeted by a delegation led by Ambassador Fox, who informs them that the planet is in the midst of a war with a neighboring planet, Vendikar.

The crew is surprised to learn that the war has been going on for over 500 years, yet there are no visible signs of destruction or casualties on Eminiar VII. Ambassador Fox explains that the war is fought entirely via a computer simulation, and casualties are determined and sent to designated "disintegration booths" for voluntary execution.

Kirk and Spock express disbelief at this method of warfare, but Fox insists that it is the only way to maintain peace and prevent the physical destruction of their society. However, when Kirk and his team are declared casualties and ordered to report for voluntary execution, they refuse and take over the Enterprise.

The crew sets out to destroy the computer that controls the war simulation, which they believe will force Eminiar VII and Vendikar to deal with the consequences of their actions and eventually negotiate a real peace. However, Eminiar VII retaliates by attacking the Enterprise, forcing Kirk and his team to fight back.

In the midst of the chaos, Kirk and Spock manage to infiltrate the computer control center and destroy it, effectively ending the war simulation. In the aftermath, both sides are forced to confront the reality of their actions and work towards a real, lasting peace.

"A Taste of Armageddon" addresses the morality of war and the consequences of relying heavily on technology to solve societal problems. It also explores the idea of sacrificing individual lives for the supposed greater good of society. The episode serves as a reminder that peace is not just the absence of physical destruction, but also the absence of violence and oppression.