User Reviews

After Virdon (sturdy work by Ron Harper) gets gravely injured, Galen (Roddy McDowall in typically fine form) has to risk contacting his old sweetheart Kira (an excellent performance by Jacqueline Scott), who's a prominent surgeon. Moreover, Galen and Burke (solid James Naughton) must obtain steal a forbidden book on human anatomy that's needed for the operation to save Virdon's life. Director Arnold Laven maintains a steady pace and serious tone throughout while exploring the themes of trust, loyalty, and compassion. Barry Oringer's engrossing script offers an interesting exploration of the rules, taboos, and superstitions existent in human slave culture. The operation sequence is quite tense and gripping. Jamie Smith-Jackson brings a touching vulnerability to her role as browbeaten servant girl Arna, who is picked as a reluctant blood donor for Virdon's operation. Michael Strong also does well as gruff chief orderly Travin. Mark Lenard as the huffy Urko and Booth Colman as the cagey Zaius both make welcome appearances. A worthy show.

When Virdon is shot Galen suggests taking him to the hospital in Central City; this isn't as crazy as it sounds as one of the surgeons there is his ex-girlfriend Kira. They manage to get there but things don't look good; Kira's knowledge of human anatomy isn't great and to make matters worse Virdon will require a transfusion. This is a procedure the apes have only tried once before… with fatal results. To get the knowledge needed for the operation Galen tricks his way in to the house of Dr Zaius and steals one of his 'forbidden books'; an old book written by humans detailing human anatomy. Meanwhile Burke tries to persuade the humans at the hospital that their taboo on donating blood is groundless; the previous attempt failed because they didn't type the blood first.

This is an enjoyable episode where, unusually, the greatest threat comes in the opening scene. The doctors are persuaded to help with little difficulty; clearly they are open to scientific reasoning and are keen to learn; after all what they learn treating Virdon may help them when treating fellow apes. Roddy McDowall dominates the episode with his performance of Galen and he is ably supported by Jacqueline Scott as Kira. Also notable is Jamie Smith-Jackson who plays the girl who is shunned by the other humans because she donated the 'evil blood' which killed her brother in the previous attempt at a transfusion. The story is well paced with a few moments of tension and a good range of guest characters; none of who are truly antagonistic.