Spock hijacks the Enterprise and risks death to help his former Captain, Christopher Pike who has been paralyzed and disfigured in a horrible accident. Spock sets a course for Talos IV, knowing that any contact with this forbidden planet will automatically bring a death penalty! What could motivate him to do such a thing? Kirk, forced to convict his First Officer, and best friend, wonders if Spock could have gone mad! In his defense, Spock uses the illusionary powers of Talosians to recall Captain Pike's original visit to Talos IV, almost 13 years ago. It was a surrealistic planet of mind games and mysticism inhabited by eerie telepathic creatures. Kirk is both stunned and amazed as he learns the story of Captain Pike's kidnapping and mental torture at the hands of the Talosians, and how even a young Spock and the original Enterprise crew could not save him! In the tension-filled climax, Kirk must decide to uphold Federation law ... or do what he knows is morally just!.