Star Trek (TV Series)

Balance of Terror (1966)

Paul Comi: Stiles

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Quotes 

• Stiles : I was suggesting that Mr. Spock could probably translate it, sir.

  Captain James T. Kirk : I assume you're complimenting Mr. Spock on his ability to decode?

  Stiles : I'm not sure, sir.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Well, here's one thing you can be sure of, mister: leave any bigotry in your quarters. There's no room for it on the bridge.

• Stiles : These are Romulans! You run away from them and you guarantee war. They'll be back - not just one ship, but with everything they've got. You know that, Mr. Science Officer. You're the expert on these people, but you've always left out that one point. Why? I'm very interested in why.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Sit down, mister.

  [Stiles does so, there is an awkward silence] 

  Mr. Spock : I agree. Attack.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Are you suggesting we fight... to prevent a fight?

  Dr. McCoy : Based on what? Memories of a war over a century ago? On theories about a people we've never even met face to face?

  Stiles : We know what they look like...

  Mr. Spock : Yes, indeed we do, Mr. Stiles. And if the Romulans are an offshoot of my Vulcan blood - and I think this likely - then attack becomes even more imperative.

  Dr. McCoy : War is never imperative, Mr. Spock.

  Mr. Spock : It is for them, Doctor. Vulcan, like Earth, had its aggressive, colonizing period - savage, even by Earth standards - and if the Romulans retain this martial philosophy, then weakness is something we dare not show.

• Captain James T. Kirk : After a whole century, what will a Romulan ship look like, Mr. Stiles? I doubt if they'll radio and identify themselves.

  Stiles : You'll know, sir. They're painted like a giant bird of prey.

  Captain James T. Kirk : I had no idea that history was your specialty.

  Stiles : Family history. There was a Captain Stiles in space service then; two commanders; several junior officers. All lost in that war, sir.

  Captain James T. Kirk : THEIR war, Mr. Stiles. Not yours.

• Stiles : We enter the Neutral Zone in one minute, Captain.

  Dr. McCoy : Do we violate the treaty, Captain?

  Mr. Spock : They did, Doctor.

  Dr. McCoy : Once inside, they can claim we did. A set-up. They want war, we furnish the provocation.

• Sulu : More wreckage, sir. Scattering across our path.

  Capt. Kirk : Cease fire.

  Mr. Spock : Debris on our scanner.

  Capt. Kirk : Analysis, quickly.

  Mr. Spock : Same type as before. Except... one metal cased object...

  Capt. Kirk : Helm! Hard over! Phasers, fire! Point blank!

  Stiles : PHASERS, FIRE!

  [a nuclear weapon detonates close by. The ship shakes violently and the bridge goes dark save for a few telltales. Enterprise hangs in space, apparently disabled]