Hot dang, but “The CIty on the Edge of Forever” is a great TOS episode. I mean, this is known, Khaleesi, but having just watched it again I feel compelled to reiterate.
Bonus points for finally sending Uhura on an away mission (at least I think it’s her first), and for being one of the first American TV episodes to say “hell” as profanity. Also — as mentioned in that Kirk article that was making the rounds — Kirk’s romance with Keeler is heartwrenching, evidence that he is not the womanizing stereotype the character has been twisted into.
Also, this is the first reference to Nazis in Trek, and boy did it feel weird in our current climate. I.e., how sad is it that we no longer live in a country, apparently, where you don’t have to explain that Nazis are awful — you can just reference them and assume viewers will be horrified.
Anyway, the Wikipedia article on this episode is a good read, as the story of this episode’s production is a doozy.
What a great episode. One of my favorite moments is McCoy’s raving about how medicine in the past involves “stitching people together like garments.”
Is that the one Harlan Ellison wrote?
Dave Michalak Yes, along with revisions from Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, and Gene L. Coon.
Yeah, i just read the thing (which I’m sure I’ve read and forgotten at least four times in the past).
According to These are the Voyages Ellison hated the revisions so much he disavowed the episode altogether.
These are the Voyages Ellison hated the revisions so much he disavowed the episode altogether.]]>
Tried to get his nom de meh attached instead of his own name… There are a few writers famous for that, and he’s one.
I hear it gets better from episode 14 onwards. It’s been rough going for me so far but I want to like it.
Ralph Mazza the Wiki article summarizes a lot of the drama around Ellison’s feud, if you’re interested.
Robert Bohl Could be it’s just not your jam.
Pretty sure you can also find it from Ellison directly, i know I’ve read or heard it from him at some point.
Probably the best TOS episode. Not only a spotlight on McCoy but the friendship of all three.
“He knows, Doctor. He knows.”
What’s wacky is that the very next episode — “Operation — Annihilate!” — sees Kirk face the deaths of both his brother and his sister-in-law, and there’s not nearly the drama of the loss of Keeler.
his brother and his sister-in-law, and there’s not nearly the drama of the loss of Keeler.]]>
As someone who works in the social work field, I really like this episode. In spite of her Helen Keller-ey name, Edith Kieler is a good model for Jane Addams, who not only ran the most important settlement house in early 20th C. America – Hull House in Chicago – but also was a leader in the international peace movement. Of course, she also partnered with women, which would have been… inconvenient for Kirk.