Star Trek's City on the Edge...45th anniversary.

[johnmiic]

Star Trek.com mentioned this but only provided a plot synopsis and not much else. It was broadcast on this date in 1967-45 years ago. I wonder what Doctor Who episode was aired on this date or thereabouts? (See answer below).


Star Trek City on the Edge of Forever, The



At this time in the UK, Doctor Who - The Marca Terror, had aired on April 1st, 1967

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and after City on the Edge... aired, The Faceless Ones aired, on April 8th, 1967.

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Both were in Patrick Troughton's first season, (William Hartnell had opened this season with his final 2 stories). Both are either incomplete and/or considered partially lost.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I know it's been labeled the best so much it's kind of lost a bit of it's luster, but to me, it really is. Despite it's shaky origins, and Rodenberry and Coon heavily rewriting Ellison and all the drama to get the script, to me it's still TOS' finest hour.

Chris

[Tyme2tyme]

As my tastes have changed (and favorite ST episodes), this one has always stayed near the top. Classic Sci-Fi (not SyFy) television at it's best. JOHN

[samurainoir]

Love the episode, but also dig what the original tele pay could have been. Ellison's account and original script makes for good reading even if you are not a trek fan.

Harlan Ellison's the City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay SC (9781565049642) | eBay
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STAR TREK KIRK & SPOCK figures (City on The Edge of Forever) | eBay


Star Trek Franklin Mint City On The Edge of Forever FLAWLESS in Original Box | eBay

[johnmiic]

I read the original teleplay and a lot of things occurred to me.

Why was Rodenberry so opposed to the lower-level crewmen dealing in contraband, (drugs)? We were exposed to less-than-perfect crewpersons before. insubordinate in The Corbomite Manuever, outright racist in Balance of Terror, lustful in Mudd's Women, traitorous in Bread & Circuses, malicious intent in Court Martial; Im sure many more examples can be found in first season episodes. It seems to me he was bent on frustrating Ellison. Perhaps he thought Ellison would just give up/go away and leave them to the re-writing process.

Reading the teleplay it feels more like an Outer Limits episode. Having The Guardians be 15 foot tall aliens rather than a talking doughnut, the Enterprise switching to a pirate ship, the Depression Era war veteran who aids Kirk, the un-happy ending all seem more suited to Outer Limits. I could see this as a B&W filmed ep. using cost-cutting measures because OL didn't have extensive sets like ST did for The Enterprise.

Switching The Guardian to a mysterious, mechanical talking doughnut is kind'a cool in a way as it seems to become more like 2001's Monolith. It's something which exists but probably shouldn't, is older than anyone else and offers little answers, making us want to ask more questions of it.

The big change of the Depression Era war veteran who aids Kirk, to just a simple bum, was completely unnecessary. Those scenes were very good because they not only showed that the veteran cared but also Kirk's mindset was from a more forgiving future. James Kirk was a trusting & generous person.

[Thor]

One of my favorites! Essential ST, my next favorite is Balance of Terror.