star trek episode 3

Where No Man Has Gone Before (episode)

While exploring the energy barrier at galaxy's edge that crippled an earlier ship, Kirk's long-time friend and crewmate Gary Mitchell begins mutating into a god-like entity disdainful of the "mortals" around him. ( Second pilot )

• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 2 Log entries
• 3 Memorable quotes
• 4.1 The second pilot
• 4.2 Story and script
• 4.3 Production
• 4.4 Sets and props
• 4.5 Cast and characters
• 4.6 Effects
• 4.7 Preview
• 4.8 Reception
• 4.9 Apocrypha
• 4.10 Remastered information
• 4.11 Production timeline
• 4.12 Video and DVD releases
• 5.1 Starring
• 5.2 Also starring
• 5.3 Guest stars
• 5.4 Featuring
• 5.5 Uncredited co-stars
• 5.6 Stunt doubles
• 5.7.1 S/COMS references
• 5.7.2 Unused references
• 5.8 External links

Summary [ ]

" I'll have you checkmated your next move… "

In the briefing lounge , Captain James T. Kirk and Lieutenant Commander Spock are playing three-dimensional chess . Spock warns the captain that he's about to checkmate him on his next move, but the captain is preoccupied with awaiting the bridge 's update on the unexplained Earth-vessel distress signal. The captain notes that Spock plays a very "irritating game of chess", to which Spock responds with " Irritating? Ah yes, one of your Earth emotions . " Captain Kirk makes a move that surprises Spock, and smiles, to which Spock simply turns to look at him. " Certain you don't know what irritation is? " Kirk says wryly. As Spock begins to state that despite the fact that one of his ancestors married a Human female , Kirk interrupts him and jokingly chides him, saying it must be terrible to have bad blood like that. Just afterward then, a call comes over the comm. Navigator Lieutenant Lee Kelso informs the captain that the object is now within tractor beam range, and that it is only about a meter in diameter, too small to be a vessel or an escape pod . Kirk tells him to lock on to it, and the two of them head out.

SS Valiant disaster recorder

In the transporter room , Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott is fine tuning the transporter , preparing to beam the object aboard. Kirk gives the order, and Scott transports the device into the transporter chamber. The captain immediately recognizes it as an old-style ship recorder , one that would be ejected in the event of an emergency. Spock agrees, but states that, based on the level of damage the object seems to have sustained, something must have destroyed the ship. Scott tries to feed the tapes into the computer when the marker begins transmitting a signal. Captain Kirk orders red alert , and the crew go to their stations.

Act One [ ]

Throughout the ship, the crew is reporting to their emergency stations. Kirk and Spock enter a turbolift to go to the bridge, and Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell enters just as the doors are closing. Kirk and Mitchell joke about Kelso sounding nervous, and Spock's chess skills, showing that they're comfortable being around each other even in times of red alert.

The Enterprise approaches the barrier

The three officers enter the bridge, Mitchell taking his station as Spock scans for the message. As they approach the edge of the galaxy, Kirk orders all stop. Captain Kirk announces ship-wide that what they picked up was a disaster recorder launched from the SS Valiant two hundred years prior . Department heads report to the bridge as ordered, and Captain Kirk is given introductions. Smith , whom he mistakenly addresses as " Jones ", is his new yeoman . Sulu reports astrosciences ready, Scott reports the engineering division ready, "as always", and Chief Medical Officer Doctor Mark Piper reports life sciences ready, then introduces the USS Enterprise 's new psychiatrist , Dr. Elizabeth Dehner , who came aboard the vessel back at the Aldebaron Colony to study the long-term effects of space travel on the crew. Spock points out he's been able to get a signal from the recorder, as Mitchell tries to flirt with Dr. Dehner, who rebuffs him only to overhear him call her a "walking freezer unit".

Spock interprets the Valiant 's message: that they had encountered a magnetic storm and were pulled out of the galaxy, and that the crew accessed computer records on " ESP " in Humans , frantic to find information about it. The captain asks Dr. Dehner her opinion, and she mistakes the question as asking whether she has ESP. She reports that there are some Humans who can see "backs of playing cards and so on", but it is never very powerful. Spock goes on to explain that several crewmen had died aboard the Valiant , which had suffered severe damage. The Valiant crew continued researching ESP, until it seems the captain ordered a self-destruct . As future vessels will someday be coming out this far into space, Captain Kirk decides to go ahead anyway and engages warp factor 1.

Mitchell is struck

The crew reacts with mixed emotions as the Enterprise heads out of the Milky Way Galaxy . The ship encounters a strange field and Spock orders a full array of scans – deflectors indicating something in front of them while sensors say there's nothing. Smith and Mitchell hold hands to comfort each other as the ship enters the field. Flashes of light fill the bridge and electric discharges penetrate the hull , causing several consoles to explode. Kirk orders Mitchell to reverse course, but, before he can carry out the order, Dr. Dehner and he are struck by a mysterious electric charge which drops them to the deck. With no one in control of the Enterprise , Spock dashes over to the helm console and pilots the starship clear of the energy field.

Taking damage reports, Spock informs Kirk that main power is out, the Enterprise is on emergency power cells, and nine crewmen are dead. Captain Kirk tends to Dehner and Mitchell, only to find that while Mitchell feels a little weak, his eyes are glowing an eerie silver…

Act Two [ ]

Alden and Kelso repair the helm console as Kirk looks on

Captain Kirk, while supervising repairs being made to the bridge, proceeds to the science station where he finds Spock reviewing medical records of the dead crew members, and the crew members who survived but seem to have been affected in some way. Spock is looking at ESP ratings of Dr. Dehner and Gary Mitchell. Both of the officers had high scores on ESP tests given by Starfleet Medical , Mitchell's having ultimately read as the highest in the crew.

Dr. Dehner approaches Captain Kirk and provides an autopsy report of the nine dead crew members. She mentions that in all cases, there was damage to a specific region of the brain. Kirk shares the fact that all of the dead crew members, as well as Dehner and Mitchell, had high ESP ratings. Spock also mentions that the captain of the Valiant was frantically searching through their records for information on ESP. Spock then reports that the Valiant 's captain seems to have given a self-destruct order. Dehner defends those with ESP, stating that the ability is not harmful. Spock, however, reminds the doctor that there are the more extreme (and dangerous) abilities of ESP, such as the ability to see through solid objects or cause spontaneous combustion.

In sickbay , Mitchell is reading text on a viewer, trying to pass the time. Kirk enters the room, and Mitchell greets him by name without actually looking to see who it is. Kirk and Mitchell talk about some past experiences; it is obvious they have known each other well for many years. Mitchell mentions that he feels better now than he's ever felt in his life, and he's catching up on his reading, including Spinoza, which surprises Kirk. Mitchell finds Spinoza simple, almost childish, to him. The two continue to reminisce about their days at Starfleet Academy and Mitchell says that he "aimed that little blonde lab technician" at Jim. Kirk replies, " You planned that?!? I almost married her. "

" Is that Gary Mitchell? The one you used to know? "

Kirk informs Mitchell that he's assigned Dr. Dehner to work with him. Mitchell doesn't seem happy, since Mitchell and Dehner have already gotten off to a tense start. As Kirk moves to leave, Mitchell, in an echoing voice, says, " Didn't I say you'd better be good to me? ", prompting Kirk to pause and eye him with uncertainty.

Once Kirk leaves the room, Mitchell continues reading books on the viewer, at a steadily-increasing rate that soon far exceeds normal pace; the on-screen pages are nothing but a black-and-white blur. Kirk enters the bridge to find Spock monitoring Mitchell's viewer. Kirk assigns 24-hour security to keep an eye on Mitchell. Kirk approaches the science station viewer to look closely at Mitchell, and Mitchell looks directly at the security camera, seemingly aware that Kirk is watching him.

Dr. Dehner enters sickbay and acknowledges the fact that she realizes that Mitchell doesn't like her very much. He apologizes to her for calling her a "walking freezer unit." She asks him how he feels. Mitchell jokingly says that everyone thinks that he should have a fever or something and proceeds to change the vital signs monitor in sickbay with his mind. Then, he makes the readings show that he is dead. All indicators fall to zero, to Dr. Dehner's surprise and horror. Moments later, Mitchell awakens, and starts telling Dr. Dehner of some of his other abilities, like being able to read quickly, going through half of the Enterprise 's database in less than a day.

Dr. Dehner decides to test his memory, and shows Mitchell the title of a record tape, asking him to recite what's on page 387. Mitchell recites, " My love has wings, slender feathered things with grace and upswept curve and tapered tip " from the poem " Nightingale Woman ", written by Tarbolde on the Canopus planet back in 1996 . Mitchell wonders out loud why she happened to choose that particular poem, which is considered to be one of the most passionate poems written in recent centuries. He then pulls Dehner close to him, and asks her how she feels. Her reply, that she only fell and that nothing else happened, is seemingly disbelieved by Mitchell, but the conversation is cut short by the arrival of Lieutenant Kelso, awkwardly entering at a time which might have seemed like an intimate moment. Mitchell smiles and invites him in, joking that his eyes are merely lit up "due to the lovely doctor."

Kelso reports that the main engines are in bad shape. Mitchell warns Kelso to check the starboard impulse engine packs, which Kelso jokingly dismisses. Mitchell snaps (once again in his "booming" voice) that he isn't joking, and that if they activate those engines that the entire impulse deck will explode. Kelso leaves sickbay and Mitchell tells Dehner that he could see the image of the impulse packs in Kelso's mind and that he is a fool not to have seen it.

" Our subject is NOT Gary Mitchell. "

In the briefing room, Kelso shows Kirk the burned out impulse circuit, which he had checked on Mitchell's recommendation, noting with puzzlement that their condition was exactly as Mitchell described. Dr. Dehner enters late, says she got held up observing Mitchell, and attempts to defend him in the face of Spock's and Kirk's seemingly cold assessment of him. She reports her observations of Mitchell's ability to control certain autonomic reflexes and increased memory. Scott reports that bridge controls had started changing on their own about an hour prior, and Spock adds that each time it happened, Mitchell could be seen smiling on the surveillance monitors set up in sickbay. Kirk is annoyed that Dehner hadn't reported Mitchell's new powers earlier, but she argues that no one has been hurt, furthermore saying that someone like Mitchell, with such powers, could give rise to "a new and better kind of Human being."

Following an awkward silence, Sulu adds that the growth of Mitchell's abilities is a geometric progression, meaning they would increase at an exponential rate. Spock concludes that Mitchell would become uncontrollably powerful within a month. Kirk tells those present to not discuss their findings openly before dismissing them. After the others have left the briefing room, Spock advises taking the Enterprise to the planet Delta Vega , only a few light days away, where they can adapt the lithium cracking station's power packs to try to repair its damaged systems, and also strand Mitchell there. Kirk strongly disagrees with the plan, stating Delta Vega is uninhabited and automated, and ore ships only visit every twenty years. Spock informs Kirk the only other choice he has is to kill Mitchell before he overpowers the entire crew. Kirk tries appealing to Spock's conscience, saying Mitchell is his longtime friend, but Spock merely reminds him that the captain of the Valiant probably had a similar dilemma about his afflicted crew members but made his decision to self-destruct too late. Kirk reluctantly orders the Enterprise course set for Delta Vega.

Act Three [ ]

Delta Vega's lithium cracking station

In sickbay, Mitchell's telekinetic power continues to grow. Feeling thirsty, he moves a plastic cup below a faucet and dispenses water from it with his mind. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Dehner enter to see Mitchell's levitate the filled cup towards his outstretched hand. Mitchell senses worry in Kirk and Spock's continued urging for the captain to kill him while he still can. Mitchell quickly subdues both Kirk and Spock with an electric shock and informs them he knows the Enterprise is orbiting Delta Vega but won't allow them to force him down there. As he postures about what kind of a world he can use, Kirk and Spock jump him and hold him down long enough for Dr. Dehner to tranquilize him.

In the transporter room, preparing to beam down, Mitchell regains consciousness and proclaims " You fools! Soon I'll squash you like insects! " before being sedated again. After transporting down, Mitchell is confined to a holding cell as Lieutenant Kelso and the engineering team begin to salvage the needed components from the outpost to restore the Enterprise engines to full capacity.

Mitchell attempts to escape

As Mitchell regains consciousness, he reminds Kirk of how he saved his life on the planet Dimorus , taking poisonous darts meant for the captain and nearly dying from it. He wonders why Kirk should fear him now. Kirk retorts that Mitchell has been testing his ability to take over the Enterprise and reminds him of the threat he made in the transporter room to squash the crew like insects. Mitchell defends himself by pointing out that he was drugged at the time, then snaps back that mankind cannot survive if a true race of Espers like himself is born, and attempts to escape the force field of the cell. Kirk pleads with him to stop, but, Mitchell refuses and is jolted back, draining the light in the eyes. Gary pleads out to " Jim… ", but, it doesn't last and the maniacal power that has now totally consumed Mitchell returns and he sneers that he'll " just keep getting stronger. "

Back on board the Enterprise , the repairs are nearly complete as Scott beams a phaser rifle down to Spock. Kirk resents Spock's callousness towards Gary, but Spock retorts that he's just being logical and he believes that the crew will be lucky just to repair the Enterprise and get away from Mitchell in time. Kirk, finally seeing Spock's viewpoint, instructs Kelso to wire a destruct switch to the power bins of the outpost, an explosion that will destroy the entire valley and hopefully kill Mitchell, and orders him to hit the button if Mitchell escapes.

Act Four [ ]

" You should have killed me while you could, James. "

As the landing party prepares to return to the Enterprise , Dehner, completely transfixed on Mitchell, announces she's remaining on Delta Vega with him. At the same time, Mitchell uses his powers to remotely strangle Lieutenant Kelso with a cable. As Kirk orders Dehner to return to the ship, Mitchell turns to the captain and taunts him that Kirk should have killed him while he still had the chance. With that, he shocks both Kirk and Spock and easily eliminates the force field holding him. Dehner takes no action to stop him, and he slowly walks her over to a mirror, where she can now see the light in her own eyes.

Kirk opens fire on Mitchell

A short time later, Dr. Piper revives Captain Kirk and informs him that Kelso is dead and that Mitchell and Dr. Dehner have left the facility. Kirk advises Piper not to revive Spock until after he's left as Kirk now blames himself for not listening to the Vulcan's warning. Taking Spock's phaser rifle, Kirk orders that Piper and Spock return to the Enterprise and to give him twelve hours to signal the ship. Failing that, Kirk recommends that the Enterprise proceed at maximum warp to the nearest starbase with his recommendation that the entire planet be subjected to a lethal concentration of neutron radiation . When Piper protests, Kirk firmly tells the doctor it is an order and leaves.

" Time to pray, Captain. Pray to me! Pray that you die easy! "

In an open valley, Mitchell (now sporting greying sideburns due to premature aging as a consequence of the stress from his advanced powers) conjures up Kaferian apples and water for himself and Dehner. He begins to sense Kirk approaching them, as does Dehner. Mitchell invites Dehner to talk to the captain and begin to realize just how unimportant Humans are compared to what they (Mitchell and Dehner) have become. Dehner appears before Kirk and advises the captain to retreat while he still can. Kirk appeals to what's left of Dehner's Humanity and her profession as a psychiatrist and asks her what she believes will become of Mitchell if his power is allowed to continue to grow. Dehner begins to see the wisdom of Kirk's words, but, before she can decide anything, Mitchell appears before both of them. Kirk opens fire with his phaser rifle, but, it has no effect on Mitchell who easily casts the weapon aside.

Taunting Kirk, Mitchell creates a grave for his "old friend", saying he deserves a decent burial, at the very least. Completely convinced of his power and his superiority, with absolute power corrupting absolutely, Mitchell uses his powers to force Kirk to pray to him as a god and for an easy death.

Kirk fights Mitchell

Dehner, now realizing that Mitchell is inhuman and becoming more and more dangerous, helps Kirk by blasting Mitchell with some of her power, stunning him. Mitchell turns away from Kirk and counters Dehner's attack, however, the battle drains both of them and they both collapse, Dehner's attack being sufficiently powerful enough to weaken Mitchell who temporarily loses his powers. As Dehner implores Kirk to hurry, the captain begins to attack his former friend, pummeling him to the ground. With a heavy rock raised high and preparing for the death blow, Kirk begs Gary to forgive him for what he must do. However, the captain's hesitation is enough for Mitchell to regain his powers and easily tosses Kirk away. With Kirk no longer able to cope with Mitchell's physical strength, he dives at him, sending both into the open grave. Kirk, scrambling to the discarded phaser rifle, is able to blast the rock face above Mitchell, sending him into the grave and entombing him, therefore ending Mitchell's threat forever.

Kirk, with his uniform torn, and beaten and battered, walks over to Dehner and kneels beside her. She apologizes to the captain for her actions, but offers that KIrk had no idea what it was like to be almost a god, before finally dying herself. Silently mourning Dehner's sacrifice, Kirk opens his communicator and hails the Enterprise .

" I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mr. Spock. "

Back on the Enterprise , Kirk, sitting in his chair with a bandaged hand, laments to Spock that he wants Mitchell's service record to end with dignity as he didn't ask for what happened to him. Spock admits he felt for Mitchell as well. With a smirk, Kirk remarks that maybe there's hope for Spock after all, as the Enterprise continues to journey where no man has gone before.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2265

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Have I ever mentioned you play a very irritating game of chess, Mr. Spock? " " Irritating? Ah, yes. One of your Earth emotions. "

" Terrible, having bad blood like that. "

" The first thing I ever heard from upperclassmen was: Watch out for Lieutenant Kirk. In his class, you either think or sink. "

" My love has wings. Slender, feathered things with grace in upswept curve and tapered tip. "

" Don't you understand? A mutated superior man could also be a wonderful thing! "

" Will you try for one moment to feel? At least act like you've got a heart. "

" The captain of the Valiant probably thought the same thing. And he waited too long to make his decision. "

" If you were in my position, what would you do? " " Probably what Mr. Spock is thinking now: kill me, while you can. "

" You fools! Soon I'll squash you like insects! "

" There's not a soul on this planet but us? " " Nobody but us chickens, Doctor. "

" My friend, James Kirk. "

" In the sickbay, you said if you were in my place you'd kill a mutant like yourself. " " Why don't you kill me then? Mr. Spock is right and you're a fool if you can't see it. "

" Man cannot survive if a race of true espers is born. "

" Dr. Dehner feels he isn't that dangerous! What makes you right and a trained psychiatrist wrong? " " Because she feels. I don't. All I know is logic. "

" If Mitchell gets out, at your discretion, Lee, if sitting here makes you think you're the last chance, I want you to hit that button. "

" You should've killed me while you could, James. Command and compassion are a fool's mixture. "

" Above all else, a god needs compassion! MITCHELL!! "

" What do you know about gods? " " Then let's talk about Humans! About our frailties! "

"What's your prognosis, Doctor?! "

" Morals are for men, not gods. "

" Time to pray, Captain. Pray to me. " " To you? Not to both of you? " " Pray that you die easily! " " There'll only be one of you in the end. One jealous god. If all this makes a god, or is it making you something else? "

" Do you like what you see? Absolute power corrupting absolutely? "

" For a moment, James… but your moment is fading. "

" I'm sorry. You can't know what it's like to be almost a god. "

" He didn't ask for what happened to him. " " I felt for him, too. " " I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mister Spock. "

Background information [ ]

The second pilot [ ].

• This was the second Star Trek pilot. However, it has aired in syndication as the third regular series episode, after " The Man Trap " and " Charlie X ". In their book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , Robert H. Justman and Herbert F. Solow explain that because this segment was "too expository" in nature – a common fault with pilots – it would not have made a good premiere episode for the series.
• Although NBC rejected " The Cage ", they felt that the series concept was strong enough to give Star Trek a second chance, despite having already spent an exorbitant US$630,000 on the first pilot. The network ordered three scripts, from which they would choose one to be developed into an unprecedented second pilot. The three scripts were " The Omega Glory " by Gene Roddenberry , " Mudd's Women " by Roddenberry and Stephen Kandel , and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" by Samuel A. Peeples . The advantage of "The Omega Glory" was that it showcased Roddenberry's "parallel worlds" concept and could be filmed using existing studio sets on the back lot as well as stock wardrobes. "Mudd's Women" was mainly a shipboard tale and could also be shot using the existing Enterprise sets left over from "The Cage". In addition, both required a minimum of new outer space effects shots. However, "Mudd's Women" guest starred "an intergalactic pimp", selling women throughout the galaxy, exactly what NBC didn't want, and "The Omega Glory" wasn't very good. The network finally chose "Where No Man Has Gone Before" which, although it required many new special effects, sets, props, and costumes, was the most powerful and compelling of the three scripts. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp 65-66; The Star Trek Compendium , p 17)
• There is a different, pre-broadcast cut of this episode in the archives of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum . This unique cut includes a few brief scenes trimmed from the aired cut of the episode, different opening titles, and a unique opening and closing theme. The alternate themes can be heard on the GNP Crescendo CD Star Trek: Original Series (Volume 1) "The Cage" / "Where No Man Has Gone Before" . This version was the one screened as the second pilot to NBC executives in the tail-end of 1965, and was originally available in bootleg form only, screened at numerous conventions , before becoming available commercially on the TOS Season 3 Blu-ray set. [1] James Doohan was credited as "Engineer", Paul Fix as "Ship's Doctor", George Takei as "Physicist", and Paul Carr as "Navigator" in the end credits of the original cut. It was in effect the Institution itself which had already recognized the cultural significance of Roddenberry's creation; in a rare move – considering the highly contemporary nature of a television series of such recent date – the Institution invited Roddenberry in 1967 to submit both pilots and assorted production material, such as still photography, scripts and story outlines, for safekeeping for posterity. This the consummate (self)promoter Roddenberry did in a formal presentation at the Institution, pursuant the conclusion of the series' first season . ("Smithsonian Seeks TV Pilot", Los Angeles Times , 13 June 1967, p. C19)
• A second different title sequence resulted from the fact that the main responsible visual effects director, Darrell Anderson of effects company Howard Anderson Company , suffered a third nervous breakdown, brought on by the stress he was under to deliver the new opticals in time and on budget. As Justman recalled, when he and Roddenberry came calling on Anderson in August 1966 to check on the status of the Enterprise footage for the title sequence, for the series slated to start its run on 8 September and "Where No Man" scheduled to air third, " We had seen maybe six good shots and some others that were partially usable. We had expected many more angles, some of which were badly needed for our series main title. "Where's all the other shots, Darrell?" Darrell began to shake. He jumped to his feet, screaming, "You'll never make your first airdate." Bursting into tears, he ran out of the room, still screaming, "You'll never make your first airdate! You'll never make your first airdate!" Gene sat there in shock. I raced after Darrell and caught him outside. He was weeping. And no wonder. We later found out he had been working both day and night for months, trying to satisfy our needs. That afternoon, Darrell went to Palm Springs for a rest cure. " Roddenberry and Justman managed to compose a title sequence from the footage already shot, the same day. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p. 281) This was the version as originally aired by NBC on 22 September 1966. The more sophisticated final title sequence was produced (with Anderson returned to his duties) for subsequent episode airings and replacing the improvised sequence for those episodes where it was utilized in reruns. Incidentally, Darrell Anderson suffered his second nervous breakdown while working on the second pilot the year previously, from which he needed two weeks to recover. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 69)
• The aired version of this episode features a different version of the first season opening credits, which does not have William Shatner's opening narration, and uses a different orchestration of the main and end title themes. These orchestrations were used until mid-season during the original run and the initial syndication showings. However, in the 1980s, Paramount withdrew the prints from syndication and redistributed remastered and pre-cut episodes with standardized opening and closing credit music for the first season (using the Fred Steiner arrangement created for the back half of the season). These remastered prints were also used, in their uncut form, for the video and laserdisc releases. Only this episode was permitted to keep the original Alexander Courage arrangement. The 1999 DVD volumes, and later season sets, however, restored the opening credits to their original form, while leaving the end credits in their altered state (again, except for this episode which remains as originally aired).
• The original narration spoken by Shatner was:
• After NBC saw this episode, they were pleased with the results and decided that Star Trek would be a weekly television series. Gene Roddenberry said that, like " The Cage ", "Where No Man Has Gone Before" still had a lot of science fiction elements in it, but that it was the bare knuckle fist fight between Kirk and the god-like Gary Mitchell that sold NBC on Star Trek . ( The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation To The Next [ page number? • edit ] )
• This was the first episode of Star Trek to be shown by the BBC in the UK when the series premiered on 12 July 1969 .

Story and script [ ]

• TNG adopted a gender-neutral and species-neutral version of this episode's title for TNG : " Where No One Has Gone Before ".
• This episode sets the original series record for Enterprise crew members killed: twelve (Mitchell, Dehner, Kelso, and the nine who Spock says died when crossing the galactic barrier).
• Kirk says he's been worried about Mitchell "ever since that night on Deneb IV." Coincidentally (or not), TNG's pilot episode " Encounter at Farpoint " takes place on Deneb IV , home of the Bandi .
• Gary Mitchell states that the "Nightingale Woman" poem was written in 1996 and that it is one of the "most passionate love sonnets of the past couple of centuries". Taken literally, this line of dialogue seems to suggest that "Where No Man Has Gone Before" takes place no later than the end of the twenty-second century, which in turn would imply that the Valiant was launched during the twentieth.
• In reality, the poem ("My love has wings…") was written by Gene Roddenberry about his World War II airplane.

Production [ ]

A moment from the first day of filming this episode

• Bob Justman anticipated that the second pilot would take nine days to shoot. However, after "The Cage" went severely over schedule and budget, Desilu's "old guard" executives worried about the same situation regarding the second pilot. To avoid these fears, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was scheduled to be filmed in seven days. The "old guards" skeptically expected that it will take ten or even eleven days. Filming began on Monday, 19 July 1965 . As expected, filming the pilot went over schedule, finally resulting in eight days and an extra day of shooting pickup shots and "inserts" – nine days, exactly as Justman expected. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 85).
• Just as "The Cage", the second pilot was filmed at Desilu 's Culver City studios. For the series itself, the entire production was moved to Desilu's main Gower Street facilities in Hollywood. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story pp 113-116)
• On the fifth day of filming, Friday, 23 July 1965 , a swarm of bees attacked the set, causing delay in filming, and injuries to William Shatner and Sally Kellerman , who were both stung by the bees. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 83)

Sets and props [ ]

• The gravestone Mitchell creates for Kirk reads " James R. Kirk ". According to D.C. Fontana in the introduction for Star Trek: The Classic Episodes 1 , when the mistake was discovered, Gene Roddenberry decided that if pressed for an answer on the discrepancy, the response was to be " Gary Mitchell had godlike powers, but at base he was Human. He made a mistake. " The gravestone also suggests that an important event marked "C" took place on stardate 1277.1; Kirk may have assumed command of the Enterprise on this stardate.
• Their crew files show that Mitchell and Dehner were born in cities called " Delman " and " Eldman ."
• The mountainous backdrop painting from "The Cage" is reused in this episode.
• In this episode, the helm console from the bridge was moved to the transporter set to double as the transporter console. Thus, the three levers used to "energize" are not yet in place.
• When he complies with Kirk's order to "Address intercraft," i.e. put open the intercom, Mitchell merely wipes the edge of his hand over his navigation plotting board and does not manipulate any buttons or switches.
• A bit of the transporter chamber was changed from "The Cage." The center of the ceiling was "hollowed out," allowing white light to pour down onto the platform when the "materializer" was not in operation. After this episode, however, the dark, grilled ceiling from "The Cage" was restored and remained in place throughout the series.

• The phaser rifle that Kirk uses appears for the first and only time in the series. However, it can be seen on many pre- season 1 promotional photos being held by Kirk performer William Shatner , who had especially been taken with the prop rifle. It was designed and created by Reuben Klamer , who, being subcontracted, received no credit for it. ( Julien's Auctions presents: Star Trek )
• In this episode, the sickbay walls are green.
• The alert light on the helm console is of a different shape in this episode.
• A large panel seen in the background of the Delta Vega control room was recycled as part of the main engineering set in the series itself.
• Spock carries a laser pistol (somewhat modified) as first seen in "The Cage".
• This episode features the goose-neck tubes also used in "The Cage".
• The communicator Kirk uses at the episode's end to hail the Enterprise is the Lucite-encased, circuit board-filled version from "The Cage".
• The insignias for the Sciences and Engineering divisions were opposite in this episode of what they were in every other episode.

Cast and characters [ ]

• It was the first appearance for Trek mainstays Kirk, Sulu, Scott, and Leslie. Other regulars McCoy and Uhura did not appear until the next episode . In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , Uhura is said to be a twenty year space veteran as of 2285 , suggesting that she began her career sometime around this episode.
• Leonard Nimoy (Spock) is the only actor to appear in both this episode and the first pilot, " The Cage ". His pointed ears are a bit smaller than in the first pilot, and his eyebrows are severely slanted (yet not as bushy as in "The Cage"). Most importantly, his hairstyle is reworked to show the bangs typical of his race – and that of eventual nemeses, the Romulans .
• William Shatner was actually the third actor to be considered for the role of James T. Kirk . Jack Lord and Lloyd Bridges were each offered the role before him. ( The Star Trek Compendium [ page number? • edit ] )
• Veteran character actor Paul Fix got the role of the ship's doctor, replacing John Hoyt . Gene Roddenberry wanted to cast DeForest Kelley in the part, whom he originally wanted to play Doctor Boyce in " The Cage ". Then, he was overruled by director Robert Butler 's suggestion. Here again, Fix was recommended by director James Goldstone . Roddenberry thought Fix didn't work out well in the role, and decided that if Star Trek became a weekly series, he would cast Kelley as the ship's doctor. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp 74-75, 152)
• Andrea Dromm replaced Laurel Goodwin in the role of the captain's yeoman . According to Herb Solow and Bob Justman, her role was actually a "non-part" and Roddenberry claimed he cast her so he could "score with her". They added, it was not just a "non-part", but a "non-score" as well. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 75) Dromm didn't return to the series, and was replaced by Grace Lee Whitney as Yeoman Rand .
• Roddenberry, Solow, and NBC were all happy about the casting of Lloyd Haynes as communications officer Alden . Haynes was one of the first African-Americans hired to play an important role in a network series pilot. However, he was not rehired for the series itself, as the production staff saw the role as dull and uninteresting. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 75-77, 153)
• This is the only episode of the series in which James Doohan (Scott) appears but DeForest Kelley (McCoy) does not.
• This is the only episode where Spock and Scott wear gold and tan tunics instead of their better known blue and red, respectively.

Effects [ ]

• The matte painting of the lithium cracking station was created by matte artist Albert Whitlock for this episode. A still exists showing the entire landing party in the doorway within the matte, but only the shot of Kirk and Dehner ended up being used. The matte painting was later altered and reused in " Dagger of the Mind ". The image of the matte painting later appeared on the March 1953 issue of the Incredible Tales magazine in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode " Far Beyond the Stars ".
• Film trickery enabled Kirk, Spock, and Mitchell's elevator ride to look like an actual ride from one deck to another, without relying on editing. When Mitchell jumped in, there was a gray wall outside the door that hid the bridge set. When the doors closed, the wall was removed by the stage crew, and then seconds later, they're on the bridge. The turbolift in the background after this scene sports "double doors" like modern elevators – the inner one is gray and the outer is red. This feature survived into " The Corbomite Maneuver " and at least until " Tomorrow is Yesterday ", but then was phased out.
• When Kirk, Spock, and Mitchell emerge from the turbolift, the main viewscreen can be seen in its "off" setting – a kind of "psychedelic" visual effect that was never used again.
• The voices of damage control personnel responding to the emergency situation were reused many times in subsequent episodes. These voices were provided by Gene Roddenberry, Robert Justman, Majel Barrett , Herb Solow , and other production staff members, including some from Mission: Impossible . Roddenberry can be heard saying, " Communicator, we need more lines to the impulse deck! " in subsequent episodes. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp. 190-191)
• Except for the shot of the Enterprise leaving the Barrier – which was shot using the three-foot unlighted model – all other ship fly-bys were produced using the eleven-foot model used in all subsequent episodes. At the time, this model still had no sparkling effects on the front of the nacelles. It also had a larger sensor dish, grilles on the backs of the nacelles, and not as many lighting effects. This footage was re-used in later episodes, often mixed in with shots of the improved model that is on display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. In the standard side-to-side fly-by, two lights on the angled pylon (which connect the two hulls) go out, followed one second later by two near the shuttlebay.
• The original "bridge zoom-in" Enterprise shot from the beginning of "The Cage" is reused from stock footage in this episode, making it the only shot from the original pilot to appear in the second one.
• The same shot is also used when the Enterprise hits the barrier with added purple background and lightning effects.
• Stock footage of the Enterprise in the barrier was reused in " By Any Other Name " and " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ". These are the only three original series episodes in which the Enterprise leaves the galaxy.

Preview [ ]

• The preview contains a Captain's Log recorded solely for the preview: " Captain's log, stardate 1312.4. The next mission of the Enterprise takes us into an unknown force field which affects the destiny of my closest friend. "

Reception [ ]

• A print of the pre-broadcast version of this episode was taken by Roddenberry to the annual World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland, Ohio to be presented to the convention goers. This marked Star Trek 's second showing to the general public, on 4 September 1966 with Harlan Ellison having premiered a color print of one of the unaired episodes (those in attendance give conflicting reports on exactly which one of the early episodes was shown) earlier at the San Diego Westercon 19 the previous July. (" What We Did On Our Visit To Desilu " by John & Bjo Trimble , ST-PHILE #1, Jan 1968, p. 33) Allan Asherman , author of The Star Trek Compendium , was present among the audience. He recalled, " There must have been 500 people in that audience. When the Enterprise hit the galactic barrier, 1,000 eyes opened wide. Five hundred respiratory rates accelerated with that wonderful pleasure that comes over lovers of all things when they see their favorite subject being treated well. (…) If he [Roddenberry] could have read our minds at any moment during the screening, he would have been the happiest producer in the world. (…) Here was a future it did not hurt to imagine. Here was a constructive tomorrow for mankind, emphasizing exploration and expansion. This was a science fiction television series we all wanted to see. We were extremely impressed. (…) In fact, we liked everything about the episode more than anything else shown at the convention. (…) Roddenberry seemed to have no idea of the effect his show was having on us. (…) He asked for the audience's opinion; we gave him a standing ovation. He smiled, and we returned the smile before we converged him. We came close to lifting the man upon our shoulders and carrying him out of the room. " ( The Star Trek Compendium , pp 2-3)
• Later, a group of the audience asked Roddenberry if he had brought any other episodes of Star Trek with him. He had a black-and-white copy of "The Cage", which was then screened to the audience. ( The Star Trek Compendium , p 3)
• Herb Solow commented on Gene's success: " "Where No Man," unlike the other television and theatrical films screened, was well received. The science-fiction aficionados at the convention were entranced by the new show. But in four days, the series would premiere on television to a national audience that thought science fiction was comic books of busty women being dragged away by alligator people, or a giant purple blob intent on dissolving Tokyo. " ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 263)
• Bjo Trimble and her husband, John, were members of the audience at the convention, and it was the first time they'd met Roddenberry. They persuaded him to allow the Star Trek costumes he brought along to be displayed during the fan-made costume competition. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 378)
• Isaac Asimov was also a member of the audience. At the start, Roddenberry shushed a loud man to be silent, not knowing that the man was actually Asimov. [2] When Roddenberry found out it was Asimov, he was horrified. ( Inside Star Trek with Gene Roddenberry [ page number? • edit ] )
• Roddenberry picked this as one of his ten favorite episodes for the franchise's 25th anniversary. ( TV Guide August 31, 1991)
• Jason Isaacs also cited this as one of his favorite Star Trek episodes, remarking that he "loved" it. Regarding the transformation to god-like status that happens to Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner in this episode, Isaacs joked, " I tried for years to do that. In fact, I still try sometimes, in quiet moments. " [3]
• The book Star Trek 101 (p. 17), by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block , lists this episode as one of "Ten Essential Episodes" from the original Star Trek series.

Apocrypha [ ]

• An alternate explanation for the "James R. Kirk" reference is given in Peter David 's novel Q-Squared , which suggests that the events of this episode take place in a parallel universe where Kirk's middle initial is indeed R (and not T as we now know it to be). This same book suggests that Gary Mitchell's god-like powers were a result of him being temporarily possessed by Q , and the powers simply drove Mitchell insane.
• Another explanation for the R as Kirk's middle initial comes from Michael Jan Friedman's three-part novel series, My Brother's Keeper . In it, Kirk claims his middle name to be "Racquetball" to Mitchell upon an early meeting. Later, Mitchell "changes" it to "Rhinoceros" after Kirk steamrolls through a conversation. The grave is thus explained by Kirk as an in-joke.
• Mandala Productions' Fotonovel #2, in its cast of characters section, identified the captain for this episode as "James R. Kirk", even though all the other Star Trek Fotonovels listed him as "James T. Kirk".
• The alternate reality 's version of events in this episode were depicted in issue 1 and issue 2 of IDW Publishing 's ongoing Star Trek comic book. In this version, only Mitchell is affected – Dehner was a former lover of Dr. McCoy, and after the affair ended badly, their relationship was so strained that she rescinded her requested transfer to the USS Enterprise after finding out he was on board. Also, while Mitchell was in sickbay, Spock mind melded with him and reported to Kirk that he found " No consciousness. No sentience of any kind. "
• The Pocket TNG novel The Valiant acts as a prequel and sequel to this episode, telling the story of the SS Valiant 's demise and reveals that some of the crew did survive the self-destruction.

Remastered information [ ]

• The remastered version of this episode premiered in syndication the weekend of 20 January 2007 and featured shots of a digital version of Enterprise , consistent with the model used in this episode, which had a slightly different appearance from both the version seen in the production of the series and that seen the original pilot, " The Cage ". Enhanced effects also included more detailed shots of the barrier, Delta Vega from space as well as on the surface, a subtle touch-up to a phaser shot during Kirk and Mitchell's fight, and an opening titles sequence featuring the pilot-version Enterprise .
• While the final frontier speech was absent from the original, it was brought into the remastered opening.

Production timeline [ ]

• Episode commissioned by NBC: 26 March 1965
• Story outline by Samuel Peeples : first week of April 1965
• Revised story outline: second week of April 1965
• First draft teleplay by Peeples: late- April 1965
• Revised first draft teleplay: 27 May 1965
• Second draft teleplay by Gene Roddenberry : 16 June 1965
• Final draft teleplay: 26 June 1965
• Revised final draft teleplay: 8 July 1965
• Additional revisions: 12 July 1965 , 14 July 1965 , 15 July 1965
• Day 1 – 19 July 1965 , Monday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Recreation room , Corridors , Transporter room , Briefing room
• Day 2 – 20 July 1965 , Tuesday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Turbolift , Bridge
• Day 3 – 21 July 1965 , Wednesday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Bridge
• Day 4 – 22 July 1965 , Thursday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Bridge , Sickbay
• Day 5 – 23 July 1965 , Friday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Sickbay ; Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega control room
• Day 6 – 26 July 1965 , Monday – Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega control room , Security area , Ext. Beam down area
• Day 7 – 27 July 1965 , Tuesday – Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega security area ; Desilu Culver Stage 16 : Ext. Planet surface site
• Day 8 – 28 July 1965 , Wednesday – Desilu Culver Stage 16 : Ext. Planet surface site
• Day 9 – 29 July 1965 , Thursday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 , Stage 16 & Stage 17 : Extra pickup shots
• Score recorded: 29 November 1965
• Original airdate: 22 September 1966
• Rerun date: 20 April 1967
• First UK airdate (on BBC1 ): 12 July 1969
• First UK airdate (on ITV ): 20 September 1981
• Remastered airdate: 20 January 2007

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original US Betamax/VHS release: 28 February 1985
• Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 2 , catalog number VHR 2210, release date unknown
• As part of the UK Star Trek - The Three Beginnings VHS collection: 31 January 1994
• US VHS release: 15 April 1994
• As part of the UK Star Trek - The Four Beginnings VHS collection: 1995
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 1.1, 24 June 1996
• Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 1, 17 August 1999
• As part of the TOS Season 1 DVD collection
• As part of the TOS Season 1 HD DVD collection
• As part of the TOS Season 1 Blu-ray collection
• As part of the TOS Season 3 Blu-ray collection, entitled "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" – The Restored, Unaired Alternate Pilot Episode
• As part of the Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins Blu-ray collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

Also starring [ ]

• Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock

Guest stars [ ]

• Gary Lockwood as Gary Mitchell
• Sally Kellerman as Elizabeth Dehner

Featuring [ ]

• George Takei as Sulu
• James Doohan as Scott
• Lloyd Haynes as Alden
• Andrea Dromm as Yeoman Smith
• Paul Carr as Lt. Lee Kelso
• Paul Fix as Doctor Piper

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• John Burnside as Operations crewman
• Darren Dublin as Sciences crewman
• Robert Metz as Technician #1
• Eddie Paskey as Leslie
• Bridge crewman
• Bridge guard
• Command crewman #1
• Command crewman #2
• Command officer
• Command technician
• Engineering technician
• Maintenance engineer ( scenes cut and reused in " The Man Trap ")
• Sciences lieutenant
• Technicians #2 , #3 , and #4

Stunt doubles [ ]

• Dick Crockett as stunt double for William Shatner
• Hal Needham as stunt double for Gary Lockwood

References [ ]

1996 ; 21st century ; 22nd century ; 203-R ; 2065 ; 2242 ; 2244 ; 2250 ; 2260s ; 2265 ; ability ; address ; Aldebaron Colony ; amusement ; ancestor ; annoyance ; answer ; area ; argument ; assignment ; astrosciences ; auto-destruct ; autonomic reflex ; autopsy report ; battery ; blasphemy ; blindness ; blonde ; blonde lab technician ; blood ; body ; book ; brain ; breed ; briefing lounge ; bridge engineering ; burial ; button ; " by comparison "; call letters ; Canopus Planet ; case ; casualty ; century ; chance ; checkmate ; chicken ; choice ; class ; coffee ; coffee break ; compassion ; computer ; computer record ; consciousness ; Constitution -class decks ; contact ; control room ; counterorder ; crew ; crystal ; damage ; damage report (aka damage control report ); dart ; day ; de Spinoza, Benedict ; deck ; deflector ; Delta Vega ; Delta-Vega Station ; Deneb IV ; density ; department head ; destruct button ; dial ; diameter ; Dimorus ; disaster recorder ; dispensary ; distress signal ; duty ; earphone ; Earth ; Earth base ; electrical charge ; electricity ; emergency ; emergency condition ; emergency power cell ; emergency stations ; emotion ; energy ; Engineering Deck 3 ; engineering division ; engineering staff ; Enterprise casualties ; esper ; Ethics, The ; extrasensory perception (aka ESP or ESP power); evidence ; evil ; eye ; fact ; faucet ; feeling ; fever ; fire ; fire alert ; fission chamber ; fool ; force field ; freezer unit ; fuel bin (aka power bin ); g ; galactic barrier ; Galactic Mining Company ; galaxy ; glove ; god ; gravestone ; gravitation ; gravity control ; Grayson, Amanda ; heart ; helmsman ; hour ; hull ; Human ( Human being ); hundred ; idea ; image ; impulse deck ; impulse engine ; impulse pack ; indication ; information ; initials ; insect ; intercraft ; irritation ; jealousy ; Jones ; Kaferian apple ; Kaferian apple planet ; lab technician ; landing party ; lateral power ; lead ; learning ; leg ; lifeboat ; life sciences ; light day ; light year ; lithium ; lithium cracking station ; logic ; longhair ; love ; magnetic space storm ; marooning ; marriage ; mathematics ; materializer ; maximum warp ; medical examination ; medical officer ; medical test ; memory bank ; metaphysics ; meter ; Milky Way Galaxy ; million ; millionaire ; mind ; mineral ; monitor screen (aka screen ); monster ; moral ; mutant ; name ; neural circuit ; neutron radiation ; night ; " Nightingale Woman "; officers' quarters ; object ; observation ; orbit ; order ; ore ship ; overcompensation ; page ; patient ; penny ; person ; personnel file ; phaser ; phaser rifle ; pill ; place ; playing card ; points ; Pointed Peaks ; poison ; power ; power ; power cell ; power pack ; prayer ; professional ; prognosis ; psionic energy ; psychiatrist ; psychiatry ; question ; radiation ; repair party ; restricted area ; rodent ; "rodent things" on Dimorus ; rook ; Sarek ; science officer ; search ; second ; sensor ; sensor beam ; service record ; sharing ; shaving ; ship's library ; shock ; signal ; silver ; solid object ; sonnet ; soul ; space warp ; speaking ; speculation ; spontaneous combustion ; standard orbit ; " stand by "; starboard ; stardate ; Starfleet Academy ; strange energy ; strangulation ; street ; subject ; tape ; Tarbolde ; telekinesis ; thief ; thing ; thought ( thinking ); three-dimensional chess ; toy ; tractor beam range ; transporter room ; type 3 phaser ; transporter ; upperclassman ; Valiant , SS ; SS Valiant personnel ; valley ; vessel ; visual contact ; voice ; Vulcan ; Vulcan (planet); warning ; warp factor ; white mice ; wings ; wisdom ; worry ; wristwatch ; year ; yeoman ; zipper

S/COMS references [ ]

aperception quotient ; birthplace ; card ; College of Medical Sciences ; date of birth ; Dehner, Gerald ; Delman ; Deneb IV inhabitants ; Duke-Heidelburg quotient ; Eldman ; esper rating ; father ; first name ; foot ; general knowledge quotient ; generation ; grade school ; guessing game ; height ; inch ; last name ; lineage ; magic ; magician ; metaphysics ; Mitchell's ancestors ; mother ; permanent address ; personnel file ; PhD ; present address ; secondary school ; spiritual reading ; thesis ; Tri-Planetary Academy ; vocational training ; weight

Unused references [ ]

4-0 ; energy ; galactic survey cruiser ; Johanson ; matter ; mile per hour ; Parsons ; Q-signal ; space law regulation

External links [ ]

• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at the Internet Movie Database
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at MissionLogPodcast.com
• "Where No Man Has Gone Before"  at Orion Press
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at Wikipedia
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)
• 3 Star Trek: Prodigy

Midnite Reviews

Detailed analysis of classic sci-fi movies and tv shows, star trek episode 3: where no man has gone before.

General Information

Director: James Goldstone

Writer: Samuel A. Peeples

Cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Gary Lockwood, Sally Kellerman, George Takei, James Doohan, Lloyd Haynes, Andrea Dromm, Paul Carr, and Paul Fix

Composer: Alexander Courage

Air Date: 9/22/1966

Stardate: 1312.4

Production #: 6149-02

The second  Star Trek pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before” should be praised for its penetrating commentary on the human condition. Also terrific are the performances of William Shatner and Gary Lockwood, which make compelling the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and betrayal at the heart of this episode.

When Gary passes through the galactic barrier, both of his eyes turn a glossy shade of silver, causing them to resemble giant marbles protruding from his skull—an ominous effect that serves to wipe away any outward trace of human emotion from his character.

Observant Star Trek fans will note that certain aspects of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” contradict the canon of future episodes.

Concluding Comments

“Where No Man Has Gone Before” should be requisite viewing for fans of the original series. Notably, this episode employs science fiction as a vehicle to analyze flawed human nature—a common trope in later Star Trek offerings.

Overall Quality: 10/10

If you enjoyed this post, please enter your email address in the subscription box to stay tuned for more updates.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 77% Twisters Link to Twisters
• 86% Longlegs Link to Longlegs
• 92% National Anthem Link to National Anthem

New TV Tonight

• -- The Decameron: Season 1
• -- Snowpiercer: Season 4
• -- Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose: Season 1
• -- 61st Street: Season 2
• -- Time Bandits: Season 1
• -- Wayne Brady: The Family Remix: Season 1
• -- Elite: Season 8
• -- Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson: Season 1
• -- Dress My Tour: Season 1
• -- Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 58% Those About to Die: Season 1
• 80% Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• 71% Lady in the Lake: Season 1
• 100% Supacell: Season 1
• 93% The Boys: Season 4
• 76% Presumed Innocent: Season 1
• 94% My Lady Jane: Season 1
• 83% Cobra Kai: Season 6
• 89% Sunny: Season 1
• 89% The Bear: Season 3
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• 89% Sunny: Season 1 Link to Sunny: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Weekend Box Office: Twisters Touches Down with Impressive $80 Million Debut

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

• Trending on RT
• Deadpool & Wolverine
• Twisters First Reviews
• 80s Classics
• Movie Re-Release Calendar

Star Trek – Season 3, Episode 3

The paradise syndrome, where to watch, star trek — season 3, episode 3.

Watch Star Trek — Season 3, Episode 3 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

More Like This

Cast & crew.

William Shatner

Capt. James T. Kirk

Leonard Nimoy

DeForest Kelley

Dr. Leonard McCoy

James Doohan

Engineer Montgomery Scott

Nichelle Nichols

George Takei

Episode Info

Latest Tweets

• December 2023
• August 2022
• February 2021
• January 2021

Star Trek: The Original Series - Episode Guide - Season 3

Surely you’ve heard of CBS’s reticence to renew Star Trek for a third season in 1968, slashing its production budget by half and pushing it out of prime time into a 10pm slot. But then the EEEvil executives’ hesitance must be reconsidered after viewing episode 1 of the nearly-nonexistent TOS season three, “Spock’s Brain.” If this is the level of story line that the ST creative team was pushing, well, you’d probably think twice about giving these apparent LSD junkies valuable air time, too.

Unfortunately, “Spock’s Brain” is all too representative of what is, on average, one of the worst ST seasons ever. Surely a few of these writers had grander visions and more revolutionary ideas than those presented, but these ideas clearly died early in pre-production. The result is a season that only a fanatic could love, and a study in TV-as-business, circa 1968.

1. Spock's Brain – Hoo boy. After Star Trek fandom rose en masse to get their favorite TV program back on the air, this is the debut for the demanded new season. Aliens steal Spock’s brain (dude), but the Vulcan is still able to walk around, understand and, you know, *live*, while the Enterprise crew seeks out the thieving bad guys. 0

2. The Enterprise Incident – See, if CBS had cared about the future of Star Trek, they might’ve started season 3 was this far more interesting story about the Enterprise crew’s attempts to steal cloaking technology from the Romulans, a plotline that would never go down in Picard’s day, let me tell you! ***

3. The Paradise Syndrome – Remember that time when Spock was captain of the Enterprise for a few months? In the cold open, Kirk is laid unconscious and trapped inside an alien device. The away team leaves, returning months later to find that the captain has lost his memory and has settled in with Native American-looking folks as Kirok. **

4. And the Children Shall Lead – In response to a distress call, Kirk et al find a Federation survey team completely wiped out save for five children, who are brought aboard the Enterprise. Once there, they summon a being who is essentially an evil marauder. (No really: Even Spock addresses “evil” as though in his logical terms.) **

5. Is There in Truth No Beauty? – An alien ambassador whose very face can drive people insane (How did this guy get to be an ambassador in the first place? And how did this species ever make first contact?) boards the Enterprise. Insane shenanigans ensue, including a quality Spock freakout. **

6. Spectre of the Gun – Sheer goofiness seemingly done on a budget of about $23. For trespassing on an alien world, Kirk & Co. get a sentence of … having to reenact the OK Corral shootout? Um, yeah. **

7. Day of the Dove – A glowing cloud which feeds on … aggressive energy I guess…? – stirs up conflict between the Enterprise bunch and Commander Kang’s Klingon crew. Only when Kirk can convince the Klingons that both parties are being manipulated is a truce reached. ***

8. For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky – Standard stuff for TV in the 1960s: McCoy diagnoses himself with a terminal disease. Good thing the Enterprise’s next stop is a generational ship that’ perhaps the only place in the galaxy which has a cure for “xenopolycythemia.” Plus, something about “The Oracle,” the Insane God! who runs the ship. *

9. The Tholian Web – In an area of space controlled by the Tholians, Kirk is lost “between dimensions” (the dimensions themselves are never specified) while crewmembers slowly go insane (not because of Kirk’s disappearance, necessarily, but because of conditions and all). ***

10. Plato's Stepchildren – Right, right, this is the one in which Kirk and Uhura kiss at the behest of humanoids given psychic abilities thanks to the planet’s environment itself. Amazing that everyone remembers *that* kiss, but no one recalls the inane dialogue beforehand. ***

11. Wink of an Eye – Lady aliens in a state of hyperacceleration through time due to radiation (sounds likely). And then, “Most of the women found they could not have more. All of our men had become sterile. So we had to mate outside our own people. Whenever a spaceship came by, we'd send our calls for help.” You get the idea: Mars Needs Women, in reverse. **

12. The Empath – Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to a research station wherein (get this) everyone has been killed. Soon the Enterprise guys are being tortured by aliens, with only a sympathetic and comely empathy helping them out. **

13. Elaan of Troyius – The Enterprise plays host to the title character, a queen who is to be married off for peace between two planets. Kirk can’t help himself, however, and engages in hanky panky with Elaan. In addition, her bodyguard/assistant is a Klingon sympathizer. ***

14. Whom Gods Destroy – Kirk attempts to visit an old friend recovering at an interplanetary psychiatric ward, but upon arrival is quickly embroiled in a plot by a shape-shifter. Lots of body swappy stuff going on here. ***

15. Let That Be Your Last Battlefield – Dude, it’s the black-and-white guys in this very pretentious and clunky diatribe about the evils of racism. *

16. The Mark of Gideon – Kirk is used as a tool to assist in a planet’s overpopulation problem and, whoa, talk about your convenient, too-pat resolutions. Gee, I guess questions of overpopulation which seemed difficult are actually really easy… **

17. That Which Survives – Let’s run through the checklist: An “abandoned” outpost, a space virus, a mysterious yet babelicious killer, a wacky computer … this one ticks every cliché box, doesn’t it? **

18. The Lights of Zetar – A sort of intelligent electrical storm – which somehow also affects human senses, bodies and emotional states – threatens the Memory Alpha library that Kirk and his away team are visiting. ***

19. Requiem for Methuselah – If ever were any doubt that the movie Forbidden Planet was the most immediate precursor to and inspiration for Star Trek, this episode blows it away. Like Forbidden Planet, “Requiem for Methuselah” is essentially Shakespeare’s Tempest set in space, but without the additional layer of Freudian pop psychology added. ***

20. The Way to Eden – Hey, man, this is a new day. Like, it’s the 2260s and it’s our time so we’re gonna hijack the Enterprise and turn the cafeteria into a hash bar… **

21. The Cloud Minders – The Enterprise is sent to the planet Ardana to retrieve a mineral that will help cure a plague on planet Merak (how that’s possible is beyond STG, but we’ll run with it). Kirk and Spock are seduced in turn, ol ‘James T. engages in some fisticuffs and the Enterprisers even solve the planet’s worker’s revolution. ***

22. The Savage Curtain – Just in case you thought things couldn’t get sillier than “Spectre of the Gun”, how about aliens playing virtual Mortal Kombat with Kirk, Spock, Abraham Lincoln and the top Vulcan intellectual of all-time on a team. The “so bad it’s good” factor is really wreaking havoc with the ratings factor here … ***

23. All Our Yesterdays – Spock, Kirk and McCoy arrive on a deserted planet to be informed by a hologram that they are “very late.” Mysterious portals then bring Kirk into the doomed planet’s past to an era looking suspiciously like Elizabethan England (must be “parallel evolution” sigh), while Spock and McCoy are sent some 5,000 years into the past. ***

24. Turnabout Intruder – Body swap! A Dr. Janice Lester, psychotically jealous of Kirk’s success, switches consciousnesses with the swaggering captain. This is really the last episode of Star Trek: The Original Series? Yeesh. *

Screen Rant

Every klingon appearance in star trek: tos.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Why It Took Star Trek Almost 24 Years To Visit The Klingon Home World

Ds9 brought back (& changed) 3 classic tos klingons, every captain kirk love interest in star trek.

• Klingons evolved from ruthless conquerors in Star Trek: The Original Series to honorable warriors in The Next Generation.
• Kor, Koloth, and Kang made their mark on Star Trek, returning in DS9 to show how Klingons changed.
• Classic Trek episodes highlighted Klingons as cunning, aggressive foes, showcasing their evolution.

The Klingons became one of Star Trek 's most iconic and recognizable alien species after appearing in only seven episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series . The Klingons have changed more than any other species throughout Star Trek's long history, and many aspects of Klingon culture were not established until after TOS . Throughout Star Trek: The Original Series , the Klingons were depicted as ruthless conquerors, in contrast to the honorable warriors they were presented as in Star Trek: The Next Generation . The Klingons of 1960s Star Trek proved to be a formidable foe for Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise.

Three Klingons in particular made quite an impression on Star Trek: The Original Series and helped to establish the temperaments of many of the Klingons that followed. Kor (John Colicos), Koloth (William Campbell), and Kang (Michael Ansara) all faced off against Captain Kirk, and later returned in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 9, "Blood Oath." By the time of their appearance on DS9, Kor, Koloth, and Kang were some of the most highly decorated and respected warriors in Klingon history. Their histories and interactions with the crew of DS9 helped underline the ways Klingons had changed after their 7 Star Trek: The Original Series appearances.

The Klingons have been an integral part of Star Trek for almost 60 years, so why did it take nearly 24 years to visit their home world, Qo'noS?

7 "Errand of Mercy"

Star trek: the original series season 1, episode 26.

The Klingons made their first appearance in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1's "Errand of Mercy," led by John Colicos as Kor, whose performance established the personality of many Klingons moving forward. After negotiations between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire break down, the Starship Enterprise travels to the planet of Organia due to its strategic location. Despite Kirk's insistence that occupation by the Klingons would be unpleasant, to say the least, the Organians refuse to get involved.

Kor boasted of a Klingon device called a "mind scanner" or "mind ripper" that could pry any information out of a victim and leave them a " vegetable."

When the Klingons arrive, Kor takes control of the planet, going toe to toe with Captain Kirk. The Organians remain unbothered, refusing to fight back against the Klingons. Eventually, the Organians reveal themselves to be advanced incorporeal beings, and they force the Klingons and the Federation to agree to a ceasefire. The Organians correctly posit that the Klingons and humans will be allies at some point in the future, a prediction that came true by the 24th century.

6 "Friday's Child"

Star trek: the original series season 2, episode 11.

When the USS Enterprise travels to Capella IV seeking a valuable mineral, they discover that a Klingon emissary named Kras (Tige Andrews) has already arrived. The Klingons also want control of the minerals found on the planet, but Kirk and his crew convince the Capellan leader that the Federation is far more trustworthy than the Klingon Empire.

When the Capellans begin fighting among themselves, Captain Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) must rescue Eleen (Julie Newmar), the pregnant wife of the previous Capellan leader. Kras later threatens the Capellans, killing their new leader before being killed himself. The Enterprise crew prevents any further violence and Eileen takes over as leader. Filmed at the now iconic Vasquez Rocks , "Friday's Child" does not reveal much new information about the Klingons, but does further establish their reputation as liars, deceivers, and conquerors.

5 "The Trouble with Tribbles"

Star trek: the original series season 2, episode 15.

When the USS Enterprise travels to Space Station K-7 to guard a shipment of grain, the crew members enjoy shore leave on the station. Captain Koloth (William Campbell) and his Klingon crew are also spending time on the station, and when a drunken Klingon insults the Enterprise, the two crews break out into a brawl. Meanwhile, Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) acquires a Tribble from a trader and brings the adorable ball of fluff aboard the Enterprise.

William Campbell's Koloth was meant to become a recurring adversary for Captain Kirk, but the idea was lost when Star Trek changed producers between seasons 2 and 3.

The Tribbles begin to rapidly multiply, eventually consuming the grain shipment on the station. Spock and McCoy then discover that the grain was poisoned by an undercover Klingon posing as an assistant. Since Tribbles hate Klingons, Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) beams all of the tribbles on the Enterprise over to the Klingon ship as a final farewell. "The Trouble With Tribbles" remains one of Star Trek's best episodes for numerous reasons, and puts the hostility between the Klingons and the Federation on full display.

Three of the Klingon captains who faced Kirk's Enterprise were united for a revenge mission in a classic Jadzia Dax episode of Star Trek: DS9.

4 "A Private Little War"

Star trek: the original series season 2, episode 19.

In Star Trek: The Original Series season 2's "A Private Little War," Captain Kirk and the Enterprise visit a primitive planet called Neural and are surprised to find a group of villagers using flintlock firearms. When the Enterprise detects a Klingon vessel, Kirk suspects they may have been the ones who supplied the firearms. Kirk and Dr. McCoy beam down to the planet to investigate and are taken in by the Hill People.

Kirk and McCoy eventually discover a Klingon named Krell (Ned Romero) speaking with the leader of the villagers who have been attacking the Hill People. Krell intended to help these villagers take control of the planet, eventually establishing a government loyal to the Klingon Empire. Violating Starfleet's Prime Directive , Kirk provides similar flintlock weapons to the Hill People, foiling Krell's plans.

3 "Day of the Dove"

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 7.

The Starship Enterprise receives a distress call and travels to Beta XII-A only to find nothing there. A Klingon battle cruiser soon arrives and Captain Kang (Michael Ansara) beams down to the planet to confront Kirk. Kang's ship has been heavily damaged, and he believes Kirk and the Enterprise to be responsible. The Klingons are eventually confined aboard the Enterprise, including Kang's wife Mara (Susan Howard), but the ship's systems begin to malfunction.

The Klingons and the Enterprise crew break out into a massive brawl, as swords and other ancient weapons materialize on the ship. Spock detects an entity composed of pure energy and determines this lifeform to be the cause of the malfunctions and aggression among the crew. Kirk eventually convinces Kang that a powerful energy being is controlling them and both leaders order their officers to lay down their weapons. Tensions run high between Kirk and Kang throughout, but the episode's ending proves that Klingons and humans can work together successfully.

"The Day of the Dove" is the only Star Trek: The Original Series episode to feature female Klingons.

2 "Elaan of Troyius"

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 13.

When the Starship Enterprise transports Elaan (France Nuyen), the Dohlman of Elas, to Troyius for her arranged marriage, a Klingon warship begins pursuing Kirk's ship. Kirk soon finds himself busy teaching Elaan the ways of the Troyians, which eventually leads to a brief romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Elaan's bodyguard sabotages the Enterprise's warp core and attempts to contact the Klingon vessel.

James T. Kirk has a reputation as a ladies' man, and the Captain of the Enterprise had a lot of romances throughout Star Trek: The Original Series.

Because of the damaged warp core, the Enterprise cannot go to warp even as the Klingon ship begins an attack. When Elaan comes to the bridge wearing a Troyan necklace, Spock discovers that the stones in the necklace are dilithium crystals. Scotty then uses these crystals to repair the Enterprise, restoring the ship's weapons system to drive off the Klingons. Elaan later departs for Troyius, sad to be leaving Kirk behind.

1 "The Savage Curtain"

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 22.

Although no actual Klingons appear in Star Trek season 3's "The Savage Curtain," a powerful species known as the Excalbians recreate a version of Kahless (Robert Herron), the founder of the Klingon Empire. The Excalbians wish to learn whether good or evil is a more powerful human philosophy, so they recreate Kahless, along with several other important historical figures. Kahless was one of the figures representing evil, along with Genghis Khan (Nathan Jung), Colonel Phillip Green (Phillip Pine), and Zora (Carol Daniels Dement).

A clone of Khaless (Kevin Conway) created by the clerics at the Boreth Monastery appears in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 23, "The Rightful Heir."

Kirk and Spock represent the good side, along with the Vulcan Surak (Barry Atwater) and Abraham Lincoln (Lee Bergere). After Surak and Lincoln are both killed, Kirk and Spock strike back, killing Green and Kahless. The Excalbians then call off their experiment, observing no difference between good and evil. Kirk points out that the difference is in what they are fighting for, and Kirk and Spock are returned to the Enterprise. It's impressive how, after only appearing in 7 out of Star Trek: The Original Series 79 episodes, the Klingons became one of the most recognizable fictional alien species of all time.

Star Trek: The Original Series

*Availability in US

Not available

• July 22, 2024 | ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Season 2 Launching On SkyShowtime In Europe In August; Canada Still Waiting
• July 21, 2024 | STLV 2024 Levels Up With Big Celebrity Guests And ‘Treksperts’ Stage Packed With Star Trek Luminaries
• July 20, 2024 | Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Puts All The Pieces Together In “Cracked Mirror” [Episode 214]
• July 19, 2024 | ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ Documentary ‘To The Journey’ Nears Finish, Backer Screenings Planned For November
• July 19, 2024 | Podcast: All Access Boards The Protostar For Part 3 (Of 4) Of Our ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Season 2 Review

Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Puts All The Pieces Together In “Cracked Mirror” [Episode 214]

| July 20, 2024 | By: Anthony Pascale 19 comments so far

 “Cracked Mirror”

Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2, Episode 14 – Debuted Monday, July 1, 2024 Written by Erin McNamara Directed by Ruolin Li

A thrilling episode indulges in some Trek tropes to take the characters on an exploration of their choices.

Sorry, Captain, I preferred the beard.

WARNING: Spoilers below!

“All our past mistakes are coming back to haunt us.”

All is well on the Protostar… too well. The kids are confident as they protowarp to Voyager, and Chakotay gets all cleaned up for his big reunion, with barely a notice of Gwyn’s twitch of pain and those flickering lights. Once they beam over, the Doctor is pleased and surprised to greet Chakotay, as is… Admiral Jellico? Janeway died in the Infinity trying to save Chakotay—wait what? If you haven’t already figured it out, Maj’el explains: They are on the wrong Voyager. Part of the group heads to sickbay to rendezvous with the EMH and sort out how to get them to the right reality, Gwyn flickers again before they arrive to find a sickbay in disarray with no Doctor, but an Okona . Rok and Zero took a different turbolift and find themselves on a ship full of Enderprizians under the command of Captain Tuvix . Sure, why not? In sickbay, Okona remembers how the weapon on the Protostar wiped out the Federation and he’s just here scavenging. This all feels familiar to Chakotay, but this time the deck-by-deck realities play out as bad consequences of choices made by Dal and the gang, and it all started because the Protostar “punched a hole” through the weakened timeline. The plan is to get to the bridge, do some mumbo jumbo on the deflector dish, seal the rift, and Time’s your uncle . Taking Gwyn through eight decks (and realities) would probably kill her, so they put their trust in “Captain Ponytail” to beam them to the bridge, who warns he sold off some transporter parts. They beam in (without Maj’el) still in the transporter room… but with some ominous red accents. Uh oh.

This is outrageous!

“You’ve slithered right into the viper’s nest.”

They are soon greeted by Janeway in a slinky suit and Chakotay with a goatee. If you haven’t worked it out again, Chakotay explains: Mirror Universe. After some villain monologuing, Evil Janeway swaggers away to leave Evil Chakotay to fire up his agonizer. Picking “the cute one” as his first victim was a mistake; Murf springs into gooey action, easily knocking out the would-be torturer. Chakotay uses Pog mitt-grease to Terran himself up and they Wookiee prisoner trick their way through the ISS Voyager, but Mirror J is not so easily fooled. They evade her phaser, but find no safety in Cetacean Ops because “even the whales are evil.” Finally, on the bridge, things escalate as The Loom are squeezing through the cracks of the reality the crew shattered. Mirror Janeway arrives as the time-eating squid monsters start breaking through the shields, so Chakotay forms an uneasy détente. The rejiggered deflector dish is fired and voila, they are all back on the transporter pad, without the evil lighting scheme. There’s a bit of déjà vu as they are greeted by a surprised Doctor, but this time with a surprised (and reality-appropriate) Janeway. This is the moment we have been waiting for. Chakotay and Janeway embrace and she welcomes him “home.” Aww.

I demand to see evil Neelix!

Reflecting on the choices

Everyone once in a while, Star Trek gives you a gift, and “Cracked Mirror” is one of those times. It has action, heart, and humor, all steeped in franchise and series lore. The premise was a familiar Trek trope, and so particularly on the nose with Voyager’s “ Shattered ” that Chakotay had to hang a lantern on it. But this is less copying and more paying homage as the show used the reality-hopping for characters (particularly Dal) to reflect on the choices they have made since the start of the series before turning back to the main plot where more difficult choices surely await. Bringing back Billy Campbell’s Okona brought this all together as he already was a great foil and cautionary tale for Dal since they first ran into him in season 1. He also helped keep things light, as this was one of the funniest episodes of the series, including having a go at the Mirror Universe itself, like Pog’s “Agonizer? Was ‘mean machine’ taken?”

Murf has seen this one before.

The show certainly had a lot of fun with its trip to Mirror Universe, doing a greatest hits rendition of the familiar tropes right down to the evil goatees. Doing the canon math, the Terran Empire had supposedly already been wiped out decades before, but it’s not hard to imagine it returned after the revolution against the Alliance , as seen in DS9. Mirror Janeway refers to the “New Terran Armada,” which supports this hypothesis, and Janeway wearing something very much like Seven’s eyepiece could indicate they had some Borg tech help to get back on top. However, the MU doesn’t fit with the bigger narrative of the ship split into realities based on the choices of these characters. This inconvenience was handwaved by Chakotay saying they will “figure that out” later, freeing up the writers to indulge in more MU fun. So, for all the delicious dialogue, evil whales, and Murf with a goatee, I’m going to give them a pass. There also was an important character moment in the MU when Chakotay was able to reach Evil Janeway with, “No matter what reality we are in, I could never hurt you.”

Let’s not think about what happened to Mirror Seven.

All of this was a prelude to the big event, the long-awaited reunion of Chakotay and Janeway, and their touching moment didn’t disappoint. It was sweet, and a bit fun, but also deeply emotional for them both, as well the audience, especially Voyager fans. J/C fans should also have plenty to work with here (and even more with the MU pair), and surely shippers got a kick out of Dal ribbing the cleaned-up Chakotay with: “Looks like someone is ready to be sent to the Admiral’s ready room.” That one probably went right over the heads of some of the younger viewers, but we see what you did there. And this reunion was also a frame for something bigger, as we could see a clear parallel being made with the just-as-complicated relationship between Dal and Gwyn. Once again, all of this shows how much they jam-pack into each short episode of Prodigy and how it works on many levels.

Janeway is having some roleplay thoughts.

Final thoughts

This was an amazing episode and yet it feels like we are ramping up for something even bigger as this sensational season heads into the final episodes with all our characters finally together. Before you jump into the next one (a two-parter), it’s worth it to rewatch “Cracked Mirror” again (and again) to give more time to find more of those layers. And all those views can’t hurt to get Netflix’s attention if we ever want more of this show.

All hail Murf!

• This is the episode chosen for next week’s Comic-Con screening and panel.
• When asked to pet-sit Bribble, Holo-Janeway notes she is a dog person, as she is based on original Janeway who had a pet dog named Mollie before her first Voyager mission.
• Chakotay also used the deflector dish  to reset things in “ Shattered .”
• It’s still unclear what happened to Maj’el when the others beamed to the Mirror Universe, but when they were reunited she said: “That was highly outrageous,” indicating she remained with Okona, who was first introduced in the TNG episode “ The Outrageous Okona .”
• The reality with Captain Tuvix had an orchid under glass, presumably like the one involved in the transporter accident that fused Tuvok and Neelix in “Tuvix.”
• As a nod to that episode, Zero mentioned they were enjoying Tuvix’s Vulcan/Talaxian fusion cuisine.

Sorry, but Janeway was killed by Captain Tuvix. He said, it was “only fair.”

TrekMovie’s  Prodigy July binge-watch

Since all 20 episodes were released on Netflix at once, we’re binging it in five-episode arcs; we can’t stick to watching just one a week! Each All Access Star Trek podcast (every Friday morning) will cover five episodes, while written reviews for all five will be published throughout the week, with two-parters paired up. This will all wrap up just as San Diego Comic-Con kicks off at the end of the month. We also hope to have more Prodigy interviews and analysis in July and beyond.

NEW: Full spoiler open thread!

We welcome fans joining us through our July coverage of 5 episodes each week, and we ask our readers to keep comments related to the season up to the episode being reviewed.

For those choosing to binge the show even faster, we have created an open thread where you can post all the spoiler comments you want for the entire season. 

Season 2 of  Prodigy is available to stream on Netflix globally (excluding Canada, Nordics, CEE, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Belarus and Mainland China) and season one is currently available on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe with season two coming soon. Season two has launched in France on France Televisions channels and Okoo.

Keep up with news about the  Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .

Related Articles

Star Trek: Prodigy

‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Season 2 Launching On SkyShowtime In Europe In August; Canada Still Waiting

All Access Star Trek Podcast , SDCC , Star Trek: Prodigy , STLV

Podcast: All Access Boards The Protostar For Part 3 (Of 4) Of Our ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Season 2 Review

Review , Star Trek: Prodigy

Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Learns An Adorable Lesson In “A Tribble Called Quest” [Episode 213]

2 More Cadets Cast For ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ – Prep Work Already Started In Toronto

Prodigy finally gave us in animation what Voyager never did in live-action, Mirror Universe Voyager. Fascinating.

Another Mirror Universe detour in a narrative that has nothing to do with the Mirror Universe. I’d have hoped the creative debacle that derailed the first season of “Discovery” would have been a cautionary tale for future Trek producers, but apparently not.

(That said, and to be fair, any episode that includes a line like “Even the whales are evil here!” can’t be all bad.)

MU Gillian: “All hail the Terran Empire!”

I laughed so hard.

Sorry, don’t get it. What’s the joke?

Edit: oh, sorry, that it was a whale. Sorry; missed that. 😊

No worries! 🙂

Did you watch episode? There MU played a very small role, and was far from the focus of the episode

When is that ever going to stop a Star Trek fan from complaining?

Yep, so very true

For my money, the MU dominated the episode. And it didn’t seem that kind of diversion from the season’s overarching plot was warranted at this stage. YMMV, of course. But if you think I like complaining about Trek for its own sake, you definitely don’t understand me at all.

The Mirror Universe was not a detour in the first season of Discovery, it was an integral part of the narrative given that Lorca was a native from that universe.

It would have been much better, though, if he had been the reason why war started between the Klingon and Federation. That was for sure a missed opportunity.

One day modern Trek will stop trading on nostalgia at the expense of the new. One day.

Good thing we are all free to watch other sci-fi shows for new and different ideas that can’t be confused with trying to be Star Trek.

It has started to become gimmicky. I have mixed feelings of episodes 9-15.

Great, the Empire is restored and Terrans are not slaves of the Klingon/Cardassian alliance. I hope Mirror Janeway made an example of them. Long live the empire.🫡

I think this was my second favorite episode of the season. Shattered is still one of my top 10 Voyager episodes and last season’s Discovery episode Face the Strange is also my top 10 Discovery episode and my favorite for that season. That’s also the highest rated episode on IMDB for the season.

I’m a sucker for these types of stories. Just a lot of fun. And FYI: The look of MU Janeway with Seven’s prosthetic is the exact same look of her version from Star Trek Online according to Trekculture. It’s crazy how much they have been canonizing that game last few years.

And one final piece, but I saw an article where the producers originally wanted the Kelvin Universe and wanted to get Chris Pine back as Kirk. Unfortunately they ruled it out due to time but that would’ve been amazing. Would’ve loved that and make the Kelvin universe feel more connected to the franchise these days because yeah.

But absolutely loved this season and going to rewatch it again next week.

Meant I’m going to rewatch the season soon and not just the episode.

I’ve enjoyed every single minute of season 2 of Prodigy. I’m blown away that a *kids show* is more cohesive and narratively satisfying than the live action stuff we’ve been getting. What a tremendous achievement all round. I’m positively beaming.

Really fun one. The show inherits Voyager’s love of high concept sci-fi with gusto.

It’s a little depressing to know that after they gained the Defiant and DS9, after years of being enslaved, Terrans go right back to being evil. As Discovery noted, I guess it’s just something in their genetic makeup. Wonder what happened to Smiley?

Guess we can add “mirror universe” to the First Splinter’s list of wins.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks Crossover Review: High Concept Brilliance

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Widow Clicquot Review: Haley Bennett Stuns as the Grande Dame of Champagne

The boys creator confirms return of fan-favorite character in season 5, one piece producer shares disappointing update on jamie lee curtis' casting in season 2.

That big crossover episode between Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks has arrived early. Following an advance screening of the highly anticipated seventh episode of the current season of Strange New World at San Diego Comic-Con July 22, it was announced that the episode will be available to stream that same day, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Paramount+ in the U.S. and all Paramount+ international markets exclusively on the service. There's more.

It was also announced at Comic-Con that there will be a musical episode on Strange New Worlds this season. It's dubbed — wait for it — "Subspace Rhapsody , " and will be available to stream on Thursday, Aug. 3. (See a sneak peek of the trailer below.) The episode features 10 original songs. So it is true: Strange New Worlds really is going where no Trek has gone before this season.

Back to the crossover episode. Titled "Those Old Scientists , " the dynamic outing features both live action and animation as two of Star Trek’s most popular shows come together. It’s a creative feat that could have plummeted — c’mon, animation and live-action together? And in Star Trek ?

Fortunately, in the hands of director Jonathan Frakes ( Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard ), the episode is an exceptional achievement, perhaps one of the best in Star Trek history. It’s rare to experience a consistently good season of any television series, but we are getting that with season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . Episode seven soars at creative warp speed, uniting beloved characters from two very different shows. Here’s the lowdown:

Two Trek Worlds Come Together

Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) is freaking out. The spunky purple-haired ensign from Star Trek: Lower Decks suddenly finds himself in sickbay aboard the USS Enterprise and has come face to face with Captain Pike (Anson Mount), Number One (Rebecca Romijn) , Dr. M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), and La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). Yes, the live-action versions. How did this happen?

Undoubtedly, it’s more fun to experience the full details of that on your own, but we can say that it has something to do with the ensigns of USS Cerritos investigating a seemingly random portal. Through Boimler, we learn that Captain Pike of the USS Enterprise discovered the portal long ago. Ensign Beckett Mariner (Tawney Newton) pushes back. What’s the big deal? Boimler is fan-crushing on his Starfleet icons. He wonders what it must have been like to work alongside Pike and the Enterprise crew. “Come on, we’re going to be standing in the same spot as Uhura ,” Boimler beams while Mariner stands by the portal. “That doesn’t get you a little excited?”

Everything changes when a mishap activates the portal and sure enough, Ensign Boimler is flung out on the other side, this time in live-action form, and many years in the past. So begins his odyssey with the crew of the USS Enterprise.

When You Meet Your Icons

It’s great fun to experience the live-action version of Ensign Boimler. Jack Quaid voices the character to winning ends in Lower Decks. This live-action Boimler is a hoot, giving the actor a larger playground to work in.

We wouldn't be surprised to see Boimler or other Lower Deck characters featured in future episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as the series moves along. After all, Denise Crosby returned to Star Trek: The Next Generation as Sela after her original character, Tasha Yar , was killed off in season one. The character of Moriarty found his way back, too, returning in Star Trek: Picard. Other recurring characters charmed, too — Majel Barrett-Roddenberry immediately comes to mind as Lwaxana Troi. With Star Trek, there is always a way.

Related: Every Star Trek Movie, Ranked by Accessibility to Non-Fans

That said, Quaid knows how to handle humor and physical comedy. A recent Strange New World episode, "Charades," also infused humor throughout the plot which found Spock (Ethan Peck) temporarily becoming fully human. "Those Old Scientists" goes a step further and one can imagine the ever-witty and outspoken Jonathan Frakes having a field day here, especially as the jittery Boimler meets the icons he’s learned so much about, from Captain Pike and Spock to Uhura.

The episode also winks repeatedly at fans. If you’ve ever attended a Star Trek convention or Comic-Con , you know what we're talking about here. Ultimately, Boimler is a version of every fan or anybody who has tuned into Star Trek over the last five decades.

As far as the plot, the events ultimately lead to a confrontation with the Orions, a shady alien race known for their piracy, but some of them are actually legit. This gives Boimler plenty to consider because he knows history. But he can’t reveal anything because, well, that would just screw up the timeline. There are several nice twists, too, when Ensign Beckett Mariner (Newton) unexpectedly arrives through the portal. Having two Starfleet ensigns from the future aboard the Enterprise surely is bound to alter things. Will it?

Among the Best of the Best

We’ve experienced more than a handful of Star Trek episodes through the decades that managed to, well, "live long and prosper" and withstand the test of time, somehow becoming seminal moments. To note but a few: "The City on the Edge of Forever" from the original series; "Yesterday’s Enterprise," "Q, Who?," and "The Best of Both Worlds" from The Next Generation ; "Trials and Tribble-ations" from Deep Space Nine ; "Scorpion" from Voyager ; "Such Sweet Sorrow" from Discovery ; and "The Last Generation" from season three of Picard.

Related: Star Trek: Top 25 "New Trek" Episodes, Ranked

These episodes are among the best of the best of Star Trek because the writers understood their potential importance in Star Trek canon and world-building. But they also managed to create memorable television. "Those Old Scientists" is a triumph, one that fans will continue talking about for some time. So, raise your Vulcan plomeek teacup to Strange New Worlds. This has turned out to be one of most epic, most enjoyable rounds of Star Trek to ever hit the screen.

Catch Episode 207 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday, July 22 on Paramount+. For a sneak peek at the just-announced musical episode, catch the exclusive trailer below.

• Movie and TV Reviews
• star trek: strange new worlds (2022)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)

Everything We Know About 'Star Trek: Section 31'

Michelle Yeoh returns as Emperor Philip Georgiou in this new Paramount+ movie

• Release Date
• Director, Writers & Crew

The 25-year evolution of the Federation’s clandestine spy division known as Section 31 and its presentation within the " Star Trek " universe has taken a few twists and turns over the years. This covert operations unit has morphed from its introduction as an autonomous intelligence agency in the 1998 episode of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" titled "Inquisition," to being considered for it's own proposed TV series, and now to "Star Trek's" very first streaming film for Paramount+.

Along the way, Section 31 has been referenced multiple times in "Star Trek: Enterprise," "Star Trek Into Darkness," "Star Trek: Discovery," "Star Trek: Picard," and even the animated series, "Star Trek: Lower Decks."

This darker toned movie recently wrapped filming in Canada and will showcase Academy Award-winning actress MichelIe Yeoh returning to portray Emperor Philip Georgiou as seen in the premiere season of " Discovery ." This character initially appeared as the esteemed Captain Philip Georgiou before perishing in the pilot, then reemerging as a more sinister iteration from the Mirror Universe. Now marooned in the prime "Star Trek" dimension, she's recruited into the shadowy, unofficial espionage organization as their newest and most formidable agent.

As post production work continues on the project, let's examine all the intel we've gathered about "Star Trek: Section 31" and its cabal of 'Mission Impossible" spies.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 RELEASE DATE

Principal filming for "Section 31" began on January 30, 2024 and ended March 13, 2024 at Pinewood Toronto Studios. Taking into consideration the time it takes to edit, score, mix, and integrate special effects shots into the movie, the earliest fans are likely to see this project streaming on Paramount+ is sometime in late 2025.

Watch Star Trek on Paramount+

Paramount+ is the home of Star Trek, and that will include Section 31 when it releases. In the meantime you can watch almost every other Star Trek show and movie on the streaming service.

Check out our Star Trek streaming guide for more details.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 PLOT

Storyline details for "Section 31" are still being kept under lock and key in keeping with the film's secretive theme. However, it has been disclosed that the timeline is set to coincide with "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" sometime after the conclusion of "Star Trek: Discovery" Season 2, and a decade prior to the events of "The Original Series." 

If you recall at the end of "Discovery’s" sophomore outing, Philippa Georgiou was transported 1,000 years into the far future alongside the "Discovery" crew only to be sent back to the 23rd century by the Guardian of Forever. 

Here's Paramount's official synopsis: 

"In 'Star Trek: Section 31,' Emperor Philippa Georgiou joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, and faces the sins of her past."

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 CAST

Besides Yeoh's starring role, "Section 31's" ensemble cast is graced with the talents of Omari Hardwick, Kacey Rohl, Sam Richardson, Sven Ruygrok, Robert Kazinsky, Humberly Gonzalez, James Hiroyuki Liao, Joe Pingue, Miku Martineau, and Augusto Bitter. No further news has been released as to the roles each of these actors will fill, but we absolutely expect some surprise cameos from members of the "Discovery" and "Strange New Worlds" series.

"I'm beyond thrilled to return to my 'Star Trek' family and to the role I've loved for so long," Yeoh said in a January press release. "'Section 31' has been near and dear to my heart since I began the journey of playing Philippa all the way back when this new golden age of 'Star Trek' launched. To see her finally get her moment is a dream come true in a year that's shown me the incredible power of never giving up on your dreams. We can't wait to share what's in store for you, and until then: live long and prosper (unless Emperor Georgiou decrees otherwise)!"

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 TRAILERS

It's a bit premature for any teasers or trailers as the creators endure the long arduous months of post-production work now that shooting has concluded this past spring, but we'll update our coverage the minute Paramount+ announces any upcoming sneak peeks. One such venue for the reveal of any footage might be at this year's San Diego Comic-Con and "Star Trek's" big Hall H panel presentation.

Paramount was kind enough to whet our appetites back at the end of March when they released the first "Section 31' image above showing Yeoh's Emperor Philippa Georgiou whispering in the ear of some augmented alien warrior.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 DIRECTOR, WRITERS, AND CREW

Olatunde Osunsanmi ("Star Trek: Discovery") serves as the director and executive producer of "Section 31" alongside Craig Sweeny, who wrote the screenplay and will also executive produce. Alex Kurtzman and his production shingle Secret Hideout, the dynamic force behind digital age "Star Trek" fare like "Discovery," "Picard," and "Strange New Worlds," is also attached to this highly anticipated movie.

Produced by CBS Studios, "Section 31’s" other executive producers are: Aaron Baiers, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and Michelle Yeoh.

"All the way back in 2017, before the first season of 'Star Trek: Discovery' had even aired, Michelle had the idea to do a spin-off for her character, Philippa Georgiou," Kurtzman shared in a prior press release. "She broke new ground as one of the first two women on screen in the pilot to usher in a new age of 'Trek,' and now, six years later, 'Star Trek: Section 31' finally arrives on the heels of her latest groundbreaking win. Everyone on Team Trek couldn't be more thrilled to have our legendary friend return home to us as we expand our storytelling into new and uncharted corners of the Trekverse. Long live Emperor Georgiou; long live Michelle Yeoh!"

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Jeff Spry is an award-winning screenwriter and veteran freelance journalist covering TV, movies, video games, books, and comics. His work has appeared at SYFY Wire, Inverse, Collider, Bleeding Cool and elsewhere. Jeff lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon amid the ponderosa pines, classic muscle cars, a crypt of collector horror comics, and two loyal English Setters.

Who are the sisters of the Bene Gesserit in the new 'Dune: Prophecy' trailer? (video)

Explore an Apollo-era mission gone wrong in sci-fi mystery game 'Lifeless Moon' (video)

Europe on the moon: ESA targeting 2031 for 1st 'Argonaut' lunar lander mission

Most Popular

• 2 'A dark day for lunar science:' Scientists shocked as NASA cancels VIPER moon rover
• 3 Who are the sisters of the Bene Gesserit in the new 'Dune: Prophecy' trailer? (video)
• 4 Rocket Row ribbon cutting marks return of Alabama rocket center's 'spaceline'
• 5 Aurora alert: Possible geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Of course Star Trek looked to Buffy for its big musical: 'That was our bar'

Co-showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers tell EW how they pulled off "Subspace Rhapsody" on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Warning: This article contains spoilers from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody."

When it comes to musical episodes of television, few have done it better than Buffy the Vampire Slayer . The producers behind Star Trek had that pop culture event on the brain when they set out to make the sci-fi franchise's first-ever music-fueled extravaganza on Strange New Worlds season 2.

"That's one of the best made ones," series co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers tells EW of 2001's "Once More, With Feeling," in which Sarah Michelle Gellar 's supernatural warrior faces a demon of song and dance. "It was done very well. It's really smart and thoughtful. It has big heart. The only thing I will say that I distinctly thought differently was that they wrote their own music, and I knew that that was a little more than we could handle. But that was kind of like, let's challenge ourselves to be as good as the best of this [genre]. That was our bar."

As time went on, Myers realized they actually could write their own music, with help from Letters to Cleo rockers Kay Hanley and Tom Polce, who crafted the songs. "Subspace Rhapsody," the penultimate episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 (now streaming on Paramount+), sees the likes of Captain Pike ( Anson Mount ), Number One ( Rebecca Romijn ), Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), Spock (Ethan Peck), and the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise breaking out into musical numbers after an encounter with a quantum probability field. They all find themselves operating by the rules of a parallel reality in which everyone sings all the time, which causes problems for anyone trying to hide their emotions, including La'an (Christina Chong) and Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush). The problem gets bigger when it starts spreading to other spaceships.

"I'm a huge fan of musicals, but had no idea what it took to actually make one," says Akiva Goldsman, the other co-showrunner on Strange New Worlds . Myers had worked on musical episodes of Ugly Betty and The Magicians , but Goldsman was coming in fresh. "When we started on season 2, a small voice, like a gremlin kept going, 'Music. Musical. Musical.' And Henry kept going, 'Not yet. Not yet. Not yet,'" he continues. "We were going back and forth on the story, and we sort of knew where the character arcs were. Then, to our delight and terror, the idea of what we needed to do emotionally in episode 9 and the idea of a musical went hand in hand."

With a script written by Dana Horgan and Bill Wolkoff, the producers got to work on "Subspace Rhapsody" about six months ahead of filming, Myers estimates. Goldsman likes to say, "This episode happened in large part before it happened," meaning most of the execution went into prep, including dance rehearsals and singing lessons. Director Dermott Downs also wanted to shoot the episode like a musical, which means the shots are "a little more wide and you really see people doing things, you're not in their faces all the time," Myers explains. "It was a lot of work from a lot of people, but the one thing I remember waking up and thinking was that everyone will expect this to be silly. We should surprise them and have it be gut-wrenching and emotional."

Some of that can be credited to Gooding. It was clear to everyone from the start of the show that their Uhura actress had some pipes. An early episode of Strange New Worlds season 1 saw her singing out tones to activate a piece of alien tech. So, it's no surprise that the actress is the one to get the musical's big power ballad, "Keep Us Connected." "What we do like to do is write to our cast," Goldsman remarks. "It suddenly became clear that a lot of the folks who we work with had musical theater in their backgrounds or real musical training. The universe was conspiring to get us to throw down in that way."

Peck was less confident about pulling this off, Myers notes: "I don't think Ethan thought that he could do it, and he surprised everyone by having this crazy deep voice, the baritone, that was kind of beautiful."

Now that it's all come together, it almost feels like a miracle that it even happened. Goldsman looks back to when the news of what would become "Subspace Rhapsody" came up during the closed-door meetings with the other showrunners from across the active Star Trek series. "All I remember was people being like, 'Okay, sure,'" he recalls. "This is basically the tenor of all the [meetings], which is somebody will say a bunch of stuff and then somebody else will go, 'Wow, that sounds cool.' Subtext: 'Please don't f--- it up.'"

Goldman adds, "We were like, 'If we're gonna do this, we gotta do this.'" And so they did.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly 's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Star Trek is getting its first-ever musical episode
• How Star Trek brought the 'chaos bomb' of Lower Decks to Strange New Worlds
• Star Trek: Lower Decks stars enter the world of live action in first look at Strange New Worlds crossover

Related Articles

‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Is the Perfect Show for Trekkies — Now They Need to Watch It 

By Joe Otterson

Joe Otterson

TV Reporter

• ‘I Think You Should Leave’ Duo’s HBO Comedy Pilot ‘Chair Company’ Adds Five to Cast (EXCLUSIVE) 3 hours ago
• ‘High Potential’ Showrunner Todd Harthan Signs 20th Television Overall Deal (EXCLUSIVE) 3 days ago
• ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Is the Perfect Show for Trekkies — Now They Need to Watch It  3 days ago

When it was announced in 2019 that Nickelodeon would be getting its own animated “Star Trek” series, I must admit I was skeptical.

After all, “Star Trek: Discovery” was already airing its second season (which clearly set up the phenomenal spinoff “Strange New Worlds), and “Picard” had already been announced, as had the adult animated series “Lower Decks.” How could a show clearly intended for kids measure up against all of that?

Related Stories

What neon’s ‘longlegs,’ a24’s ‘civil war’ demonstrate about indie distribution power, mad solutions takes world rights to 'dear tarkovsky,' palestinian filmmaker firas khoury's follow-up to fiery cairo fest winner 'alam' (exclusive), popular on variety.

Not only did this show grab me right away, but my wife, who is by no means a Trekkie, found herself sucked into it as well. I do have to explain things to her from time to time, like what exactly a Ferengi is, but we are both completely hooked. Even friends who have happened to stop by while we’re watching it get into it. As one of them put it midway through an episode, “Why the hell am I so invested in this already?”

It could be because of the well-written characters: The cocky Dal, the wayward Gwyn, the surly Jankom, the noncorporeal Zero, the child-like Rok-Tahk, and the seemingly indestructible Murf.

It could be because the show is able to blaze its own path while also incorporating memorable parts of “Trek’s” past into the storytelling: The return of Kate Mulgrew as Janeway, the use of archival voice recordings to bring back characters like Odo and Spock in the Season 1 episode “Kobayashi,” or even a little encounter with the Borg.

Or maybe it’s the absolutely stunning visuals. I have almost never seen an animated series with more stunning imagery than what I see in nearly every episode of “Prodigy.”

Yet that’s where the problem is.

“Prodigy” aired its first season on Nickelodeon and Paramount+, and was renewed for a second season not long after it launched. But then, Paramount announced it was canceling the show , and pulling Season 1 off of its streaming service despite the fact that production on Season 2 was already underway.

Thankfully, CBS Studios was able to strike a deal with Netflix that saw the streaming giant pick up both seasons. Season 2 officially debuted on July 1, and it is a remarkable feat of storytelling. Despite being a “kid’s show,” Season 2 builds on the momentum of Season 1 and then some, weaving a complex time travel storyline that is among the finest seasons since the relaunch of the “Star Trek” TV franchise.

Now, “Trek” fans need to watch it.

It is no secret that shows’ renewals depend on viewership. Netflix doesn’t release much viewer data, beyond its weekly Top 10 lists, so it’s hard to gauge how well “Prodigy” Season 2 is doing. Thus far, though, it has not appeared on the Global Top 10 list, nor the U.S. Top 10 list.

It would be a grave disservice to “Star Trek” as a whole to let a show as wonderful as this one go when it is just finding its legs. So this is me sending out a distress call on all channels: Watch “Star Trek: Prodigy.” To not do so would be highly illogical.

More from Variety

Ryan reynolds met madonna in person to ask if ‘deadpool & wolverine’ could use ‘like a prayer,’ and she had one ‘great note’ after watching the scene, movies are dead wait, they’re back the delusional phase of hollywood’s frantic summer, edinburgh tv festival unveils frontiers strand lineup joining headliner will.i.am (exclusive), ‘house of the dragon’: emma d’arcy and sonoya mizuno break down rhaenyra and mysaria’s [spoiler] in episode 6, what the european box office could teach hollywood, tiff lineup: pam anderson’s ‘last showgirl,’ ben and j. lo project ‘unstoppable,’ papal thriller ‘conclave’ and more , more from our brands, kamala harris is already a fundraising powerhouse, how backgammon—yes, backgammon—became the chicest accessory of the summer, paris poised to eclipse london in olympic sponsor hospitality, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, the boys’ karen fukuhara, tomer capone talk kimiko and frenchie’s ‘magical’ romantic moment.

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Director Hanelle Culpepper Has Shot ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Star Trek’ TV Shows and Harnessed the Force in Both

Sarah shachat, associate craft editor.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

Disney’s “ The Acolyte ” has just finished up its season, with Season 5 of “ Star Trek: Discovery ” not that far behind it, and there’s more “ Strange New Worlds ,” “ Starfleet Academy ,” “ Andor ,” and “ Ahsoka ” on the horizon. What a time to be a sci-fi nerd. But it’s an even better time, maybe, to be Hanelle Culpepper, the director who holds the distinction of being the only filmmaker (yet) to have worked across both the “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” TV franchises. 

“One of the biggest decisions is to decide which character Amandla is going to play first that day. Usually you want it to be the one who is the more powerful character in that scene, or the one’s who is probably doing the most moving around,” Culpepper told IndieWire. Once the actor sets the first twin’s performance down and jumps into the second one, there are certain things that can still be changed or masaged, but a lot of the blocking and physicality will get locked in. 

“If the acting double sat down in a moment, Amandla is going to have to sit down, even if she feels like she would rather be standing. So figuring out who she’s going to play first is key ,” Culpepper said. “She was really good about watching [her acting double] as well. She could be fully in her own space but still pay enough attention to say, ‘I really think Osha would move faster in this case,’ or whatever.” 

Culpepper gets to place her camera in “The Acolyte” to cover the “Star Wars” gamut, from epic duels to weird little guys. With the delightful droid Pip and the fuzzy tracker Bazil, Culpepper said that she could inject a little bit more mischief and energy and perspective into her framing and blocking choices. “You’re thinking [about] what would a creature do in this moment. Bazil, you know, if he kind of trips here, that’s funny and in ‘Star Wars,’ that’s OK,” Culpepper said.

“The nice thing about that cave, once I was able to go on set, I could see how it had a natural incline; so it worked very well that Manny [could start] higher up than her, but then ends up coming down to be on her level,” Culpepper said. 

It’s maybe the creatures and the lighter side of the force that feel like the most quintessential “Star Wars” moments, though — at least behind the scenes. Culpepper told us that after she’d come onto “The Acolyte” she got a tour of the creature workshop and to ‘meet’ R2D2. “And then BB-8 came rolling out to me to say hi. I was trying to be so professional, but it didn’t last after that,” Culpepper said. “And then when we shot Yoda [the final shot], they came out with Yoda in a trunk; but then when the puppeteer made his eyes and his ears move, all of sudden he came to life. You’re just like, ‘Oh my God, there’s Yoda!” 

“The Acolyte” is now streaming on Disney+.

Most Popular

You may also like.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.

• Gene Roddenberry
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 279 User reviews
• 99 Critic reviews
• 16 wins & 31 nominations total

Episodes 80

Photos 2009

• Captain James T. Kirk …

• Mister Spock …

• Lieutenant Leslie …

• Nurse Chapel …

• Ensign Freeman …

• Yeoman Rand …

• Announcer …

• Beta 5 Computer …
• Security Guard …
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Stellar Photos From the "Star Trek" TV Universe

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia In the hallways of the Enterprise there are tubes marked "GNDN." These initials stand for "goes nowhere does nothing."
• Goofs The deck locations for Kirk's Quarters, Sickbay and Transporter Room vary (usually between decks 4-7) throughout the series.

Dr. McCoy : "He's dead, Jim."

• Crazy credits On some episodes, the closing credits show a still that is actually from the Star Trek blooper reel. It is a close-up of stunt man Bill Blackburn who played an android in Return to Tomorrow (1968) , removing his latex make up. In the reel, He is shown taking it off, while an off-screen voice says "You wanted show business, you got it!"
• Alternate versions In 2006, CBS went back to the archives and created HD prints of every episode of the show. In addition to the new video transfer, they re-did all of the model shots and some matte paintings using CGI effects, and re-recorded the original theme song to clean it up. These "Enhanced" versions of the episodes aired on syndication and have been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
• Connections Edited into Ben 10: Secrets (2006)
• Soundtracks Star Trek Music by Alexander Courage

User reviews 279

• Jun 8, 2002
• How do they maintain Gravity on the the U.S.S. Enterprise ? .
• All aliens on all planets speak the English language?
• What does "TOS" mean?
• September 8, 1966 (United States)
• United States
• Star Trek: The Original Series
• Backlot, Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
• Desilu Productions
• Norway Corporation
• Paramount Television
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 50 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.