Fascinating. I'm not the biggest TOS fan, but I did enjoy this episode. Has anyone read Ellison's original teleplay? The article makes it sound kind of terrible (with the exception of the...
Fascinating. I'm not the biggest TOS fan, but I did enjoy this episode. Has anyone read Ellison's original teleplay? The article makes it sound kind of terrible (with the exception of the alternate ending).
Yes. I own a copy of the 1995 book referred to in the article: 'The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay'. It's been a while since I read it, so I've just skimmed it to refresh my...
Has anyone read Ellison's original teleplay?
Yes. I own a copy of the 1995 book referred to in the article: 'The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay'.
It's been a while since I read it, so I've just skimmed it to refresh my memory.
It's not terrible. There are afterwords in the book by various people associated with Star Trek, and D.C. Fontana (who was the Story Editor at the time, and one of the many people who had a go at re-writing the script) says that Ellison's script is "masterfully written, full of passion and emotion". However, she goes on to say that "in Gene Roddenberry's opinion, the script wasn't Star Trek enough."
I agree with Roddenberry. The script shows a lack of understanding of the main characters - particularly Spock. He describes the humans of the 1930s as barbarians, and he and Kirk end up arguing about this description. Spock may have disagreed with his captain, but he never argued. The script is also badly structured for an episode of television. There's a bit too much exposition and not enough happening on screen. The relationship between Edith Keeler and Jim Kirk is a prime example of this: after only one initial meeting between them, Kirk basically tells Spock he's in love with her. It also involved too many one-scene characters and situations. It's not focussed on the main characters enough.
It desperately needed a re-write to fit into Star Trek.
But, as Ms Fontana also points out, it would have been perfect for an episode of 'The Outer Limits'.
Thank you for this! I took a peek on Amazon and saw there was an illustrated version of the original script available on Kindle for around $2.00. I thought about grabbing it but realized that...
Thank you for this! I took a peek on Amazon and saw there was an illustrated version of the original script available on Kindle for around $2.00. I thought about grabbing it but realized that since I'm not particularly familiar with TOS I probably wouldn't pick up on elements that made it feel just kinda wrong, so I really appreciate the rundown.
The relationship between Edith Keeler and Jim Kirk is a prime example of this: after only one initial meeting between them, Kirk basically tells Spock he's in love with her.
I actually decided to rewatch the episode because I couldn't remember much of their relationship development and Star Trek isn't exactly known for its moving love stories. I'm really glad for the re-write here. Had there been less development between Edith and Kirk the audience wouldn't have felt the weight of his sacrifice, which is what makes the episode so powerful.
Same here. I've only read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by him, and found it to be distressing, horrific, and provoking in all the best ways that SF can be. I can also highly recommend the...
Same here.
I've only read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by him, and found it to be distressing, horrific, and provoking in all the best ways that SF can be. I can also highly recommend the point-and-click adventure game adaptation of the same book, which is narrated by Ellison himself to great effect.
Fascinating. I'm not the biggest TOS fan, but I did enjoy this episode. Has anyone read Ellison's original teleplay? The article makes it sound kind of terrible (with the exception of the alternate ending).
Yes. I own a copy of the 1995 book referred to in the article: 'The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay'.
It's been a while since I read it, so I've just skimmed it to refresh my memory.
It's not terrible. There are afterwords in the book by various people associated with Star Trek, and D.C. Fontana (who was the Story Editor at the time, and one of the many people who had a go at re-writing the script) says that Ellison's script is "masterfully written, full of passion and emotion". However, she goes on to say that "in Gene Roddenberry's opinion, the script wasn't Star Trek enough."
I agree with Roddenberry. The script shows a lack of understanding of the main characters - particularly Spock. He describes the humans of the 1930s as barbarians, and he and Kirk end up arguing about this description. Spock may have disagreed with his captain, but he never argued. The script is also badly structured for an episode of television. There's a bit too much exposition and not enough happening on screen. The relationship between Edith Keeler and Jim Kirk is a prime example of this: after only one initial meeting between them, Kirk basically tells Spock he's in love with her. It also involved too many one-scene characters and situations. It's not focussed on the main characters enough.
It desperately needed a re-write to fit into Star Trek.
But, as Ms Fontana also points out, it would have been perfect for an episode of 'The Outer Limits'.
Thank you for this! I took a peek on Amazon and saw there was an illustrated version of the original script available on Kindle for around $2.00. I thought about grabbing it but realized that since I'm not particularly familiar with TOS I probably wouldn't pick up on elements that made it feel just kinda wrong, so I really appreciate the rundown.
I actually decided to rewatch the episode because I couldn't remember much of their relationship development and Star Trek isn't exactly known for its moving love stories. I'm really glad for the re-write here. Had there been less development between Edith and Kirk the audience wouldn't have felt the weight of his sacrifice, which is what makes the episode so powerful.
...and now I want to read more by Harlan Ellison...
Same here.
I've only read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by him, and found it to be distressing, horrific, and provoking in all the best ways that SF can be. I can also highly recommend the point-and-click adventure game adaptation of the same book, which is narrated by Ellison himself to great effect.