Yesterday, September 8th was the 53rd Anniversary of Star Trek, and aren’t we lucky to have had this happyplace in our lives? Wishing Happy Anniversary to the surviving cast of The Original Series, William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei and Walter Koenig, and happy memories of our beloved other cast members, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan, Majel Barret, Grace Lee Whitney, and of course the creator, Gene Roddenberry. The dream of a better future lives on with Star Trek in all of it’s incarnations! May its vision of a peaceful and caring society truly live long and prosper!
One thing I loved about the original series is that even though not all characters had equal time, there were countless little moments where we’d see the human (or otherwise) nature of characters that would give us a peek into their personalities. Little quirks anyone could understand. In honor of 53 years of Star Trek, here are 53 moments of my favorite TOS episodes, 🙂
Also, more coverage of my visit to TreKonderoga in August coming this week!Â
Vina gets her wish in The Cage
“Jim.” A sad second of helplessness from Gary Mitchell.
“I can hear it too!”
Uhura bored at a meeting in Corbomite Manuever
Spock nearly apoligizing to Kirk in Corbomite Manuever
Christine hears Corby for the first time in years
Eve tells Ben Childress what to do with his pots and pans
And he does.
Spock grins while playing his harp.
Uhura sings the charms of Spock
Riley in full cowboy mode
Spock collapses against door
Spock’s first mind-meld.
Jim’s beautiful eyes.
RUk lifts Kirk like a baby.
Sulu casually says ‘No’ to Trelane’s food.
Uhura does NOT like Trelane’s
“They are as high above us as we are above the ameoba.”
McCoy and his fantasy showgirls
“With all due respect to the young lady…”
“You’re holding a knife at your physcian’s throat.
Marla entranced by Kahn
‘WE offered the world ORDER!”
“You couldn’t pronounce it”
Guilty.
Kirk misty-eyed after Edith’s kiss.
McCoy gently giggles with Edith.
Kirk devastated.
“Athena! You were right!”
Evil Spock’s first appearance.
Jim reminding Marlena how a lover should kiss.
“Why are you monitoring my communications Mr. Sulu?”
When I started really watching Trek as a young teen, I was enamored of the possible romance between Nurse Chapel and Mr. Spock. I felt sympathy for her unrequited love for the tall cool Vulcan, and wondered if she’d ever melt his heart.
The original series only hinted at anything more between Spock and Chapel than mutual respect. Chapel was given her puppy-love moments in The Naked Time and Amok Time, but by the time she finally got an (albeit forced) lip-lock with Spock, the original series was doomed to cancellation.  Sometimes I wonder if the series had continued if anything more would have become of Chapel’s infatuation, or even if she would have been given more than just the job of Enterprise Mom.
A recent discovery revealed a lot more insight within the Spock/Chapel consciousness-sharing in Return to Tomorrow. The scene was cut for length, and maybe just as well because what starts as a sweet sentimental moment ends as a somewhat stereotypical 60’s view of a woman’s mindset. Here’s the scene: (found at Star Trek:The New Voyages)
CHRISTINE:Â It was beautiful. (to Spock) I felt the same when I shared my consciousness with you.
Spock reacts; McCoy turns toward him:
McCOY:Â That sounds almost immoral, Mister Spock.
SPOCK: I assure you, it was a most distressing experience. (to McCoy) Doctor, you could not believe the torrents of emotion I encountered…the… jungle of illogic…(Spock almost shudders) It was like being in the mind of an alien.
CHRISTINE:Â (smiles)Â Why, thank you, Mister Spock.
SPOCK: (puzzled) I don’t understand. Thank me?
KIRK: You just paid her a high compliment, Spock.
McCOY: Yes, you do turn a nice phrase
now and then, Spock. (to Christine) Thank the stars women are that different from us.
ANNE: (to Christine) Come along, fellow alien. If
he doesn’t understand, I doubt if we could explain.
SCENE 119 ANOTHER ANGLE
Kirk moving to his command chair. Spock is still standing there puzzled.
SPOCK: Captain… I really don’t understand.
KIRK: Sargon did, Spock. ‘Together… forever’. I hope some day with someone you’ll be able to
know what that means.
SPOCK:(considers it) Sargon was enormously advanced, Captain. I will consider this. Spock moves off to his station. Kirk and McCoy exchange looks; then Kirk turns toward the helm.
KIRK: Take us out of orbit, Mister Sulu.
SULU: Leaving orbit, Captain.
As they look up toward the Main Viewing Screen:
CUT TO:
SCENE 120 – INSERT MAIN VIEWING SCREEN
Leaving the planet, heading into star-studded space.
FADE OUT.
THE END
I think I’m happy with the way it was edited; her smile infers that her mind connection with Spock was quite a ride! But then again, it’s nice to see Kirk wish Spock well with his future and Ann and Christine summing up Spock’s reaction to the meld.
I’ve heard that Roddenberry wanted Spock to end up with Chapel, but it was never to be in any current incarnation. I’m sure there’s fan fiction about it, but my imagination is enough for now. We heard about Spock’s wedding in an episode of The Next Generation; Picard says he attended but we don’t know the identity of the bride.  Maybe I’ll write a tale someday!
“Oh I love you!”
“It was beautiful!” (wink-wink)
At Last!
One more time! The last time we see Spock and Chapel together in ‘Turnabout Intruder’
Hey kids, I’m a little late with a toon this week (and I can’t think of new ones every week) but I hope this is worth the wait! Click on comic for full size — Enjoy, Therese