The City on the Edge of Forever

The stage curtains open ...

Yep. I'm a Trekkie! And this particular Season One episode, "The City On The Edge Of Forever", is my personal favorite. After all, this is where we find out that Mr. Spock is really Chinese and that his ears was the result of an unfortunate childhood accident when his head got caught in a rice picker - LOL.

In this episode, Bones accidentally injects himself with a dangerous drug called Cordrazine, which makes him reach the limits of insanity. He finds his way to the transporter room where he beams himself down to a nearby planet's surface. Once there, he jumps through a time portal sending him back to the Earth year 1930. Kirk and Spock follow him in because somehow, he does something in the past that alters the future. While they try to locate Bones and stop him, Kirk meets a beautiful woman, Edith Keeler (played by Joan Collins), who plays a key role in their future as well.

I love this episode. It was a tragic tale, but one of the very best that Star Trek had to offer. The love story between Kirk and Edith was brief, but believable. This also showcases DeForest Kelley at his acting best. There are plenty of memorable moments in this one episode alone. I always felt that they could have done an entire Star Trek movie based off of this episode and it's a shame one never got made.

This comes at the very highest recommend possible. A perfect 10 stars out of 10. It is poignant, memorable, well written and well acted. I watch this at least once every year. Without fail. If you haven't seen any Star Trek episodes, like ever ... this is an excellent place to start.

Dr McCoy suffers an accident whilst administering treatment to a crew member.

This is a classic episode with a brilliant story and great character moments.

The plot is a mixture of sci-fi and romance that culminates in a very memorable ethical dilemma. If you like time-travel, period drama and emotion, this one has it in abundance.

From a sci-fi perspective it is a great time travel episode that mixes real life history with the fictional characters. I have always thought a lot about the bad things that have happened in my family history that indirectly led to me being born. People died young, relationships and careers were destroyed, and countless other events happened that resulted in my mother and father being together at the exact time required for my conception. When you add thoughts about about fate and chance, then ask 'what if' it is truly fascinating. 'City on the Edge of Forever' always provokes this type of contemplation about life and the butterfly effect.

Ethics plays a huge role in how the story unfolds as it all leads to a huge climax for Kirk and guest character, Edith Keeler, who has to be one of the most memorable leading ladies he has shared a screen with. As a romance it just about works as well as it can in 45 minute episode, but it's too short a time to really invest in a love story.

There are some excellent moments for Kirk and Spock, with many strong scenes of drama and comedy. Bones also has an important role and his scenes are memorable.

The visuals are simple and effective, particularly the sets, costumes and props. Spock attempting to create miracles in a in a zinc-plated vacuum-tubed culture is superbly done.

All performances are excellent, particularly William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Joan Collins is solid as Keeler.

This is often referenced as the greatest Trek episode of all time. It certainly is one of the best, but it really depends what you look for in Star Trek as there are many different types of story. There are some plot holes and some aspects that require a suspension of disbelief, but these criticisms are only minor.

For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.

Joan Collins guest stars in this Star Trek episode concerned with how the Enterprise has changed the course of human history by a simple act. So much so that the Enterprise ceases to exist and a landing party on a planet that contains a time portal leaves several Star Trek regulars stranded in time and space with said portal.

A temporarily maddened Dr. McCoy jumps through the portal and lands in Depression Era Chicago and Kirk and Spock follow him. Kirk and Spock meet up with Sister Edith Keeler who is not a nun, but she is a woman of charity who runs a soup kitchen there. It is she who even in her drab clothing of the time shows off a lot of inner beauty and charisma. No doubt this woman has leadership potential.

The story is a tribute to Leonard Nimoy's scientific skill as he constructs some device that gives them glimpses into alternate history. Edith Keeler becomes the charismatic leader of a pacifist movement which delays America's entry into World War II allowing for an Axis victory and all that means. Remember he's not on the Enterprise and has to do with the technology of the 1930s.

It is the life of Sister Edith which is the turning point of time itself and in the climax there are some great closeups shots of Bill Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley each expressing different emotions to a tragic event. Worth more than 10 pages of dialog.

Collins also in an atypical role registers well. Usually that woman is dressed to the nines in film and here the part doesn't call for that. But she carries it off beautifully.

A classic for Star Trek lovers.

One of the best "acted" episodes in all of Star Trek....small screen or large....and regardless of TOS right on through Discovery. Kudos to Shatner, Nimoy, DeForest and especially Collins. Great story, set design and as mentioned...the performances are outstanding. Definitely among top 3....and that's with all the options available today.

After Bones accidentally injects himself with a shot that causes him to have dementia, he jumps into a time-travel gateway and lands in New York in the 1930's. Kirk and Spock must go in after him and prevent him from doing something in the past that could alter the future. Kirk finds a love interest, played by Joan Collins, but comes to find out that she will play a key role in determining the outcome of Earth's future. Without spoiling it, lets just say it appears Kirk will never have a steady love relationship as long as he is captain. Great job by Shatner and leaves you numb at the end. He even uses the word "hell', which was probably a big deal on television in the late 60's.