First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 28: The City on the Edge of Forever (TOS S1E28)

The Target Audience are watching Star Trek The Original Series for the first time!! Join them as they react to the twenty-eighth episode of the beloved tv series The City on the Edge of Forever
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
0:00 Intro
3:15 Reaction
18:48 Discussion

[@ryokinor6223]

If you want to meet a stranger just point at them and yell "You...what planet is this?" If they are shocked and try to run away just reassure them by screaming "Don't run I won't kill you!"

[@barreloffun10]

This always works for me...

[@indetigersscifireview4360]

Ahahaha! I'm going to try that from now on!

[@oliverschnell5434]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@athos1974]

🔥👍🔥

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

Haha, sounds like a great pick-up while flirting with the ladies!

[@cdfreester]

When Bones says "Do you know what you just did!!!" and Spock replies "He knows, Doctor. He knows." I tear up every time.

[@fredklein3829]

After watching this episode my whole life, it just occured to me that McCoy's medical instinct was also at play.

[@Joeysaddress1966]

Me too!

[@cdfreester]

@@fredklein3829 I notice something new many times when I watch most of these episodes, even after seeing them for the 100th time.

[@russellharrell2747]

Just watching their reactions and knowing what was going happen I still tearing up.

[@cdfreester]

@@russellharrell2747 Exactly how I felt

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Kirk's last line "Let's get the hell out of here" was fought by the network not wanting it. It was one of the first ever uses of "Hell" as a curse word. Roddenberry fought for it to stay in the episode.

[@SingleStepStudios]

It was an absolutely appropriate response

[@wrorchestra1]

For the 25th anniversary of Trek, there was a show put on to celebrate. Joan Collins spoke on stage and said that whenever she's asked if she's that bitch from Dynasty she replies "No. I'm Edith Keeler, a 1930s social worker from Star Trek."

[@ForceMaximus84]

It was actually for the 30th anniversary, but yeah, it’s cool that she spoke so highly about it.

[@geoffallshorn5167]

Your shocked silence during THAT end scene demonstrates why this is a superior episode.

[@ice-iu3vv]

roddenberry was talking to his friend, the great science-fiction writer isaac asimov, complaining about a dilemma. "ive got this star (shatner) whos contract calls for near-constant screen time, and then all this fan mail, insisting on much more spock. what am i supposed to do ?" asimov said "sounds like you make them depend on each other and become inseparable best friends". this episode illustrates how well that advice works.

[@powerbad696]

Darn good advice and it worked.

[@pskopsyke]

I think Roddenberry forgot Star Trek wasn’t a soliloquy. But Asimov was a smart guy.

[@peterz4427]

Could be considered the finest TOS episode, as it won a Hugo Award for best drama in....1967? Great acting by Shatner, too.

[@flaggerify]

Or the most overrated. The Hugo award might have been because of the writing credit.

[@buffstraw2969]

Do Trekkies even know (or care) who "Hugo" was?

[@peterz4427]

Hugo Gernsback (I think) publisher of pulp sci-fi back in the 40's. I belonged to the Sci-fi Book Club back in the day, first time I read Harlan Ellison. As well as Heinlein, Asimov, Herbert, Clifford Simak, exposed to a lot of great literature.

[@buffstraw2969]

@@peterz4427 I found one!!! I take it all back.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Harlan Ellison was taken to the award ceremony on Desilu's dime. Airline tickets, hotel room, transportation and fine dining. And Ellison spent his entire award speech dogging out the show.

[@jamesclapp6832]

This is one of my favorites because there are no speeches, no melodrama, corny humor, or goofy effects...just a good story, well-performed.

[@Joeysaddress1966]

I’ve seen this episode almost 100 times I’m my life. I still tear up when Edith dies.

[@jimwoodman8158]

I know it's Kirk who has to make the fateful decision at the end, But for me, Spock really shines in this episode. He records the time portal, creates the tech they need in the past, and correctly interprets the info to allow them to understand what must be done. Also, despite the fact that he is always logical and supposedly unemotional, he shows great compassion when telling Kirk that Edith must die. Spock is to Kirk as Samwise Gamgee is to Frodo Baggins.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

The other simple and yet major line from Spock is when he tells McCoy _"He knows"._ That's Spock saying "yes, *I'm* all logic, but I can recognize when a friend of mine has his heart ripped out".

[@manco828]

Spock played Bilbo Baggins.

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

Drew Barrymore’s dad never made it to screen. John Drew Barrymore had been hired and simply didn’t show up. Two days of trying to shoot around him, and they nabbed an actor friend of Shatner’s, Robert Brown, and quickly brought him to set, so he could play Lazarus. The producers brought Barrymore up on charges with the Screen Actor’s Guild, and he was suspended for six months.

[@pskopsyke]

Enterprise Incidents podcast goes deeper into John Barrymore and Star Trek.

[@TheWrongHands18]

Robert Brown just died a few weeks ago

[@IzsakJoraszZ9]

As my mom pointed out, Shatner saying "Let's get the hell out of here" was a powerful clencher given cursing on television at all was considered VERY taboo.

[@tsntana]

Sort of like when you hear "son of a bitch" during The Devil Went Down To Georgia.

[@WEB_78O]

The moment where Edith's fate is sealed, Bone's, Kirk's and Spock's individual reactions... that scene just sends chills through me every time. All three performers are at the top of their games in this scene. The restrained empathy from Spock. Kirk squeezing McCoy, unable to look. McCoy's, "Do you know what you just did?" Intense. Kirk's quiet cursing at the end. There's such enjoyable banter between Kirk and Spock in this episode too. Kirk claiming Spock is "obviously Chinese" and the childhood accident stuff is hilarious. Great reactions and review once again, guys. I look forward to every episode.

[@sarahfullerton6894]

Yes, this is a heart-rending episode, but there is also humor in it. I love when Spock says that he has to figure out how to make a mneumonic circuit using "stone knives and bear skins".

[@WEB_78O]

@@sarahfullerton6894 lol, yup, another great line

[@BalokLives]

Agreed about the banter. I always love Spock's sarcasm about working with "stone knives, and bear skins." The way he says that to Edith when she peeks her head in and says "What is that?" "I am attempting to make a mnemonic memory circuit with stone knives and bearskins."

[@bettyleeist]

Poor Doctor McCoy!He’s got an overdose of;quardrazine,onboard the Enterprise!He will be unwell until he get’s better!Yes….when he see’s;Edith Keeler.😮😮😮😮😮

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

This is the most haunting, bittersweet and extremely creative episode in the entire Star Trek franchise. It's difficult to think of a Trek episode as brilliant as this one. So obviously you saw why it's such a fan favorite.

[@RLucas3000]

I personally would choose Amok Time over it, but it’s an S tier episode for sure.

[@pike100]

​@@RLucas3000S tier?

[@richelliott9320]

Even as a kid this episode really stuck with me

[@bobm2027]

Yes, Star Trek is primarily about the big 3 characters. What a moment of joy when all 3 re-unite just before Edith’s tragic demise. What a swing of emotions.

[@okankyoto]

One of the great gems of watching TOS is that sometimes theres an episode that feels so good- suddenly it hits you that, "This is good, so good that people have wanted to keep making this show for nearly 60 years"

[@visionaryventures12]

One of my favorite bits of dialogue. Spock asking her, “Interesting, Miss Keeler. Where would you (?) us?” She replies, “you … at his side as if you’ve been there and always will.”

[@Michael-id9bw]

This might be the only TOS episode where I really felt that Kirk truly cared for the woman of interest. Definitely made the end heartbreaking.

[@kevinkingmaker7395]

This episode is a masterclass in writing and editing. So much story was packed into 50 minutes.

[@jameskarakitsos4412]

One of the comments that pops up about this episode is why did Edith have to die in order to correct the time line. Why could they not just bring her back to the future with them so she could not change history. The answer plain and simple is explained in the beginning when the Guardian tells Kirk they will be brought back from the past when the time line is corrected. The guardian itself does not possess the power to alter history. It simply is a gateway to recorded history. The only way Kirk and Spock could be brought back to the corrected time line is if Edith was no longer alive in the past to alter it. At least that’s the way I see it. Back in 1967 when I first watched this at the age of 16 these shows were not taken apart and analyzed the way viewers do today but this episode really does hold up to scrutiny especially for a time travel episode. Just my opinion of course. Thank you guys so much for your great reactions and comments to a show that has had a major influence on my life. Live long and prosper.

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

Also, Starfleet regulations say that if someone is to go back in time, they're supposed to alter it as little as possible, regardless of good intentions. Just to be on the safe side.

[@gallendugall8913]

Joan Collins was a popular contender for, "Most Beautiful Woman In The World" throughout the '60s.

[@PrimeCircuit]

I completely forgot she was in this episode!

[@lauramiller4939]

Robert Brown REPLACED Barrymore in that last episode, as he was too drunk to work. Brown was a fine actor who played the lead in a series called Here Come the Brides.

[@richelliott9320]

I was hoping someone would correct that

[@roykassinger6903]

....Here Comes the Brides,which co-starred Mark Leonard or as you guys know him, "the guy who plays Spock's dad"

[@oliverschnell5434]

I watched this episode with friend of mine a while back, who isn't a Trekkie but was interested in what I love about Star Trek. After it was over, he was so impressed by the writing and how the episode turned out completely different from what he expected after the first few minutes. It's not my favorite, but it definitely is one of the greatest episodes.

[@cdfreester]

The acting from the three principle actors was spot on. Not a false note in the whole episode.

[@oliverschnell5434]

@@cdfreester Absolutely. When Spock says his famous line "Edith Keeler must die!", you can see that it pains him to tell that to Kirk. It's very subtle, but it's there.

[@nathanfitzgerald6651]

@@oliverschnell5434 Or at the end when McCoy asks Kirk "do you know what you just did?" and Spock quietly says, "He knows, doctor....he knows."

[@patfranks785]

Make sure to have him avoid the crappy episodes until he is hooked. You might want to show him The Cage to give him the full Sar Trek TOS story.

[@patfranks785]

What's amazing to me is the studio turned this down for Lost in Space. Also, if you aren't aware of the story, there would be no Star Trek without Lucille Ball. Thanks Lucy.

[@zoppie]

Roddenberry loved the prestige of having actual award-winning sci-fi authors submitting stories to his show. What he didn't bank on was that most of them had no experience in writing for TV. So while their tales were way out there and imaginative, they were impractical to shoot on the budget they had. Often it put GR between the rock and the hard place of having to rewrite the scripts that his idols (and friends, in many cases) wrote. And, sure enough, their feelings were hurt when they saw how much their stories were watered down. Harlan Ellison was most famous for blowing his stack at how much his script was changed. Up to that point, he was a big cheerleader for Star Trek, as it was the only SF show on TV that tackled adult subjects. Afterward, he nursed a grudge against GR and the show all the way up to his death. And he was one of the few who had TV writing experience, so he should have been a little more grown-up about it. But he was quite a volatile character. So much so, that Story Editor Dorothy Fontana never told him that it was her rewrite that you see onscreen, not GR's. She was happy to not be credited all, and let Ellison crow about writing "the best Trek episode ever," while simultaneously shitting on the "untalented" Roddenberry (whom Ellison said had only the same three story plots within him) for utterly "ruining" it.

[@nunyabizness6595]

Eventually Ellison buried the hachect with Roddenberry. Roddenberry went to bat for Ellison when these idiot producers of The Starlost called Roddenberry for advice he said, "well if you hadn't mangled his script, you would have haf a great series."

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

In Ellison's defense, if you look back on the stuff Rodenberry himself actually wrote, you find that its basically the same three or four stories recycled nine of ten times.

[@zoppie]

@@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames Creativity was not his strong suit. But he knew what he liked and what he didn't. Often, his rewrites saved scripts that never would have otherwise become episodes. So in a way, it was good that he was the producer and not a frequent writer. Although, if it were up to him, Star Trek wouldn't have had any humorous episodes. He was convinced that they lowered the show into camp.

[@RLucas3000]

@@zoppie it was definitely Gene Coon (and DC Fontana) rewriting scripts, not Roddenberry, who only did the first 13 episodes. After that, Roddenberry was writing treatments for other shows, trying to get them picked up.

[@cleekmaker00]

"Since before your Sun burned hot in Space, and before your Race was born, I have awaited... a Question." I can't wait for you guys to start watching Season 2!

[@jamesalexander5623]

I'm 70 and Watched Star Trek from Night One! .... My little Brother would watch too .... He called the Guardian .....'The Talking Doughnut"!

[@jathygamer8746]

@@jamesalexander5623 imagine if Homer Simpson were there

[@majkus]

Ellison long resented Roddenberry's changes - some substantial - to his original script. Eventually, he published that script. Frankly, Roddenberry knew his show, setting, and characters better than Ellison. The resulting collaboration, involuntary as it was, was an award winner.

[@AndrewLakeUK]

The original story was great, but it wasn't Star Trek, and it would have cost more than their budget. There was a fantastic graphic novel version. I think we got the best version on screen.

[@pauld6967]

@@AndrewLakeUK I agree. I will take this televised version over Ellison's original script any day of the week.

[@AndrewLakeUK]

@@pauld6967 And we have the best of both worlds; we have a character-defining episode and a brilliant graphic novel as a what if?

[@pauld6967]

@@AndrewLakeUK Indeed. I bet all these comments are helping their "engagement" numbers.

[@pskopsyke]

Ellison left his name on the credits so he couldn’t have been too upset. He would dropped that Bird in a hot second.

[@bradleyb3978]

Imagine all that Kirk went through and how he felt when he got back ... and Scottie says "you were only gone a moment". Devastated in a snap of a finger.

[@tsntana]

And the landing crew had no idea of the tragedy. This would have otherwise been a happy ending with time being restored, McCoy being found, and reestablishing contact with the Enterprise.

[@tyranusfan]

Desilu (the studio making Star Trek and Mission: Impossible at this time) owned the backlot where The Andy Griffith Show's town of Mayberry was filmed. It was most prominent here (you can see Kirk pass Floyd's Barber Shop), and in the earlier "Miri."

[@rogers.5153]

Here's a link to the Wikipedia page about the Desilu 40 Acres backlot: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RKO_Forty_Acres At 11:05, Kirk and Edith walk in front of Floyd's Barber Shop from the Andy Griffith Show.

[@brianburton1843]

MeTV ran a commercial prom for both Andy Griffith Show and Star Trek at one time. It intercut the citizens of Mayberry reacting to Kirk and Spock suddenly appearing in their town. And Kirk and Spock commenting on their strange surroundings. They used clips from this Star Trek episode.

[@Dmarcoot]

I love that McCoy uses his knowledge of anatomy to make literal surgical strikes . Really nice touch there for the character.

[@janus1958]

There is one bit in this episode where Spock's logic fails him: When He implies that Kirk could have let her fall down the stairs. Sure, she could have died, but she could have also just injured herself and got laid up enough to not to be on the street and be hit by a truck.

[@trhansen3244]

I believe Michael Burnham had not yet taught Spock how to be logical. Then she taught Kirk how to be a leader. Then she taught McCoy how to be a doctor. Then Scotty how to be an engineer. There is literally nothing she cannot do. She is now the single most important person in the Star Trek Universe. Al Sharpton approves.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

I think Spock was just pointing out that any significant changes they make, even ones that seem to be for the better might have devastating consequences.

[@WillCamx]

@@trhansen3244 Oh how I agree with your comment.

[@carlpeterson8182]

This episode won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama on Television for that year.

[@brandonflorida1092]

This episode was recognized from the very beginning to be a masterpiece. Before it was first broadcast, "TV Guide," which was more important then than it is now, gave it a half page "close-up" listing rather than the usual couple of sentences, something they did only for shows they considered special. As for your question about how they got back, there's something the guardian says before-hand. I think Kirk asks it something like "If we're successful?" and it somehow indicates that they'll be returned.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

"TV Guide" was much, much more important back then. In fact, I'm old enough to remember when it was a must-buy every week. (When they stopped publishing thick, "Reader's Digest"-sized local editions with the specific market's channel numbers and went with a national edition in a standard magazine size listing programs by network, they clearly had realized that their heyday was past.)

[@brandonflorida1092]

@@anthonybernacchi2732 Yes, it was pretty much a "must-buy" when "Star Trek" was making new shows.

[@reichensperger1847]

I stumbled across Target Audience’s TOS reactions yesterday and binge-watched the first 27 episodes, while sick in bed with Covid. My God, what fabulous commentary! Three things stand out: (1) Target Audience combine perceptive technical observations (e.g., comments about the lighting, set design, background music, &c.) with attention to the grace notes of character. It’s nice to see them enjoying little bits of business between the characters, such as Sulu bantering with Riley in “The Naked Time” or the arch look that Yeoman Rand gives to Uhura in “Charlie X.” (Alas, this loving attention to the secondary characters fades away by the second half of the season and never returns). (2) Nice to see how Alex & Josh were surprised at how the series began cold: no exposition, no backstory, no introduction to the characters - we start right off in the middle of a story, and learn who the Enterprise crew is over time. After a few episodes I could see that Alex & Josh getting acquainted with the personalities of the characters, and starting to enjoy their foibles and interaction. Having first watched these episodes in 1966 as an eight-year-old, I felt like I was fast-forwarding through a year of my life in just half a day. (3) It was also nice to see how Alex & Josh appreciated the constantly changing helmsman, who could be an impetuous young man (Bailey), a Vulcan-hating bigot (Stiles), a cheery Irishman (Riley), etc. But did they notice that these well-developed parts for guest-starring crewmen only appear in the first dozen or so episodes? There were more and more lackluster episodes as the season progressed - because of budget cuts, exhaustion, and the fact that they filmed the best scripts first. That’s why it’s such a pleasure to see them enjoying “The City on the Edge of Forever,” which was written at the very beginning of the series (at least the story), and has the originality & freshness of those early episodes.

[@targetaudience]

Hope you recover from Covid quickly and feel better soon!

[@reichensperger1847]

@@targetaudience Thanks kindly. (That was fast!)

[@pauld6967]

@@reichensperger1847 A good summation of why it is fun to watch these two experience for the first time what we have enjoyed for decades. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

That's cool. The number of people who actually watched the show in its original airing are few and far between. My memory of the show begins when it started in syndication in my area around 1970 and was shown every weekday afternoon just in time for kids coming home from school for over a decade. So, from first grade up til I graduated high school, Star Trek was a daily after school ritual. You can do the math on how many times I would've seen each episode. My older brother, who was around 12, remembered it being on at night but said Dad wouldn't let him watch it because it had too much skin and "makin' out" in it.

[@SteveBrant55]

Congratulations on finding this channel! I hope it has helped your recovery! I was eleven when Star Trek was first broadcast and am enjoying watching these commentaries very much!

[@Asher8328]

Most times Star Trek tries romance I find myself not liking it very much, but this one manages to knock it out of the park for me. Even little details, like the fact that they arrived a few weeks before Bones means a lot to me, because it makes it much more believable that Kirk and Edith had growing relationship. Btw, using the "hell" as an expletive was a major no-no during 60's TV. I believe there was some pressure to change the line, but I'm glad it got to stay. Perfect ending to a monumental episode.

[@richardb6260]

And then they did something that made everyone forget that Kirk said "Hell".

[@vpreggie]

One aspect of this show that I never considered - Kirk is forced to make a quick decision. He knows in the back of his mind what MUST be done, but we are dealing with a man who often second-guesses his commitment to his profession (remember the "No beach to walk on" quote from "The Naked Time"). Deep down he yearns to settle down with the woman of his dreams and walking away from responsibilities. He doesn't regret having those responsibilities, but he often thinks about "the other side" of a life he could have. Having been thrust into a situation where, in a split second, he has to let the woman of his dreams get crushed under the wheels of a truck or save her and live the life he often dreams of forces him to "do the right thing". Afterwards his hand is shaking because maybe he contemplated just how close he came to not doing "the right thing". A subtle thing I love - The way both Spock and McCoy shout "No, Jim!" at the same time, but each mean two different things. McCoy screams "No! because he doesn't want Keeler to die, but Spock says "No!" to prevent Kirk from saving her. Great episode - I tear up every time I watch it, especially riding the wave of knowing what's coming.

[@ammaleslie509]

Omg I never caught that and I've been loving this episode for 50+ years. WOW.

[@garyflexon532]

I have been a Star Trek fan since early childhood, when it was first shown on British TV. The memorable stories & characters always gripped me, even as a small child, like no other series ever did. 50+ years later, I still enjoy revisiting them and it is especially pleasing to witness your reactions as first time viewers. City on the edge of forever is, in my opinion, the best ever Trek episode as it contains every element that I find appealing about the show. In the space of 50 mins, you get drama, fantastic character interaction ,humour and a kicker of an ending, not unlike a Greek tragedy! That death scene still gives me chills, as Kirk makes his heart rending decision & as McCoy says "do you know what you just did?" Spock, standing in the shadows, like a spectre of doom, delivers the line, "He knows, Doctor, he knows!" It just doesn't get better than that!!

[@gerardcote8391]

This is one that is almost always considered the best or one of the top 2 or 3 by nearly every fan. Should be noted the guy that wrote the original draft, hated that they changed his ending. But that choice was clearly for the better.

[@brianstraight9308]

56 years of Star Trek, this for me is the best episode of the entire franchise. Thus episode just has a magic to it that has never been topped.

[@KentBalzer]

This is not only one of my favorite episodes of all time, but it was televised on the eve of my birth. It was broadcast on April 6, 1967. I was born at 2:45 am on April 7, 1967. My twin brother and I am forever bonded with this episode.

[@jeffreymoore6742]

Back in 67 when this aired, I was 11 years old and the episode was the first time I heard a curse word on tv. Yes in 67 what Kick said was a curse word

[@greenporker]

The 30s set was Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show. You can see Floyds Barber Shop.

[@davidpage9355]

Your expressions as the truck approached the doomed Edith were so real. And we who grew up watching Trek still feel that after five decades. THAT is timeless television. Thanks for going through it .. with us old-timers.

[@j.jennings1722]

Terrific episode, which the AFI called one of the top 100 TV episodes of all time. FYI: when Kirk says, "Let's get the hell out of here," that was the first scripted curse word ever allowed on TV by the censors.

[@j.jennings1722]

@Todd Pence using the word Hell in the context of heaven and hell was used many times before "City" but not in the context of it being a swear word. Star Trek also had TV's first interracial kiss ...if you don't count Lucy and Ricky.

[@indetigersscifireview4360]

That was definitely NOT Drew Barrymore's Dad. Drew's dad was hired to be Lazarus but didn't show up. Robert Brown was brought in last minute to replace Drew's dad. Now onto the reaction. Now I've watched your reaction this is an amazing episode. Joan Collins is very famous and she portrays Edith Keeler with a great amount of insight and just a bit of curiosity. Her expression of I don't get it, when she sees the mnemonic memory circuit or Kirk somehow not fitting in is just that subtle touch that this episode needs. Still, I think the loss of Gary Mitchell at Kirk's own hand would have been more hurtful to Kirk's character.

[@kschneyer]

Robert Brown later starred in a highly questionable sitcom called Here Come the Brides (along with David Soul and Bobby Sherman), in which he did a decent job but couldn't ultimately save the awful premise.

[@indetigersscifireview4360]

@@kschneyer I think I remember that show. But it was so long ago I couldn't tell you the first thing about it.

[@kschneyer]

@@indetigersscifireview4360 Look up who played the villain, Aaron Stempel. It'll give you a laugh.

[@kschneyer]

I kind of want to go back and look at old episodes of Search or Hec Ramsey, but I'm afraid of what I'll find.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

I just remembered a funny story about people watching Star Trek. Back in the 80s I worked at Disney World in Orlando for a summer. At Disney World there is an underground network of tunnels that house employee locker rooms, the costume department (uniforms) and the cafeteria among other things. Each day I would go down to the cafeteria and have a dinner break at 5 o'clock. In the cafeteria they had TVs on the walls that were connected to the local cable company in Orlando which at the time was carrying two stations from different markets that were both showing Star Trek at 5 o'clock. People would tune half the TVs to one station and the other half to the other station. So depending on which episode you wanted to watch would dictate where you sat. I found it funny to look around and see ride operators in their various costumes, performers in garish makeup and middle aged maintenance men all sitting around together glued to the TV while the whole cafeteria would be exceptionally quiet while Star Trek was on. Oh, and there was a smoking section back then too. I remember sitting and watching it while enjoying a cigarette. Wow. Those were the days.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

@@sdfried4877 Yeah, the so-called "Entertainment" department down in the tunnel where all the characters would be putting on their heads and what not, some of those girls didn't care what you saw as you were walking by.

[@carlpeterson8182]

It was one of the first times of swearing on TV when Kirk said "Let's get the hell out of here" at the end of the episode. I think it puts a right end to such a crappy thing to happen to Kirk. It was right of him to swear in that moment. I am a chaplain an I am at the bedside at many end of life events. Often swearing is a right reaction to the crappy suffering and evil that has just taken place. Sometimes not. But often it is. Kirk's line at the end gives emotional realism to what happened to Kirk.

[@cdfreester]

Thank you for your service as a chaplain. My wife is also a chaplain.

[@andyt1313]

As a little kid I remember my shock at hearing hell,…and Kirk saying it!

[@susansokoloski2233]

This episode is literally the best hour of television of all time. Joan freaking Collins! Incredible story and writing, wonderful acting and actors. Nothing gets better than this episode. Nothing.

[@garyd3278]

I am not 100% sure about this, but I believe this was the first use of the word hell on TV in the US that was meant to be swearing and in the script.

[@dangerousdavescott]

City On The Edge Of Forever is consistently recognized by entertainment publications, such as TV Guide, and TV critics as one of the best single episodes of television in history. Not just Star Trek history, but TV history. And usually near or at the top of their Top Tens. Another piece of trivia for this episode is that it was shot on the town set from the Andy Griffith Show. We even see William Shatner and Joan Collins (Edith) walk past the store front window for Floyd's Barber Shop at one point. An historic episode in terms of quality and critical acclaim which, along with Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Best Of Both Worlds (which consistently tops lists of Best Season Finale/Cliffhangers of all time), is one for history books written by fans and critics alike.

[@trhansen3244]

I'd agree with TV Guide. It is one of the best episodes of any series I've seen. The only moment in Trek that rivals the death of Edith Keeler is the death of Spock in WOK.

[@flaggerify]

It's not even the best episode of this season.

[@trhansen3244]

@@flaggerify And what is?

[@flaggerify]

@@trhansen3244 This Side of Paradise, Devil in the Dark, The Menagerie, Squire of Gothos were all better

[@trhansen3244]

@@flaggerify Only one of those is on the same level as City. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.

[@ebashford5334]

I really appreciate honest reactions, positive or negative, as long as the reactor is open-minded and not with a jaundiced eye throughout. You guys do a great job.

[@cdfreester]

I agree

[@tjkhanks]

Exactly right.

[@brianalambert1192]

Fun fact, DeForest Kelly wanted to be a doctor but couldn't afford med school, so he settled for playing a doctor on television. It was always heartwarming to him when a fan would tell him that he inspired them to pursue a career in medicine

[@BossNerd]

To me this episode epitomizes what Rodenberry wants Star Trek to communicate to the audience. I tear up every time I hear Edith Keeler's speech - - knowing she must die. Rodenberry is saying the future will be better but you have to work for it - and sometimes people have to die. Sometimes the fixes are not technological - they are often personal and it isn't just abput inventing something cool - sometimes it is about life, death, and sacrifice. Of course, this is my favorite episode...... On a different note - - there is so much history that goes along with this episode. They changed the script so much Ellison sued the show. I rewatched it before watching this review and noticed his name was in the credits - that may be new - I know he wanted nothing to do with it even after it won a bunch of awards. BTW - Joan Collins usually plays a diva - here she is angelic - extraordinary range. You guys are obviously aware of red shirt memes but are you aware of all the "Edith Keeler must die" memes? Several t-shirts and bumper stickers out there with "Edith Keeler must die!" on them. When I was 7 or 8 years old I saw this episode (probably for the 10th time already) and I went down to a TV repair store near my house and brought back a bunch of old TV tubes from their trash and got some rabbit ear antennas and recreated Spock's neumonic memory circuit - I didn't even need bearskins and knives! ;-)

[@Theman122082]

Now you know why it's considered the best episode of Star Trek, ever.

[@howardyoung9987]

My favourite Star Trek episode of any part of the franchise. The denouement gets me every time. He knows Doctor he knows. Brilliant and special.

[@Fast_Eddy_Magic]

I love how you guys bob your heads to the theme song every episode.

[@144Donn]

Even now, when Edith mentions McCoy and Kirk reacts ....the chills start all over my body! Then of course when Kirk hold back McCoy and Spock saying, "He knows Dr., He knows" Goodness! It does not get better than this! There is a nice video on youtube where B Shatner and Joan Collins are together talking about this episode. It is a very sweet video.

[@neccron9956]

This was written by Harlan Ellison, who also wrote the Outer Limits episodes "Soldier", which was gave James Cameron the idea for the Terminator, and "Demon with the Glass Hand" which is the best episode of this series. Side note on the "Demon with the Glass Hand": The woman in the episode is the actor that played T'Pring, Spock's wife, in "Amok Time".

[@jsharp3165]

"City" has been my favorite TOS episode since I saw it as a tween in the '70s. It has fantastic character moments, humor, creativity, and incredibly high-stakes drama - both emotionally and practically. The ending is a chilling and numbing gut-punch. I'm so happy you guys enjoyed it.

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Even though this is considered a great episode, there was some controversy. The writer of the episode was pissed off that they cut so much out of his original script. He never worked for them again and when he got the Hugo award for the episode he dissed the series for changing his writing. Honestly though I think they did a good job. The original script included a lot more characters, which they could not afford, and had a subplot about drug use in the future which I don't think fit in the vision of Star Trek utopia.

[@BrylcreemBill]

Something you didn't mention about this episode is Kirk saying "Let's get the HELL out of here.". We're so used to hearing people curse in that way today that it doesn't even make a wave. But remember, this episode of Star Trek was filmed and aired in 1967. No one, absolutely no one, cursed on a TV show. But due to the gut wrenching choice that Kirk had to make, the censors left it in. It really is how Kirk felt inside. I have always believed that he genuinely loved Edith more than any other woman in the series. His reaction to having to let her be killed by the truck was like a knife in his gut.

[@TJStock85]

Such a roller coaster of an episode! Kudos to Desilu Productions, the writers, director, all the actors, & especially Joan Collins 👏

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

As many times as I've seen this episode (ever since it was first broadcast), I'd still managed to forget how good it is. And, as you said, I like the fact that Edith is so sharp and thoughtful. It is actually plausible that she, in the right situation, could have caused a major change to the history of the 20th century. Also: "Let's get the hell out of here." What an ending line.

[@russellharrell2747]

No awkward ending laughter on this one.

[@MrDeadstu]

I am loving these ST:TOS reactions gentleman and really appreciate the no-bullshit reactions. You gentleman are becoming true fans of Star Trek, and there is SO much more to be assimilated. Welcome aboard cadets. You will be assigned quarters soon and will also be issued a uniform and communicator at that time. Phasers available after training. Do not feed the Tribbles.

[@athos1974]

"Assimilated"? 😳 Interesting choice of word there..

[@MrDeadstu]

@@athos1974 Yeah, I thought that was clever.

[@christopherjaskowiak9073]

Brilliant episode, one of the absolute best of not just Star Trek (the entire franchise), but of all television history. That ending STILL makes me choke up and my eyes sting, even after watching the episode probably a thousand times.

[@Andy-ju8bb]

This is what Star Trek can pull off when it's being serious. Despite only being in her mid-30s, Joan Collins had already starred in nearly 30 movies when she appeared in this episode.

[@johnandrews3151]

One thing you two should be aware of : in the 1960's, there was no foul language on network television. It was sometimes heard if in a movie shown on tv but was not generally heard in any made for television shows. So when Captain Kirk said "Let's get the hell out of here!", it was the first and last time any kind of foul language was used in the Star Trek series and was a shocker to the fans that it was said at all! You should also know that this episode won the award that year for best dramatic episode for a television series.

[@kwebb121765]

Wasn't it a Hugo Award? I'm pretty sure Star Trek never won an Emmy for Best Dramatic Episode, but it was nominated a couple times. Ellison's script won the Writer's Guild Award.

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

The Enterprise orbits a mysterious planet from which space-time distortions emanate, causing the ship to shake violently - a planet on which there is only one intelligent lifeform. After beaming down to investigate, the Enterprise crew will encounter time travel, a gateway between realities, and a good person who must be sacrificed for the safety of the universe - a sacrifice that will leave Captain Kirk deeply saddened. But we’re here to discuss “The City on the Edge of Forever”, not “The Alternative Factor”. (If the Lazarus/Masters romance hadn’t been removed, I could have included “a forbidden love” in the above summary.) One of the main topics of this discussion will undoubtedly be the major rewrite of Harlan Ellison’s script by D. C. Fontana and others prior to filming. A great deal of information about this is available online. For the full story, a 1996 book called "The City on the Edge of Forever" includes Ellison’s version of the script with a long introduction by Ellison (who died in 2018), which makes clear that he remained bitter about the rewrite for decades. Ellison’s script has also been adapted into a graphic novel by IDW. I don’t remember whether the book introduction includes spoilers for later Star Trek episodes or films, but the script itself doesn’t, of course, and neither should the graphic novel. One or both print versions of “City” would be my prime recommendations to Alex and Josh for TOS reading material after Season 1. My own, unpopular opinion is that Ellison’s script is far superior to the aired episode. I also think Joan Collins was miscast as Edith. She gets better as the episode goes on and she settles into the love story with Kirk, but she’s too glamorous, and her English accent seems inappropriate for the character. And not even the acting skills of Hayden Christensen could have saved the “some kind of spaceship” speech, which Ellison suspected Roddenberry of having written himself. The aired episode retains Ellison’s overall plot but contains only two lines of dialogue from his script, both from the Guardian: “Since before your sun burned hot in space, before your race was born” and “Time has resumed its shape.” Something I only noticed on my most recent viewing is how sad Uhura’s line “Happiness at least, Captain” is, given what happens afterwards. In Ellison’s script, Edith correctly guesses that Kirk is from Iowa based on the subtleties of his accent. Kirk coming from Iowa was mentioned in the TOS Writer’s Guide (published in "The Making of Star Trek") but was ultimately not mentioned on screen until one of the movies. The city of Riverside, Iowa, promotes itself as Kirk’s future birthplace, but this has not been confirmed in canon. (Similarly, the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, claims that Scotty will be born there.) The final line of the aired episode, “Let’s get the hell out of here”, constituted extremely strong profanity for network television in 1967. The title of this episode has a double meaning, referring both to the ruins on the Guardian’s planet and to New York City. The Ellison script had a title drop which was omitted from the finished episode. Joan Collins is billed in the closing credits as playing “Sister Edith Keeler” because Edith had that title in the Ellison script, in which she was a humanistic street preacher rather than running a mission. Ellison based Edith in part on the famed and controversial evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who was known as Sister Aimee. (Gene Roddenberry supposedly drew on his memories of his own father in rewriting some of Edith’s dialogue.) Joan Collins herself, who is now 89 years old, has had the title of Dame since 2015, when Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This episode is one of those William Shatner has named as his favorites (along with “The Devil in the Dark”) and was also one of the late DeForest Kelley’s two favorite TOS episodes (the other one is in Season 3). DeForest Kelley suggested that McCoy should *also* fall in love with Edith. A close-up of Kelley was filmed in which the way he looked at Edith suggested that he was falling in love with her, but it was not used in the final edit. The "Doctor Who" franchise went through a phase in the 2000s of making at least one or two stories per year that were conceptually reminiscent of “City”, whether on "Doctor Who" itself or on one of its spinoffs, "Torchwood" and "The Sarah Jane Adventures". It seemed that whenever the writers wanted to do a serious, emotional award-bait story, they consciously or unconsciously imitated “City”. "The Sarah Jane Adventures" even had a recurring villain whose whole MO was to manipulate the characters into “City”-like scenarios. Two "Doctor Who" episodes had characters *literally struck and killed by cars* to repair the timeline. “The City on the Edge of Forever” won the 1968 Hugo Award, one of the most prestigious science fiction awards, for Best Dramatic Presentation. “The Menagerie” two-parter had won in the same category the previous year, with “The Corbomite Maneuver” and “The Naked Time” also nominated. (“Menagerie” and “City” aired in the same television season but in different calendar years.) *All five nominees* for the 1968 award were TOS episodes; the other four await you in Season 2. (Will someone let me know if my comments on these reactions are too long and pretentious? I worry that people might be thinking "TL;DR". I love your videos, guys. 🙂)

[@targetaudience]

We love your comments, great info!

[@anthonybernacchi2732]

@@targetaudience Thanks, guys. You made my day!

[@portland-182]

in The Andy Griffith show (1960 - 1968), Andy Griffith played a sheriff of a small town Mayberry. The exteriors are on the standing set of Mayberry redressed slightly to look the the 30's. If Keeler lives they can't return to their present, as the Enterprise no longer exists. Their mission is to retrieve McCoy and to reset the timeline...

[@iKvetch558]

Hey...the story appears to be that Drew Barrymore's Dad was replaced at the last minute because he did not show up? Lazarus was played by Robert Brown, at least that seems to be the what happened. ✌

[@racookster]

That's what happened.

[@jsharp3165]

Re: McCoy's response time at 3:45 . Sickbay is located in the heart of the saucer section of the ship. So it is directly below the bridge, just a few decks down (4-6 decks, depending on who you ask). McCoy could easily hop in the turbo lift, go straight up, and be on the bridge in well under a minute.

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

Interesting. The heart of the saucer section of the Enterprise D contains the computer cores.

[@cdfreester]

McCoy with the double-quick karate chop - fast hands. No wonder he is chief surgeon.

[@richardb6260]

And he knows just where to hit someone.

[@davidsandy5917]

If you look closely, some of the sets are from the Andy Griffith show. There is one scene where they walk past Floyd's Barber Shop.

[@cdfreester]

FYI - Lazarus (Robert Brown) was not Drew Barrymore's dad. Her dad was scheduled to play that role then bailed, so they hired Robert Brown literally on the first day of shooting that episode.

[@kschneyer]

The writer of this episode, Harlan Ellison, was one of the greatest science-fiction short-story writers of the 20th century, right up there with Theodore Sturgeon and Alfred Bester. Not only is this episode widely viewed as the best TOS episode, but there are many fans who view it as the best episode of *any* Trek series. Interestingly, the version that was ultimately shot was markedly different from the teleplay Ellison originally wrote, and he never forgave Roddenberry for the changes. (He wrote an entire *book*, in the 1990s, about how rotten it was of Roddenberry to do those things.) I've read both versions, and while I think that Ellison's original version would have been a better episode of, say, The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, it fought against some of the basic assumptions of Trek, which Ellison simply didn't believe in. Now, the second season is my favorite season of TOS, and there are several episodes that are exquisitely written and acted, and give this one a serious run for its money. Among those are "Amok Time", "Journey to Babel", "The Doomsday Machine", and the episode you always show to your kids to get them hooked on Trek: "The Trouble with Tribbles".

[@kschneyer]

@@sdfried4877 Agreed. Not to mention that you can tell, both from Ellison’s original dialogue & his stage directions, that he thought the idea of an unemotional alien was stupid.

[@Sopmylo]

It's been equalled but never bettered

[@koretmulder6316]

I really appreciated the music. There was a point where Kirk and Edith were happy together, and "Goodnight Sweetheart" was playing in the background. And then in her death scene they laid it over, but in a darker chord. So effective.

[@chiaraderrico8783]

One of the best TOS episodes, I love it

[@fredklein3829]

Just to point out the author of this episode, Harlan Ellison, was a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

[@jamesalexander5623]

Let's get the Hell out of There! ....

[@oobrocks]

Bill Shatner’s best performance. Update: u guys were both amazing at the climax: great job 🎉😊

[@shermanlin5554]

I get it you two were seated next to each other in in grade school or homeroom in high school by last name and have been friends for years since. Anyway good reaction. Season 2 has my fans Doomsday Machine, Amok Time and the Changeling

[@maceomaceo11]

No, that wasn't Drew Barrymore's dad. As was mentioned several times, he no showed the set. As was also mentioned several times, beard guy was Robert Brown, thrown in straight off the street cold into the role with little notice.

[@nunyabizness6595]

It probably wouldn't have mattered who the actor was. The writing on Alternative Factor just wasn't there. Even the great Gerd (Outer Limits) Oswald couldn't save it. He directed Conscience of the King, a much better episode IMO. But Oswald directed a few eps of OL season 2 and couldn't save them. If the writing isn't there, theres not much a director can do.

[@taylorwaterman7316]

I feel like they could have just brought her to the future and going missing back then basically equated to death. But I guess the 'rules' of the planet/time travel device does not work like that? It also showed how inconsequential the random guys life was that accidentally killed himself with McCoy's tool. Like he did not amount to anything, nothing changed. Seems like another sad thing about the ep, how hopeless things were during this time. But Edith, she would have changed the world. What a cruel twist of fate indeed. Why it makes this ep one of people's faves. Acted so well by Shatner. Nimoy and DeForest as always, gave excellent performances as well! I was waiting for this reaction and you guys did not disappoint! Glad to see new people enjoying the awesomeness of TOS!

[@jamesoblivion]

I must've been about 8 years old when I first saw this episode. I loved Trek as a kid, loved the sci-fi and adventure, but this one hit me differently. It hit me HARD. I still get full body chills every time I watch it. And I still think it's the best hour in the history of the franchise.

[@jasonlallathin6782]

One of my favorite episodes! Can't wait till Mirror, Mirror! I just want to tell you all about it, but I'll wait like everyone else.

[@jaykay6387]

The whole episode is amazing, but that ending moves people, it's as good as TV drama gets IMO. I still get teary eyed, and I've seen it too many times to count. For me, that episode stands alone for TOS, easily #1. I love the classic ep with the Gorn, "Arena", and "Mirror, Mirror" is great, but nothing touches this.

[@michaelevans6669]

Watch closely, and you'll see Kirk and Edith walk past Floyd's Barber Shop from Mayberry, (The Andy Griffith show location set).

[@alanr4447a]

20:01 "I could go on about this episode forever." You and a few million others!

[@richwagener]

The “Depression era” film you were inferring was the great series “The Untouchables” the other classic giant in Desilu’s production stable.

[@markfilla9305]

Great reaction guys! You hit the nail on the head at the end. The sci-fi is great, but what makes this show stand out are the characters. It really is. And fortunately, in later shows within the Trek universe, they generally kept that aspect in mind. It's always about characters.

[@stephw1702]

Years ago saw Mark Shepherd at a convention. One of the things he spoke about was how the reason the classic shows such Star Trek and Doctor Who are still beloved and ressonate isn't due to the special effects. There was no budget in those days for spectacle. They endure due to the emphasis on characters and writing. He also spoke on the importance of not losing that, especially now as the budgets have gotten bigger and effects stronger.

[@jeffd.6498]

According to legend, Roddenberry locked Harlan Ellison in his office and refused to let him out until the script was finished. In retaliation, Ellison ate Gene's potted fern.

[@fredermac7468]

Great reaction to one of the most beloved episodes of TOS. I’ve seen this episode countless times over the years, and just learned in the comments that this was the first scripted swear word allowed on network TV. How cool is this YT community? Looking forward to reliving my love of Trek through new eyes.

[@DavidBrown-xm8ou]

The guy in the previous episode was NOT Drew Barrymore's dad. Her dad had been originally cast for the role, but pulled out at the last minute and they had to quickly recast. The actor who ultimately ended up playing the part is not related to the Barrymore family.

[@alucard624]

There's a reason this episode is consistently voted the number 1 episode of the series run. It's such a great story with some really good acting from everyone.

[@cwdkidman2266]

I think the key is that for the only time on the show, Kirk appeared to really love a woman. I totally bought into their romance. And that's what made it all hurt. And even when I first saw this in a rerun at age 13, my friends and I recognized that this one was....different. it hit in ways others never did. They are all good of course because you spend time with friends, but this one is the dramatic equivalent to the comic The Trouble With Tribbles.

[@brachiator1]

Good reaction and good insights. For example, you are right that it is more dramatic that there is none of the banter on the bridge that you get in some other episodes. This episode won a science fiction Hugo Award and was written by Harlan Ellison. Also, great points on the misdirections and reversals. Ultimately McCoy is not a threat and Keeler cannot become a famous peace maker.

[@williambill5172]

It is so fun this late in my life experiencing this amazing series through new eyes 50 years later...really enjoying it - thank you!

[@Randall1001]

Greatest. Episode. of Star Trek. Ever. Any Star Trek. In fact, one of the best episodes of any TV series ever. Certainly one of the very best of the 1960s. I can't think of one that comes close.

[@steveschaff4620]

Simply the BEST episode of the Original Star Trek series.

[@kurtl8425]

Even the title of this episode is more clever than 99% of stuff we see in other sci-fi.

[@Arcege]

This was also one of the first occurrences of the utterance of "hell" on broadcast TV with Kirk's last line "Let's get the hell out of here."