The City on the Edge of Forever // Star Trek: The Original Series Reaction // Season 1

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Please no spoilers! So that I can provide my best and most honest reaction, please do not mention the names of any future characters, events, or episode titles (this goes for future series as well). Please do not say which upcoming episodes are good or bad, otherwise I will have trouble forming my own opinion! Thank you, and enjoy!

[@cwdkidman2266]

This is probably the closest Kirk ever came to eff-wording the Enterprise and staying with his love, Edith Keeler. Very very very close. His pause before beaming up? That pause...

[@ninjabearpress2574]

Talking butthole...lol. You're a good kid.

[@americanaforever6725]

Harlan Ellison’s story made this more than good, it sits high on the list of all time great tv episodes

[@pauld6967]

Bunny: "I'm upset......that hits kinda hard." Yes, that's good writing. That is why this is generally considered Star Trek's best episode by fans.

[@christopherdeangelis2954]

The 1st couple versions of the script are even sadder…if that is possible

[@jasontoddman7265]

Bunny, some of us warned you that not all episodes had happy endings. This is the one many of us had uppermost in mind.

[@christopherdeangelis2954]

To answer the question why couldn’t the guardian of forever bring McCoy back without so much heartache….that is the subtext of the story…this becomes clearer in the original scripts or if one reads some of ellison’s other writing- he is constantly asking this question in his fiction and raging against the answer he feels life gives us, as a writer he generally wants to elicit the same response from his readers/viewers. One of the more interesting facets of the TOS is to see how what the writers brought to the stories by reading about them or their other work

[@bettyleeist]

This might be in;the classic episode’s of James Blishe’s Star ⭐️ Trek?Yeah,City on the edge of Forever is:one of those episode’s that make you think.It’s the go back in time to fix thing’s in history episode.Yeah,I can’t remember details in every episode,so….there’s no problem with that,here!No.Captain Kirk is in command,and in love 😻 with his ship,as is usually the case!But,reading into the Star Trek series with the James Blish episode’s is quite interesting,too!It’s that time of year where people fall in love,too!Happy Valentine’s Day,too!❤❤❤❤❤❤😮😮😮😮😮😊😊😊😊😊😢

[@y00t00b3r]

This episode never fails to make me tear up. Even after five decades.

[@benforwho]

The only award winning episode in its history. Harlon Ellison is a badass writer. ❤👍

[@greenmonsterprod]

As were Gene Coon and D.C. Fontana, who did the rewrite.

[@BossNerd]

This one is the the quintessential TOS episode - Edith Keeler essentially speaks for Gene Rodenberry and lays out his world view. It also makes me cry. Also, great history behind the writing with the infamous Harlan Ellison.

[@tsntana]

Leonard Nimoy described this episode as a classic Greek tragedy. A man trapped by fate in circumstances from which there is no escape. He was always moved by this story and considered it one of his favorites.

[@ninjabearpress2574]

He's not alone, by a wide margin.

[@mcbeezee2120]

Yes, ma'am. That ending has hit the same for all who have seen it, for the last 57 years. Just proves how much a fan you are now. 🙂

[@rickjohnston2667]

And how good the writing and acting on it was. That's why a good story is timeless. That's why people still perform Shakespeare, over 5 centuries later.

[@bettyleeist]

Yeah,Star Trek is still a lovely 🥰 show!I didn’t know that Harlan Ellison was the writer ✍️ of this show?I’ve heard of him,though!Someday,I’ll have to look 👀 him up.I don’t think 🧐 he’s still alive in today’s world?🌍 I really don’t know?But,I like 👍 this episode!Because,my family had to go through this era,I’m sure?My mom 👩 recognized this actress,as well.Where she saw her,I don’t know?😊

[@bettyleeist]

Did you say;for the last 57 year’s?Does that mean Star ⭐️ Trek has been around that long?I guess,we’re passed fourty year’s,now?Well,back in those days,I was little,and in Grade School 🏫.Or,as my mom said;since you grew up in the late ⏰ 1960”s,that’s why you graduated from school.🏫 This was a great 👍 decade to grow up in,too!There was so much change in those day’s!Yeah……poor Edith Keller!She met an untimely end by a car 🚙!And,boom,she was gone after that!I agree,she was there to make peace ✌️ in the world.🌎 Just like our generation did in those days.I’ve never thought 💭 of that…..that Dr.McCoy was going to change history.I always feel like they’re never 👎 going to find Bones.🦴 I don’t know 🤷‍♀️ why,it just alway’s seem’s that way.And,happy November to me!Because,I’m going to have a birthday 🎂 this week!It’s funny,😆 that I’m feeling pretty good 😊 about it,too!

[@tofersiefken]

Bunny: Have we ever seen Bones fight? McCoy: Damn it, Bunny, I'm a doctor, not a ninja!

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

🤣

[@Thunderwing88]

I would have gone with warrior.

[@paulsander5433]

Sandoval: "We don't need the services of a doctor, I'll put you to work however I see fit." McCoy: "Oh? Do you want to see how fast I can put you in a hospital?" Fisticuffs ensue. This Side of Paradise.

[@shawnkildal3151]

He had a brief scuffle in This Side of Paradise when he was under the influence of the spores.

[@jsharp3165]

@@shawnkildal3151 And plenty of scrapes in the Westerns De Kelley was in.

[@prunyanprunyan8139]

It's also difficult to convey how hard Kirk's final line hit when this originally aired. The word "hell" was simply not heard in a swearing context on broadcast television. But the use and allowance of it here was like a sledgehammer at that time.

[@chrino21]

Yes! There were gasps in our living room when that last line came.

[@y00t00b3r]

and the solemnity with which Shatner delivered it... absolutely masterful.

[@davide123]

I also like Spock summing up all the emotional experience they went through by simply saying "We were successful."

[@rickjohnston2667]

That's why Shatner should be given his due for his acting ability. Yes, he has it up on occasion, but when he needs to be poignant as Kirk he hits the mark. This episode is a prime example of that.

[@rickjohnston2667]

Hams, not has. Typo.

[@prunyanprunyan8139]

As I recall, this episode won a sci-fi Hugo award for that year, the only episode of TOS to ever win that honor.

[@alexanderfish4797]

Harlan Ellison's original script won the Hugo award, not the final filmed version.

[@STho205]

The episode won the Hugo Award for best SF screen portrayal of 1967. Ellison's 1st draft won the WGA (Writers Guild of America) author's award as Ellison submitted it, and not Roddenberry's performed script.

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

"The Menagerie" won the Hugo for best dramatic presentation in 1967. Three of the five nominees that year were Star Trek episodes. "City on the Edge of Forever" won in 1968. All five nominees that year were Star Trek episodes.

[@PGoodmanCOG]

It's perfectly proper to cry for Edith. Don't hold back. This is probably the best of the TOS episodes.

[@komradewirelesscaller6716]

Yup even after almost 50 years still brings tears to my eyes!

[@y00t00b3r]

probably? certainly!

[@y00t00b3r]

@@komradewirelesscaller6716 me too. no matter how many times I see it.

[@Cre80s]

A fellow old guy here, and yes, it's a very real tear jerker. Because his loving her was very realistic to believe in. It was clearly so painful to him, he appears sick of his very job out there in space, at least for the moment. Sick of how cruel it can be.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

I saw this episode when I was about 7 years old or so and found Edith Keeler's death most upsetting...my Mom had a hard time explaining it to me. As a dumb kid, I had a hard time understanding the fact that it isn't real, it's just a show, it was a necessary plot device, that was made 20 years ago(from when I was 7), the actress is just fine and okay and has been in other things since then, etc. 😭😭😭😥

[@dangerousdavescott]

"City On The Edge Of Forever" isn't just considered the best Star Trek episode ever. It almost always shows up on lists of the best single episode in the history of television, regardless of series, usually in the top ten or top five. It's probably even topped some of these lists. This is why Star Trek fans get so excited when someone reacts to this episode. Plus Joan Collins, as Edith Keeler, would become a TV icon in the 1980s. So Bunny, you've just witnessed history. One of the most acclaimed single episodes of any TV show in the history of American TV.

[@Stogie2112]

The funny thing about those “Lists” is that they’re all totally subjective. We all have our own lists of “Best Episodes”, and no one is wrong. It’s never a competition.

[@jasontoddman7265]

@@Stogie2112 True, but this episode does tend to top such lists more than any other TOS episode does all the same.

[@stuffyouotterlistento1461]

@@Stogie2112 "It’s never a competition." That sounds like a challenge!

[@generoberts9151]

It was actually nominated for an Emmy

[@rickjohnston2667]

Yes, Joan Collins became an 80's TV icon on the night time soap opera "Dynasty." Prince even referenced the show in his song "Kiss."

[@JasonRule-1]

Although they controversially edited his original script, "The City on the Edge of Forever" was written by the legendary science fiction author, Harlan Ellison. It's widely regarded as one of the best episodes in the entire Star Trek franchise.

[@teastrainer3604]

Everybody's scripts get edited. Harlan couldn't accept that, and that's why work dried up for him in Hollywood.

[@terminaldogma01]

They made the original script into a comic. Great adaption and art.

[@teastrainer3604]

@@onepcwhiz6847 That was re the Outer Limits episode called Demon With a Glass Hand. Same basic idea in both shows -- changing the past changes the future.

[@teastrainer3604]

@@onepcwhiz6847 He was constantly involved in conflicts and lawsuits. Producers finally decided he wasn't worth the trouble of using.

[@SYLTales]

It should be noted that the biggest change (the one Harlan objected to the most) was that Kirk actually tried to save Edith and that it was Spock who stopped him. Roddenberry felt that this would be out of character for Kirk and wouldn't fit for the show's hero, but it would have led to a touching final scene that was also dropped: Spock comes to Kirk in his quarters, finding Kirk despondent. He offers to take Kirk home with him to Vulcan to rest and recover from the experience. Spock tells Kirk that no woman was ever as loved as much Kirk loved Edith, because no woman was ever offered the universe for love. James Blish, who novelized the TOS episodes, found himself in a difficult position. He was friends with Harlan and found himself stuck in the middle of Harlan's bitterness with how his script had been changed, yet having to novelize the episode as it appeared onscreen. As a sort of concession to Harlan, Blish added that scene back in, despite it never having been filmed.

[@MichaelJShaffer]

"Stop talking about the future!" The Temporal Prime Directive, people! I'm so impressed you were able to get in a head space to experience this episode as untainted as you could. It's so difficult when people don't respect someone else's journey. Your empathy and the way these episodes affect you makes me emotional. Thank you for all of these.🖖

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Thanks very much!

[@1monki]

"Stop talking about the future!" There's a reason why the Department of Temporal Investigations labeled Kirk a "menace."

[@Wertsir]

The temporal prime directive hasn’t been introduced yet by this point in the shows timeline. Mentioning it to bunny now violates the temporal prime directive. Bake him away, toys.

[@bjgandalf69]

I totally get Bunny's reaction to people constantly saying something you haven't seen is awesome making you hesitant to watch as those comments affect me the same way. There are several series that I have avoided for similar reasons after reading all the slobbering love of the show...2 that come to mind is GOT and Stranger Things.

[@1monki]

@@Wertsir Obviously, the Temporal Prime Directive is enforced retroactively 😆

[@aaronberger9377]

One thing that always struck me in this episode is when Spock calls out to Kirk not to save Edith, he calls him “Jim”, not “Captain”. As much as Spock relies on logic, it’s moments like that which remind us not only of his human half in general, but that he and Kirk are more than just colleagues - they’re true friends.

[@richardw64]

The joyous moment where they find Bones cut short by the death of Edith. Real life.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Yes :(

[@jeremylister89]

🇬🇧UK here. At the start I thought if she doesn't cry, something is wrong with her. There's nothing wrong with you. X

[@dennismason3740]

Edith Keeler is very smart and very intuitive and she could hear the unsaid word - Captain - even when it wasn't uttered by Spock.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Thanks for clarification!

[@firstenforemost]

@@bunnytailsREACTS But he does regularly call her Captain when he doesn't think she can hear him, like when she goes to get her coat to take him to the room for rent, and just before she knocks on their door to tell them about 5 hours of work at 22 cents an hour. She has heard him call Kirk "captain," she is saying, and hears it in his tone even when he doesn't.

[@treetopjones737]

him

[@musicgarryj]

It may have felt like a movie because Edith Keeler was played by Joan Collins, one of the UK's biggest film actresses of the time. She went on to star in Dynasty, a major US tv show in the 1980s.

[@Temeraire101]

Joan was also in Space 1999 episode ‘Mission of the Darians’, she was hot as hell in that 😍

[@timmooney7528]

@@Temeraire101 you beat me to it. Some of the costumes on Star Trek can be defined as suggestive or racy, but the costumes on the Gerry Anderson shows were way more sexier and risque' 😳

[@firstenforemost]

No, it doesn't feel like a movie because Joan Collins was in it. That's inane.

[@rickjohnston2667]

She was also in a very good episode of another science fiction series from the 70s about a base on the moon called Space: 1999. The episode was entitled "Mission of the Darians."

[@Temeraire101]

@@rickjohnston2667 Hot as feck!

[@Stephanie-StarTrekFan-is-Muji]

Girl, there is no shame in getting emotional at the end of this episode. I'm crying too

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

We can cry together, then. 😭

[@robertdean9254]

@@bunnytailsREACTS I cried when I watched the original broadcast and every time since.

[@johnandrews3151]

City On The Edge Of Forever won the television award for the catagory of "Best Dramatic Episode" that year.😮😊

[@brachiator1]

Yep. Won the Writers Guild Award for Best Episodic Drama on Television. Also won a Hugo.

[@larrybremer4930]

City on the edge for forever (TOS) and The inner light (TNG) both are very poignant and equally well written, both totally deserving of their awards and accolades.

[@Hiraghm]

Trivia: At 50 years old, Joan Collins (Edith Keeler) posed nude for Playboy magazine; I believe at that time the oldest woman to do so. It was quite a tasteful layout, and undoubtedly improved the fortunes of older women everywhere.

[@tomtortolani8082]

Another great reaction, everything about this episode: the story, sci-fi, writing, acting, production, set, music, and direction is over the top. A shout out to Joseph Pevney, the director of this and many TOS episodes.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Thanks!

[@Artificialintelligentle]

My top 5 , city on the edge, mirror mirror, OK coral, corbimite devise. Assignment-earth. My bottom 3 - The alternate universe guy fighting with his own self, Shakespeare guy who killed riley's parents, The two aliens doing experiments on kirk and mccoy, to test girls recovery powers.

[@randyshoquist7726]

Spock's "stone knives and bear skins" quip is my ATF ST quote. But the one that I actually use on occasion is, "A question. Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited... a question." I usually get a puzzled look in return.

[@JMO_1976]

My brother and I use the "stone knives & bear skins" line quite a bit. Anytime there's something that is essentially useless like floppy disks or using basic tools for complicated work, that's our go-to line.

[@johnclawed]

I used to have "A question!" in a wave file that I had Windows programmed to play whenever it popped up a dialog box. Once I saw a guy using a floor polishing machine and I said, "Show me sand-the-floor." He gave me a puzzled look too.

[@anonygent]

The line I want to use is, "Hey, you! What planet is this?!"

[@alangil40]

By far my most used quote from this is "tools...for finely detailed work" which I use every time I need and grab a precision tool around the house or at work.

[@yammer-k4t]

Kind of like when I say, "Klatu barada nikto." Blank stares, often.

[@johnpratt3561]

Every time I watch that end scene when Edith mentions McCoy to Kirk and McCoy walks out to Spock and Kirk, the tears just come. Best episode ever!

[@arsbadmojo]

Sulu's eye shadow is impeccable.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

It always is!

[@ianstopher9111]

Oh my, eye shadow!

[@jsharp3165]

Unlike Kirk's on-again off-again eyeliner.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

"Oh, my..."

[@Icypenguigo]

Definitely one of the most iconic episodes in all of Star Trek. And one of the most tragic stories. This is truly a remarkable piece of television history.

[@mythdusterds]

Oh this is one of the all time favorite episodes by many Star Trek fans.

[@sarahfullerton6894]

Mine, included!

[@openfor45]

This does hit Hard! That ending is so abrupt, and Kirk's last line "Lets get the Hell out of here" sums up what we all felt at that time. PS: AGREE with Bunny; best not to say anything about future episodes, best for Virgin eyes & minds to watch these with no knowledge going in.

[@normcummings-w6w]

If anyone had been in doubt about your smarts, your sensitivity and your passion for Star Trek, this reaction should end those. You're a cool young woman, and are making lots of old Trek fans happy with your efforts!,

[@alanr4447a]

4:11 "Shouldn't they also be gone, then?" Excellent point! Apparently, being down on the planet in the Guardian's proximity means you're in a protective shell that shields you from changes in time. The _Enterprise_ in orbit and the rest of the Federation, however, are not so lucky.

[@shanewilliams9122]

Star Trek First Contact did a similar thing.

[@chake46]

Bunny, your reaction is what happened to everyone who watched. The most emotional Star Trek episode ever!!!

[@kieronball8962]

Great reactions from Bunny, to one of the best episodes of classic Star Trek.

[@Hiraghm]

Edith Keeler's place was called a soup kitchen.

[@chillysauceprophecii]

watching Bunny processing her emotions at the end of this episode🤣🤣🤣 priceless...

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

A lot to take in

[@noneya3635]

Only sad thing about this reaction was that she didn’t get to see with her pops. Bet that would’ve been awesome for both of them.

[@amileoj9043]

Congratulations on (and thank you for) keeping your reaction fresh & heartfelt for this episode! If it's any consolation, that was probably the most pressure you'll ever face to "peek ahead." City of the Edge of Forever is by now so weighed down with critical praise (all of it warranted) that it's a true & rare delight watching someone experience its special magic for the first time. With all due respect to the late Harlan Ellison (whose teleplay surely had the seed of that magic in it, but also seems to have needed a lot of massaging to get it into the taunt shape we actually experience on screen), it's worth mentioning that much of the effectiveness of this episode comes from the performance of Dame Joan Collins as Edith. The chemistry you picked up on, between her and Kirk, shows what William Shatner could do when he got a chance to play opposite an absolutely first-class female lead.

[@brom00]

on a lighter note. Who knew Kirk, Spock and McCoy would end up in the town of Mayberry. The street scenes for this episode were filmed where they also made The Andy Griffth Show.

[@georgemartin1436]

"Somebody stole some clothes, Andy! We need to NIP IT in the BUD!"

[@timmooney7528]

Yes, that was the Culver City "40 acre" site. On one end was the Mayberry town set, and Stalag 13 from Hogan's Heroes was on the other end. In one scene where Kirk is talking with Keeler on the street, Floyd's barber shop is in the background. The town set appears in a few other episodes.

[@1monki]

@@timmooney7528 _Miri_ for one.

[@helifanodobezanozi7689]

Otis was driving the truck that killed Edith....DUI

[@1monki]

@@helifanodobezanozi7689 Andy's gonna lock him up and throw away the key for a whole episode!

[@JasonRule-1]

The man in the alley, finding the phaser, most likely disintegrated because he accidentally set the phaser on overload.

[@anorthosite]

....and apparently would not have made any significant contribution to history dead or alive. The episode cast lists the character simply as "The Rodent". The actor, Jon Harmon, also played "Tepo", the bowler-derbied third gang boss in the comic episode "A Piece of the Action".

[@colonelquack]

​@@anorthositeHow dark is that? To die, and have not a single ripple along the course of history?

[@maxderp6588]

I always felt that he may have held it backwards, pointing at himself, and triggered it at a max setting... Also, something to consider, that perhaps his place in history IS important as he may have been the one responsible for Edith''s death and that void was filled by the presence of the big 3... ;) Also, why does McCoy even carry a phaser here? 😮😂

[@anorthosite]

If they were stealing milk in a back alley, I doubt that would be their first priority..... Jus'Sayin

[@anorthosite]

@@maxderp6588 Yeah: McCoy should have been disarmed upon (temporary) capture on the Guardion Planet. Plot Hole, fur shur. There have been other Trek episodes where Phasers have been set to overload. Like when you short-circuit an 18650 lithium-ion battery, X 10,000.

[@miguelbotelho2613]

The best of Trek. And yes it still gets me tearing up. Glad you let us share these episode with you.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

My pleasure!

[@Hiraghm]

"At his side...as if you've _always been and always will_ ." As if he has been... and always shall be... I'm not going to spoil it, but at that point I needed a Kleenex.

[@carybrown851]

Glad you avoided the spoiler... 👍... but she actually has seen the one movie you mentioned (which she said was dhy she came back and started watching this whole series, as I recall.) I susoect she'll have to do a "rewatch reaction" to that film after sering the whole series up to that point. No doubt a lot of things will feel differently to her by that point. But search for her reaction to the "Regula One" movie (no spoilers in case anyone is watching her reactions with no prior Trek knowledge!). That was the second thing I saw from her (I found her channel while searching for help with a spot in the game "Alien Isolation") and it was what convinced me to follow her. A serious and thoughtful reaction... too rare on here, I'm afraid.

[@cleekmaker00]

24:27 The Guardian didn't have the power to pull someone 'back from the Brink'. The Guardian said it itself at the end of the Episode... "Let me be your Gateway." That's all the Guardian was; a Portal to the Past. It was a window, a 'gateway' to what had come before. The beings that went through the Guardian were the ones responsible for effecting changes, not the Guardian. It just provided the opening to do so.

[@jamesmcclain5005]

...yes those things were already done, now you have an opportunity to do your own editing.

[@allanmanaged5285]

I think the reason this episode is so memorable is the very fact that the ending is so sad and Kirk has to live with his decision, that's his job as Captain, to do the right thing no matter how difficult for him personally.

[@STho205]

The rewrite by Coon, Fontana and Roddenberry (maybe) completes the Kirk Character Arc. He has to kill his best friend (Gary) to save his command. He has to face his childhood monster, and decide what to do. He is driven by revenge to destroy the Gorn sight unseen, but learns empathy and mercy. He is expositioned as an great hero in Court Marshal and states NOTHING is more important than his ship. He then faces this as god's triggerman of fate. Add to that Operation Annihilate where he loses what's left of his family S1 was the Kirk Arc. S2 was thw Spock Arc. S3 should gave been the Bones Arc.

[@DannyD714]

someone already mentioned the exteriors were shot on the set of the andy griffith show. the proof can be seen at 12:29 when kirk and edith walk by floyd's barber shop. they didn't know what "easter eggs" were back then,but they included a great one by accident.

[@anorthosite]

I'm not certain, but I think I read that a "Fallout Shelter" sign also appeared in one outdoor shot. XD

[@denveradams4909]

One of the best TOS episodes. A fine mix of comedy and tragedy. I really like your reactions. Very nice.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Thank you~

[@denveradams4909]

You are most welcome.

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

Quentin Tarantino has talked about turning this into a movie. His favorite episode.

[@PaperbackWizard]

He'd better not. We've seen what happens when they try to turn episodes of TOS into movies. STID is the *worst* Star Trek movie.

[@noneya3635]

God no! QT in charge of a Star Trek episode will have people calling Uhura the N word and out of control gun violence. No thank you.

[@firstenforemost]

@@PaperbackWizard No talking about future Trek! Besides, that wasn't even a TOS episode...

[@PaperbackWizard]

@@firstenforemost It was the Abrams version of Khan's story, which includes Space Seed and WOK. And it's okay to talk about it here, because Bunny has seen SS and WOK. It's not a spoiler to say that STID reimagines them for a different continuity, since people knew that would happen before STID even came out.

[@dupersuper1938]

@@PaperbackWizard To be fair, that's based on the second movie, not an episode (also, as horrible as it is, I still rank Nemesis below it).

[@m.smoljo5463]

Hi bunnytails, I'm very much enjoying your first-time reaction journey through the original Star Trek series! Keep up the wonderful work!🙂

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Wow, thank you very much! I appreciate that and I'm glad you've been enjoying!

[@photonicus]

Many comments here about Kirk should've taken Edith to the future with him. While I can relate to that what would actually happen if he could? She is an empathetic soul with a knack for creating peace movements. If she stayed with Kirk in the future sooner or later she'd start twisting his arm about making peace with the Klingon Empire. Problem is his hatred for them runs almost as deep as his love for her.

[@greenbrown7776]

Bunny -- I felt you all the way. This is not only one of the most outstanding hours of "Trek." It's one of the most outstanding hours of television period. If you watch again in a few years, it will hit you just as hard. That last scene on the planet -- "Let's get the hell out of here" -- is so powerful. Excellent performance by Joan Collins as Edith Keeler. There are a lot of deep layers to this one.

[@JBROWN7840]

This episode was especially shocking in 1967: It was the first time the word "Hell" was spoken on television. I remember it clearly and was amazed TV censors allowed it.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Agree. I read that Roddenberry fought to keep that last line in and refused to back down from the censors. I'm glad he succeded as it's a powerful ending to a powerful episode.

[@starmnsixty1209]

Roddenberry was fined over the use of the word "hell" I believe.

[@PaperbackWizard]

I always think of that when people complain about swearing in New Trek. People swear, even in Star Trek. There's nothing wrong with it.

[@PaperbackWizard]

@@starmnsixty1209 If the punishment is a fine, then it's legal for a fee.

[@miguelvelez7221]

​@@PaperbackWizard"Double Dumbass on you! "

[@davidgradwell8830]

Harlan Ellison wrote "The City on the Edge of Forever" in the tradition of classic Greek tragedies. Kirk, the tragic hero, becomes aware of his impending fate and knows that he can't escape it. Spock is the Chorus, urging him on, reminding him of his duty and inescapable destiny. It's a reverse puzzle. You know the predestined ending, but how is it reached?

[@Bobby-ez9so]

Fun fact bunnytails, this episode won several science fiction awards for best writing including the Hugo and Writers Guild of America awards. Another great Star Trek reaction, bunnytails.👍 Keep them coming.

[@terrylaze6247]

"the clock in san dimas is always running" by the time they would have asked the guardian to return mc coy the future/present was already changed, they had to go back to fix it before the guardian could return them all.

[@michaelwallace2487]

For Bunny: I think it would have been forbidden for the Guardian to change history. Only those directly or indirectly responsible could do that, not the Guardian itself. Kind of like The Guardian’s own Prime Directive.

[@bobbynorth681]

I'm glad you said what you said near the end. People are understandably excited for stuff they love, but it would be great if they laid off the pre-hype when someone is watching though something for the first time. Much cooler to get through an episode like this then be like - "wow, see? everyone's fav."

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

Yes, and it begins to sour the thought of the episode before I even watch it.

[@williambill5172]

In the depression they called those a "soup kitchen" that served food to the poor, gave them a cot to sleep on, etc.

[@MajorAnthonyNelson]

did you notice them walking in front of the window that said Floyd’s barbershop? That was from the Andy Griffith show. They’re using the same set

[@robertfuller5665]

This is one of my all time favorite Star Trek episodes. I watch it several times a year.

[@nadiakent4082]

If I remember correctly when Kirk says “ Let’s ge the hell outta here”, hell was consider a swear word and it was it’s first use on television.

[@christopherdavis3729]

Incorrect. Swear words were on TV for years before this. That’s mythology.

[@nadiakent4082]

@@christopherdavis3729 what is your source then? Outside of a live accidental utterance, where is the show that had it in its script and made it past censors. It is well documented that sensors stopped the use of the word during the second season of the Monkees television show and that was very close to the time of the TOS airing in 1967.

[@laralongstaff5139]

"Let's get the Hell out of here," gets me every time.

[@Stogie2112]

I highly recommend the 1952 short story "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury. It explores the concept of how the death of a butterfly in the past could have drastic changes in the future. It has been used as an example of "the butterfly effect" and how to consider chaos theory and the physics of time travel.

[@STho205]

This story is a reversal of the Butterfly Effect in final reveal. Yesterday is Tomorrow is a standard accidental time travel story, where they worked hard to minimize their footprint. This one however is a required time travel to make the known past that leads to the current reality happen. The Guardian knows it and lures them to this point in time (ripples in time)...and presents Earth's past to get them back there. Kirk always got Edith killed. He's god's triggerman. She crossed the street because, while on a date to a Clark Gabel movie, he told her to wait there....then a reunion occurs to lure her mindlessly into traffic. This is why Kirk must fall in love with her...despite Spock's advice agaonst it. Spock is fighting the Butterfly Effect...but in reality they messing about are vital to normal time. If Kirk had not gone back with knowledge she must die, reinforced by logical Spock...then he would not have been there with the Enterprise to go back. They would do the same paradox with Assignment Earth a year later.... And Yesterday's Enterprise in TNG. Both Outer Limits and Twilight Zone had stories somewhat like this a few years earlier. Some written by Ellison. The original written screenplay makes that more obvious than this softened tragedy...but it also wrecks Kirk as a hero and they'd have needed to replace him in Season 2.

[@mthai66]

Is that the one where the butterfly gets stepped on and then there are reptilian people in the present as the result

[@777FreakyD]

A great example of what television can achieve as a medium.

[@davidgradwell8830]

And on a dime budget! Those were all sets, props, wardrobe, and vintage cars left over from "The Untouchables," which was set in the 1920s and also produced by Desilu Studios. It kept the costs down. Star Trek would also save a few dimes by returning again to the old "Untouchables" sets, wardrobe, etc. for the classic comedy episode, "A Piece of the Action" in Season Two. But that's heading into "spoiler" territory, so I'll leave it at that! :)

[@ericvonsteuben7533]

The funny thing about the away party that went down to the planet after McCoy is that it had the top three command officers of the Enterprise. Spock is second in command, and Scotty is third in command. That's like the president, the vice president, and the speaker of the house going on a dangerous mission together. Not very sound tactics.

[@clwnprnce1837]

Not sound tactics, and probably frowned upon by regulations. StarFleet captains in the Kirk Era probably had a bit of " wiggle room" in these matters . He wants to see everything first, and he wants his closest buddies to as well.

[@TriRabbi]

I just teared up, and I've seen this 100 times.

[@Progger11]

This is my favorite episode of Star Trek ever. It's a typical choice, because it's cited as a favorite so often, but there's also a good reason for that. It's tremendous writing. Apologies on behalf of the fandom for us hyping it up so much prior to your viewing. 😂 We're just so in love with this one. It makes us a little crazy over it. Love does that sometimes.

[@jayb8369]

This episode won a Hugo award for best dramatic presentation in 1968. There are a few other ST: TOS episodes that won that award as well. Great reaction.

[@jupreindeer9500]

Truly a classic that shall forever be a gem in the Star Trek collection. Such emotions. Great presentation of story telling. And will it ever be possible to explain how Spock made a time traveling internet connection to a future KZbin? Now that is vision.

[@bnvmc]

Spock was comparing the internet history as stored on his tricorder to the massively slowed-down recordings he managed to salvage from the Guardian’s presentation. Hence, he had two records to examine. As in all things on TV, don’t think too hard about non-sequesters in story-telling, particular those involving time-travel!

[@rickjohnston2667]

Only Spock could accomplish such a feat. Because he's Spock! (And maybe Data.)

[@rickjohnston2667]

But then again, Data wouldn't have to manufacture the parts to do it.

[@manservantchris]

The best of all the Star Trek episodes 💔. William Shatner nailed those last scenes. Great reaction as always. Four crying bunny's out of 4 🐰🐰🐰🐰

[@tbutler4103]

A few years back, Edith's death was included in TV Guide's list of the top 100 moments in TV history. Rightfully so.....

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

You've made it!!! You've reached the greatest famed episode, so proud of you😊

[@megamancards]

This is the episode I've been waiting on. I'm so happy you found it and your reaction is perfectly natural.

[@noahrobin1941]

I’m a fan of Ellison, so I hope you’ll pardon the infodump. :) If you’d like to see some other teleplays written by Harlan Ellison, there’s an episode of The Outer Limits from ‘64 called “The Demon With the Glass Hand” and a (slightly) more recent episode of The Twilight Zone called “Shatterday”; I suspect both are somewhere on this website. If you’d like to read stories he’s written, one of the more famous is “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream”. Lastly, there’s a documentary about him called “Dreams With Sharp Teeth”. Enjoyed this; cheers.

[@owen1213]

I hope bunny stays away from A Boy and his Dog by Harlan Ellison That's a controversial ending. Putting it mildly.She might get upset.

[@historybuff66]

Don’t forget “Paladin of the Lost Hour”

[@vinceburgess9012]

Isn’t it amazing how we get so invested in these characters that we feel their joy and their pain. A great episode. Even though they are in a grim situation, the episode is sprinkled with love, friendship and humor. It was fun to see Spock trying to do his thing with 1930’s technology.

[@howardpalys6929]

This episode was written by the late science fiction writer Harlen Ellison.

[@mem1701movies]

His version was unfilmable at the time

[@howardpalys6929]

Still it was his basic story brought to life.@@mem1701movies

[@ardvark8699]

@@mem1701movies Harlen also wrote Lost in Space, he stormed off the set of that show when he saw what a mess it was.

[@historybuff66]

@@ardvark8699Ellison had no connection with “Lost in Space”. You May be thinking of his contribution to “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”, Irwin Allen’s prior series.

[@tomr5577]

i think it was Jonathan Frakes that said something like "Science fiction has so much award worthy content, but is often overlooked because it is science fiction" i don't recall the exact wording, but that gets the point across. This episode (and others) are amazing, and should be remembered! brilliant writing and delivery, and makes you think long and hard. Keep up the amazing and insightful reviews.

[@leibmoshe]

These hour long weekly episodes were more thoughtful and entertaining than most modern movies

[@TomHill-xh7ec]

In one of the novels that came out in the 80s with a scene on Earth, Kirk had a boat named the Edith Keeler. One of the side characters figured there was a story behind the name, but decided not to ask.

[@MarkAllen-u5k]

I truly love your reactions to watching these original episodes. This episode is probably the best one of the original series. Thank you

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

You're very welcome :)

[@CJRamos-jv3pb]

Been looking forward to you watching this one. You reacted exactly as you should.

[@firstenforemost]

Any reaction is exactly as she should. There is no correct reaction.

[@brucebieberly4166]

One of the most chilling bits from Star Trek was this exchange: Guardian "... Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway." ... KIRK: "Let's get the hell out of here." "Many such journeys..." Kirk recognized the horrors of the continual parade of heartbreak that line encompassed. Hell doesn't beging to encompass all that.

[@stephenkoehler4051]

Indeed, there is the episode in The Animated Series where Spock is faced with a similar choice with the Guardian of Forever. It was the best Animated episode of the whole series. To avoid spoilers I'll leave it at that. I hope that you continue with the Animated Series as they are very well done in spite of the animation of slightly different music. Filmation did what they could with that series with the limited budgets for children's animation at the time and made it as good or sometimes better than some of the live action shows. It also allowed some of the old live action writers and directors a crack at writing some episodes. DC Fontana, who was Story editor on TOS (and who also did uncredited rewrites on This episode) Produced the Animated Series and was largely credited with its success. I apologize if I got off on a tangent here, but This was a good episode and The Guardian is an interesting enigma in the Trek universe.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

@bunnytalesREACTS when at 21:53 you said "I'm upset...." never have I more wanted to give a youtube a big hug more than that moment. 🫂 The episode ending on Kirk saying "....Let's get the hell out of here." is the final punch to the gut. That phrase was considered like swearing for 1960s network TV, and the network didn't want it. But it needed to be there. There is no ending the episode with joke, or even a smile. There's nothing to smile about. Edith Keeler had to die in order for the Enterprise, the Federation, all that Kirk knows to be. Death was her fate. The only comfort, however fleeting, is that Kirk got to know her before she died and her memory lives on within Kirk. That's all anyone who has lost someone close to them - a parent, friend or lover - can really ask for. Thank you for being so genuinie Bunnytales. I hope you _did_ have a good cry after you filmed this!

[@charlesr63]

Your reaction is so heartfelt and a testament to the emotional extremes of this episode. I completely agree this could have been a full length movie. I never get tired of rewatching this one and I always notice some nuance. Kirk’s reaction to Edith’s death is so painful and his final line totally expresses it “ let’s get the hell out of here “

[@tofersiefken]

No pressure. Like what you like, speak your mind and express your preferences as authentically as feels natural. Star Trek is a big franchise with lots of branches to accommodate different interests and perspectives. I can certainly agree to neither spoil nor pressure a reaction by not discussing anything we haven't seen on screen (in Bunny's journey) so far, or information that doesn't pertain to the episode at hand. Let's make Bunny's journey one of wonder and discovery, not info-dumping and trivia-gloating.

[@actor451]

This is one of the best episodes in the entire series. It is heartbreaking and so well written and beautifully performed. And to have it end with Kirk saying "let's get the hell out of here," that was a bit shocking to hear in 1967.

[@TroyConvers5000]

"Hopefully itll be a good one" Well now ...😂

[@Cre80s]

My favorite Star Trek episode. Ever. This was the one and only romance of Kirk’s that could be taken 100% seriously. The important consideration to realize (even though they didn't do too much of a clear job saying so) it transpired over a long time, perhaps weeks long, maybe more, awaiting Bones’ arrival, all the while he was falling in love with Edith. Thank god they got a great, serious actress to play her. She was written so well. Such an optimistic dreamer, and brilliant. The stakes were never higher, too. The violins in the soundtrack after her demise are merciless, so heart-wrenching. Star Trek perfection.

[@mongus451]

This is why I love Star Trek

[@g0nz0theGreat]

To this day, one of the best episodes of TV I've seen. Excellent writing.

[@andrewpetik2034]

The very first time that phrase was uttered on American national TV .... 'Let's get the hell out of here!'. When used sparingly, a curse word can carry a lot of weight. This is one of my favorite 'Kirk' moments. Mr. Shatner played that scene so convincingly. ✌️

[@Robotrik1]

" Damn it, Bones, you're a doctor. You know that pain and guilt can't be taken away with a wave of a magic wand. They're the things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are. If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain. " - Captain James T. Kirk , sometime in the future .

[@davidgradwell8830]

When I first saw Star Trek V, when it was time to show Kirk's hidden pain, I fully expected that "street accident" from "City" to be recreated. But, Kirk's speech--which you referenced--abruptly short-circuited that!

[@Robotrik1]

@@davidgradwell8830 Considering the budget issues ST:5 had , with even the final confrontation having things shaved to a bare minimum -- a re-creation of a scene from the 1930's was not very likely . Yet I doubt that any such re-creation would have been as powerful as Kirk's words here . Considering the sometimes inconsistent characterization that Kirk got, this speech streamlines the Yang to his Yin impetus to being a Starship Capitain -- with the Yang being that it comes at the cost of pain , and loss (both ladies and Redshirts) , as well as isolation and loneliness (as observed by Bones in ST:2) . Yet those are the burdens of command that have fallen upon him , and Kirk is shown a willingness here to carry that burden . ST:5 is a pretty awful sci-fi movie, but it has excellent characterization, some of the best of all the Classic Trek movies .

[@georgemartin1436]

I want the ringtone "WHAT PLANET IS THIS???!!"

[@jasontoddman7265]

I used to want the theme that gets played in the Doomsday Machine episode whenever the machine in question shows up to attack. I can say that now that Bunny has actually seen the episode herself.

[@steelers6titles]

@@jasontoddman7265 How about the "love" theme (This Side of Paradise, others)?

[@jasontoddman7265]

@@steelers6titles Uhhhh... no, not really. Took me a few moments to even recall what it sounds like. Not the romantic type I'm afraid. I'm more into dramatic-sounding musical scores.

[@ice-iu3vv]

joan collins went on to be most known for her role in "dynasty" in the early 80s. its a shame if the hype you heard about this episode beforehand hurt your ability to enjoy it for the art that it is. now that youve seen it, it has been in first place in fan polls as to the best episode not only of this season, or this series, but this franchise, every time the polls have been done. shatner, nimoy, and deforest kelly (kirk,spock, bones) all picked it in their personal top 3. in 1995 tv guide called it the 68th best thing that had ever been on television. this included not only shows, but sports, presidential speeches, other major news events, the beatles on the ed sullivan show etc. its fine if the world's favorite isnt your favorite bunny, and im sorry the ending disappointed you. the ending being such a sad surprise is strongly involved in why it was considered a masterpiece of small-screen film making. and the episode has so much going for it, from the performances of the big 3 stars and guest joan collins, to the story itself, to the ridiculous fun of mccoy screaming "YOU, WHAT PLANET IS THIS?", to spock saying "perhaps the unfortunate accident i had as a child", im certainly among those who love it. its a shame if pre-hype set you up for disappointment here. we're just eager to share with you, not trying to ruin anything at all.

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

I absolutely loved this episode, and was not disappointed at all. I fear that overhyping will cause me to not be able to fully enjoy something because that has definitely happened before, but that was not the case this time. If me being disappointed and not enjoying the episode is what you got out of this video, I must have gone horribly wrong in my explanation somewhere. Also, I don’t now how to check members here on mobile, but you may be my first member of this channel. At least, you are the first that commented. So for that, thank you very much!

[@ice-iu3vv]

i guess you were just sad at the ending and really wanted a different one? not sure if i was the first to sign up, but as soon as i saw your post with "you can watch city on the edge of forever right now ad free, i was like, hell yeah i want to see what bunny thinks of the blinking donut! (which i believe you called a giant butt-hole?) @@bunnytailsREACTS

[@bunnytailsREACTS]

@@ice-iu3vv I was thinking the ending would be different so I was a bit shocked and sad, but I love a tragic story if done properly. If I’m crying it means I’m invested and feeling things. And stories that make me feel something are amongst my favorite, even if it’s sad or outright depressing.

[@mmattson8947]

@@bunnytailsREACTS The "time travel" paradox has been done enough times that it isn't as mind-bending as it was 50 years ago (to people who didn't read a lot of sci-fi). I think the strong reaction of most viewers was due to the emotional story in this episode. Your response of shock and sadness shows that you understand why people were hyping this episode.

[@johnclawed]

@@bunnytailsREACTS "I love a tragic story if done properly" Have you seen Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) or "Robin and Marian" (1975) with Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn? The latter is on youtube so everybody can watch it together.

[@Bawookles]

One of the greatest Star Trek episodes, if not the greatest. Wonderful reaction! Thanks.

[@johnbiles419]

This was filmed on the set used for Mayberry in the Andy Griiffith Show, made by the same studio. It was just outside one of the two studios where Star Trek was made. (One studio held the Enterprise interiors; the other was turned into alien planets.)

[@DavidRobson-lc5kc]

Hands up if you wanted to cuddle bunnytails at the climax of the reaction. Bless her.

[@jasontoddman7265]

Assuming she didn't scream in revulsion if I did, as I am a total stranger to her and old enough to be her father. lol

[@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm]

I'm sure her husband might object too 😉

[@Interstellar-in5wb]

22:04-24:48 Your thoughts after the episode ends are perfect, particularly the impact on how it ends, how there's no happy ending - Kirk is permanently affected, and this hits hard. That feeling, and how we feel it with him - we’ve gone through it with him - is more real than the typical happy-ending episode. It's never overstated how memorable this episode is and how impactful it was. And yes, this romance means so much for Kirk, it's also why this episode hits so hard. Just a brilliant episode all around.

[@jamesparker4471]

I knew you would cry ,it chokes me up too.

[@athos1974]

I watched Star Trek TOS on reruns on cable, as a kid in the 80s. This episode was the very first time as a kid, I felt tears run down my face at the accident moment.

[@willharris7609]

Your reactions are the most authentic that I've seen so far. And yes, I understand your reluctance to watch after such a huge buildup from fans of the series because you know there's always the inevitable let down that follows. While I've always considered it one of the best episodes, I've always stopped short of calling it THE best because to me it kinda sells the series short. There were many more that were just as thought provoking, well written and acted. But definately one of the best. Great job and keep it up🖖

[@jazzmaan707]

This is considered "THE BEST" Star Trek episode, of all 3 Star Treks series. So glad you watched this episode, since books, movies, and other tv shows have borrowed ideas from this Episode, in particular, a world in which Germany controls the entire earth. Loved your reaction, too.

[@BeachcomberNZ]

As Ryan George, from the Pitch Meeting channel would say, the reason why the Guardian of Forever couldn't bring McCoy back was 'so the movie can happen'.😉