"The Squire of Gothos" - Star Trek Sci Fi Channel Special Edition

[@ariplatt8192]

This guy stole the whole show. I loved this episode and this guy. So believable. And that last scene where he whines about having his toys taken away was just sublime.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion!

[@whyyyyou]

William Campbell is so humble and grateful in this interview saying that he wasn't the only actor who could've played Trelane but thank God he was the one they picked. Nobody could've played Trelane as well as he did.

[@Williamwestp24]

Isn't he the same William Campbell from the 50's movie Cannonball with actor Ned Luke's grandfather Paul Birch?

[@racheldrum1982]

True, and I challenge any actor to look as FABULOUS as William Campbell did in blue velvet.

[@Bfdidc]

His modesty is admirable but unnecessary. He never made the claim that no other actor couldn't do it, but that doesn't change the fact that he did a marvelous job. William Campbell had a rather lengthy list of parts from the 50s through the 90s. On Star Trek, he also played the part of the Klingon Captain Koloth (in The Trouble with Tribbles). he died in 2011.

[@2wagondragon]

@@Williamwestp24 It was a TV series, not a movie, and yes, that was the same William Campbell. His character's name was Jerry Austin.

[@toAdmiller]

@@Bfdidc "He never made the claim that no other actor couldn't do it..." Awkwardly phrased, yet, what Campbell in fact actually said here was, "It was very easy for ANY actor who had had ANY training to play 'The Squire of Gothos,'...I'd never stated I was the only one that could do it...I thought of any number of actors that I would emulate that would be (in the) back of my mind that played these types of characters..." So yes, he is being modest as well as classy. But I do agree with you that Campbell did a marvelous job in this episode and I never tire of rewatching this episode precisely for his acting. He was also enjoyable as Capt. Koloth in "The Trouble with Tribbles," he just wasn't given as much meat to work with, more responding to the situation than creating it.

[@james5460]

Campbell was brilliant. The only actor to out-ham Shatner, making him look restrained. Perfectly played, Trelayne had to be played immensely broadly to capture the essence. Maybe the best pure acting performance in the entire Star Trek canon, love watching it just for his performance.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put! Thanks for sharing!

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

Mr. Campbell is a wonderful actor, a true artist and professional, who brought this character to life with such great skill. One of my favorite episodes.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indeed !!

[@edydon]

William Campbell was a superb actor. He also played the Klingon commander in "The Trouble with Tribbles."

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

and pretty good in Dementia 13

[@hifijohn]

but he'll always be trelane (retired) to me

[@jstrahan2]

@@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301 : Is that a film about Joe Biden?

[@atticstattic]

Not only Koloth on TOS but Koloth on DS9 as well...

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

The one thing that stands out in my memory is when Kolos "bows" very begrudgingly and quickly exits.

[@TIME_LORDS]

The Squire Of Gothos will always remain my favorite episode of the original series.. Always loved that the catch at the end was Trelane was just a naughty little boy lol.

[@robertfindley921]

Such a fun episode. William Campbell was priceless. RIP

[@jubalcalif9100]

Could not agree more !

[@piroskaracz3621]

Upset and happy to see both these beloved actors❤😢. What memories

[@spacetimemalleable7718]

William Campbell is to the Squire of Gothos as Ricardo Montalban is to Khan. Both superlative actors! Campbell just nailed it completely - an outstanding performance.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I agree 100 per cent !!

[@reneecarter6702]

I always thought William Campbell was one of the most handsome guest actors of the series ❤️

[@jubalcalif9100]

He was no Huntz Hall, but the late great Mr Campbell was indeed one good looking gent!

[@johnritcher8920]

One of kind voice and actor. We miss you Mr Nimoy.

[@johnlacey3857]

The Squire of Gothos was the first Star Trek episode I ever saw, in 1968(?) when I was 7 years old.

[@Dutch1954]

I know the Tribbles episode ranks high in popularity among the fans, and there are other noteworthy ones as well, but this is my favorite. William Campbell owns this completely. So much is revealed in this episode about Spock's views, particularly - " I object to you, I object to intellect without discipline, I object to power without constructive purpose" To the 14 year old me in 1968, that was a massive statement that I have carried with me to this day and I cannot understate it's impact on me.

[@glutusmaximus]

When I first saw this episode back in the early 70s when I was a kid I thought it was liberace as he used to have a tv show round about the same time. This is one of my favourite episodes and Bill Campbell was outstanding as the squire, he also played a clingon captain in the episode The trouble With Tribbles.

[@3Rings4ElvenKings]

So did I! lol Glad to know I'm not the only one who thought that was Liberace.

[@ariplatt8192]

Me too!!

[@kitirena_koneko]

Man, how I miss the "good old days" when Sci-Fi Channel was by fans for fans, and actually showed science fiction!

[@shannonbayley3684]

Rather than being overly political and woke.

[@kitirena_koneko]

@@shannonbayley3684 I don't know about "woke" because I stopped watching when the Viacom suits took over and started using the "Sci-Fi Ghetto" as a dumping ground for slasher films and anything with the slightest fantasy elements in it.

[@christophergerety5577]

Terrific episode. Campbell is just great. His performance is among the best in all the Star Trek or STNG shows.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You got THAT right !!

[@silvereagle2061]

RIP William Campbell.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably.

[@christiane.g.4142]

that guy did one whale of a performance as the flambouyant Squire of Gothos. What a colorful character

[@jubalcalif9100]

You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe!

[@notme1048]

William Campbell has an impressive filmography in tv and film but it's our loss that there wasn't more

[@saml760]

RIP William Campbell, Trelane and Captain Koloth,,we miss you.

[@tomf3150]

RIP Leonard Nimoy.

[@mikevonkleist6767]

I enjoy watching Bill Campbell in those two episodes. A very good actor. Well written and well acted.

[@MrKevart66]

William Campbell made this one of my favourite episodes. He was absolutely superb!

[@sonnyburnett8725]

With the first airing of the show I liked this episode as much as any but as I became older I grew to truly love his acting skills. And one of Hollywood’s great actors from WWll and afterworlds.

[@metallights]

One of my favorite episodes ever!

[@johnparadox9429]

When I see an unfamiliar movie's cast and it includes William Campbell, I add it to my To Do list.

[@stevenpilling5318]

Campbell had a long career in films and television. He played a Klingon commander later and with such success that (as he related) his children once told him that the neighbourhood kids were calling him "Mr. Klingon"! Many have suggested that his Squire character was the template for the later one of John DeLancie's "Q". I personally think that Campbell's best performance was that of the brash navigator aboard the seemingly doomed airliner in "The High and the Mighty".

[@assignmentearth2899]

I'll say again,...and have posted this many times,....these SciFi extras are GOLD! If only the entire bunch could be put out. Every piece, even the outtakes or bits that were thought uninteresting. Great stuff.

[@waistgunner3930]

Everything Mr Nimoy said at the opening made perfect sense (& held water like Hoover Dam !)... Mr Campbell did an awesome job in the role of Trelane; if he hadn't gotten that role, you could easily see Liberace as Trelane...

[@Slimjim260]

Bravo Bill , you were fabulous!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Totally agree !!

[@johntabler349]

The beauty of Trelane is that William Campbell is funny and foppish and wonderfully childish but just menacing enough to give the character gravitas loved it

[@MsFullheart]

hes like liberace!

[@Monkofmagnesia]

First saw this when I was a kid and thought it was Liberace (who, at this time, had appeared as a villain on Batman)

[@randybarnett2308]

Sherrie Bird ,I always thought Liberace was a Q.

[@warrenpierce5542]

I was eleven years old when I first met Trelane, had seen Liberace on the tonight show, thought he traded in his piano for a harpsichord. Glad I am not the only one who made this mistake. " Grandma, you gotta watch Star Trek, Liberace is on it,"

[@geoffjoffy]

I've always loved this story. Well acted.

[@humbleradioTokyoAdventures]

I absolutely loved when the Scifi channel did this, TWICE! Those were the days. In my opinion the very best time to have enjoyed this series (even including it's original airing). This Scifi Special Edition treatment was a wonderful, fun, nostalgic and insightful event. We all gathered around the lounge TV in college to watch these. What fun!

[@stevensenator4804]

The "Squire" was maybe the best guest character in the series. Though Frank Gorshin as Commissioner Bele in the episode " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield " was a close second.

[@jptang1701]

Sci-Fi channel was the best during the first 10 years or so.

[@TheFrog767]

This was a marvellous story and the sets nailed it. Just how a young being with powers would act the acting was perfect

[@TMS5100]

back when sci-fi channel actually played sci-fi.

[@robertgarrison5478]

Exactly

[@elbandido9887]

As soon as Star Trek the original series is finished at 9:00 PM on H&I - I change channels don't like the new Star Trek series.

[@Meg_Lovegood]

They still do... You just "think" you're too cool but you will alway be a dweeb

[@3Rings4ElvenKings]

The good ol days... when "SiFi" was still Sci-Fi and showed good sci-fi... Music TeleVision showed music videos... news didn't have opinions... good was good, evil was evil, and everyone knew what men and women were.... 😜 How far society's fallen....

[@jptang1701]

@@3Rings4ElvenKings Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@williamhenderson8371]

An excellent role played by an excellent actor. It is in my top 10 TOS episodes of all time.

[@johntabler349]

When you rewatch the episode knowing the twist the performance is even more perfect

[@RLucas3000]

I think it’s around number 6 for me, definitely top ten

[@sirstrongbad]

Rest In Peace, William Campbell :-( Thank you for sharing this, it's a shame they had that annoying constant sound effect playing over the interviews!

[@10995]

oh i remember this marathon. Id like to see the entire marathon again.

[@tieroneasset678]

Great episode

[@RandyFricke]

This is one of my Top 5 favorite STTOS episodes.

[@charlesroberts3650]

I was about to mention that I always thought that Trelane was actually a Q, when I looked over to the side and saw a thumbnail with the title "The evidence that Trelane was a Q"...

[@BradiKal61]

Dang, Leonard looked to be in good shape when they filmed this. Miss that guy!

[@josephwolosz2522]

The TV show that refused to die. My sister and I had nightmares after watching Operation:Annihilation I was 8 and sis was 6. My mom made fun of the Battlestation crew in the hallway during the attack with Blaylock in Corbimite Maneuver. One guy is wearing a life preserver!

[@3Rings4ElvenKings]

For some reason, when I was little, I thought that was Liberace. lol But now I'm convinced... that was an adolescent Q. The trial scene especially gives it away.

[@jonathanswift2251]

I heard somewhere that the role was written originally for Roddy McDowell. He would have nailed it in his own way, definitely!!!

[@robbiereilly]

This was such a great thing, Scifi Channel airing these 'special editions'. They made watching Star Trek that much better, behind the scenes stuff, interviews, precious now, since many are gone, including Leonard. Thank goodness Scifi Channel did these special editions...TWICE! Bravo!

[@Aroer]

James Doohan was not the voice of Treline's Father. It was Bart LaRue. LaRue was the voice of the Guardian in "The City On the Edge of Forever."

[@scottmyers63]

Where else did LaRue do work in television?

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@scottmyers63 Wow, if only there was some means by which anyone could access an actor's credits...that would be an incredible resource. If only www.imdb.com/name/nm0478999/

[@JAMESLEVEE]

If I'm not mistaken, Doohan voiced the Guardian of Forever in the Animated Series episode "Yesteryear". Bart Larue, if I'm also not mistaken, made a rare on-camera appearance in "Patterns of Force" where he played the Ekosian news anchor.

[@Aroer]

@@JAMESLEVEE Bart LaRue also had another onscreen appearance as a TV announcer on "Bread and Circuses." He was the voice of Yarnek in "The Savage Curtain" and the voice of Provider 1 in "The Gamesters Triskelion." memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Bart_LaRue

[@JAMESLEVEE]

@@Aroer I believe Doohan was one of the other Providers, though. Maybe the nasal one, I think Provider 3.

[@samuelatwood5077]

the beginnings of "Q"

[@jeffjames4064]

That's what I've always thought.

[@terminat1]

No.

[@jayfredrickson8632]

Basically the same concept.

[@randybarnett2308]

Samuel Atwood I always thought of this episode when I first saw Q!

[@sportsmedia25]

William Campbell is ten times better than John de Lancie

[@madliberal7710]

First time I saw William Campbell was in the 50's WWII movie Battle Cry with Aldo Ray and Van Heflin. He was a great bad guy who looked like he used Vitalis on his hair in the other movie and TV supporting roles.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

Great TOS episode ! I was just watching it on BBC America this morning. But I've literally seen it over 100 times.

[@skullduggery3377]

definitely among the top 5 greatest episodes. awesome twist, too.

[@christianealshut1123]

The Squire of Gothos is one of my favorite episodes from the classical series! I wish they did a big feature film with him as the villain/antoigonist - there clearly is a lost opportunity there. Because te villain is always a good opportunity for a great character actor to shine - I could well imagine Tom Hiddleston (Loki; need I say more), Andrew Scott (Moriarty from the Sherlock series) or perhaps Michael Sheen in the role... They could retcon him as Q's son (if the Q are all-powerful, they might also be able to travel back in time), sent to this particular era to learn something - that's also why his parents are there, and he gets told off by them later, and this might be the reason they later dump him on Voyager with Captain Janeway. I remember the actor playing Q saying something about Q and Trelane being similar, or the latter inspiring the former - after all, the courtroom scene in Gothos is later recycled for Q in the first episode of TNG.

[@jamesharris37]

William Campbell as Trelane reminds me of Paul Lynn as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched!

[@jubalcalif9100]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@toAdmiller]

Yet ANOTHER interesting continuity error here was with Nimoy's narration stating that Jimmy Doohan voiced Trelane's father. Doohan was a very gifted vocalist (his Scottish accent just one of many he was capable of as a Canadian), but IMdb gives the credit to Bart La Rue...

[@Alaninbroomfield]

Thank you for uploading this. Great episode and great interviews!

[@riogrande5761]

I've been rewatching (for the umpteenth time) the re-mastered original series and as it happens watched The Squire of Gothos last night. I've heard there are comparisons between Trelane and Q from TNG but I guess he could have been an infant Q. He needed a machine to do some of his tricks which I wouldn't think an adult Q would need.

[@manickreations]

i loved this episode!!!

[@fiftystate1388]

I watched TOS when it came out, and reruns for years. I took a break from TV for several years and when I started watching again there weren't any reruns. Sometimes I see an episode I haven't seen before, _Squire_ was one. Thanks for the clip! It's neat how TOS has stage theater elements and TV special effects, like it's straddling the earliest days and today. In this clip I'm thinking of the noose' shadow. These days watching the original 16mm film prints gives a laugh seeing some of the set flaws the producers let slide because the audience was watching over-the-air low-def. I saw a prop on an 'engineering' set where there was a terrible caulk joint between the table and the console / "Just paint the whole thing red and who's going to notice." ~The variety of crushed-paper and glitter caves. In the old days on a 19" set across the room they were convincing.

[@MLK-KAEFENTERPRISES]

I wish sci-fi channel would release all these on home video.

[@peterdaniel66]

I see Im not the only one that thought he was actually Liberace.. the voice, the mannerisms and of course the piano..

[@butcherboy2008]

3:42 Of course, everything about Trelane in that episode was early 18th and 19th century. Trelane is very Napoleonic.

[@viborgvee8399]

That never ending phaser synth swoop in the background lol 🌊

[@00bikeboy]

Love these inside stories!

[@Daehawk]

One of the most famous characters.

[@KRW628]

I never watch the sci-fi channel, and I never saw these before today. cool!

[@thebeststooge]

Once the SCI-FI channel changed its name to seefee (SYFY) I ceased to watch them.

[@peterpresutti4064]

One my favorite episodes

[@Fuzzycatfur]

Thank you for preserving this.

[@TuckerSP2011]

He was so memorable!

[@benth162]

The best part was when Tralane's mother and father called him in and admonished him for misusing his toys. they then apologized to the crew because Tralane hadn't realized that they were sentient and were so fragile.

[@terminat1]

Trelane.

[@scottmyers63]

That was indeed the best part!!!!!!!

[@edydon]

Some TOS actors were so talented. Trelane's mother is easily recognizable as Barbara Babcock - a TOS semi-regular. But Trelane's father is totally unrecognizable as James Doohan.

[@911ambulancegirl]

Very interesting continuity error... It's cool to see that actor later in life... This makes me want to watch this episode all over again!

[@joelellis7035]

One could say that the Squire had been watching human society develop over 900 years, but that he had a certain affinity for the time period that he was exhibiting. After all, if he had known that humans had achieved space flight, then why was he still fashioning himself after a previous era?

[@joelellis7035]

One could say that the Squire had been watching human society develop over 900 years, but that he had a certain affinity for the time period that he was exhibiting. After all, if he had known that humans had achieved space flight, then why was he still fashioning himself after a previous era?

[@toAdmiller]

@@joelellis7035 In the episode, Trelane looks a bit puzzled and says something like, "...but from what I'd learned (by looking in on Earth [as it looked 900 years ago being 900 light years distant], I didn't think you capable of such voyages..."

[@roberthutchison8197]

Too bad all of those were not available on DVDs, I would love to have them...

[@steelers6titles]

Campbell was already a well-known actor when the "Paul is dead" rumor had Paul McCartney being killed in an auto accident in 1966, and being replaced by a lookalike named "William Campbell". So the replacement must have been a different William Campbell, who never surfaced. Shocking.

[@wallys11000]

William Campbell was also in the movie Dementia 13 (1963) FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA .

[@jubalcalif9100]

Yes! I remember watching it as youngster on local TV back in the late 60s or early 70s. Very creepy! I read that Coppola convinced Roger Corman that he could make the movie for about $40,000. And he did!

[@laltromondoyoutubechannel6537]

Beautiful Venita rip

[@EdWeibe]

fantastic. I wonder where they got the correct wig from. Yes I just googled those and its very interesting.

[@hifijohn]

absolutely smashing

[@nicholasbartonlaw341]

Interesting he insisted on the proper wig, and they understood the importance of it. Now decades later, that scene with him playing the English judge is iconic, and will be forever. Bravo! The subtlety of the acting of Campbell s acting is amazing. I watch it now, and he does not come off as really evil, that is, he is not excited to be abusing people, he is just excited to have playthings, like a child being excited when walking into a roomful of toys. However, he does not understand the fragility of human beings, and how they value their freedom.

[@toma419]

I remember reading a Star Trek novel back in the 90's that revealed Trelane as a member of the Q continuum.

[@persilbran]

Is that the one where at the end it is revealed that Trelane is probably the son of Q?

[@Squeegie60]

persilbran yes it was and it seemed all too plausible to me when I read it.

[@JohnWilson-wg4gk]

Trelane : "You will hang by the neck, Captain, until you are dead...Dead...DEAD !!! " Me : "Mommieeeeee! "

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Played him perfectly!

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point!

[@mdflorida1233]

I loved when this was on.

[@magicsinglez]

The right actor. Many of the adversaries faced by the crew are pretty selfish, ridged, or nasty. Trelane was never going to seriously hurt the crew.

[@captaingenius-o1c]

(Trelane)Campbell passed away in 2011 at the age of 87........

[@ShiksaWithChutzpah1]

Man, the Sci-Fi Channel used to be SO great. Now they call themselves "SyFy" (uuuugggh) and mostly air their own original crap. I only watch the TZ marathons every July 4th and New Year's Eve.

[@Emerald007007]

I think it was this episode that turned me into a trekie

[@DarnallDubois]

I was expectin some sick bassline but this is bangiiin also!

[@DIDCOTTWIST]

Only saw this episode 2 days ago but I loved it.

[@Dios67]

How many sound effects should we use in the show? ...Yes

[@furryfriend43]

the "warble" sound effect (which accompanies Trelane's entry into the story) was my absolute favourite (it was also used in other episodes throughout the series, Dios67 :)

[@luthermcgee7297]

I liked William Campbell when as the squire of gothos said to the yoeman, " Make a mortal with a kiss." 😆😆😀

[@donfoley6946]

Bart LaRue did Trelanes fathers voice, not James Doohan

[@joe10117]

i miss theese days...

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

Campbell should have played Liberace in a biopic. He was his doppelganger.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Actually, that's a capital idea!

[@ApolloWasReal]

I think Nimoy is incorrect about the voice of Trelane's father. Several other references give it as voice actor Bartell La Rue, who also did the TV announcers in "Patterns of Force" and "Bread and Circuses", the voice of the Guardian in "City on the Edge of Forever", the rock creature in "The Savage Curtain" and one of the Providers in "The Gamesters of Triskelion".

[@kronos5385]

You are correct. It was Bart La Rue as the father.

[@ChristianR-v7j]

Prequel for Jean Luc's /Janeway's best friend Q. But wait, maybe Trelane is a Q ?😅

[@HellhammerSS]

He's trying to sound professional and all, but you can see him beaming with love that he put into that fun character. I would adore a Trelane vs Q encounter. it would be epic as hell!

[@ianciti]

i know john de lancie was talking about before that and you do have a good point about them not know how to rear his child but i still stick with my theory which would make sense if some q were more intelligent with others which you know is likely the case

[@williambell5675]

0:00 - 0:40 Anyone else feel like Mr. Nimoy is about to reveal his plan for world domination?

[@keetrandling4530]

I don't know, Brain, what are we going to do tonight?

[@jasongreggbaker9883]

DONALD TRUMP

[@Eduardo99922]

Thank you!