"That Which Survives" at 50
- Thread starter Damian
- Start date
In Starlog #153 (April 1990), Meriwether says, "I must say, the producers were really very kind when it came to my costume. My belly button was covered, and they took into consideration my figure faults at the time, for which I was very grateful. It never entered my mind, and still doesn't, that putting gals in scantily clad situations is sexist."
I would guess she had stretch marks from having a baby.
She also says of William Shatner, "...it was great fun working with him."
In a different interview somewhere, she said that Deforest Kelley was always kidding around with her, coming up to her, tugging the flap down and asking "What time is it?" And finally she hid a pocket watch under the flap to surprise him.
M
marlboro
Guest
The pants are pretty lame, but the upper half of the costume and hair could work as a funky Jack Kirby drawing.
Seeing the back of the costume, I notice that he shoulder and upper front top are not connected to the rest of the costume. Like the belly flap, it must have been glued on, too. I guess the Kalandan technology could invent a fabric that clings to skin, like skin velcro. 
I've always enjoyed this episode immensely. I'm certain that's due to the fact this episode is perhaps the first one I remember seeing, either during its first run or soon afterwards when it went into syndication in the early 1970's. It left a big impact on me and still enjoy watching the episode. It certainly ranks as one of the better season 3 episodes. If I had to make a list of my favorite all-time episodes, this one would certainly rank within the top 20.
M
marlboro
Guest
"Figure faults"?
Hollywood is filled with beautiful people with serious body image issues. You would never guess it, but at the time of the filming of And the Children Shall Lead, Melvin Belli had a physique that would put Terry Crews to shame. For a time in the late 60s the phrase "Ripped like Melvin" could be heard in gyms across America. Sadly, Mr. Belli couldn't see what everyone else could and insisted on the muumuu.
The Kalandans clearly had a thing for flares as well
A conjecture: It appears that Theiss worked from an early, first draft script so he might have based his costume design on Egyptian, Greek, and/or other Mediterranean influences. In the early draft, Losira the Kalandan was Osira the Thalassan.
Osira may allude to Osiris. Note that Osiris is often depicted with his lower torso wrapped like a mummy.
Thalassa may be a play on Thalassia.
Osira may allude to Osiris. Note that Osiris is often depicted with his lower torso wrapped like a mummy.
Thalassa may be a play on Thalassia.
Yes indeed! Another fine Mediterranean reference.
I remember reading that a lot of early punch card programming was done by women because it was considered an extension of secretarial work, which was traditionally regarded as a feminine line of work.
Kor
Dave,
Which early draft? I have the first draft script and believe she was still called "The Woman," which is what Fontana called her in her second "Survival" outline.
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The first draft dated September 9, 1968, Story by D.C. Fontana, Teleplay by John Meredyth Lucas.
Edit: Her character line in this script is "Woman" but she identifies herself at the end of it (in scene 102) as Osira of Thalassa.
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Ah, missed that. Thanks.
Amazing how times have changed. Instead of it being covered up, kept quiet until he died, or left him unnamed (assuming GR is who Grace was talking about), he would be vilified along with Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
True. And as I understood it, Grace finally named him before she died. It was very unfair to every other Star Trek and Desilu "executive" when she wanted to tell her story but avoid naming GR. I think Solow and Justman mentioned the cloud of suspicion she created, but I read a borrowed copy of their book a few years ago and can't recall for certain.
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Did she actually name him?
Why would he do that? He had so many other (apparently) willing women? It makes me so angry.I'm not worried about the other executives but the victim. Yes its bad for them a bit but what else could she do in that era?
I didn't actually know this. Somehow it taints Star Trek for me.Anyway I', going to have to think about it.
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