Hey, I never noticed that before....

[Phaser Two]

May be old news on this thread, but I was fascinated to read that Janos Prohaska, who created the Horta costume, showed it to Gene Coon, and when he asked what it was Prohaska said "It can be whatever you want." Apparently Coon replied "I'll write a script around it" and wrote this episode in 4 days. The man was pure genius.

Something I only recently realized-- “The devil in the dark” is us humans, not the Horta.

And one thing that always puzzled me is why Shatner claims this as his favorite episode, when his father died. Nimoy and others helped him through, but still it seems strange.

I had forgotten this story; thanks. Did Coon confirm it?

You're right - the "devil" changes. First it's the unknown assailant, then it's the revealed Horta, then it's the miners, both in the event and in retrospect. It's just an absolutely brilliant story, as you noted. Genius indeed.

I figured Shatner remembered how the show, cast, and crew supported him and he was able to make something enduring that he probably viewed as a tribute to his father. I've read and seen enough of Bill's writings and words that I can comfortably believe that's consistent with his personal outlook. He was and is an amazing hard worker and utterly dedicated to his craft. Being able - with the help of his colleagues - to deal with a sudden devastating loss and have it not interrupt his work or even show on film (on the contrary, this episode is one of his best performances in the entire series) would make Bill, in my speculative opinion, extremely proud and happy for the memory of his dad. Add in the fact that it's a superlative episode and there you have it.

 

[Trekker09]

I don't know if Coon confirmed it. Saw it on IMDB trivia about that episode.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Something I only recently realized-- “The devil in the dark” is us humans, not the Horta.

Asking "Who's the real monster here?" and concluding it's the humans has become almost a cliché at this point. The idea is heavily implied in the 1976 and 2005 remakes of King Kong, for instance.

 

[publiusr]

looks like he had trouble with the sliders… perhaps that’s why it was re shot?

Well, I might have slid one up and the other two down…just to see what happens.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Well, I might have slid one up and the other two down…just to see what happens.

This:
https://i0.wp.com/trekkerscrapbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/v1-pg-66c.jpg?ssl=1

 

[mkstewartesq]

Did Coon ever confirm anything about TOS? I know he died several years after the show ended – and certainly as it was gaining popularity in syndication- but I am not aware of any interview he ever did regarding his work on Star Trek. I’d love to be proven wrong but I just don’t think he ever took an opportunity to speak about his work on the show before he passed away.

 

[Esteban]

Did Coon ever confirm anything about TOS? I know he died several years after the show ended – and certainly as it was gaining popularity in syndication- but I am not aware of any interview he ever did regarding his work on Star Trek. I’d love to be proven wrong but I just don’t think he ever took an opportunity to speak about his work on the show before he passed away.

First-person information on Coon is nearly non-existant. Quotes abound to a point, but even they are suspect.
It's amazing to me that after all these years and all the spotlights (post-mortem), his star shines so dimly.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

It's amazing to me that after all these years and all the spotlights (post-mortem), his star shines so dimly.

Coon died in 1973, which was very early in Star Trek's cultural ascension. The show was just beginning to transcend the status of a mere syndicated rerun.

If you are not around to promote yourself, give interviews, make public appearances, or write a tell-all book, you fade away. When's the last time any of us thought about River Phoenix, right? And he was a star.

 

[Phaser Two]

Did Coon ever confirm anything about TOS? I know he died several years after the show ended – and certainly as it was gaining popularity in syndication- but I am not aware of any interview he ever did regarding his work on Star Trek. I’d love to be proven wrong but I just don’t think he ever took an opportunity to speak about his work on the show before he passed away.

Excellent point, and thanks. You're probably right given when he passed away and the fact that at that time (1973), Star Trek was just starting to blossom into the full-fledged popular phenomenon it is today. Thinking back, I believe I only became aware of the true centrality of his importance (beyond the obvious writing credits, etc.) when I began reading the various behind-the-scenes books in the 80s and 90s.

 

[drt]

Watching “Wold in the Fold” last night I noticed that when Kirk and Spock are on their way to the turbolift after Redjack jumps into the computer everyone in the corridor is acting a bit goofy like they’d already received a shot of the tranquilizer. There was a second corridor scene after most of the crew should have been drugged, I can only assume there was some confusion with the timing of those scenes and the direction for the extras since I’d assume they were filmed at the same time.

 

[scotpens]

If you are not around to promote yourself, give interviews, make public appearances, or write a tell-all book, you fade away. When's the last time any of us thought about River Phoenix, right?

Who??

 

[fireproof78]

When's the last time any of us thought about River Phoenix, right?

Last time I rewatched Last Crusade so more recently than most...

 

[Doug Otte]

Watching “Wold in the Fold” last night I noticed that when Kirk and Spock are on their way to the turbolift after Redjack jumps into the computer everyone in the corridor is acting a bit goofy like they’d already received a shot of the tranquilizer. There was a second corridor scene after most of the crew should have been drugged, I can only assume there was some confusion with the timing of those scenes and the direction for the extras since I’d assume they were filmed at the same time.

Thanks for bringing up this episode. It's not one of my favorites, and I hadn't seen it for a few years. The sexism is the main issue. But, beyond that, I found the concept and the way it unfolded very interesting.

I'm not sure you're right about that scene. The crewmembers do seem to be sauntering a bit. We only see the face of the crewmember behind them. She smiles after exchanging some casual greeting with a man walking away from us. You might be right, but maybe they'd all returned from shore leave.

I've always thought it was strange that Hengist's dead body was propped up on the conference room table. Of course, the plot dictated it so his body could be taken over by Redjack again.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

KIrk's excusing Spock's pointy ears to the cop in COTEOF as being the result of an accident, repaired by a missionary who was a "skilled plastic surgeon" as well - it makes sense and seems less like a weak deus ex excuse pulled out of Kirk's behind when you see all these ads for Christian medical missions that help kids with cleft lips and palates. That is, a missionary who also, oddly enough, was a skilled plastic surgeon as a civilian.

 

[Commishsleer]

KIrk's excusing Spock's pointy ears to the cop in COTEOF as being the result of an accident, repaired by a missionary who was a "skilled plastic surgeon" as well - it makes sense and seems less like a weak deus ex excuse pulled out of Kirk's behind when you see all these ads for Christian medical missions that help kids with cleft lips and palates. That is, a missionary who also, oddly enough, was a skilled plastic surgeon as a civilian.

Were there such things as mechanical rice pickers in the 1900s?

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Yeah, I dunno why he didn't just claim it was a birth defect, or a war wound.

 

[johnnybear]

Hal Baylor's cop didn't look like he understood a word of what Kirk was telling him to be honest!
JB

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

He's probably encountered fast talkers before. "All right, buddy, what's your story?"

 

[drt]

I was watching “Miri” today, noticed that when Spock is scanning the town, Nimoy is running his index finger over the “memory discs” almost like a scroll wheel.

It got me thinking, did we ever see those used as “memory discs” (maybe when Spock had his tricorder disassembled in “City”)?

 

[scotpens]

He's probably encountered fast talkers before. "All right, buddy, what's your story?"

What makes the scene funny is that Kirk is frantically ad-libbing, trying to explain Spock's odd appearance, and the cop couldn't care less! All he cares about is that he just caught two thieves red-handed. Hell, he's probably encountered weirder-looking characters than Spock in the line of duty.