Hey, I never noticed that before....

Yes. When I first saw that scene, I was struck by how tiny the bridge looks compared to other episodes. The lighting and music make it spooky, though.

 

In their book, Herb Solow and Bob Justman wrote, "'The Enemy Within' went three-quarters of a day over schedule ... suddenly, anxiety and concern entered the picture."

 

The fully enclosed bridge set looks sweaty hot in those photos.

 

There’s no indication in either the scripts or the production records that either optical work or rear projection was to be used for the view screen, and I’m not surprised. These bridge scenes in Act 4 were a bit of a mess, in large part because Roddenberry and company had trouble settling on how Kirk's double was to be subdued. Here are the salient points:

1. First draft script, 6/8/66 – Double is phasered on the bridge by the good Kirk.
2. Final draft script, 6/11/66 – Double is still phasered on the bridge by the good Kirk.
3. Shooting schedule prepared, unknown date – Bridge scenes scheduled for 6/15 and the double is still phasered on the bridge by the good Kirk.
4. Call sheets, unknown date - Act 4 bridge scenes scheduled to be filmed on 6/16/66, no indication as to how the double is to be subdued.
5. Page revisions for the bridge scene sent down on 6/11, 6/13, and 6/16 – Double is now, fnally, hypo-ed by McCoy. Note that this last revision is on the same day as the scenes that were to be filmed, according to the call sheet!
6. Daily production report, 6/17/66 – Bridge scenes actually filmed consistent with final (6/16) script revisions.
7. Double being hypo-ed is completely cut from final print (but, as an FYI, reconstructed in Lost Scenes).

 

Having Goodkirk talk Evilkirk into submission was better drama than just shooting a phaser. It gave Shatner a better platform to sell the story, and it gave his character(s) more agency and sway within the plot.

 

Big agree.

 

Plus, it also gives him a chance to confront himself rather than take the easy way out.

Is it healthier to deal with your issues, or self-medicate to forget (in this case, sedate via phaser)? Although, Kirk's later trouble with Rayna and Spock telling him to forget is kinda like giving tranquilizers to someone in shock (as a temporary solution), as opposed to forever drowning her memory in spirits.

 

I always found that scene poignant, as to how much Spock cares for the Capt.

Here I’ve encountered ppl who made the point is invasive and unasked for. Hm. Good point. Spock isn’t perfect. One of my fave eps.

 

In "The Galileo Seven", on the bridge when they are preparing the launch of the Columbus to search, a crewman walks behind Kirk carrying what resembles a red paint brush in his right hand. What?

He may have had something red in his left hand as well...

 

All the lights on the control panel and elsewhere seem to be off too. At least in that still.

 

Back in those days you had to have very bright/hot lights to film in color. I'm sure every indoor set in 1966 was hot and sweaty.

 

Rewatched some episodes lately. I noticed a several scenes in different episodes where Kirk is mirror imaged.

I haven't kept track of all the episode, but there was definitely one in Omega Glory and another in Savage Curtain. IIRC, the one in Savage Curtain was more obvious because the insignia was on the wrong side of the uniform. But in Omega Glory, Kirk just looked odd for a moment. After pausing, I realized it was because it was a mirror image.

 

I assume you're talking about this guy?

https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x16hd/thegalileosevenhd114.jpg
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/thumbnails.php?album=17&page=4

I've no idea what the prop is that he's carrying. The motion blur in the particular frame of the screencap makes it difficult to make out.

 

Plus Way To Eden. There may be others, but cant think offhand.

Incidentally, the opening scene of the Enemy Within was either flipped or un-flipped for VHS/DVD/blu ray etc for some reason

 

The Enemy Within: it was flipped in the original prints. Kirk's lack of insignia and the dog obscuring Sulu's made that easier to hide, but Shatner always looks weird mirrored. It was flipped back with the DVDs, I assume because at that resolution, you could read the "BOTANY" signage on the box sitting on the styrofoam rock. The VHS / Lasers retained the original flipping.

 

Agreed. I didn't keep track either. Once you know what it looks like, they just jump right out at you when they're onscreen.

 

It's funny that the mirroring is retained even as late as the current streaming versions. Just not worth the effort I guess and most people won't notice.

 

Yes, that is him. I know it isn't a paintbrush, but it resembles one at a first glance. I wonder if this prop was seen elsewhere in TOS?

 

It's times like this that I really miss Greg Schnitzer. He knew the props of TOS forward and backward.

 

I agree with this and well said. I never thought about it quite this way before, but Kirk taking the double into submission in his arms is basically both of them formally accepting that they're dying without the other. They need the transporter to prevent that and finish the process, but the emotional finale of the bridge scene is the real merger.

I like the way that Ferris is looking right at the doodad with his arch expression. Ferris and the actor were probably both wondering "Now what the hell is that thing?"