startrekrcks
Fleet Captain
I thought this episode was very brilliant and the storyline was good and also sad also what are your thoughts on this fantastic episode
The City On The Edge of Forever
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I never wholly bought the premise that Kirk could fall "in love" with Edith Keeler in such a short time. Even if it was weeks or even months between Kirk and Spock, and McCoy arriving. But then again, I'm an old curmudgeon who has never believed in "love at first sight" either... YMMV
I agree.
I don't get why this is often seen as one of Trek's best episode. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about it at all IMO.
I don't buy that Kirk was madly in love with a woman he just met. Such stories cannot be properly developed in 50 minutes.
Kirk never actually confirmed he was in love with Edith. What he said to Spock was: "I believe I'm in love with Edith Keeler."
Spock responded with: "Jim -- Edith Keeler must die."
Even if Kirk was more "in like" than "in love" - or whether he loved her as a dear friend rather than as a romantic partner - the fact is that he did love her enough to be conflicted and upset that she had to die for his universe to continue existing.
And it's nonsense to say this isn't a great story just because it took less than 50 minutes real time for Kirk to declare his feelings for Edith... does that mean you don't accept any romance or love on TV or in a movie because of the short time you spend watching it in real life?
Spock responded with: "Jim -- Edith Keeler must die."
Even if Kirk was more "in like" than "in love" - or whether he loved her as a dear friend rather than as a romantic partner - the fact is that he did love her enough to be conflicted and upset that she had to die for his universe to continue existing.
And it's nonsense to say this isn't a great story just because it took less than 50 minutes real time for Kirk to declare his feelings for Edith... does that mean you don't accept any romance or love on TV or in a movie because of the short time you spend watching it in real life?
does that mean you don't accept any romance or love on TV or in a movie because of the short time you spend watching it in real life?
Not always, but very often. Many shows other than TOS also feature "love interest of the week" plots and they are likewise as unconvincing and unmoving as The City On The Edge of Forever is, and as are all of the many other times TOS, or any other Trek show for that matter, employed the "love interest of the week" formula.
Compare that to say, the Odo/Kira romance from DS9 which was, literally, gradually developed over several years. That is far more believable and emotionally affecting.
That depends on what it's being rated against, I suppose.
Set next to the rest of Trek, it might as well be Casablanca.
And I found the Kira/Odo romance completely unconvincing. The episode where Odo and Lwaxana revealed their true selves - physically and emotionally - to each other was far more convincing to me of the potential for romantic feelings to develop.Not always, but very often. Many shows other than TOS also feature "love interest of the week" plots and they are likewise as unconvincing and unmoving as The City On The Edge of Forever is, and as are all of the many other times TOS, or any other Trek show for that matter, employed the "love interest of the week" formula.does that mean you don't accept any romance or love on TV or in a movie because of the short time you spend watching it in real life?
Compare that to say, the Odo/Kira romance from DS9 which was, literally, gradually developed over several years. That is far more believable and emotionally affecting.
Edith Keeler was not like any other "love interest" on Star Trek. At no time was she treated as just a 'pretty face/body' - it was her mind and spirit Kirk found appealing more than her physical attributes, and that's much more important to the development of romantic feelings.
The worst offenders for "love interest of the week" in my opinion were the nonsense between Spock and Droxine in "The Cloud Minders" and McCoy/Natira in "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky."
Well, they sort of explain that. Middle age, loneliness and, oh yeah, a death sentence can play havoc with a man's emotions.
It's OK if you like tear-jerkers (I don't), but it's hardly "the greatest show in the history of television", as some would have it.
I think the appeal of this episode comes from the fact that Keeler was a well-rounded personality, a strong woman in her own right, not through her social standing/family/etc. She simply wasn't the usual babe of the week.
CotEoF is easily one of my two favourite episodes of TOS, the other being Balance of Terror - they both represent the wide range of genres TOS was able to cover...
CotEoF is easily one of my two favourite episodes of TOS, the other being Balance of Terror - they both represent the wide range of genres TOS was able to cover...
Great story, well acted, heartbreaking conundrum, darker ending than most Trek stories. What's not to like?
Best Trek Ever.
And close to perfect television, too.
Analyze this episode. There may be more scenes than in any other of TOS. Something fascinating is always going on, somewhere.
The acting by the Big 3 is the best you're going to get. De in particular really gets a chance to shine.
Even the little bits that Nichelle and Jimmy get to do are pretty good, "Captain, I'm frightened" not withstanding.
Collins is solid, and all the bit players are great fun.
They're on location (40 Acres), so at least it's not bottled up.
The concept by Harlan was brilliant and new in it's day. The loving execution by Fontana, Coon, and GR polished the apple (Harlan and others hate the "one day, man will reach out to the stars" soliloquy by Keeler; I always have felt that THAT was Star Trek. Thanks, Gene).
IIRC, this was the single most expensive episode of regular TOS. They (the producers) felt it was worth it, and so do I.
Let's get the hell out of here.
And close to perfect television, too.
Analyze this episode. There may be more scenes than in any other of TOS. Something fascinating is always going on, somewhere.
The acting by the Big 3 is the best you're going to get. De in particular really gets a chance to shine.
Even the little bits that Nichelle and Jimmy get to do are pretty good, "Captain, I'm frightened" not withstanding.
Collins is solid, and all the bit players are great fun.
They're on location (40 Acres), so at least it's not bottled up.
The concept by Harlan was brilliant and new in it's day. The loving execution by Fontana, Coon, and GR polished the apple (Harlan and others hate the "one day, man will reach out to the stars" soliloquy by Keeler; I always have felt that THAT was Star Trek. Thanks, Gene).
IIRC, this was the single most expensive episode of regular TOS. They (the producers) felt it was worth it, and so do I.
Let's get the hell out of here.
I'm certain that it happens all the time.
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