The Enemy Within - Question

[GSchnitzer]

Oops. Double post somehow.

 

[BolianAuthor]

Besides, it's more selfish if Kirk is only worried about himself. It makes him a more heroic figure if his greatest concern is for others, and if the risk he takes at the climax is done for the sake of his crew rather than just to save his own hide.

Umm... number one, I can listen just fine, thank you. Number two, your comments only prove my point, that it would have been nice to at least see the shuttle option OFFERED on the table, even if for whatever reason, shuttles couldn't be used... it would show that Kirk WAS doing everything he could to expedite the return of the crew, and exploring any and all avenues.

And yeah... I use the term "away team" just out of preference... and as I am not writing it as dialogue in a TOS script, I see no reason for you to make such an issue of it.

In any case, when it comes to the execution of this episode, I think it best we ought just say that we agree to disagree... I would have written it differently, while you have no issue with it as-is. That's fine.

Maybe Spock assuming command would have indeed had no effect... then again, maybe it would have. We can't know at this point.

 

[Greg Cox]

FYI: I asked Matheson once why he only wrote one STAR TREK episode, and he told he just prefered writing for anthology shows like TWILIGHT ZONE. Given a choice, he liked creating his own characters and stories, as opposed to writing someone else's characters.

 

[GSchnitzer]

The aforementioned book Matheson Uncollected has a bit more relevant content:

"The ad-lib [of creating the new concept of a 'Vulcan Nerve Pinch'] does not bother Richard Matheson. 'You have to accept that,' he acknowledges. 'If it's good, you don't object to it. And Nimoy was a smart guy.'

"What Matheson does regret is the fact that his resistance to the rewrite likely played a role in preventing him from contributing more episodes to the series. 'Maybe he didn't care for my reaction,' Matheson says of Roddenberry. 'I must not have reacted very well to what he did, because I have file card with any number of ideas, some of which I'm sure I submitted to him. It was disappointing that none were accepted because I could have done two or three more.'"

 

[Greg Cox]

This seems like a good opportunity to plug a new book, RICHARD MATHESON ON SCREEN by Matthew Bradley, which is a comprehensive guide to Matheson's screenwriting career, as well as the various film adaptations of his work. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I imagine there's some discussion of "The Enemy Within."

 

[BolianAuthor]

This also seems like a good opportunity to end or close this thread, as one, my original question has pretty much been answered, and two, because now we're just going off into tangents or arguing, which was not the point. So, thanks for the answer, guys.

 

[Trek_princess]

I like the explanation that the winds were too intense to allow the shuttles to be used safely. Given that shuttlecraft are more or less designed to crash at the drop of a hat, it has the ring of truth to it.

I always really wondered about this too, and I like your explanation.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Why does Kirk keep a container of flesh-toned concealer makeup on his vanity unit? (I guess that scene was originally planned to take place in Janice's cabin.)

 

[T'Girl]

"The ad-lib [of creating the new concept of a 'Vulcan Nerve Pinch'] does not bother Richard Matheson. 'You have to accept that,' he acknowledges. 'If it's good, you don't object to it. And Nimoy was a smart guy.'

I believe originally Spock was going to slip up quietly behind evil Kirk and wang him on the back of the head with the butt of his phaser grip. Roddenberry though that was a bit too I don't know what and the neck pinch was born.

 

[GSchnitzer]

Why does Kirk keep a container of flesh-toned concealer makeup on his vanity unit? (I guess that scene was originally planned to take place in Janice's cabin.)

Here's some content from the shooting script:

INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS -- THE DOUBLE

KIRK'S VOICE
(over intercom)

The imposter is not to be injured...
use minimum force--repeat--the
imposter is not to be injured.

The double glares at the screen--then turns to the mirror. He stares at his reflection in confusion.

DOUBLE

Imposter?!

He looks at the screen, then back into the mirror again. He makes a sound of angry denial.

DOUBLE

I'm Kirk!

Abruptly, he grabs an object and hurls it at the screen...
smashes it.

DOUBLE

I'm Kirk!!!

He controls himself and looks at his reflection again. Suddenly, he moves to a built-in set of drawers, removes a jar of medicated skin cream and returns to the mirror. Uncapping the jar, he rubs the cream into his scratches, hiding them.

The effect pleases him and he makes a guttural sound of pleasure. Suddnely, he gasps, whirling, as someone RUNS by in the corridor. After several moments, he regains control and moves to the door. He hesitates, then unlocks the door and opens it.

So, Kirk doesn't have "flesh-toned concealer makeup" in his quarters; the script indicates that Evil Kirk is still in Kirk's quarters when he finds and uses the flesh-toned "medicated skin cream."

 

[kkozoriz1]

Probably some sort of advanced minor abrasion healing cream. All that Jumping and punching and rolling and fighting takes it's toll. McCoy probably got tired of Kirk showing up in sickbay with scratches and minor cuts and just gave him his own jar.

 

[Timo]

...Although why couldn't Kirk have makeup available, for the simple purpose of looking good in his high-profile job?

I mean, McCoy goes to greater lengths - he smears the log recorder cameras with vaseline to hide his wrinkles!

Timo Saloniemi