The City on the Edge of Forever
- Episode aired Apr 6, 1967
- TV-PG
- 50m
IMDb RATING
9.2/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.
Bart La Rue
- Guardian
- (voice)
- (as Bartell La Rue)
Walter Bacon
- Onlooker on Street
- (uncredited)
Bill Blackburn
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (uncredited)
Bill Borzage
- Drunk
- (uncredited)
Dick Cherney
- Passerby on Sidewalk
- (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
- Server
- (uncredited)
Jane Crowley
- Onlooker on Street
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTo emphasize on the extremely high age of the Guardian in the upper millions, or well into the billions, the starfield of its planet is surrounded by red dwarfs and red giants.
- GoofsIn establishing scenes, the completed Empire State Building can be seen as part of the NYC skyline. Construction on the building didn't begin until early 1930, and wasn't finished until mid-1931.
- Crazy creditsScript Supervisor George Rutter is written as "SCPIPT SUPERVISOR...GEORGE A. RUTTER" in the credits. This happened on numerous other episodes in season one.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
- ConnectionsEdited from TrekCulture: 10 Greatest Final Lines In Star Trek Episodes (2022)
- SoundtracksTheme From Star Trek
Written by and credited to Alexander Courage
Featured review
Let's get the hell out of here
Dr McCoy suffers an accident whilst administering treatment to a crew member.
This is a classic episode with a brilliant story and great character moments.
The plot is a mixture of sci-fi and romance that culminates in a very memorable ethical dilemma. If you like time-travel, period drama and emotion, this one has it in abundance.
From a sci-fi perspective it is a great time travel episode that mixes real life history with the fictional characters. I have always thought a lot about the bad things that have happened in my family history that indirectly led to me being born. People died young, relationships and careers were destroyed, and countless other events happened that resulted in my mother and father being together at the exact time required for my conception. When you add thoughts about about fate and chance, then ask 'what if' it is truly fascinating. 'City on the Edge of Forever' always provokes this type of contemplation about life and the butterfly effect.
Ethics plays a huge role in how the story unfolds as it all leads to a huge climax for Kirk and guest character, Edith Keeler, who has to be one of the most memorable leading ladies he has shared a screen with. As a romance it just about works as well as it can in 45 minute episode, but it's too short a time to really invest in a love story.
There are some excellent moments for Kirk and Spock, with many strong scenes of drama and comedy. Bones also has an important role and his scenes are memorable.
The visuals are simple and effective, particularly the sets, costumes and props. Spock attempting to create miracles in a in a zinc-plated vacuum-tubed culture is superbly done.
All performances are excellent, particularly William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Joan Collins is solid as Keeler.
This is often referenced as the greatest Trek episode of all time. It certainly is one of the best, but it really depends what you look for in Star Trek as there are many different types of story. There are some plot holes and some aspects that require a suspension of disbelief, but these criticisms are only minor.
For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a classic episode with a brilliant story and great character moments.
The plot is a mixture of sci-fi and romance that culminates in a very memorable ethical dilemma. If you like time-travel, period drama and emotion, this one has it in abundance.
From a sci-fi perspective it is a great time travel episode that mixes real life history with the fictional characters. I have always thought a lot about the bad things that have happened in my family history that indirectly led to me being born. People died young, relationships and careers were destroyed, and countless other events happened that resulted in my mother and father being together at the exact time required for my conception. When you add thoughts about about fate and chance, then ask 'what if' it is truly fascinating. 'City on the Edge of Forever' always provokes this type of contemplation about life and the butterfly effect.
Ethics plays a huge role in how the story unfolds as it all leads to a huge climax for Kirk and guest character, Edith Keeler, who has to be one of the most memorable leading ladies he has shared a screen with. As a romance it just about works as well as it can in 45 minute episode, but it's too short a time to really invest in a love story.
There are some excellent moments for Kirk and Spock, with many strong scenes of drama and comedy. Bones also has an important role and his scenes are memorable.
The visuals are simple and effective, particularly the sets, costumes and props. Spock attempting to create miracles in a in a zinc-plated vacuum-tubed culture is superbly done.
All performances are excellent, particularly William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Joan Collins is solid as Keeler.
This is often referenced as the greatest Trek episode of all time. It certainly is one of the best, but it really depends what you look for in Star Trek as there are many different types of story. There are some plot holes and some aspects that require a suspension of disbelief, but these criticisms are only minor.
For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.
helpful•152
- snoozejonc
- May 5, 2021
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