star trek original on location

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Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

One the franchise’s most oft-used locales, the 932-acre Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park  masqueraded as everything from the mysterious mind-reading planet on The Original Series to a moon on Voyager to Mintaka III on The Next Generation to planet Vulcan in both Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and the 2009 J.J. Abrams-directed Star Trek . Located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, the otherworldly site, which consists of 150-foot-tall jagged rock formations that jut from the earth at 50-degree angles, was named for Tiburcio Vasquez, an infamous outlaw who pillaged up and down the coast of California during the 1800s and used the rocks as a regular hideout from authorities. The park is one of L.A. County’s most picturesque spots and has become extremely popular with location scouts, playing host to more than 200 shoots each year.

Arguably, Vasquez Rocks’ most memorable Star Trek appearance was as the barren planet where Captain Kirk (William Shatner) famously battles a Gorn in TOS’ Season 1 episode, "Arena." The 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back paid homage to that episode by setting a scene at the park, complete with a fake café named “Arena Diner” that was installed onsite for the shoot. Vasquez Rocks is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is easily accessible with plenty of parking. The site offers hiking (ranging from easy to difficult), photo-taking opportunities, and fabulous views. The area’s striking rocks are also visible from Escondido Canyon Road and the Antelope Valley Freeway, and were depicted in a driving scene in the 2006 comedy Little Miss Sunshine .

Discover LA Newsletter

Where was Star Trek: The Original Series filmed

Star Trek was filmed in Los Angeles in the United States of America.

Marlene Dietrich Building (Paramount Studios)

Los Angeles

Franklin Canyon Reservoir (Franklin Canyon Park)

Beverly Hills

Simi Valley

Northern Quad (TRW Space & Defense Park)

Former Africa, U.S.A.

Schulberg Building (Paramount Studios)

Bronson Canyon (Griffith Park)

Scene was shot Also known as Brush Canyon, this portion of Griffith Park is popular for filming due to its remote and rugged appearance. The distinctive cave is actually a tunnel created when the canyon was used as a quarry in the early 1900s.

Disney's Golden Oak Ranch

Scene was shot Constructed on land purchased by Walt Disney in 1959, Golden Oak Ranch is a 890-acre movie ranch located at the entrance of Placerita Canyon to the east of Santa Clarita. The ranch contains suburban & downtown backlots as well as a variety of cabins and outdoor areas for filming.

Vasquez Rocks

Scene was shot A nearly 1000-acre park located north of Los Angeles with distinctive uplifted rock formations. The distinctive look and location within the Thirty-mile zone have made the rocks an extremely popular filming location since it first appeared in Werewolf in London back in 1935.

Contact us: [email protected]

General Information

Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour is Located in Historic downtown Ticonderoga, New York.

When the STAR TREK television series was canceled in 1969, the original sets were dismantled and largely destroyed, only a few small items of the actual sets remain today, and those that have survived are in private collections. Trek superfan James Cawley began the process of rebuilding the sets just as they would have been seen 50 years ago when the series was being filmed, a 14 year journey has culminated in the most accurate rebuild of the original sets, and is now open and welcoming STAR TREK fans from all over the world!

Our sets are complete recreations built using the original blueprints, hundreds of hours of serious research and thousands of photographs – both period images and images culled from extensive review and capture from the original episodes. The sets will NOT and were NOT designed to move from one city to another and are fully licensed by CBS. The Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour Invites you to come see the Desilu Studio as it looked during the years between 1966-1969 while Star Trek was in production.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions for ALL sales, regardless of how the sale is accomplished (phone, online, or face-to-face) are at this TERMS AND CONDITIONS page.

Admission Prices are:

• Adult: (Ages 14-54) $23.00
• Senior: $21.00 (Age 55+)
• Child: $12.00 (Ages 5-13)
• Child: Free   Under Age 5, No ticket required
• Military, Police, Fire – Active or Retired with ID $21.00
• Family: 2 Adults, 2 children (5-13), special price of $65.00
• Family: 2 Adults, 4 children (5-13), special price of $90.00
• Special requests will be priced based on nature of request.
• Prices above DO NOT include sales tax and ticketing fees

Tickets Now On Sale!

• You may buy tickets at the door, cash or credit card. Email receipt available.
• Alternatively, you may buy tickets online (see button below) priced as shown.
• Tours last about an hour.
• Groups of 20 or more please call ahead to (518) 503-5497.
• Lots of time for photo ops. No photos of unfinished sets.
• Tour guide will remind you where photos are NOT permitted.
• No food or beverages on sets; no backpacks or packages allowed in studio.
• Free parking in the lot at the studio.
• Star Trek Tour at 112 Montcalm Street – Ticonderoga, New York 12883 USA

Contact us:

Star Trek Tour email: [email protected]

Please check back for further information.

All prices (except free) plus 8% sales tax.

All prices (except free) may incur handling fee.

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[GALLERY] Step Inside the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour

TrekNews.net recently visited the Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour  exhibit located in upstate New York, during the weekend of Trekonderoga .

Led by Star Trek superfan and fan film creator James Cawley, the team behind the tour has tirelessly recreated the Stage 9 U.S.S. Enterprise “Desilu” set that the Original Series was shot on during its 1966–1969 television run. Utilizing original blueprints, hundreds of hours of research and thousands of photographs, they have recreated an immersive experience that allows fans to surround themselves in the spaces that so many of us have only been able to travel to in our imaginations.

In addition to the iconic bridge of the Enterprise, the tour also includes Captain Kirk’s quarters, McCoy’s office, the engineering, sickbay, transporter room, science lab,  and briefing room sets.

Check out the photo gallery below.

Star Trek Original Series Set Tour Photo Gallery

Transporter Room

Kirk’s Quarters

McCoy’s Office

Science Lab

Engineering

Briefing Room

Enterprise Bridge

If you’re ever in the Ticonderoga-area, we would highly recommend you take the time to visit. The tour is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm and Sundays 11 am–5 pm. They will be hosting William Shatner in November for “Treksgiving,” and, of course, the annual Trekonderoga event returns next August. 

Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Picard , Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Short Treks . Connect with us on social media: @TrekNewsNet on Twitter , @TrekNews on Facebook , and @TrekNews on Instagram .

Tiberiuswise

November 18, 2019 at 7:03 pm

I’ve been twice and highly recommend it. The experience is surreal. The sets are amazing and the staff couldn’t be friendlier or more knowledgeable. This is clearly a labor of love from dedicated Trekkies who want to share their love of Star Trek.

November 28, 2019 at 11:57 am

If you wish to make $6431 per month then I wanted to share with you my experience. Couple of years back I was working in privately owned organization and not earning satisfactory paycheck according my effort. Later a friend of mine explained about a web-based work which can be done at home and also you can easily get the job done whenever we wish and also get the payments on weekly. Here’s the best way to begin->->->-> earn9kpermonth.exzu.com

November 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm

Nitpick alert! (We Trekkies are known for those.) The original series ran from 1966-1969, not 1966-1968.

Brian Wilkins

November 25, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Thanks! And yes, you are correct. Updated. 🙂

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While the original sets used to film Star Trek in the 1960s are long gone, the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is a faithful (and licenced) recreation of those sets.

Star Trek fan James Cawley has personally recreated many of the sets, and they are available to visit in his museum in Ticonderoga, New York, just north of Albany. The small, unassuming building doesn’t look like anything special, but for fans of Star Trek, it quickly becomes apparently that this is a very special building.

As you enter the building, there is a desk to check in for the tour. The lobby area also contains a gift shop and a series of displays of original props, costumes, and various Star Trek merchandise over the years.

The sets haven’t been designed to feel like a real spaceship, but to give the feel of walking through the original Desilu Studios soundstages. Admission to the museum gets you a guided tour of the sets, and these guides are very knowledgeable and full of little-known facts. When my friends and I visited in the summer of 2019, owner James Cawley was leading our tour. While I really grew up more watching The Next Generation, my friends and I couldn’t resist wearing classic uniform costumes for the tour!

The Corridors

As you first enter, you’ll find yourself in the Enterprise corridors. These corridors link the various sets, and really make it feel like you are on the Enterprise. The guides will show how just one corridor was used on the show, but small changes to lighting, signage, and camera angles made it look different every time.

The corridors have even been equiped with working communications panels, where the tour guide can trigger a Red Alert.

The Transporter Room

The Transporter Room was seen in many episodes in Star Trek, and has been completely recreated, including the transporter pad and the control panel.

The Conference Room

As James explained, the set of the Conference Room was also used as the mess hall, so his recreation features a number of recreational props. This includes a 3D Chess set and Spock’s Vulcan lute.

He also showed us one of the flags from the set, which closely resembles the Cuban flag. This is to pay tribute to Desi Arnaz, who owned Desilu Studios with Lucille Ball.

The Sickbay area is made up of two rooms. The first is the operating room, with a bed in the middle for Dr. McCoy to work on his patients.

The second room is a recovery room, with a couple beds for patients to rest and be monitored.

Dr. McCoys Office

Dr. McCoy’s office is also included in the sets. Dr. McCoy’s desk is at the centre of the room.

The office is also filled with a number of interesting objects, including a plant, a voice recorder, and a number of items on display on his shelves.

Science Lab

The science lab is adjacent to Dr. McCoy’s office. There were lots of items here, including a tribble. There were also some every-day spray bottles, which James told us were used on the show because they had not yet become household items when the show was made.

Captain Kirk’s Quarters

Captain Kirk’s quarters have been set up just like they appeared on the show, including his sleeping area and his office. While most trinkets are similar to items appearing on the show, James showed us one item that is original. A gold box was used on the set and appeared in Kirk’s office, and is now part of the set tour.

Engineering

The Engineering section has been completely recreated. As you enter, you’ll first see Scotty’s office area, before continuing into the main Engineering section. You’ll also notice one of the Jefferies tubes used by engineers to access all areas of the ship.

The tour culminates in a visit to the Enterprise Bridge. As you walk off the turbolift and step foot onto this bridge, it will take your breath away. You truly feels like you are right there on the Bridge, with Kirk, Spock, Uhuru, and the whole cast. The sounds and lighting help enhance that feeling. I can only imagine how much work went into creating this replica, but it is incredibly impressive.

In addition to seeing the various stations around the bridge, the clear highlight is sitting in the Captain’s chair. You’ll treasure this unique photo!

If you are in the Ticonderoga area, The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is well worth a visit. One friend who isn’t a Star Trek fan even remarked how much she enjoyed the visit. It will truly make you feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1960s when the show was filmed. The cost is very reasonable, and just to sit in the captain’s chair alone is worth the price of admission!

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Home > Films > S > Star Trek

Monday April 15th 2024

Star Trek | 2009

• Locations |
• Los Angeles , California
• Chris Pine,
• Zachary Quinto,
• Leonard Nimoy,
• Simon Pegg,
• Karl Urban,
• Zoe Saldana,
• Anton Yelchin,
• Bruce Greenwood,
• Winona Ryder,
• Chris Hemsworth,
• Jennifer Morrison,
• Tyler Perry,
• Rachel Nichols,
• Clifton Collins Jr

JJ Abrams pulled off the unlikely feat of pleasing critics, audiences and diehard Trekkies rebooting the Star Trek franchise.

The surface of ‘Vulcan’ – as it was for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – is the 745-acre Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park , 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road , near Agua Dulce Springs , about an hour north of Los Angeles .

This is a sly nod to the original TV series which, although largely studio-based, several 1960s episodes – including Shore Leave and Arena – ventured out to find alien landscapes among the awesome rock formations. Named after the 19th century outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez , who hid out here, this outburst of the San Andreas Fault has been used in hundreds of Westerns and sci-fi movies, pop videos and photoshoots – see it in Apache , Alpha Dog , Starship Troopers and as far back as 1935 in Werewolf Of London .

The park is in the high desert north of Los Angeles , between Newhall and Acton, off Route 14.

For the 'Starfleet Academy', digital technology moves the Oviatt Library at Cal-State University, Northridge in Los Angeles ' San Fernando Valley , to sit alongside San Francisco ’s Golden Gate Bridge .

The library had previously featured (as the superhero school) in Sky High and, more down to earth, in Legally Blonde 2 and Lindsay Lohan - Jane Fonda misfire Georgia Rule . On the small screen, sci-fi buffs might have seen it in Star Trek Voyager , Roswell and Battlestar Galactica .

It’s in the circular council chamber of Long Beach City Hall , 333 West Ocean Boulevard , alongside Lincoln Park, that Kirk and Spock initially face off when Kirk is accused of cheating in the Kobayashi Maru (the supposedly unwinnable Starfleet training exercise), but are finally decorated after defeating he Romulan attack, and Kirk is appointed captain of the Enterprise ( Los Angeles Metro, Blue Line ).

More mundanely, 'Delta Vega', the ice planet was recreated in the parking lot of the Dodger Stadium , 1000 Vin Scully Avenue , downtown Los Angeles , home of the Los Angeles Dodgers (the car park is where Brian O'Conner ( Paul Walker ) is giving his car a workout at the opening of The Fast and The Furious ).

The USS Enterprise 's gleaming engine room, where the young Scotty ( Simon Pegg ) gets beamed into a cooling pipe, is the Budweiser Brewery Anheuser-Busch Inc, 15800 Roscoe Boulevard , just west of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley, while the recently restored 1930s Long Beach Generating Station on Terminal Island became the engine room of the USS Kelvin , aboard which Kirk is born (you can see the plant pre-restoration in Michael Bay ’s The Island , with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson ) and Next with Nicolas Cage .

Visit The Film Locations

Visit: California

Visit: Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park , 10700 Escondido Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 ( tel: 661.268.0840 )

California | Los Angeles

Visit: Los Angeles

Flights: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045 ( tel: 424.646.5252 )

Travelling around: Los Angeles Metro

Visit: the Dodger Stadium , 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 ( tel: 866.363.4377 )

Where Was Star Trek Filmed?

The 11th feature film in the ‘Star Trek’ universe, the 2009 film is an eponymous iteration of the beloved franchise’s cinematic offerings and follows an alternate timeline that introduces different versions of the franchise’s original characters like Captain Kirk and Spock. The iconic sci-fi saga also delves into Kirk’s childhood as well as the crew’s student days at the Starfleet Academy, making the film’s scale truly grand.

From the rural farmlands of Earth where Kirk grew up to the desolate ice fields of the planet Delta Vega, and everything in between, the film’s roster of different worlds and settings can naturally make you wonder where it was filmed. Let’s take a look at the locations that were used to bring ‘Star Trek’ to life.

Star Trek Filming Locations

Apart from taking place largely in space, ‘Star Trek’ also follows the story of Kirk’s younger days on Earth. Filming for the movie was done in California, Utah, Vermont, and Alaska. The stark natural landscapes found in these states were also used to depict other planets visited by the film’s characters. Unlike many sci-fi and space-centric movies, director J. J. Abrams chose to minimize the use of green and blue screens, preferring to film largely on location instead.

The film’s lengthy production was shrouded in secrecy, with the project given the fake working title ‘Corporate Headquarters.’ Many members of the supporting cast only got to see their lines, as opposed to the entire script, to keep the storyline a secret. Principal photography for the movie commenced on November 11, 2007, and wrapped up on March 27, 2008. Second unit filming was then briefly undertaken in California in April 2008. Let’s take a closer look at the film’s specific filming locations.

Los Angeles County, California

‘Star Trek’ was filmed extensively in and around the city of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California. A parking lot near the Dodger Stadium, located at 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Chavez Ravine in Elysian Park was used to depict a Romulan drilling rig on the planet Vulcan. Scenes of the ice-covered planet Delta Vega were also filmed in the parking lot, using a mixture of real and digital snow. A portion of the filming also took place at California State University Northridge, which can be found at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge.

Exterior shots of the Delmar T. Oviatt Library building and its courtyard were used to depict the Starfleet Academy. The Starfleet Academy assembly hall used the City Hall in Long Beach, located at 333 West Ocean Boulevard, as a stand-in. Scenes showing the highly complex mechanical engine room on the Enterprise starship used the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Brewery at 15800 Roscoe Boulevard in Van Nuys for filming. Kelvin’s engine room used a power station in Long Beach as a backdrop to achieve its look.

The Vasquez Rocks located at 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce have been used in multiple productions of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise and were used to depict the planet Vulcan in the 2009 film. The Vulcan council chamber, as well as other scenes featuring the Vulcan administration, were filmed at Skyrose Chapel at 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier in Los Angeles County. The shuttlecraft hangar where the forces congregate is actually the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin in Orange County, a 40-minute drive from Los Angeles.

The private clubhouse of the Hollywood Post 43 chapter of The American Legion, a veterans organization, was used to depict a dive bar in Iowa. The chapter is located at 2035 North Highland Avenue in the city of Los Angeles. Additional studio filming was undertaken at Paramount Studios, which is located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood.

Kern County, California

The second unit filming of the movie, which took place in April 2008, included shooting scenes of Kirk’s childhood. The town of Bakersfield in Kern County, with its wide-open flatlands and farms, made for an effective stand-in for the state of Iowa where Kirk grew up. The Pastoria Energy Facility in Lebec in southwest Kern County was also used for filming scenes of the riverside shipyard.

Barre, Vermont

The Smith Quarry, which belongs to the Rock of Ages Corporation and is located at 772 Graniteville Road in the town of Barre in Vermont, was used to film the scene where a young Kirk narrowly escapes falling down a sheer cliff while driving his father’s car.

Emery County, Utah

The San Rafael Swell, located in the Colorado Plateau in Utah, was also used for filming a few scenes in the film. The peculiar geological structure looks particularly otherworldly and was used to depict the surface of the planet Vulcan.

The stark landscapes of Alaska have been used for other ‘Star Trek’ iterations and were used in this production as well, most likely to further depict the icy world of Delta Vega. A glacier near Anchorage in Alaska served as a filming site for ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.’

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Star Trek Original Series Set Tour Review: A Trekkie in the Making?

The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour offers fans a one-of-a-kind chance to dive headfirst into the immersive world of the original “Star Trek” series, bringing the show’s enchantment to life in an exciting way.

It’s become a must-see spot for dedicated Trekkies and sci-fi aficionados who yearn to relive the exploits of Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the entire USS Enterprise crew.

But what’s the real deal with this set tour, and is it worth the journey, especially if it involves a lengthy road trip to Upstate New York ?

Here, I’ll provide you with an in-depth account of my recent visit to the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour, giving you all the scoop you need to decide if it’s a worthwhile adventure.

Table of Contents

What is the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour?

The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is a popular tourist attraction located in Ticonderoga, New York. It is a painstakingly detailed recreation of the original sets used in the filming of the iconic 1960s television series, “Star Trek: The Original Series.”

The tour allows fans of the show to step onto the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and explore various iconic locations from the series, including the bridge, engineering, sickbay, and the transporter room.

The sets were meticulously designed using original blueprints and thousands of photos to resemble the ones seen on the television show, and they include authentic props, costumes, and interactive displays.

Visitors can take guided tours led by knowledgeable guides who provide insights into the making of the series, share behind-the-scenes stories, and offer interesting trivia about the show and its cast.

Where is the the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour?

The only real gripe that some folks might have about the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is its somewhat out-of-the-way location. You’ll discover it nestled in Ticonderoga, New York, about 5.5 hours away from New York City.

Of course, you may have heard of Ticonderoga before as it is home to the historic Fort Ticonderoga so this town might already be on your radar.

The venue itself sits smack dab in the heart of downtown Ticonderoga, and they’ve got a decent-sized parking lot reserved for visitors (and parking is free).

Other movie tours:

• Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide)
• The Harry Potter London Tour Review at Warner Brothers Studio

Booking the the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour

You can purchase tickets whenever you arrive or book them online.

Here are the different prices broken down as the amount you pay can differ based on your personal situation. Keep in mind these were the prices whenever we visited in the fall of 2023 and they could be subject to change.

• Adult (Ages 14-54): $23.00
• Senior (Age 55+): $21.00
• Child (Ages 5-13): $12.00
• Child (Under Age 5): Free (No ticket required)
• Military, Police, Fire (Active or Retired with ID): $21.00
• Family: 2 Adults, 2 children (Ages 5-13) – Special price: $65.00
• Family: 2 Adults, 4 children (Ages 5-13) – Special price: $90.00

When it comes to bang for your buck, I’d say the price of the tour is quite reasonable given the value of the experience.

Plus, they sweeten the deal by offering an upgraded option to enlist a personal photographer who can capture some top-notch shots for you in the various rooms. It’s a surefire way to snag some professional-quality photographs that’ll make your visit even more memorable.

Now, if you’re not keen on that route, you can always have your guide snap a few photos for you using your phone. But of course those smartphone snapshots might not quite reach the same level of photographic awesomeness you’d get from a dedicated photographer.

My experience at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour

I’ll start by confessing that I’ve never really been a Star Trek enthusiast.

It’s not that I had any real aversion to it, but I never took the time to dive into the series or its movies.

I guess you could say I leaned more toward the Star Wars camp, and I might’ve harbored a notion that Star Trek was a bit too “nerdy” for my taste – a sentiment that many can probably relate to.

That being said, when I stumbled upon the news of an impeccably reconstructed Star Trek Original Series set, my curiosity got the best of me.

There’s something undeniably fascinating about touring movie sets, whether they’re original or faithful recreations. The sheer amount of craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into these creations is a spectacle in itself and definitely worth experiencing.

Given my inherent love for all things related to space, I couldn’t help but think that a visit to the “Desilu Studio” might just ignite a newfound interest in Star Trek – which, I must say, it certainly did!

Now, let’s dive into the actual tour, which lasts about one hour.

I swung by in the middle of a week during the fall, so I reckon it wasn’t peak season. Upon arrival, I expressed my desire to embark on a tour, and they promptly informed me that one would kick off in just a couple of minutes.

While I waited, I decided to explore the gift shop area, which was a treasure trove of fascinating souvenirs and a trove of memorabilia well worth perusing. Oh, and you can’t possibly miss the imposing USS Enterprise suspended from the ceiling – it’s quite the sight to behold.

At first, it seemed like I might have the privilege of a private tour guide all to myself, but just before we embarked, a couple joined in. Initially, I admit I was a tad disappointed not to have that one-on-one experience, but as it turned out, having them on the tour enhanced the whole experience.

It happened that one of them was a bona fide Star Trek enthusiast, and being on the tour with them helped me gain a deeper appreciation for everything we were about to see. You could tell they were having an absolute blast.

Our journey commenced with some introductory insights into the vast Star Trek universe, covering the various movies and TV shows.

It was abundantly clear that our guide was a font of knowledge when it came to all things Star Trek. There wasn’t a single question left unanswered, and having someone so well-versed and evidently passionate about Star Trek to lead us through the different sections of the USS Enterprise was a real treat.

Upon stepping foot inside the studio, I was instantly struck by the level of craftsmanship and also how the audio helped enhance the experience at different times, utilizing different decibel levels.

While I had caught glimpses of scenes from the original Star Trek series, seeing these rooms up close was a whole different experience. If you’re a die-hard fan who’s followed the show for years, the level of detail will likely blow you away. It’s like stepping right into the world of the series.

The tour’s progression can vary depending on how other groups are moving through the studio, so it’s not always a cookie-cutter experience. This dynamic adds an element of unpredictability to the adventure, keeping things fresh and exciting (and your guide on their toes).

We hopped from room to room, and each one had its own unique tale to share. What truly piqued my interest was the presence of authentic props – some from the original series and others from different entries in the Star Trek universe.

Witnessing these pieces of sci-fi history up close was truly captivating and getting the backstory on how some of these were created was equally interesting. Your guide should be able to point these original props out to you but if you really know your stuff you might be able to find a few on your own.

I won’t spoil the entire tour by revealing every snapshot I took, as I believe in leaving a bit of mystery for your own visit. However, you can expect to explore some of the iconic rooms like the sickbay and the transporter room, which are definite highlights of the experience.

Even as an ultra-casual Star Trek fan, I couldn’t help but recognize the iconic transporter room, and I can only imagine how much super fans must enjoy having their photos taken there.

What also makes the experience special is delving into the behind-the-scenes magic of how the set was crafted.

I soaked up a treasure trove of captivating tidbits about the filming process, and now, when I watch the episodes, it’s hard not to be drawn into those intriguing little details I’ve picked up along the way.

After you’ve meandered through the corridors and explored various rooms, your ultimate destination is exactly what you’d expect – the bridge.

Stepping onto the bridge is like stepping into the heart of the USS Enterprise, and it’s here that you’ll get the chance to do what you’ve probably been dreaming of: take a seat in the captain’s chair. It’s an experience that truly leaves a lasting impression.

For an even more exceptional experience, you might want to try timing your visit to coincide with one of the days when William Shatner himself is on-site.

Our guide shared that occasionally, Shatner himself leads the guided tours, which I can only imagine would be absolutely fantastic.

Additionally, he hosts sit-down talks on the bridge where he shares insights on a wide range of topics – an opportunity that promises to be equally captivating.

So, if you’re a die-hard Star Trek fan or just a curious visitor, catching one of these special moments could make your visit truly unforgettable.

The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is undeniably a one-of-a-kind experience.

It falls squarely into the bucket-list category for any level of Star Trek fan, promising an enjoyable and memorable time if you have even a passing interest in the series. However, even if you don’t consider yourself a Star Trek aficionado, the tour is well worth your time purely for the stunning set they’ve meticulously crafted.

In fact, if you’re anything like me, it might just ignite a newfound passion for the series. I now find myself watching an episode almost daily, drawn into the captivating world of Star Trek. It’s an adventure well worth embarking on.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

18 comments

I can already see this is not accurate! They should have added the view from the bridge to the front of the bridge but it’s blank. Also sick bay was more than one small, tiny room. It’s very disappointing!! If it was across the street from my house and free, I might go see it!

Hi Norma, not sure about the bridge but there are more rooms to Sick Bay; I just did not include all of them.

It’s 100% accurate. It was built from the original blueprints. Every room is there and spot on perfect.

Norma, this is an exact recreation of the actual sets at Desilu studios. I’ve been there and believe me everything you’ve seen on TV is there in extreme detail. The Bridge is the best part! Thanks

When I was there last time in October 2021 there was an active display on the forward screen. Besides, James Cawley the owner of the tour is a stickler for accuracy. If it’s not in this article it was just accidentally left out.

Norma, You’re incorrect…

Wrong on every level. Educate yourself, please, you sound like a yroll with an agenda

Norma I have been there multiple times. Headed back next month in fact. This set has everything you criticized it for not having and much more. It is truly a wonderful experience to see.🖖

Besides James Cawley, the super fan and owner of the tour is a stickler for accuracy. If it wasn’t in this article it was an accident.

When I toured it last time in October 2021, there was an active screen displayed on the forward viewer. 🤷

My husband and I visited there this year. He’s a big Star Trek fan. He loved it and even though I’m not a Star Trek fan I found it amazing. Another movie tour we did on the other side of New York, we did a road trip to Jamestown, ny where we visited the Lucy and desi museum, and they also included Star Trek. It had the movie sets of I love Lucy. Not far you can visit her home, her grave and her statue in the park. There’s other movie tours we did in the south. Anyone interested please let me know.

There was a USS TICONDEROGA in the series

So glad you enjoyed your visit. The place is amazing for us Trekkies and for anyone else. I’ve been there many times for a tour and for the special Shatner events. This year, I saw Jonathan Frankes and John DeLance from Next Generation. They said the place was amazing and one of a kind.

If you are a fan of the original series this set tour cannot be missed. I went in July when William Shatner was visiting the set. I spent the money on the apples package and it was totally worth it. I was able to with Shatner in briefing room. And in the main engineering I took a punch from William Shatner. The sets are wonderfully detailed and meticulously maintained. They do encourage you to wear your uniform if you choose which I did. The staff are wonderful and the owner, James Cowley, let our tour and it was a wonderful experience with lots of behind the scenes and adventures. I can’t say enough about this tour it is a wonderful experience especially for an original series fan such as myself. For those of you that are Next Generation fans they are working on building the bridge of the Enterprise d for the Next Generation fans. He also has in storage the Galileo shuttlecraft that will be displayed at a later time. For fans this is a wonderful experience and I cannot recommend it high enough you need to go to this set tour!!

FASCINATING, as Mr.Spock would say !, I love the Original Series the Best !, AS a High Schooler in 68 and our black n white TV it didn’t interest me , but we got a,COLOR TV and I loved the program !!! My name is Jim and CAPTON KIRK being James T. KIRK GOT ME FASCINATING ABOUT BEING A STAR SHIP CAPTON!!! SOME DAY LOL. I WAS HOOKED! I NOW HAVE THE ORIGINAL SERIES ON D V.D AND STILL WATCH IT OFTEN !!! 60 + YEARS LATER!!!, STAR TREC WHAT AN INSPIRING TV PROGRAM! I WOULD SAY THAT PROGRAM INSPIRED OUR SPACE PROGRAM! IT’S SELF! SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER!!!! THE VOYAGES OF THE STAR SHIP INTERPISE!!!! NOW A LIFE TIME MISSON TO EXPLORING SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER!!!!! IT’S THE MOST SUGNIFACANT PROGRAM EVER SHOWN ON TV .

The Set Tour also has an all immersive, 3-day convention in August. There are the tours as usual, some guided by the celebrity guests, there are several actors from the shows who give talks in the the auditorium, special science and fan talks in various rooms, an autograph room, a vendor room, an Elvis Concert on Saturday night, mini golf, a dinner. I’m telling you, it’s 3 days packed full! Ticonderoga is also a beautiful area right by Lake Champlain at the foot of the Adirondacks! There is also the historic Fort Ticonderoga for Revolutionary War buffs. If you like Star Trek, you must go!

I and my 92 yr Mother are making the trek to Ticonderoga in November. I want her to be able to meet William Shatner and perhaps get a great photo of the two of them on the transporter (on the same disk so as to look like her is saving her! LOL) I was there in 2015 for a month during the filming of the last fan film made there. It was the last time Richard Hatch would be on film as he passed away several months later. The bridge was not complete then Norma. But it is a complete 360 experience now. I was there in December 2018 for William Shatner’s appearance. It was everything I had hoped for. Speaking to him, listening to him as he told tales of experiences in filming the original show. He will answer any question. He will take as many pictures with you as possible. Mom is very much looking forward to seeing one of her heros, Capt. James T Kirk!

Hello, my name is Markus McLaughlin;

If Mr. Shatner hadn’t blocked me on X/Twitter, I would have come and visit during his time there.

However, I met Mr. Takei and the late Miss Nichols, and it was a REAL privilege.

My friend Doug Jones, plays “Saru” on Discovery; and I have texted Jeri Ryan, Brent Spiner, and Mike Okuda online.

I fell in love with TOS since 1978, I was 6, I would come home from school; I tuned in Monday through Friday, and turn the tv on. I fell in love! I found out about TMP over a year later; and I was very happy to see it with my late parents. I have seen every single Trek film in the cinema. I have seen almost every single Trek tv series ever made. When I lived in Maine, the Maine Trek Fan Club, the USS Kasimar, had the TOS bridge replica built; it was built at my late father’s vocational school. I was very fortunate to be on that replica. But, I want to go to NY State and see the REAL DEAL! This die hard fan also was in the late Mr. Nimoy’s audience TWICE, once in Maine, and a year before he passed away at a sci-fi concert at Symphony Hall, in Boston. I wish I could’ve met him but at least I was in the same venue as him.

I cried when Mr. Nimoy passed away; he WAS Spock, he WAS Star Trek in every single way!

His memory, continues to live long and prosper…

Markus McLaughlin, Screenwriter, Boston, MA

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Privacy Overview

Arena (episode)

• View history

Kirk battles an alien captain who has destroyed a Federation outpost.

• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 2 Log entries
• 3 Memorable quotes
• 4.1 Production timeline
• 4.3 Production
• 4.4 Props and costumes
• 4.5 Continuity
• 4.6 Preview
• 4.8 Remastered information
• 4.9 Video and DVD releases
• 4.10 Apocrypha
• 5.1 Starring
• 5.2 Also starring
• 5.3 Featuring
• 5.4.1 Stunt double
• 5.5 References
• 5.6 External links

Summary [ ]

Captain Kirk and a landing party – Spock , Dr. McCoy , O'Herlihy , Kelowitz , and Lang – beam down to the Federation observation outpost on Cestus III at the invitation of its commander, Commodore Travers , who has received quite the reputation for setting a fine table with his personal head chef . When the away team arrives, they discover that the invitation is a ruse and the colony has been destroyed.

Act One [ ]

After the landing party takes cover and Kirk declares full alert , they discover a single Human survivor in the ruins, Lieutenant Harold . Spock quickly locates the presence of other lifeforms nearby but no other colonial survivors. His tricorder reads them as cold-blooded creatures but definitely not Human. O'Herlihy attempts to scout them out, but is immediately disintegrated by an alien weapon as the landing party is bombarded by a massive shelling attack.

" Captain, I see something…! " O'Herlihy is suddenly disintegrated by an alien weapon.

At the same time, the USS Enterprise comes under attack in orbit by an unidentified starship . With her deflector screens up, the Enterprise cannot beam up the landing party. Kirk orders Lieutenant Sulu to return fire with the phaser banks , but it has little effect as the alien ship has screens up as well. Kirk orders the use of photon torpedoes , but the torpedoes are ineffective, as the alien is too far away even for visual contact. The captain orders Sulu to take whatever action is necessary to protect the Enterprise , be it leaving orbit or engaging maximum warp. Sulu opts for the former and takes the ship away from Cestus III.

Kirk makes his way to the colony's arsenal, avoiding large blasts from the unidentified attackers, and retrieves a grenade launcher . Spock and Kelowitz rendezvous with him as the first officer reports that the enemy troops are moving towards their location. Kelowitz reports that Lang has been killed (Lang's death in not shown, only mentioned), and gives Kirk his best guess as to where they have moved; Kirk launches the grenade in that direction. The tactic proves successful as the aliens begin to decamp back to their vessel, allowing Sulu to return with the Enterprise and retrieve the landing party and quickly set a pursuit course of the attacking ship.

In sickbay , Harold tells Kirk and Spock of the attack on the colony. The aliens had knocked out their phasers with their first salvo, leaving the colony defenseless; and confirms Kirk's earlier theory that the aliens had faked the message from the colony, diverting the Enterprise to Cestus III in an attempt to destroy what was the only protection in that part of the Federation. Such a move, a prelude to invasion, suggests the correct course: overtake and destroy the enemy before he can return to his home base and report. The captain orders the ship to battle stations and to warp 6 to overtake the aliens. " Red alert . I repeat, red alert. This is no drill, " Kirk announces to the crew through the Enterprise 's intercom . " This is no drill. "

Act Two [ ]

" We are the Metrons. "

The aliens, aware that the Enterprise is in pursuit, jump to warp 6 as well. Kirk orders warp 7 engaged, drawing concern from Spock and chief engineer Scott that a sustained warp 7 speed would be hazardous to the Enterprise 's warp engines. Spock argues against destroying the enemy vessel on the basis of respect for sentient life . Kirk disagrees; his opinion is that a crime has been committed and the perpetrators must be punished. Sulu reports that the aliens have moved to warp 7, as well. Kirk, mulling over his options, orders the ship to accelerate to warp 8 and have all weapons departments at battle ready.

Closing in at warp 8, the Enterprise records a scanning beam from an uncharted solar system at 2466 PM . The alien is not approaching this system; it appears that a third party is "curious" about the Enterprise . The alien abruptly begins to slow, going quickly to sublight speed until finally stopping dead in space. Kirk closes for the kill, but the Enterprise is soon slowed to sublight, as well, stopped dead like the alien with all power to the engines and weapons simply cut off.

The architects of this reveal themselves: the Metrons , an advanced race who regard intrusion into their space for the purpose of conflict as entirely unacceptable. They remove Kirk from the Enterprise along with the Gorn captain from the alien vessel and deposit both of them on a suitably prepared world. From there, the two captains will settle their differences, using strength and ingenuity, and the most basic of weapons. The winner and his ship will be free to go; the loser and his ship will be destroyed.

Act Three [ ]

The Gorn captain is a green, Human-sized reptilian creature, and quite slow compared to Kirk; however, he makes up for this by his superior strength and bulk. Kirk is able to evade him initially, but knows he can't do so indefinitely. He'll have to find a way to defeat his opponent, who is far stronger and tougher, and may have more stamina.

Kirk fighting the Gorn captain

The key may lie in a comment the Metron made, i.e. that the prepared environment around them contains elements suitable for fabricating weapons. Attack and evasion continue for some time, with Kirk narrowly evading death at the Gorn's claws. Back on the Enterprise , the crew is unable to restore power to the engines and the weapons and remains immobilized. The Metrons reestablish communications and inform the crew that Kirk is losing the battle. In view of his impending death, they allow the crew to watch what is happening on the viewscreen .

The Gorn finally communicates: it proposes that Kirk cease trying to evade him, and promises in exchange to be merciful and quick in killing him. Kirk compares this offer to the supposed "mercy" that was shown to the Humans at Cestus III; this enrages the Gorn, who tells Kirk his people regard Cestus III as part of their territorial space. From the Gorn perspective, they were repelling an invading force. Watching from the bridge (for the Metrons are now allowing this), McCoy posits that perhaps it was the Humans who were in the wrong. Spock agrees it is possible.

Act Four [ ]

" If there were only some way we could contact him. " " Yes, indeed, Doctor. If only there were… "

As the conflict continues, Kirk remembers an old formula: gunpowder . Using sulfur , coal , potassium nitrate , diamonds, and a bamboo-like plant, Kirk constructs a makeshift cannon . Spock, impressed by the captain's ingenuity, posits that Kirk might be successful if he can complete construction of the cannon before the Gorn closes in for the kill. Moments from a fatal attack, Kirk rips up his own uniform to make a fuse and uses the metallic recording-translating device provided by the Metrons to spark the coal, allowing Kirk to touch off his crude device, which incapacitates the Gorn.

Kirk fires his makeshift cannon.

Kirk has won the contest, but stops short of delivering the fatal stroke to the Gorn captain. He yells out loud to the unseen Metrons that he won't kill him and that they will have to find their entertainment elsewhere. The Gorn suddenly disappears, and a Metron representative appears before Kirk on the rocks above him: a tall, youthful-looking blond male in a silver toga, who looks rather like a Greek god. The Metron expresses surprise, saying their analysis did not prepare them for Kirk's demonstration of mercy towards his helpless opponent. The Metron claims to be 1,500 Earth years old and informs Kirk that the Gorn has been returned to his ship. The Metron will destroy him for Kirk, if he so chooses. Kirk declines and claims that the Federation and the Gorn can talk their dispute over and perhaps reach an agreement. This also impresses the Metron, who theorizes that although Humanity is still half-savage, perhaps in several thousand years it will be civilized enough to be of further interest to the Metrons. Kirk is returned to the Enterprise (he is no longer dusty and dirty from the battle, and his torn uniform is pristine again), where he discovers that the ship has been relocated five hundred parsecs away from the Metron solar system.

A male Metron representative appears on the planet.

Talking over the incident with the Gorn captain and the Metrons with Spock, Kirk tells his first officer that " We're a most promising species, Mr. Spock, as far as predators go, " when Spock asks what happened after Kirk fired off his cannon. Spock remarks that he frequently had his doubts about that, but Kirk informs him that in a thousand years or so, Humanity will be able to prove it to the Metrons. " A thousand years, Captain?, " Spock inquires. " Well, that gives us a little time, " Kirk replies as the Enterprise heads back to Cestus III.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2267

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Doctor, you are a sensualist. " " You bet your pointed ears I am. "

" Like most Humans, I seem to have an instinctive revulsion to reptiles. "

" This place is a mineralogist's dream. "

" We appeal to you in the name of civilization! Put a stop to this! " " Your violent intent and actions demonstrate that you are not civilized. "

" I weary of the chase. Wait for me. I shall be merciful and quick. "

" Can he do it? " " If he has the time, Doctor. If he has the time. "

" By sparing your helpless enemy who surely would have destroyed you, you demonstrated the advanced trait of mercy. Something we hardly expected. "

" You are still half savage. But there is hope. "

" We're a most promising species, Mr. Spock, as predators go. Did you know that?" " I've frequently had my doubts. " " I don't. Not anymore. "

Background information [ ]

Production timeline [ ].

• "Arena" is published in the June 1944 edition of Astounding Science Fiction magazine
• Story outline by Gene L. Coon : 10 October 1966
• First draft teleplay by Coon: 13 October 1966
• Second draft teleplay: 18 October 1966
• Final draft teleplay: 28 October 1966
• Revised final draft teleplay: 3 November 1966
• Additional revisions: 4 November 1966 , 7 November 1966 , 8 November 1966 , 10 November 1966 , 15 November 1966
• Day 1 – 8 November 1966 , Tuesday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge
• Day 2 – 9 November 1966 , Wednesday – Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park : Ext. Planetoid surface
• Day 3 – 10 November 1966 , Thursday – Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park : Ext. Planetoid surface
• Day 4 – 11 November 1966 , Friday – Fortress set near Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park : Ext. Cestus III surface
• Day 5 – 14 November 1966 , Monday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge
• Day 6 – 15 November 1966 , Tuesday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge , Kirk's quarters , Sickbay , Transporter room
• Original airdate: 19 January 1967
• Rerun airdate: 6 July 1967
• First UK airdate (on BBC1 ): 15 November 1969
• First UK airdate (on ITV ): 3 January 1982
• Remastered airdate: 21 October 2006
• "Arena" was written at short notice when several other writers failed to produce scripts on time, leaving the series without a script to shoot. Gene L. Coon volunteered to write a script, leaving at 6pm on a Friday and returning on Monday morning with the initial script.
• This teleplay was credited to an original story by Fredric Brown , also titled "Arena", that was first published in 1944 on the pages of Astounding Science Fiction magazine. In Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p.206, Herb Solow writes that Gene L. Coon, an avid reader of science fiction, was unaware of the accidental similarity between his work and Brown's story until it was recognized by script reviewer Joan Pearce . To avoid a possible plagiarism lawsuit, the company called Brown and offered to buy the rights to produce his work as an episode, although they did not tell him that the script was already written.
• The plot also bears some similarity to the Outer Limits episode " Fun and Games " (1964), in which advanced aliens known as Anderrans "electro-transport" Humans and other intelligent beings to do battle with one another on the moon known as "Arena". The Anderrans see Humanity as violent, and the losers of the battles are supposed to forfeit the lives of all the inhabitants of their own planet, and they are only allowed to use primitive technology.
• In his final speech, the Metron informs Kirk that because he demonstrated mercy, he will not be destroyed. Initially, they said they planned to destroy the loser, "in the interests of peace". In Coon's script, in dialogue not aired, the Metron admits that they had, all along, planned to actually destroy the ship of the winner of the personal combat, because that race would represent the greater danger to them. James Blish preserves this disclosure in his novelization in Star Trek 2 .

Production [ ]

• This was the first episode directed by Joseph Pevney , brought in by producer Gene Coon ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p. 208). Pevney was known for his fast work, and finished this episode – originally expected to be shot in seven days (one day extra) – in six days, remaining on schedule, for which he received a $500 bonus ( These Are the Voyages: TOS Season One [ page number? • edit ] ).
• The scenes on the planet surface were filmed at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park , California, the same location used for " Shore Leave ", " Friday's Child " and several other Star Trek productions. These are notable for their tilted ledges which form a part of the pursuit.
• A piece of black aluminum foil resembling stone was placed at the top of the frame of a wide shot of the outpost, to hide houses that would otherwise have been seen in the distance. The remastered version of the episode replaces this with a CGI landscape.

Props and costumes [ ]

• Cestus III was a globe of the Earth (previously seen in " Miri "), printed backwards and tinted a hazy orange.
• The recording-translating device Kirk and the Gorn were given later appeared in " Metamorphosis " as a universal translator .
• Wah Chang designed and built the Gorn suit, and the Gorn's clothing was designed by William Ware Theiss . Casual viewers will be unaware that the Gorn captain was played by no less than four actors, all of whom remained uncredited on-screen, even though the Gorn had dialogue; and that two suits were made, which were worn by stuntmen Bobby Clark and Gary Combs . One of these was for the location shoots at Vasquez Rocks , and the other for portraying him aboard the bridge of his vessel. Also, William Blackburn wore the Gorn head for close-ups. The suit had air vents to keep the wearer from becoming overheated. ( Star Trek: Lost Scenes ) Ted Cassidy was used to provide the voice dubbing throughout. After production finished on the episode, the two Gorn costumes were placed in Robert H. Justman 's office, one dressed up to look like a girl ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p. 216).
• Harold , the outpost's only survivor, wears the recycled uniform Commander Hansen had worn in " Balance of Terror ".
• The closing credits use a different shot of Vina from what was used for most of the first season episodes.

Continuity [ ]

• This is the first episode to establish the existence of a "Federation". The full title of " United Federation of Planets " would not be used until later in " A Taste of Armageddon ".
• The phaser control room reported that the " aft phasers " were ready, making the first reference in dialogue to the Enterprise having aft weaponry. Aft phasers were later shown to have been a feature of the USS Defiant in Star Trek: Enterprise episode " In a Mirror, Darkly ", which, perhaps not coincidentally, is the first of a two parter featuring a Gorn.
• This episode is the first to reference, and show the use of, photon torpedoes .
• According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode " Family Business ", by 2371 , Human colonists were once again living on Cestus III , suggesting that the Gorn Hegemony had relinquished control of the planet, or moved to accept Human settlers, after the events of this episode.
• In the DS9 episode " Trials and Tribble-ations ", Captain Sisko admits to Jadzia Dax that he would love to meet Kirk and ask him about "fighting the Gorn on Cestus III…."
• This was the first episode broadcast in color in the United Kingdom. After the initial uncut showing, the BBC chose to edit the episode for repeat viewings removing all references to the ingredients of gunpowder. The episode was later screened uncut in 1992. [1]

Preview [ ]

• The preview contains a Captain's Log recorded solely for the preview: " Captain's log, stardate 3045.6. The Enterprise has responded to a call from Cestus III. On landing, we have discovered the outpost has been destroyed. "
• William Shatner currently suffers from tinnitus due to a special effects explosion on the set of this episode. Both Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley reportedly suffered from tinnitus as well during the remainder of their lives. [1]
• Bobby Clark later reprised his Gorn performance from "Arena" in the Bring Back... Star Trek documentary in 2009. William Shatner also fought a Gorn in an "Arena" parody to advertise the 2013 Star Trek video game. [2] The same video game, which featured an attack by the Gorn in the alternate reality , used this episode's title as a chapter title.
• The creation of the diamond cannon was tested on the show MythBusters in late 2009 and deemed implausible. (It's been suggested the wood on the Metron planet may have had different properties, however.)

Remastered information [ ]

• "Arena" was the seventh episode of the remastered version of The Original Series to air. It premiered in syndication on the weekend of 21 October 2006 and most notably featured new effects shots of Cestus III from space, the Enterprise battling the Gorn ship, and an expanded matte painting of the outpost, showing more battle damage and giving greater scope to the surrounding terrain. A small but significant alteration also appeared in the form of the Gorn, which blinked several times throughout the remastered episode – achieved with computer-generated eyelids. Another small detail was finally inserted into the episode: the Gorn starship .

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original US Betamax release: 1985
• UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 11 , catalog number VHR 2295, release date unknown
• US VHS release: 15 April 1994
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 1.7, 4 November 1996
• Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 10, 21 March 2000
• As bonus episode on the region 2 release of VOY Season 1 DVD , 3 May 2004
• As part of the TOS Season 1 DVD collection
• As part of the TOS Season 1 HD DVD collection
• As part of the TOS Season 1 Blu-ray collection

Apocrypha [ ]

• A cat version of "Arena" was featured in Jenny Parks ' 2017 book Star Trek Cats .

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

Also starring [ ]

• Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock

Featuring [ ]

• DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy
• George Takei as Sulu
• James Doohan as Scott
• Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
• Jerry Ayres as O'Herlihy
• Grant Woods as Kelowitz
• Tom Troupe as Lt. Harold
• James Farley as Lang
• Carole Shelyne as Metron
• Sean Kenney as DePaul

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• Gorn captain (head only)
• Bobby Clark as Gorn captain
• Gary Combs as Gorn captain
• Ted Cassidy as the voice of the Gorn captain
• Jeannie Malone as Yeoman
• Vic Perrin as the voice of the Metron
• Frank da Vinci as Brent
• Eddie Paskey as Leslie
• Ron Veto as Harrison
• Unknown actor as Travers (voice only)

Stunt double [ ]

• Dick Dial as stunt double for William Shatner

References [ ]

8th century ; 2279 PL ; 2466 PM ; 2466 PM solar system ; advice ; agility ; agreement ; alert status ; all hands ; " all right "; Archanis ; area ; Arena planet ; arsenal ; asteroid ; atmosphere ; azimuth ; battle ; battle stations ; " Bones "; cannon ; Canopus ; captain ; Cestus III ; Cestus III civilians ; chance ; Channel 1 ; charcoal ; chef ; chemistry ; circuit ; civilization ; club ; coal ; combat officer ; commander ; commodore ; communications officer ; compassion ; composition ; computer banks ; contact ; coordinates ; course ; crime ; " crystal clear "; culture ; damage control ; day ; deflector screen (aka defensive screen ); degree ; demonstration ; deposit ; diamond ; diplomat ; disruptor ; doctor ; dream ; drill ; ear ; Earth ; Earth Observation Outpost ; Earthling ; electronic ; ensign ; facility ; Federation ; feeling ; full alert ; Gorn ; Gorn starship ( unnamed ); Gorn space ; gravimetric ; grenade ; grenade launcher ; gunnery officer ; gunpowder ; hardness ; head ; heat ; home base ; hope ; hospitality ; hostility ; Human ( Human being ); identification ; impulse engine ; ingenuity ; " in place "; internal injuries ; " in the name of "; invasion ; jewel ; " just in case "; lieutenant ; lieutenant commander ; life system ; light ; living creature ; logic ; magnetic ; massacre ; maximum warp ; meal ; medical personnel ; memorial arrangements ; mercy ; Metron ; Metron colony ; Milky Way Galaxy ; mineralogist ; mission ; mortar ; nature ; ordnance officer ; orbit ; overload ; parsec ; peace ; phaser ; phaser banks ; phaser battery ; photon torpedo ; place ; plot ; policemen ; potassium nitrate ; power ; predator ; projectile ; proof ; propulsion system ; radiation burn ; raider ; range ; " rank hath its privileges "; recording-translating device ; red alert ; reptile ; result ; revulsion ; risk ; rock ; rumor ; salvo ; savage ; scanning beam ; search ; search party ; section ; sensors ; sensualist ; sentient life ; shock ; signal ; Sirius ; space ; space legend ; space-normal speed ; species ; " stand by "; star chart ; Starfleet Command ; sublight ; subspace channel ;; sulfur ; surface ; surrender ; survivor ; table ; tactics officer ; thousand ; threat ; tractor beam ; transformer bank ; transporter ; trap ; Travers' personal chef ; tricorder ; universe ; unscientific‎ ; vine ; visual contact ; (not) warm-blooded (aka cold-blooded ); warp drive ; wavelength ; weapon ; word ; yard ; year ; yeoman

External links [ ]

• "Arena" at StarTrek.com
• " Arena " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Arena " at Wikipedia
• " Arena " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
• "Arena" short story review and episode comparison  at Orion Press
• ↑ https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-looking-back-at-the-bbcs-ban-and-censorship/
• 3 Ancient humanoid

• Cast & crew
• User reviews
• Episode aired Jan 19, 1967

For bringing hostility into their solar system, a superior alien race brings Captain Kirk into mortal combat against the reptilian captain of an alien ship he was pursuing. For bringing hostility into their solar system, a superior alien race brings Captain Kirk into mortal combat against the reptilian captain of an alien ship he was pursuing. For bringing hostility into their solar system, a superior alien race brings Captain Kirk into mortal combat against the reptilian captain of an alien ship he was pursuing.

• Joseph Pevney
• Gene L. Coon
• Fredric Brown
• Gene Roddenberry
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 40 User reviews
• 13 Critic reviews

• Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk

• Mister Spock

• O'Herlihy

• (as Carole Shelyne)

• (uncredited)

• Lieutenant Leslie
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia Although it was not intentional, Desilu's research department realized that Gene L. Coon 's screenplay strongly resembled a novella of the same name by Fredric Brown . To deal with the difficulty, Brown was telephoned about the matter and he agreed to a writer's fee and an official credit for the story.
• Goofs Gunpowder is a low explosive: it has to be contained to explode. Otherwise it simply burns. Even if Kirk had real gunpowder, it wouldn't have exploded.

Metron : You surprise me, Captain.

Captain James T. Kirk : How?

Metron : By sparing your helpless enemy, who surely would have destroyed you, you demonstrated the advanced trait of mercy. Something we hardly expected. We feel that there may be hope for your kind. Therefore, you will not be destroyed. It would not be... civilized.

Captain James T. Kirk : What happened to the Gorn?

Metron : I sent him back to his ship. If you like, I shall destroy him for you.

Captain James T. Kirk : No. That won't be necessary. We can talk. Maybe... reach an agreement.

Metron : Very good, Captain. There *is* hope for you. Perhaps, in several thousand years, your people and mine shall meet to reach an agreement. You're still half savage. But there is hope. We will contact you when we're ready.

• Crazy credits The closing credits are set against a combination background of stills from that episode, previous and future episodes - as per usual Star Trek: TOS practice.
• Alternate versions Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song. Highlights include a wider angle on the Cestus outpost showing more destruction (and removing an oddly-placed chunk of metal in the foreground) and the never-before-seen Gorn ship.
• Connections Featured in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
• Soundtracks Theme From Star Trek Written by and credited to Alexander Courage

User reviews 40

• Jun 18, 2009
• January 19, 1967 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA (Fight with the Gorn N34.486018 W118.313123)
• Desilu Productions
• Norway Corporation
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 50 minutes

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Star Trek: TNG's Identity Crisis Started As A Fan-Submitted Mess Of A Script

I n the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Identity Crisis" (March 25, 1991),  Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) discovers from an old friend named Lieutenant Commander Susanna Leijten (Maryann Plunkett) that they are the only two people still alive and accounted for from a mysterious away mission on the planet Tarchannen III, conducted years before. The other members of the team have all mysteriously fled to Tarchannen III -- sometimes stealing shuttlecrafts to do so -- and vanished without a trace. It won't be long before Leijten begins exhibiting strange, nervous symptoms of an unknown disease, causing her to become fearful and twitchy. She, too, it seems, is being irresistibly drawn back to Tarchannan III. Is Geordi next? Not to spoil anything, but yes he is.

It's eventually revealed that an undetectable spore on Tarchannen III infected the members of Geordi's old away mission, causing them to mutate. It seems the spores are a reproductive element of the local species that merely transforms other life forms into itself. Geordi mutates into a semi-invisible creature with yellow cat eyes, unusual hands and feet, a strange alien nose, and glowing blue veins all over his body.

"Identity Crisis" began its life as a spec script submitted to Paramount by a fan named Tim de Haas. In the 1990s, "Star Trek" had an open-door policy when it came to scripts and would accept submissions from anyone. If used, the fan scripts were often heavily reworked to match the proper "Next Generation" parameters, but the original authors always got a "story by" credit. In the oral history book "Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages," edited by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, producer Michael Piller recalled the original script for "Identity Crisis" was a total mess that required extensive tinkering.

Read more: Celebrities You Didn't Know Were In Star Trek

Tim De Haas' Original Script

It seems that de Haas' original script contained the base idea for "Identity Crisis" -- Enterprise crew members slowly mutating into another species -- but that the structure was wildly different. Brannon Braga was credited as the episode's writer, and he excised a subplot about Geordi and Leijten having a stalled romance. Braga removed the romantic subplot when he realized how many stalled romances Geordi had already gone through.

According to Piller, Geordi wasn't even the original protagonist. De Haas' had envisioned the mutations happening to several entirely new characters. Piller clearly liked de Haas' ideas but needed to re-shape the teleplay into something more in-keeping with the traditional style of the show. Piller explained:

"It was a very tough script to solve. [...] The script was originally bought as a spec script submitted by a fan, It was very heavy on point of view and [contained] stylistic devices we didn't want to do. The original script had two non-'Star Trek' characters going through what Geordi and [Leijten] eventually went through. It was a very complicated, complex production that the director did a terrific job on. It had scenes within scenes and I was very happy with the show."

The "scenes within scenes" refers to a sequence wherein Geordi recreates an old video log on the holodeck, allowing him to interact with a holographic version of his slightly younger self.

When Braga re-wrote de Haas' script, he also made the story way darker, implying that the mutating aliens had taken over more human bodies than previously assumed. Braga rethought that idea and turned in a final draft with only a few mutating aliens. He also finally made Geordi the protagonist of the story. "Those guys in production can really turn out a helluva product," Piller added.

Read the original article on SlashFilm

‘Star Trek’ Origin Story Movie Will Be Set Decades Before 2009 Film

CinemaCon 2024: The new project will be produced by longtime “Star Trek” steward J.J. Abrams

Paramount Pictures is ready to boldly go (again).

After rumors circulated earlier this year, Paramount officially announced a new “Star Trek” prequel film on Thursday, this time taking place decades before the original 2009 “Star Trek” feature.

“Andor” director Toby Haynes will direct from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith (who is also writing another hotly touted CinemaCon title, the third “Now You See Me” film). J.J. Abrams is returning to produce.

But then again, we’ve heard about a new “Star Trek” movie before.

During the run-up to “Star Trek Beyond” in 2016, it was revealed that a fourth film would reunite Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk with his deceased father (played, once again, by Chris Hemsworth). A year later, Quentin Tarantino approached Paramount about doing a “Star Trek” movie – this time as an R-rated gangster movie (based, in part, on the 1968 episode of the original series “A Piece of the Action”). In 2018 S.J. Clarkson, a TV vet who would eventually direct “Madame Web,” was hired to direct the fourth film in the Abrams-verse, but salary disputes led to Pine and Hemsworth leaving the project. That version was canceled in 2019 and Tarantino stated in 2020 that he wouldn’t be making his “Star Trek” either.

In November 2019 “Fargo” creator Noah Hawley was hired to write and direct a new “Star Trek” film based on his version of the series. A year later, this movie was canceled by new Paramount Pictures president Emma Watts. In 2021 “Star Trek: Discovery” writer Kalinda Vazquez was hired to write a version based on her original pitch, but a separate script was being developed by Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. The studio even set a summer 2023 release date for a new “Trek” (which “Trek” was the question).

In 2021 that release date was pushed to Christmas 2023, under the direction of “WandaVision” director Matt Shakman. Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires were brought on to retool the script. In early 2022 it was announced that the stars of the three previous “Star Trek” installments in the Abrams-verse would all be returning, although it was later reported that the actors had not entered negotiations to return.

In 2022 Shakman left “Star Trek” to join Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four.” But just last month Steve Yockey was hired to write a fourth “Star Trek” movie.

Now, we are finally getting word of another film in development, with another writer/director team. But it’s not the first time that a “Star Trek” prequel script has been floated, as Erik Jendresen, cowriter of “Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning,” had submitted a script for “Star Trek: The Beginning” before J.J. had taken over and pitched his 2009 version. It depicted the Earth-Romulan War.

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A Star Trek Origin Movie Is Coming in 2025 From 'Andor' and 'Doctor Who' Director Toby Haynes

'Star Trek' (2009) director J.J. Abrams is attached to produce.

The Big Picture

• A new Star Trek prequel film, an "origin story", is in development, at Paramount.
• The Star Trek history before Kirk's missions on the Enterprise is largely unwritten, leaving room for creativity with the new film.
• Director Toby Haynes, known for Andor , is working on the film alongside writer Seth Grahame-Smith; a 2025 release window was announced at CinemaCon.

Star Trek may finally be coming back to the big screen. A prequel to the 2009 J.J. Abrams reboot of the franchise is in the works from director Toby Haynes . The news comes from Paramount's presentation at CinemaCon today, as reported by Collider's Steve Weintraub and Britta DeVore . With Haynes, who recently helmed six episodes of the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor , at the rudder, the film will be written by Seth Grahame-Smith .

So far, other details on the new film are scarce, but it will reportedly be an "origin story", taking place decades before the 2009 Star Trek film, which took place in 2255. That likely means that it will not feature the cast from the 2009 reboot, which has so far been difficult for Paramount to wrangle together for a fourth film, despite numerous attempts to do so . That doesn't necessarily mean that a fourth movie isn't happening: back in March, Paramount hired The Flight Attendant scribe Steve Yockey to pen a new script for the film. For their part, the cast is game as well, with Zoe Saldaña recently stating her willingness to return for a fourth mission on the USS Enterprise .

What Happened Decades Before Kirk's First Missions on the Enterprise?

The history of the Star Trek universe prior to the celebrated voyages of the Enterprise is largely unwritten. The first starship Enterprise 's adventures in the 22nd century were chronicled on the UPN prequel series Star Trek: Enterprise . That series ended with the founding of the United Federation of Planets in 2161, which leaves almost a century of mostly unexplored history between that and the history now being charted on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (and the first two seasons of mothership show Star Trek: Discovery ).

At some point, the nascent Federation faces a devastating war against the Romulan Star Empire , while also engaged in a Cold War with the Klingons. The USS Enterprise will eventually be launched in the 23rd century, under the captaincy of Robert April, who has been briefly glimpsed on Star Trek: The Animated Series and Strange New Worlds , before being handed off to Christopher Pike . Apart from that, however, Haynes and Graeme-Smith have a near-blank canvas upon which to make their mark.

In addition to Andor , Haynes has also helmed episodes of Doctor Who , Sherlock , and Black Mirror ; his work on the latter series includes the episode " USS Callister ," a loving pastiche of Star Trek . Graeme-Smith wrote the novels Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter ; he worked on the story for the upcoming horror comedy sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice .

A new Star Trek prequel film is in development; no date has yet been set beyond a 2025 release window . Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Published Apr 12, 2024

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Renewed for Fourth Season

The acclaimed hit original series is currently in production for its third season.

StarTrek.com

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return for a fourth season.

Co-showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers and executive producer Alex Kurtzman confirms in a statement, "On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘ Strange New Worlds ’ we are thrilled and grateful to continue our voyages together. We can't wait for you to join us and the crew of the Enterprise on another season of exploration and adventure."

The third season, set to debut in 2025, is officially under way with production continuing in Toronto.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds  is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the  U.S.S. Enterprise . The series features fan favorites from Season 2 of  Star Trek: Discovery  — Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One and Ethan Peck as Science Officer Spock. The series follows Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock and Una Chin-Riley (Number One) in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the  U.S.S. Enterprise , as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds  also stars Jess Bush as Nurse Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds  is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners. Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet serve as executive producers in addition to Alonso Myers, Heather Kadin, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and Aaron Baiers.

Watch the first two seasons of  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds  now!

Get Updates By Email

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, South Korea, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In addition, the series airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave in Canada and on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

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Amit dhanuka joins indian director shashank khaitan at mentor disciple entertainment, breaking news.

Bill Maher Uncovers The Truth Behind William Shatner’s Most Famous ‘Star Trek’ Kiss

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When you have William Shatner , aka Captain James T. Kirk, on your show, you get to ask the Star Trek questions you’ve always wanted answered.

That’s what Bill Maher managed to do on Friday’s Real Time , as he probed one of pop culture’s most interesting moments — the interracial kiss between Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura.

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Maher also marveled how far Shatner fell from grace after the first run of Star Trek was canceled after three seasons. Shatner talked about watching the actual moon landing from a pasture while in his truck, his base of operations after a divorce and a lull in work.

How did you fall so fast? Maher asked. “With great precision,” Shatner joked, adding that it was just “circumstances of life.”

Of course, those days are gone for Shatner. He is the subject of the new documentary,  You Can Call Me Bill, and the artist behind the upcoming digital album, So Fragile, So Blue, which he recorded live with the National Symphony Orchestra.

He’s also planning a trip to Antarctica, another of his efforts to explore and spotlight his efforts in climate change.

Of the latter, “There’s no way out except through technology,” Shatner said. “There’s a wave coming.” It’s one reason he may consider once again going into space, he said, as a way to “promulgate the idea that there’s so much going on by science and scientists to correct global warming.” He added, “There’s an element of hope I will cling to.”

Maher wrapped up the segment with a mention of Shatner’s age (93) and compliments on how well he looks.

“I don’t mind when you say my age,” Shatner said. “But when they clap…”

After Shatner, Maher had a panel discussion with Piers Morgan ,  New York Post  columnist and host of the YouTube channel’s P iers Morgan Uncensored , and  Gillian Tett , provost of King’s College, Cambridge, and columnist at the  Financial Times .

They also talked about a protest in Dearborn Michigan that featured chants of “Death to America.” Maher pushed back on those at the protest who said, “The entire system has to go.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Maher countered. “I like our system. I’ve always liked America and thought death to it was bad.”

In Maher’s “New Rules” editorial, he pointed out the falsehoods about Canada and some progressive European countries where the idyllic myth doesn’t jibe with reality, resulting in what Maher termed “zombie lies.”

Maher pointed out several ways that these countries are faring worse in housing, health care, and on immigration issues

“I need to cite you as a cautionary tale: yes, you can move too far left, and you push others to the extreme right,” he said. “Calling something racist doesn’t solve the problem,” Maher said. That opens the door to someone conservative who will act, and “Who I promise, you’re not going to like.”

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Covering the business and politics of space

Star Trek vs Star Wars Debate at 39th Space Symposium: Who Won?

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The clash of the titans finally happened, and it wasn’t between starships in a distant galaxy but rather between fervent fans of two of the most iconic science fiction franchises: Star Trek and Star Wars . 

The battleground? The RedWire booth at the 39th Space Symposium , where passions flared, arguments flew and a winner was declared by none other than former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine himself.

Moderated by SpaceNews Senior Staff Writer Jeff Foust, the April 11 debate saw Team Star Trek, represented by Redwire Chief Growth Officer Mike Gold and NASA Chief Technologist A.C. Charania , go head-to-head with Team Star Wars, consisting of Jessica Noble , general counsel at iSpace Technologies U.S., and Camille Bergin, better known as The Galactic Gal . 

The event was no mere clash of fandoms; it was a battle of ideologies, with each side arguing the merits of their beloved franchise. Team Star Trek argued for its optimistic vision of humanity’s future, spearheaded by the ideals of exploration, diplomacy and cooperation, as epitomized by the Federation and its starship crews. Team Star Wars, meanwhile, championed the epic saga’s timeless themes of heroism, destiny and the eternal struggle between light and dark, not to mention Ewoks , Han and Chewie .

Bridenstine, who dodged the “Star Trek or Star Wars?” quagmire during his tenure by citing Space Balls as his personal favorite, ultimately judged Team Star Wars to be the winner of the Redwire debate.

However, the outcome wasn’t without contention. Team Star Wars walked away with the victory, but the crowd audibly leaned in favor of the arguments put forth by Team Star Trek. 

Watch and decide for yourself!

Who won the Star Trek vs Star Wars debate? — SpaceNews (@SpaceNews_Inc) April 12, 2024

Brian Berger

Brian Berger is editor in chief of SpaceNews.com and the SpaceNews magazine. He joined SpaceNews.com in 1998, spending his first decade with the publication covering NASA. His reporting on the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia accident was... More by Brian Berger

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