star trek gary mitchell

Where No Man Has Gone Before (episode)

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While exploring the energy barrier at galaxy's edge that crippled an earlier ship, Kirk's long-time friend and crewmate Gary Mitchell begins mutating into a god-like entity disdainful of the "mortals" around him. ( Second pilot )

• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 2 Log entries
• 3 Memorable quotes
• 4.1 The second pilot
• 4.2 Story and script
• 4.3 Production
• 4.4 Sets and props
• 4.5 Cast and characters
• 4.6 Effects
• 4.7 Preview
• 4.8 Reception
• 4.9 Apocrypha
• 4.10 Remastered information
• 4.11 Production timeline
• 4.12 Video and DVD releases
• 5.1 Starring
• 5.2 Also starring
• 5.3 Guest stars
• 5.4 Featuring
• 5.5 Uncredited co-stars
• 5.6 Stunt doubles
• 5.7.1 S/COMS references
• 5.7.2 Unused references
• 5.8 External links

Summary [ ]

" I'll have you checkmated your next move… "

In the briefing lounge , Captain James T. Kirk and Lieutenant Commander Spock are playing three-dimensional chess . Spock warns the captain that he's about to checkmate him on his next move, but the captain is preoccupied with awaiting the bridge 's update on the unexplained Earth-vessel distress signal. The captain notes that Spock plays a very "irritating game of chess", to which Spock responds with " Irritating? Ah yes, one of your Earth emotions . " Captain Kirk makes a move that surprises Spock, and smiles, to which Spock simply turns to look at him. " Certain you don't know what irritation is? " Kirk says wryly. As Spock begins to state that despite the fact that one of his ancestors married a Human female , Kirk interrupts him and jokingly chides him, saying it must be terrible to have bad blood like that. Just afterward then, a call comes over the comm. Navigator Lieutenant Lee Kelso informs the captain that the object is now within tractor beam range, and that it is only about a meter in diameter, too small to be a vessel or an escape pod . Kirk tells him to lock on to it, and the two of them head out.

SS Valiant disaster recorder

In the transporter room , Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott is fine tuning the transporter , preparing to beam the object aboard. Kirk gives the order, and Scott transports the device into the transporter chamber. The captain immediately recognizes it as an old-style ship recorder , one that would be ejected in the event of an emergency. Spock agrees, but states that, based on the level of damage the object seems to have sustained, something must have destroyed the ship. Scott tries to feed the tapes into the computer when the marker begins transmitting a signal. Captain Kirk orders red alert , and the crew go to their stations.

Act One [ ]

Throughout the ship, the crew is reporting to their emergency stations. Kirk and Spock enter a turbolift to go to the bridge, and Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell enters just as the doors are closing. Kirk and Mitchell joke about Kelso sounding nervous, and Spock's chess skills, showing that they're comfortable being around each other even in times of red alert.

The Enterprise approaches the barrier

The three officers enter the bridge, Mitchell taking his station as Spock scans for the message. As they approach the edge of the galaxy, Kirk orders all stop. Captain Kirk announces ship-wide that what they picked up was a disaster recorder launched from the SS Valiant two hundred years prior . Department heads report to the bridge as ordered, and Captain Kirk is given introductions. Smith , whom he mistakenly addresses as " Jones ", is his new yeoman . Sulu reports astrosciences ready, Scott reports the engineering division ready, "as always", and Chief Medical Officer Doctor Mark Piper reports life sciences ready, then introduces the USS Enterprise 's new psychiatrist , Dr. Elizabeth Dehner , who came aboard the vessel back at the Aldebaron Colony to study the long-term effects of space travel on the crew. Spock points out he's been able to get a signal from the recorder, as Mitchell tries to flirt with Dr. Dehner, who rebuffs him only to overhear him call her a "walking freezer unit".

Spock interprets the Valiant 's message: that they had encountered a magnetic storm and were pulled out of the galaxy, and that the crew accessed computer records on " ESP " in Humans , frantic to find information about it. The captain asks Dr. Dehner her opinion, and she mistakes the question as asking whether she has ESP. She reports that there are some Humans who can see "backs of playing cards and so on", but it is never very powerful. Spock goes on to explain that several crewmen had died aboard the Valiant , which had suffered severe damage. The Valiant crew continued researching ESP, until it seems the captain ordered a self-destruct . As future vessels will someday be coming out this far into space, Captain Kirk decides to go ahead anyway and engages warp factor 1.

Mitchell is struck

The crew reacts with mixed emotions as the Enterprise heads out of the Milky Way Galaxy . The ship encounters a strange field and Spock orders a full array of scans – deflectors indicating something in front of them while sensors say there's nothing. Smith and Mitchell hold hands to comfort each other as the ship enters the field. Flashes of light fill the bridge and electric discharges penetrate the hull , causing several consoles to explode. Kirk orders Mitchell to reverse course, but, before he can carry out the order, Dr. Dehner and he are struck by a mysterious electric charge which drops them to the deck. With no one in control of the Enterprise , Spock dashes over to the helm console and pilots the starship clear of the energy field.

Taking damage reports, Spock informs Kirk that main power is out, the Enterprise is on emergency power cells, and nine crewmen are dead. Captain Kirk tends to Dehner and Mitchell, only to find that while Mitchell feels a little weak, his eyes are glowing an eerie silver…

Act Two [ ]

Alden and Kelso repair the helm console as Kirk looks on

Captain Kirk, while supervising repairs being made to the bridge, proceeds to the science station where he finds Spock reviewing medical records of the dead crew members, and the crew members who survived but seem to have been affected in some way. Spock is looking at ESP ratings of Dr. Dehner and Gary Mitchell. Both of the officers had high scores on ESP tests given by Starfleet Medical , Mitchell's having ultimately read as the highest in the crew.

Dr. Dehner approaches Captain Kirk and provides an autopsy report of the nine dead crew members. She mentions that in all cases, there was damage to a specific region of the brain. Kirk shares the fact that all of the dead crew members, as well as Dehner and Mitchell, had high ESP ratings. Spock also mentions that the captain of the Valiant was frantically searching through their records for information on ESP. Spock then reports that the Valiant 's captain seems to have given a self-destruct order. Dehner defends those with ESP, stating that the ability is not harmful. Spock, however, reminds the doctor that there are the more extreme (and dangerous) abilities of ESP, such as the ability to see through solid objects or cause spontaneous combustion.

In sickbay , Mitchell is reading text on a viewer, trying to pass the time. Kirk enters the room, and Mitchell greets him by name without actually looking to see who it is. Kirk and Mitchell talk about some past experiences; it is obvious they have known each other well for many years. Mitchell mentions that he feels better now than he's ever felt in his life, and he's catching up on his reading, including Spinoza, which surprises Kirk. Mitchell finds Spinoza simple, almost childish, to him. The two continue to reminisce about their days at Starfleet Academy and Mitchell says that he "aimed that little blonde lab technician" at Jim. Kirk replies, " You planned that?!? I almost married her. "

" Is that Gary Mitchell? The one you used to know? "

Kirk informs Mitchell that he's assigned Dr. Dehner to work with him. Mitchell doesn't seem happy, since Mitchell and Dehner have already gotten off to a tense start. As Kirk moves to leave, Mitchell, in an echoing voice, says, " Didn't I say you'd better be good to me? ", prompting Kirk to pause and eye him with uncertainty.

Once Kirk leaves the room, Mitchell continues reading books on the viewer, at a steadily-increasing rate that soon far exceeds normal pace; the on-screen pages are nothing but a black-and-white blur. Kirk enters the bridge to find Spock monitoring Mitchell's viewer. Kirk assigns 24-hour security to keep an eye on Mitchell. Kirk approaches the science station viewer to look closely at Mitchell, and Mitchell looks directly at the security camera, seemingly aware that Kirk is watching him.

Dr. Dehner enters sickbay and acknowledges the fact that she realizes that Mitchell doesn't like her very much. He apologizes to her for calling her a "walking freezer unit." She asks him how he feels. Mitchell jokingly says that everyone thinks that he should have a fever or something and proceeds to change the vital signs monitor in sickbay with his mind. Then, he makes the readings show that he is dead. All indicators fall to zero, to Dr. Dehner's surprise and horror. Moments later, Mitchell awakens, and starts telling Dr. Dehner of some of his other abilities, like being able to read quickly, going through half of the Enterprise 's database in less than a day.

Dr. Dehner decides to test his memory, and shows Mitchell the title of a record tape, asking him to recite what's on page 387. Mitchell recites, " My love has wings, slender feathered things with grace and upswept curve and tapered tip " from the poem " Nightingale Woman ", written by Tarbolde on the Canopus planet back in 1996 . Mitchell wonders out loud why she happened to choose that particular poem, which is considered to be one of the most passionate poems written in recent centuries. He then pulls Dehner close to him, and asks her how she feels. Her reply, that she only fell and that nothing else happened, is seemingly disbelieved by Mitchell, but the conversation is cut short by the arrival of Lieutenant Kelso, awkwardly entering at a time which might have seemed like an intimate moment. Mitchell smiles and invites him in, joking that his eyes are merely lit up "due to the lovely doctor."

Kelso reports that the main engines are in bad shape. Mitchell warns Kelso to check the starboard impulse engine packs, which Kelso jokingly dismisses. Mitchell snaps (once again in his "booming" voice) that he isn't joking, and that if they activate those engines that the entire impulse deck will explode. Kelso leaves sickbay and Mitchell tells Dehner that he could see the image of the impulse packs in Kelso's mind and that he is a fool not to have seen it.

" Our subject is NOT Gary Mitchell. "

In the briefing room, Kelso shows Kirk the burned out impulse circuit, which he had checked on Mitchell's recommendation, noting with puzzlement that their condition was exactly as Mitchell described. Dr. Dehner enters late, says she got held up observing Mitchell, and attempts to defend him in the face of Spock's and Kirk's seemingly cold assessment of him. She reports her observations of Mitchell's ability to control certain autonomic reflexes and increased memory. Scott reports that bridge controls had started changing on their own about an hour prior, and Spock adds that each time it happened, Mitchell could be seen smiling on the surveillance monitors set up in sickbay. Kirk is annoyed that Dehner hadn't reported Mitchell's new powers earlier, but she argues that no one has been hurt, furthermore saying that someone like Mitchell, with such powers, could give rise to "a new and better kind of Human being."

Following an awkward silence, Sulu adds that the growth of Mitchell's abilities is a geometric progression, meaning they would increase at an exponential rate. Spock concludes that Mitchell would become uncontrollably powerful within a month. Kirk tells those present to not discuss their findings openly before dismissing them. After the others have left the briefing room, Spock advises taking the Enterprise to the planet Delta Vega , only a few light days away, where they can adapt the lithium cracking station's power packs to try to repair its damaged systems, and also strand Mitchell there. Kirk strongly disagrees with the plan, stating Delta Vega is uninhabited and automated, and ore ships only visit every twenty years. Spock informs Kirk the only other choice he has is to kill Mitchell before he overpowers the entire crew. Kirk tries appealing to Spock's conscience, saying Mitchell is his longtime friend, but Spock merely reminds him that the captain of the Valiant probably had a similar dilemma about his afflicted crew members but made his decision to self-destruct too late. Kirk reluctantly orders the Enterprise course set for Delta Vega.

Act Three [ ]

Delta Vega's lithium cracking station

In sickbay, Mitchell's telekinetic power continues to grow. Feeling thirsty, he moves a plastic cup below a faucet and dispenses water from it with his mind. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Dehner enter to see Mitchell's levitate the filled cup towards his outstretched hand. Mitchell senses worry in Kirk and Spock's continued urging for the captain to kill him while he still can. Mitchell quickly subdues both Kirk and Spock with an electric shock and informs them he knows the Enterprise is orbiting Delta Vega but won't allow them to force him down there. As he postures about what kind of a world he can use, Kirk and Spock jump him and hold him down long enough for Dr. Dehner to tranquilize him.

In the transporter room, preparing to beam down, Mitchell regains consciousness and proclaims " You fools! Soon I'll squash you like insects! " before being sedated again. After transporting down, Mitchell is confined to a holding cell as Lieutenant Kelso and the engineering team begin to salvage the needed components from the outpost to restore the Enterprise engines to full capacity.

Mitchell attempts to escape

As Mitchell regains consciousness, he reminds Kirk of how he saved his life on the planet Dimorus , taking poisonous darts meant for the captain and nearly dying from it. He wonders why Kirk should fear him now. Kirk retorts that Mitchell has been testing his ability to take over the Enterprise and reminds him of the threat he made in the transporter room to squash the crew like insects. Mitchell defends himself by pointing out that he was drugged at the time, then snaps back that mankind cannot survive if a true race of Espers like himself is born, and attempts to escape the force field of the cell. Kirk pleads with him to stop, but, Mitchell refuses and is jolted back, draining the light in the eyes. Gary pleads out to " Jim… ", but, it doesn't last and the maniacal power that has now totally consumed Mitchell returns and he sneers that he'll " just keep getting stronger. "

Back on board the Enterprise , the repairs are nearly complete as Scott beams a phaser rifle down to Spock. Kirk resents Spock's callousness towards Gary, but Spock retorts that he's just being logical and he believes that the crew will be lucky just to repair the Enterprise and get away from Mitchell in time. Kirk, finally seeing Spock's viewpoint, instructs Kelso to wire a destruct switch to the power bins of the outpost, an explosion that will destroy the entire valley and hopefully kill Mitchell, and orders him to hit the button if Mitchell escapes.

Act Four [ ]

" You should have killed me while you could, James. "

As the landing party prepares to return to the Enterprise , Dehner, completely transfixed on Mitchell, announces she's remaining on Delta Vega with him. At the same time, Mitchell uses his powers to remotely strangle Lieutenant Kelso with a cable. As Kirk orders Dehner to return to the ship, Mitchell turns to the captain and taunts him that Kirk should have killed him while he still had the chance. With that, he shocks both Kirk and Spock and easily eliminates the force field holding him. Dehner takes no action to stop him, and he slowly walks her over to a mirror, where she can now see the light in her own eyes.

Kirk opens fire on Mitchell

A short time later, Dr. Piper revives Captain Kirk and informs him that Kelso is dead and that Mitchell and Dr. Dehner have left the facility. Kirk advises Piper not to revive Spock until after he's left as Kirk now blames himself for not listening to the Vulcan's warning. Taking Spock's phaser rifle, Kirk orders that Piper and Spock return to the Enterprise and to give him twelve hours to signal the ship. Failing that, Kirk recommends that the Enterprise proceed at maximum warp to the nearest starbase with his recommendation that the entire planet be subjected to a lethal concentration of neutron radiation . When Piper protests, Kirk firmly tells the doctor it is an order and leaves.

" Time to pray, Captain. Pray to me! Pray that you die easy! "

In an open valley, Mitchell (now sporting greying sideburns due to premature aging as a consequence of the stress from his advanced powers) conjures up Kaferian apples and water for himself and Dehner. He begins to sense Kirk approaching them, as does Dehner. Mitchell invites Dehner to talk to the captain and begin to realize just how unimportant Humans are compared to what they (Mitchell and Dehner) have become. Dehner appears before Kirk and advises the captain to retreat while he still can. Kirk appeals to what's left of Dehner's humanity and her profession as a psychiatrist and asks her what she believes will become of Mitchell if his power is allowed to continue to grow. Dehner begins to see the wisdom of Kirk's words, but, before she can decide anything, Mitchell appears before both of them. Kirk opens fire with his phaser rifle, but, it has no effect on Mitchell who easily casts the weapon aside.

Taunting Kirk, Mitchell creates a grave for his "old friend", saying he deserves a decent burial, at the very least. Completely convinced of his power and his superiority, with absolute power corrupting absolutely, Mitchell uses his powers to force Kirk to pray to him as a god and for an easy death.

Kirk fights Mitchell

Dehner, now realizing that Mitchell is inhuman and becoming more and more dangerous, helps Kirk by blasting Mitchell with some of her power, stunning him. Mitchell turns away from Kirk and counters Dehner's attack, however, the battle drains both of them and they both collapse, Dehner's attack being sufficiently powerful enough to weaken Mitchell who temporarily loses his powers. As Dehner implores Kirk to hurry, the captain begins to attack his former friend, pummeling him to the ground. With a heavy rock raised high and preparing for the death blow, Kirk begs Gary to forgive him for what he must do. However, the captain's hesitation is enough for Mitchell to regain his powers and easily tosses Kirk away. With Kirk no longer able to cope with Mitchell's physical strength, he dives at him, sending both into the open grave. Kirk, scrambling to the discarded phaser rifle, is able to blast the rock face above Mitchell, sending him into the grave and entombing him, therefore ending Mitchell's threat forever.

Kirk, with his uniform torn, and beaten and battered, walks over to Dehner and kneels beside her. She apologizes to the captain for her actions, but offers that KIrk had no idea what it was like to be almost a god, before finally dying herself. Silently mourning Dehner's sacrifice, Kirk opens his communicator and hails the Enterprise .

" I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mr. Spock. "

Back on the Enterprise , Kirk, sitting in his chair with a bandaged hand, laments to Spock that he wants Mitchell's service record to end with dignity as he didn't ask for what happened to him. Spock admits he felt for Mitchell as well. With a smirk, Kirk remarks that maybe there's hope for Spock after all, as the Enterprise continues to journey where no man has gone before.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2265

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Have I ever mentioned you play a very irritating game of chess, Mr. Spock? " " Irritating? Ah, yes. One of your Earth emotions. "

" Terrible, having bad blood like that. "

" The first thing I ever heard from upperclassmen was: Watch out for Lieutenant Kirk. In his class, you either think or sink. "

" My love has wings. Slender, feathered things with grace in upswept curve and tapered tip. "

" Don't you understand? A mutated superior man could also be a wonderful thing! "

" Will you try for one moment to feel? At least act like you've got a heart. "

" The captain of the Valiant probably thought the same thing. And he waited too long to make his decision. "

" If you were in my position, what would you do? " " Probably what Mr. Spock is thinking now: kill me, while you can. "

" You fools! Soon I'll squash you like insects! "

" There's not a soul on this planet but us? " " Nobody but us chickens, Doctor. "

" My friend, James Kirk. "

" In the sickbay, you said if you were in my place you'd kill a mutant like yourself. " " Why don't you kill me then? Mr. Spock is right and you're a fool if you can't see it. "

" Man cannot survive if a race of true espers is born. "

" Dr. Dehner feels he isn't that dangerous! What makes you right and a trained psychiatrist wrong? " " Because she feels. I don't. All I know is logic. "

" If Mitchell gets out, at your discretion, Lee, if sitting here makes you think you're the last chance, I want you to hit that button. "

" You should've killed me while you could, James. Command and compassion are a fool's mixture. "

" Above all else, a god needs compassion! MITCHELL!! "

" What do you know about gods? " " Then let's talk about Humans! About our frailties! "

"What's your prognosis, Doctor?! "

" Morals are for men, not gods. "

" Time to pray, Captain. Pray to me. " " To you? Not to both of you? " " Pray that you die easily! " " There'll only be one of you in the end. One jealous god. If all this makes a god, or is it making you something else? "

" Do you like what you see? Absolute power corrupting absolutely? "

" For a moment, James… but your moment is fading. "

" I'm sorry. You can't know what it's like to be almost a god. "

" He didn't ask for what happened to him. " " I felt for him, too. " " I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mister Spock. "

Background information [ ]

The second pilot [ ].

• This was the second Star Trek pilot. However, it has aired in syndication as the third regular series episode, after " The Man Trap " and " Charlie X ". In their book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , Robert H. Justman and Herbert F. Solow explain that because this segment was "too expository" in nature – a common fault with pilots – it would not have made a good premiere episode for the series.
• Although NBC rejected " The Cage ", they felt that the series concept was strong enough to give Star Trek a second chance, despite having already spent an exorbitant US$630,000 on the first pilot. The network ordered three scripts, from which they would choose one to be developed into an unprecedented second pilot. The three scripts were " The Omega Glory " by Gene Roddenberry , " Mudd's Women " by Roddenberry and Stephen Kandel , and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" by Samuel A. Peeples . The advantage of "The Omega Glory" was that it showcased Roddenberry's "parallel worlds" concept and could be filmed using existing studio sets on the back lot as well as stock wardrobes. "Mudd's Women" was mainly a shipboard tale and could also be shot using the existing Enterprise sets left over from "The Cage". In addition, both required a minimum of new outer space effects shots. However, "Mudd's Women" guest starred "an intergalactic pimp", selling women throughout the galaxy, exactly what NBC didn't want, and "The Omega Glory" wasn't very good. The network finally chose "Where No Man Has Gone Before" which, although it required many new special effects, sets, props, and costumes, was the most powerful and compelling of the three scripts. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp 65-66; The Star Trek Compendium , p 17)
• There is a different, pre-broadcast cut of this episode in the archives of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum . This unique cut includes a few brief scenes trimmed from the aired cut of the episode, different opening titles, and a unique opening and closing theme. The alternate themes can be heard on the GNP Crescendo CD Star Trek: Original Series (Volume 1) "The Cage" / "Where No Man Has Gone Before" . This version was the one screened as the second pilot to NBC executives in the tail-end of 1965, and was originally available in bootleg form only, screened at numerous conventions , before becoming available commercially on the TOS Season 3 Blu-ray set. [1] James Doohan was credited as "Engineer", Paul Fix as "Ship's Doctor", George Takei as "Physicist", and Paul Carr as "Navigator" in the end credits of the original cut. It was in effect the Institution itself which had already recognized the cultural significance of Roddenberry's creation; in a rare move – considering the highly contemporary nature of a television series of such recent date – the Institution invited Roddenberry in 1967 to submit both pilots and assorted production material, such as still photography, scripts and story outlines, for safekeeping for posterity. This the consummate (self)promoter Roddenberry did in a formal presentation at the Institution, pursuant the conclusion of the series' first season . ("Smithsonian Seeks TV Pilot", Los Angeles Times , 13 June 1967, p. C19)
• A second different title sequence resulted from the fact that the main responsible visual effects director, Darrell Anderson of effects company Howard Anderson Company , suffered a third nervous breakdown, brought on by the stress he was under to deliver the new opticals in time and on budget. As Justman recalled, when he and Roddenberry came calling on Anderson in August 1966 to check on the status of the Enterprise footage for the title sequence, for the series slated to start its run on 8 September and "Where No Man" scheduled to air third, " We had seen maybe six good shots and some others that were partially usable. We had expected many more angles, some of which were badly needed for our series main title. "Where's all the other shots, Darrell?" Darrell began to shake. He jumped to his feet, screaming, "You'll never make your first airdate." Bursting into tears, he ran out of the room, still screaming, "You'll never make your first airdate! You'll never make your first airdate!" Gene sat there in shock. I raced after Darrell and caught him outside. He was weeping. And no wonder. We later found out he had been working both day and night for months, trying to satisfy our needs. That afternoon, Darrell went to Palm Springs for a rest cure. " Roddenberry and Justman managed to compose a title sequence from the footage already shot, the same day. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p. 281) This was the version as originally aired by NBC on 22 September 1966. The more sophisticated final title sequence was produced (with Anderson returned to his duties) for subsequent episode airings and replacing the improvised sequence for those episodes where it was utilized in reruns. Incidentally, Darrell Anderson suffered his second nervous breakdown while working on the second pilot the year previously, from which he needed two weeks to recover. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 69)
• The aired version of this episode features a different version of the first season opening credits, which does not have William Shatner's opening narration, and uses a different orchestration of the main and end title themes. These orchestrations were used until mid-season during the original run and the initial syndication showings. However, in the 1980s, Paramount withdrew the prints from syndication and redistributed remastered and pre-cut episodes with standardized opening and closing credit music for the first season (using the Fred Steiner arrangement created for the back half of the season). These remastered prints were also used, in their uncut form, for the video and laserdisc releases. Only this episode was permitted to keep the original Alexander Courage arrangement. The 1999 DVD volumes, and later season sets, however, restored the opening credits to their original form, while leaving the end credits in their altered state (again, except for this episode which remains as originally aired).
• The original narration spoken by Shatner was:
• After NBC saw this episode, they were pleased with the results and decided that Star Trek would be a weekly television series. Gene Roddenberry said that, like " The Cage ", "Where No Man Has Gone Before" still had a lot of science fiction elements in it, but that it was the bare knuckle fist fight between Kirk and the god-like Gary Mitchell that sold NBC on Star Trek . ( The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation To The Next [ page number? • edit ] )
• This was the first episode of Star Trek to be shown by the BBC in the UK when the series premiered on 12 July 1969 .

Story and script [ ]

• TNG adopted a gender-neutral and species-neutral version of this episode's title for TNG : " Where No One Has Gone Before ".
• This episode sets the original series record for Enterprise crew members killed: twelve (Mitchell, Dehner, Kelso, and the nine who Spock says died when crossing the galactic barrier).
• Kirk says he's been worried about Mitchell "ever since that night on Deneb IV." Coincidentally (or not), TNG's pilot episode " Encounter at Farpoint " takes place on Deneb IV , home of the Bandi .
• Gary Mitchell states that the "Nightingale Woman" poem was written in 1996 and that it is one of the "most passionate love sonnets of the past couple of centuries". Taken literally, this line of dialogue seems to suggest that "Where No Man Has Gone Before" takes place no later than the end of the twenty-second century, which in turn would imply that the Valiant was launched during the twentieth.
• In reality, the poem ("My love has wings…") was written by Gene Roddenberry about his World War II airplane.

Production [ ]

A moment from the first day of filming this episode

• Bob Justman anticipated that the second pilot would take nine days to shoot. However, after "The Cage" went severely over schedule and budget, Desilu's "old guard" executives worried about the same situation regarding the second pilot. To avoid these fears, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was scheduled to be filmed in seven days. The "old guards" skeptically expected that it will take ten or even eleven days. Filming began on Monday, 19 July 1965 . As expected, filming the pilot went over schedule, finally resulting in eight days and an extra day of shooting pickup shots and "inserts" – nine days, exactly as Justman expected. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 85).
• Just as "The Cage", the second pilot was filmed at Desilu 's Culver City studios. For the series itself, the entire production was moved to Desilu's main Gower Street facilities in Hollywood. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story pp 113-116)
• On the fifth day of filming, Friday, 23 July 1965 , a swarm of bees attacked the set, causing delay in filming, and injuries to William Shatner and Sally Kellerman , who were both stung by the bees. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 83)

Sets and props [ ]

• The gravestone Mitchell creates for Kirk reads " James R. Kirk ". According to D.C. Fontana in the introduction for Star Trek: The Classic Episodes 1 , when the mistake was discovered, Gene Roddenberry decided that if pressed for an answer on the discrepancy, the response was to be " Gary Mitchell had godlike powers, but at base he was Human. He made a mistake. " The gravestone also suggests that an important event marked "C" took place on stardate 1277.1; Kirk may have assumed command of the Enterprise on this stardate.
• Their crew files show that Mitchell and Dehner were born in cities called " Delman " and " Eldman ."
• The mountainous backdrop painting from "The Cage" is reused in this episode.
• In this episode, the helm console from the bridge was moved to the transporter set to double as the transporter console. Thus, the three levers used to "energize" are not yet in place.
• When he complies with Kirk's order to "Address intercraft," i.e. put open the intercom, Mitchell merely wipes the edge of his hand over his navigation plotting board and does not manipulate any buttons or switches.
• A bit of the transporter chamber was changed from "The Cage." The center of the ceiling was "hollowed out," allowing white light to pour down onto the platform when the "materializer" was not in operation. After this episode, however, the dark, grilled ceiling from "The Cage" was restored and remained in place throughout the series.

• The phaser rifle that Kirk uses appears for the first and only time in the series. However, it can be seen on many pre- season 1 promotional photos being held by Kirk performer William Shatner , who had especially been taken with the prop rifle. It was designed and created by Reuben Klamer , who, being subcontracted, received no credit for it. ( Julien's Auctions presents: Star Trek )
• In this episode, the sickbay walls are green.
• The alert light on the helm console is of a different shape in this episode.
• A large panel seen in the background of the Delta Vega control room was recycled as part of the main engineering set in the series itself.
• Spock carries a laser pistol (somewhat modified) as first seen in "The Cage".
• This episode features the goose-neck tubes also used in "The Cage".
• The communicator Kirk uses at the episode's end to hail the Enterprise is the Lucite-encased, circuit board-filled version from "The Cage".
• The insignias for the Sciences and Engineering divisions were opposite in this episode of what they were in every other episode.

Cast and characters [ ]

• It was the first appearance for Trek mainstays Kirk, Sulu, Scott, and Leslie. Other regulars McCoy and Uhura did not appear until the next episode . In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , Uhura is said to be a twenty year space veteran as of 2285 , suggesting that she began her career sometime around this episode.
• Leonard Nimoy (Spock) is the only actor to appear in both this episode and the first pilot, " The Cage ". His pointed ears are a bit smaller than in the first pilot, and his eyebrows are severely slanted (yet not as bushy as in "The Cage"). Most importantly, his hairstyle is reworked to show the bangs typical of his race – and that of eventual nemeses, the Romulans .
• William Shatner was actually the third actor to be considered for the role of James T. Kirk . Jack Lord and Lloyd Bridges were each offered the role before him. ( The Star Trek Compendium [ page number? • edit ] )
• Veteran character actor Paul Fix got the role of the ship's doctor, replacing John Hoyt . Gene Roddenberry wanted to cast DeForest Kelley in the part, whom he originally wanted to play Doctor Boyce in " The Cage ". Then, he was overruled by director Robert Butler 's suggestion. Here again, Fix was recommended by director James Goldstone . Roddenberry thought Fix didn't work out well in the role, and decided that if Star Trek became a weekly series, he would cast Kelley as the ship's doctor. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp 74-75, 152)
• Andrea Dromm replaced Laurel Goodwin in the role of the captain's yeoman . According to Herb Solow and Bob Justman, her role was actually a "non-part" and Roddenberry claimed he cast her so he could "score with her". They added, it was not just a "non-part", but a "non-score" as well. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 75) Dromm didn't return to the series, and was replaced by Grace Lee Whitney as Yeoman Rand .
• Roddenberry, Solow, and NBC were all happy about the casting of Lloyd Haynes as communications officer Alden . Haynes was one of the first African-Americans hired to play an important role in a network series pilot. However, he was not rehired for the series itself, as the production staff saw the role as dull and uninteresting. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 75-77, 153)
• This is the only episode of the series in which James Doohan (Scott) appears but DeForest Kelley (McCoy) does not.
• This is the only episode where Spock and Scott wear gold and tan tunics instead of their better known blue and red, respectively.

Effects [ ]

• The matte painting of the lithium cracking station was created by matte artist Albert Whitlock for this episode. A still exists showing the entire landing party in the doorway within the matte, but only the shot of Kirk and Dehner ended up being used. The matte painting was later altered and reused in " Dagger of the Mind ". The image of the matte painting later appeared on the March 1953 issue of the Incredible Tales magazine in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode " Far Beyond the Stars ".
• Film trickery enabled Kirk, Spock, and Mitchell's elevator ride to look like an actual ride from one deck to another, without relying on editing. When Mitchell jumped in, there was a gray wall outside the door that hid the bridge set. When the doors closed, the wall was removed by the stage crew, and then seconds later, they're on the bridge. The turbolift in the background after this scene sports "double doors" like modern elevators – the inner one is gray and the outer is red. This feature survived into " The Corbomite Maneuver " and at least until " Tomorrow is Yesterday ", but then was phased out.
• When Kirk, Spock, and Mitchell emerge from the turbolift, the main viewscreen can be seen in its "off" setting – a kind of "psychedelic" visual effect that was never used again.
• The voices of damage control personnel responding to the emergency situation were reused many times in subsequent episodes. These voices were provided by Gene Roddenberry, Robert Justman, Majel Barrett , Herb Solow , and other production staff members, including some from Mission: Impossible . Roddenberry can be heard saying, " Communicator, we need more lines to the impulse deck! " in subsequent episodes. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp. 190-191)
• Except for the shot of the Enterprise leaving the Barrier – which was shot using the three-foot unlighted model – all other ship fly-bys were produced using the eleven-foot model used in all subsequent episodes. At the time, this model still had no sparkling effects on the front of the nacelles. It also had a larger sensor dish, grilles on the backs of the nacelles, and not as many lighting effects. This footage was re-used in later episodes, often mixed in with shots of the improved model that is on display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. In the standard side-to-side fly-by, two lights on the angled pylon (which connect the two hulls) go out, followed one second later by two near the shuttlebay.
• The original "bridge zoom-in" Enterprise shot from the beginning of "The Cage" is reused from stock footage in this episode, making it the only shot from the original pilot to appear in the second one.
• The same shot is also used when the Enterprise hits the barrier with added purple background and lightning effects.
• Stock footage of the Enterprise in the barrier was reused in " By Any Other Name " and " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ". These are the only three original series episodes in which the Enterprise leaves the galaxy.

Preview [ ]

• The preview contains a Captain's Log recorded solely for the preview: " Captain's log, stardate 1312.4. The next mission of the Enterprise takes us into an unknown force field which affects the destiny of my closest friend. "

Reception [ ]

• A print of the pre-broadcast version of this episode was taken by Roddenberry to the annual World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland, Ohio to be presented to the convention goers. This marked Star Trek 's second showing to the general public, on 4 September 1966 with Harlan Ellison having premiered a color print of one of the unaired episodes (those in attendance give conflicting reports on exactly which one of the early episodes was shown) earlier at the San Diego Westercon 19 the previous July. (" What We Did On Our Visit To Desilu " by John & Bjo Trimble , ST-PHILE #1, Jan 1968, p. 33) Allan Asherman , author of The Star Trek Compendium , was present among the audience. He recalled, " There must have been 500 people in that audience. When the Enterprise hit the galactic barrier, 1,000 eyes opened wide. Five hundred respiratory rates accelerated with that wonderful pleasure that comes over lovers of all things when they see their favorite subject being treated well. (…) If he [Roddenberry] could have read our minds at any moment during the screening, he would have been the happiest producer in the world. (…) Here was a future it did not hurt to imagine. Here was a constructive tomorrow for mankind, emphasizing exploration and expansion. This was a science fiction television series we all wanted to see. We were extremely impressed. (…) In fact, we liked everything about the episode more than anything else shown at the convention. (…) Roddenberry seemed to have no idea of the effect his show was having on us. (…) He asked for the audience's opinion; we gave him a standing ovation. He smiled, and we returned the smile before we converged him. We came close to lifting the man upon our shoulders and carrying him out of the room. " ( The Star Trek Compendium , pp 2-3)
• Later, a group of the audience asked Roddenberry if he had brought any other episodes of Star Trek with him. He had a black-and-white copy of "The Cage", which was then screened to the audience. ( The Star Trek Compendium , p 3)
• Herb Solow commented on Gene's success: " "Where No Man," unlike the other television and theatrical films screened, was well received. The science-fiction aficionados at the convention were entranced by the new show. But in four days, the series would premiere on television to a national audience that thought science fiction was comic books of busty women being dragged away by alligator people, or a giant purple blob intent on dissolving Tokyo. " ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 263)
• Bjo Trimble and her husband, John, were members of the audience at the convention, and it was the first time they'd met Roddenberry. They persuaded him to allow the Star Trek costumes he brought along to be displayed during the fan-made costume competition. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p 378)
• Isaac Asimov was also a member of the audience. At the start, Roddenberry shushed a loud man to be silent, not knowing that the man was actually Asimov. [2] When Roddenberry found out it was Asimov, he was horrified. ( Inside Star Trek with Gene Roddenberry [ page number? • edit ] )
• Roddenberry picked this as one of his ten favorite episodes for the franchise's 25th anniversary. ( TV Guide August 31, 1991)
• Jason Isaacs also cited this as one of his favorite Star Trek episodes, remarking that he "loved" it. Regarding the transformation to god-like status that happens to Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner in this episode, Isaacs joked, " I tried for years to do that. In fact, I still try sometimes, in quiet moments. " [3]
• The book Star Trek 101 (p. 17), by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block , lists this episode as one of "Ten Essential Episodes" from the original Star Trek series.

Apocrypha [ ]

• An alternate explanation for the "James R. Kirk" reference is given in Peter David 's novel Q-Squared , which suggests that the events of this episode take place in a parallel universe where Kirk's middle initial is indeed R (and not T as we now know it to be). This same book suggests that Gary Mitchell's god-like powers were a result of him being temporarily possessed by Q , and the powers simply drove Mitchell insane.
• Another explanation for the R as Kirk's middle initial comes from Michael Jan Friedman's three-part novel series, My Brother's Keeper . In it, Kirk claims his middle name to be "Racquetball" to Mitchell upon an early meeting. Later, Mitchell "changes" it to "Rhinoceros" after Kirk steamrolls through a conversation. The grave is thus explained by Kirk as an in-joke.
• Mandala Productions' Fotonovel #2, in its cast of characters section, identified the captain for this episode as "James R. Kirk", even though all the other Star Trek Fotonovels listed him as "James T. Kirk".
• The alternate reality 's version of events in this episode were depicted in issue 1 and issue 2 of IDW Publishing 's ongoing Star Trek comic book. In this version, only Mitchell is affected – Dehner was a former lover of Dr. McCoy, and after the affair ended badly, their relationship was so strained that she rescinded her requested transfer to the USS Enterprise after finding out he was on board. Also, while Mitchell was in sickbay, Spock mind melded with him and reported to Kirk that he found " No consciousness. No sentience of any kind. "
• The Pocket TNG novel The Valiant acts as a prequel and sequel to this episode, telling the story of the SS Valiant 's demise and reveals that some of the crew did survive the self-destruction.

Remastered information [ ]

• The remastered version of this episode premiered in syndication the weekend of 20 January 2007 and featured shots of a digital version of Enterprise , consistent with the model used in this episode, which had a slightly different appearance from both the version seen in the production of the series and that seen the original pilot, " The Cage ". Enhanced effects also included more detailed shots of the barrier, Delta Vega from space as well as on the surface, a subtle touch-up to a phaser shot during Kirk and Mitchell's fight, and an opening titles sequence featuring the pilot-version Enterprise .
• While the final frontier speech was absent from the original, it was brought into the remastered opening.

Production timeline [ ]

• Episode commissioned by NBC: 26 March 1965
• Story outline by Samuel Peeples : first week of April 1965
• Revised story outline: second week of April 1965
• First draft teleplay by Peeples: late- April 1965
• Revised first draft teleplay: 27 May 1965
• Second draft teleplay by Gene Roddenberry : 16 June 1965
• Final draft teleplay: 26 June 1965
• Revised final draft teleplay: 8 July 1965
• Additional revisions: 12 July 1965 , 14 July 1965 , 15 July 1965
• Day 1 – 19 July 1965 , Monday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Recreation room , Corridors , Transporter room , Briefing room
• Day 2 – 20 July 1965 , Tuesday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Turbolift , Bridge
• Day 3 – 21 July 1965 , Wednesday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Bridge
• Day 4 – 22 July 1965 , Thursday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Bridge , Sickbay
• Day 5 – 23 July 1965 , Friday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 : Int. Sickbay ; Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega control room
• Day 6 – 26 July 1965 , Monday – Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega control room , Security area , Ext. Beam down area
• Day 7 – 27 July 1965 , Tuesday – Desilu Culver Stage 17 : Int. Delta Vega security area ; Desilu Culver Stage 16 : Ext. Planet surface site
• Day 8 – 28 July 1965 , Wednesday – Desilu Culver Stage 16 : Ext. Planet surface site
• Day 9 – 29 July 1965 , Thursday – Desilu Culver Stage 15 , Stage 16 & Stage 17 : Extra pickup shots
• Score recorded: 29 November 1965
• Original airdate: 22 September 1966
• Rerun date: 20 April 1967
• First UK airdate (on BBC1 ): 12 July 1969
• First UK airdate (on ITV ): 20 September 1981
• Remastered airdate: 20 January 2007

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original US Betamax/VHS release: 28 February 1985
• Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 2 , catalog number VHR 2210, release date unknown
• As part of the UK Star Trek - The Three Beginnings VHS collection: 31 January 1994
• US VHS release: 15 April 1994
• As part of the UK Star Trek - The Four Beginnings VHS collection: 1995
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 1.1, 24 June 1996
• Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 1, 17 August 1999
• 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
• As part of the TOS Season 3 Blu-ray collection, entitled "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" – The Restored, Unaired Alternate Pilot Episode
• As part of the Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins Blu-ray collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

Also starring [ ]

• Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock

Guest stars [ ]

• Gary Lockwood as Gary Mitchell
• Sally Kellerman as Elizabeth Dehner

Featuring [ ]

• George Takei as Sulu
• James Doohan as Scott
• Lloyd Haynes as Alden
• Andrea Dromm as Yeoman Smith
• Paul Carr as Lt. Lee Kelso
• Paul Fix as Doctor Piper

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• John Burnside as Operations crewman
• Darren Dublin as Sciences crewman
• Robert Metz as Technician #1
• Eddie Paskey as Leslie
• Bridge crewman
• Bridge guard
• Command crewman #1
• Command crewman #2
• Command officer
• Command technician
• Engineering technician
• Maintenance engineer ( scenes cut and reused in " The Man Trap ")
• Sciences lieutenant
• Technicians #2 , #3 , and #4

Stunt doubles [ ]

• Dick Crockett as stunt double for William Shatner
• Hal Needham as stunt double for Gary Lockwood

References [ ]

1996 ; 21st century ; 22nd century ; 203-R ; 2065 ; 2242 ; 2244 ; 2250 ; 2260s ; 2265 ; ability ; address ; Aldebaron Colony ; amusement ; ancestor ; annoyance ; answer ; area ; argument ; assignment ; astrosciences ; auto-destruct ; autonomic reflex ; autopsy report ; battery ; blasphemy ; blindness ; blonde ; blonde lab technician ; blood ; body ; book ; brain ; breed ; briefing lounge ; bridge engineering ; burial ; button ; " by comparison "; call letters ; Canopus Planet ; case ; casualty ; century ; chance ; checkmate ; chicken ; choice ; class ; coffee ; coffee break ; compassion ; computer ; computer record ; consciousness ; Constitution -class decks ; contact ; control room ; counterorder ; crew ; crystal ; damage ; damage report (aka damage control report ); dart ; day ; de Spinoza, Benedict ; deck ; deflector ; Delta Vega ; Delta-Vega Station ; Deneb IV ; density ; department head ; destruct button ; dial ; diameter ; Dimorus ; disaster recorder ; dispensary ; distress signal ; duty ; earphone ; Earth ; Earth base ; electrical charge ; electricity ; emergency ; emergency condition ; emergency power cell ; emergency stations ; emotion ; energy ; Engineering Deck 3 ; engineering division ; engineering staff ; Enterprise casualties ; esper ; Ethics, The ; extrasensory perception (aka ESP or ESP power); evidence ; evil ; eye ; fact ; faucet ; feeling ; fever ; fire ; fire alert ; fission chamber ; fool ; force field ; freezer unit ; fuel bin (aka power bin ); g ; galactic barrier ; Galactic Mining Company ; galaxy ; glove ; god ; gravestone ; gravitation ; gravity control ; Grayson, Amanda ; heart ; helmsman ; hour ; hull ; Human ( Human being ); hundred ; idea ; image ; impulse deck ; impulse engine ; impulse pack ; indication ; information ; initials ; insect ; intercraft ; irritation ; jealousy ; Jones ; Kaferian apple ; Kaferian apple planet ; lab technician ; landing party ; lateral power ; lead ; learning ; leg ; lifeboat ; life sciences ; light day ; light year ; lithium ; lithium cracking station ; logic ; longhair ; love ; magnetic space storm ; marooning ; marriage ; mathematics ; materializer ; maximum warp ; medical examination ; medical officer ; medical test ; memory bank ; metaphysics ; meter ; Milky Way Galaxy ; million ; millionaire ; mind ; mineral ; monitor screen (aka screen ); monster ; moral ; mutant ; name ; neural circuit ; neutron radiation ; night ; " Nightingale Woman "; officers' quarters ; object ; observation ; orbit ; order ; ore ship ; overcompensation ; page ; patient ; penny ; person ; personnel file ; phaser ; phaser rifle ; pill ; place ; playing card ; points ; Pointed Peaks ; poison ; power ; power ; power cell ; power pack ; prayer ; professional ; prognosis ; psionic energy ; psychiatrist ; psychiatry ; question ; radiation ; repair party ; restricted area ; rodent ; "rodent things" on Dimorus ; rook ; Sarek ; science officer ; search ; second ; sensor ; sensor beam ; service record ; sharing ; shaving ; ship's library ; shock ; signal ; silver ; solid object ; sonnet ; soul ; space warp ; speaking ; speculation ; spontaneous combustion ; standard orbit ; " stand by "; starboard ; stardate ; Starfleet Academy ; strange energy ; strangulation ; street ; subject ; tape ; Tarbolde ; telekinesis ; thief ; thing ; thought ( thinking ); three-dimensional chess ; toy ; tractor beam range ; transporter room ; type 3 phaser ; transporter ; upperclassman ; Valiant , SS ; SS Valiant personnel ; valley ; vessel ; visual contact ; voice ; Vulcan ; Vulcan (planet); warning ; warp factor ; white mice ; wings ; wisdom ; worry ; wristwatch ; year ; yeoman ; zipper

S/COMS references [ ]

aperception quotient ; birthplace ; card ; College of Medical Sciences ; date of birth ; Dehner, Gerald ; Delman ; Deneb IV inhabitants ; Duke-Heidelburg quotient ; Eldman ; esper rating ; father ; first name ; foot ; general knowledge quotient ; generation ; grade school ; guessing game ; height ; inch ; last name ; lineage ; magic ; magician ; metaphysics ; Mitchell's ancestors ; mother ; permanent address ; personnel file ; PhD ; present address ; secondary school ; spiritual reading ; thesis ; Tri-Planetary Academy ; vocational training ; weight

Unused references [ ]

4-0 ; energy ; galactic survey cruiser ; Johanson ; matter ; mile per hour ; Parsons ; Q-signal ; space law regulation

External links [ ]

• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at the Internet Movie Database
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
• "Where No Man Has Gone Before"  at Orion Press
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before " at Wikipedia
• 3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

Den of Geek

Star Trek: Was Cumberbatch Supposed to be Gary Mitchell?

Was Benedict Cumberbatch originally going to play a different villain in Star Trek Into Darkness? Ryan looks at the clues...

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NB: The following contains spoilers for Star Trek Into Darkness.

It was among the worst-kept movie secrets of 2013: the identity of Benedict Cumberbatch’s villain in Star Trek Into Darkness . Long before the movie’s release, speculation had swirled around the character’s anonymous-sounding name: John Harrison. Clearly, fans realized, it was a cover for something far more dramatic.

Wasn’t it more likely that Cumberbatch was actually lined up to play a recognizable character from the Star Trek canon? Some suggested Harrison might actually be Charlie Evans, the sinister teenage boy with psychic powers who terrorised the Enterprise in the second aired Original Series episode, “Charlie X .” Others suggested Cumberbatch might be taking on the role of Khan Noonien Singh, a character first introduced in series one’s “Space Seed.”

The broader consensus, however, was that Cumberbatch would play Gary Mitchell, a Starfleet commander and former friend of Captain Kirk who’s granted increasingly godlike powers in the Original Series episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” Indeed, Star Trek Magazine had concluded that there was a 75 percent chance of Cumberbatch playing Mitchell in its 172nd issue. Bones actor Karl Urban added weight to the theory when, in a July 2012 issue of SFX , he said of Cumberbatch, “I think his Gary Mitchell is going to be exemplary.”

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Star Trek Into Darkness co-writer denied that Mitchell was in the screenplay, arguing that he couldn’t come to terms with the idea of an “ultimate villain named Gary.” But then again, lots of people connected to the movie also denied that John Harrison was in fact Khan – including Cumberbatch himself, who told Access Hollywood in December 2012, “I play a character called John and not that other name [Khan].”

With hindsight, there were actually clues buried in Star Trek history for those with sharp enough eyes. Back when Khan Noonien Singh was still just a character on a page in the mid-1960s, he was a Caucasian villain with the name Harald Ericsson . Put the front half of his first name with the second half of his surname, and you get Harisson – not too far from the John Harrison bandied about by JJ Abrams and his team in the run up to Star Trek Into Darkness .

As we now know, John Harrison really was genius super-villain Khan, thawed out, given a new identity and put to work on designing high-tech weapons by Peter Weller’s Admiral Marcus. The revelation was more widely greeted with gasps than groans by movie-goers, and JJ Abrams himself later admitted that hiding Khan’s identity was a mistake. 

“When we did Star Trek Into Darkness ,” Abrams said in 2015, “we decided that we weren’t going to tell people that Benedict Cumberbatch was playing Khan. And that was a mistake, because the audience was like, ‘we know he’s playing Khan’.”

What made the revelation doubly strange was Cumberbatch’s casting as Khan when so many fans know the character as a Sikh villain played by Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban. Surely having a British actor with a cut-glass accent was a bit of a stretch, even in a universe where events have been shaken up by Nero’s antics in the first Star Trek reboot?

Even the casting process for Star Trek Into Darkness ‘  villain seemed a bit murky. Before Cumberbatch was given the part, Benicio Del Toro was in talks to play the then-unnamed villain. When those talks fell through, other actors considered included Edgar Ramirez and Jordi Molla. All of those actors bear at least a vague, passing resemblance to Ricardo Montalban; so why did the film’s makers change tack so drastically and cast Cumberbatch instead?

It’s here that an intriguing question arises. Is it possible that, behind the scenes, the makers of Star Trek Into Darkness were having trouble deciding exactly who should be its central villain? While the evidence supporting this theory is only circumstantial, there are at least a few tantalizing clues. 

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First, it’s worth noting that it took four years for Star Trek Into Darkness to appear in cinemas, even though screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman began to put ideas together for a sequel after the Star Trek reboot hit in 2009. Even after two years, the pair, along with returning director JJ Abrams, admitted that selecting a worthy villain for the piece was tough; “The universe created is so vast that it’s hard to say one particular thing stands out,” Abrams told SFX in 2010.

While Orci didn’t rule out Khan as a possible villain, Kurtzman seemed to like the idea of bringing in a threat that hadn’t been seen before. “Introducing a new villain in the sequel is tempting because we now have this incredible new sandbox to play in,” Kurtzman said. “The trick is not to do something that’s been seen before just because you think it will be a shortcut to likeability.”

There were initially reports that Star Trek 2 , as it was then known, would begin filming in early 2011, but by the time January of that year came around, Abrams hadn’t even seen a finished script. Keen to get the project going, Paramount approved financing for Star Trek 2 while the script was being worked on; Orci announced that a first draft had finally been finished in April 2011.

Speaking to Total Film , however, Orci said that that “We’ll be working and tweaking that story through shooting. This time we don’t have a strike, so we’ll actually be able to change things on set.”

What’s strange is that, although that first draft was finished in April 2011, casting didn’t begin until November that year – as pointed out by this exhaustive article at Comic Book Movie . By this point, Star Trek 2 had been moved to its new summer 2013 release date, and rumours began circulating that Khan was the villain of the piece. As we’ve already covered, Del Toro wound up departing from the role, with Vulture ‘s sources suggesting that a salary disagreement was the root of the problem. 

Also in November, Peter Weller and Alice Eve were cast in unnamed roles; Variety reported that Eve’s character would be “new to the Star Trek universe.”

In the final film, Alice Eve wound up playing Carol Marcus – not a new character at all, but an established one who famously appeared as Kirk’s love interest in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan . Could it be that Eve signed up for the Star Trek reboot sequel without knowing who she was playing? Or alternately, that her role changed after she was cast?

When the first trailers for Star Trek Into Darkness emerged in 2012, many noted that Alice Eve’s character looked mighty familiar – not as Carol Marcus, but as Dr Elizabeth Dehner, a major character in the episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before .” Just to remind yourself, compare the following screengrabs: 

Eve certainly looks closer to Dr Dehner than Carol Marcus from the Wrath Of Khan era, as the image below proves. 

Now, this resemblance might not mean much  by itself, but there are other glancing similarities between Star Trek Into Darkness and “Where No Man Has Gone Before ,” too. Compare these two shots from the 60s episode and the 2013 movie: 

Aside from the echoes in the set design, it’s also arguable that Cumberbatch looks and acts far more like Gary Mitchell here than Khan Noonien Singh. While you might counter this by saying that appearances don’t really mean much in this rebooted universe, consider how much time and effort the creators of the 2009 Star Trek put into finding actors who could successfully remind us of Kirk, Spock, Bones and the rest of the Enterprise crew. Why, then, do Khan and Carol Marcus look so wildly different from their counterparts in The Wrath Of Khan ? Was it simply to throw fans off the scent?

Alternatively, could it be the case that Orci, Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof and Abram had more than one treatment for their sequel – one featuring Khan and Carol Marcus, the other concerning Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner?

If there was, it provided something of a quandary for Star Trek Into Darkness ‘ makers. On one hand , “ Where No Man Has Gone Before” seems like the perfect fodder for a loose movie adaptation. The story sees the Enterprise investigate a distress signal in an unknown part of space. There, the ship is struck and damaged by a huge wave of energy, which also knocks out Mitchell and Dr. Dehner.

While Dehner seems unchanged, Mitchell’s eyes have turned silver. Thereafter, Mitchell begins to show signs of enhanced intellect and extra-sensory powers, which grow at an increasing rate until Kirk is forced to conclude that he has to kill his old friend before his powers become too great to control.

The writers of Star Trek Into Darkness could have done all kinds of things with this scenario, with Gary Mitchell reappearing as an old friend of Kirk’s who’s gone rogue after gaining otherworldly powers on the other side of the galaxy. It certainly would’ve given Cumberbatch a more direct link to the Enterprise than Khan, who, in an alternate Star Trek universe where the events of “Space Seed” never happened, has no prior connection at all. 

The existing themes of loyalty and friendship would also have been strengthened by having Cumberbatch play Mitchell. Early in Star Trek Into Darkness , Kirk and Spock’s relationship is tested when, after Kirk saves Spock from certain death, Spock betrays Kirk to his superiors for violating the Prime Directive. How much more effective would it have been, therefore, if the second half of the movie saw Kirk’s loyalty to Mitchell tested past breaking point when Mitchell emerges as an all-powerful, manipulative terrorist?

There was one thing counting against the inclusion of Gary Mitchell, at least from Paramount’s perspective: recognition. Orci may have said that having a villain named Gary wasn’t dramatic enough, but really, it all comes down to Khan’s stature as one of Star Trek ‘ s most recognizable villains. Even casual Star Trek viewers are likely to have fond memories of The Wrath Of Khan and its antagonist; a far smaller percentage would’ve known who Mitchell was or seen the 1966 episode in which he appeared.

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An internal struggle over writing the most effective story and shoehorning in a well-known Star Trek villain might explain Into Darkness ‘ lengthy writing process, and why the casting was so odd. Consider this hypothetical scenario:

When Del Toro, Ramirez and Molla were being considered, Khan would’ve been the main choice of villain. When that didn’t work out, they opted for Gary Mitchell as a fall-back option and cast Cumberbatch based on his growing fame as the star of Sherlock . As filming grew closer, the movie’s producers changed their minds again and insisted that Star Trek Into Darkness contain more references to The Wrath Of Khan to maximize its chances at the box office.

Even though character designs, hairstyles and sets had already been finished by that stage (post-production began before the script was even finished, remember), Elizabeth Dehner became Carol Marcus and Gary Mitchell became Khan, while their distinctive haircuts and outfits remained unchanged due to the looming start date. A jail cell set aboard the Enterprise, specifically designed to recall “Where No Man Has Gone Before” for full-on Star Trek fans, is used to imprison Khan instead of Mitchell.

Other references to the classic episode are left in Star Trek Into Darkness ‘ script but rewritten. That opening sequence on the planet Nibiru? As originally penned, that took place on a planet called Dimorus, populated by a species of rodent-like creatures that could fire poison darts. It would’ve established Kirk and Mitchell’s friendship and how Mitchell risked his life for Kirk, as referenced in this line from the 60s episode:

“Remember those rodent things on Dimorus? The poison darts they threw? I took one of them for you.” 

A couple of other plot points from the TV episode remain in modified form. In “Where No Man Has Gone Before ,” the Enterprise is left stranded in unknown space, just as it is in Star Trek Into Darkness . When the ship’s repaired, Kirk manages to isolate Mitchell on a deserted planet and says to a crewmember, “Proceed at maximum warp to the nearest Earth base with my recommendation that this entire planet be subjected to a lethal concentration of neutron radiation.” In Star Trek Into Darkness , Khan escapes to a planet in Klingon-controlled territory (Kronos), and Kirk is instructed to fire on that planet with experimental torpedoes from a safe distance.

Again, this is conjecture on my part. But based on the conflicting information given by just about everyone involved during Star Trek Into Darkness ‘ making, and the curious echoes of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” in the finished film, it certainly feels as though Gary Mitchell was once in the movie, only to vanish like a ghost just before the cameras rolled.

While Cumberbatch’s performance was an effective one, I’d also argue that he’d have made a far more interesting Gary Mitchell than an in-name-only incarnation of Khan. In fact, it isn’t difficult to imagine an alternate universe not unlike the one torn open in the Star Trek reboot, where Star Trek Into Darkness would’ve seen Cumberbatch gradually transform from ordinary mortal into godlike being before our very eyes. Mitchell’s powers of telekinesis could’ve been dazzling with a feature film budget, and the story could’ve been given a more emotional, dramatic ending than the one in the old TV show, which ended on something of an anticlimax.

At the very least, Cumberbatch would’ve looked amazing with silver contact lenses.

This article originally appeared on Den of Geek UK .

Ryan Lambie

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Gary Mitchell (FASA)

Gary Mitchell was an old friend of Captain James T. Kirk from their days at Star Fleet Academy , where they first met in 2192 . Mitchell's first encounter with Kirk was a warning from senior cadets to "Watch out for Lieutenant Kirk! In his class, you either think or sink!" Mitchell, who saw Kirk as "a stack of books with legs," maneuvered Kirk into a relationship with a "little blonde lab technician" so successfully, Kirk nearly married the woman. [1]

At one point, Mitchell got into some trouble with a woman on Deneb IV , whom he would later describe as "nova," that caused Kirk to worry a great deal. Another time, on Dimorus , Mitchell saved Kirk's life by taking a poisoned dart from a rodent-like native that was meant for Kirk. When he got his first command, Kirk requested Mitchell for his crew, [1] and by 2207 , Mitchell served as first officer [2] senior helmsman aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 under Kirk. [1]

On Stardate 1312.4 , a mission to the Galactic Barrier imbued Mitchell with incredible psychic abilities, which only continued to grow as time passed. Beginning as telepathy and telekinesis, Mitchell was eventually able to cause objects to appear by sheer force of will. In tests, Mitchell had shown a very high rating for extrasensory perception ; his score was the highest of all personnel aboard the Enterprise. At the urging of the ship's first officer, Lieutenant Commander Spock , Kirk attempted to maroon Mitchell on the remote world of Delta Vega , while the ship's engineers stripped the automated lithium -cracking facility for parts to repair damage that the Enterprise had sustained in its encounter with the Galactic Barrier. Mitchell escaped custody, and Kirk was forced to kill his old friend, who had been driven mad by his newfound power. [1]

Image Gallery

Mitchell's record ( TOS 02 )

Mitchell (altered) ( TOS 02 )

Notes and References

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Roddenberry, Gene (Executive Producer). "The Cage" . Star Trek , season 0, episode 0 (Production number 01). Directed by Robert Butler . Written by Gene Roddenberry . Released 1986 . Desilu Productions . 1965 .
• ↑ Wheeler, Wm. John et al (Authors). Cadet's Orientation Sourcebook . Star Trek: The Role Playing Game . Book 2004A, Second Edition. Cover art by Rowena . Graphics and layout by Dana Knutson and Jordan Weisman . FASA Corporation . 1983 .
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Published Sep 22, 2023

A Look Back at Star Trek's Second Pilot 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'

Let's re-examine the hour that convinced NBC to green light the series!

StarTrek.com

" Where No Man Has Gone Before " first aired on this date in 1966.

As most fans know, this episode, written by Samuel A. Peeples and directed by James Goldstone, was not the first Star Trek hour to run. "The Man Trap" and "Charlie X" ran first. However, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was a vitally important hour, as it was Gene Roddenberry's second pilot for the original series, and the one that convinced NBC to green light the series after having rejected Roddenberry's first stab at a pilot, "The Cage." In celebration of its anniversary, we're taking a deep dive into the episode!

"Where No Man Has Gone Before"

Almost Where It All Started

After NBC passed on "The Cage," it was Desilu Productions' Lucille Ball who persuaded the network to consider a second pilot . For her part, even though she didn't fully understand the project, she believed in its message as well as its creator.

While NBC liked what they saw with "Where No Man Has Gone Before," the network found the premise too cerebral to lead the series, opting for something with more traditional action out the gate, which was how it became the third episode of the first season.

Production Connections

Episode director James Goldstone was initially hired for his opinion on which of three scripts ("Where No Man Has Gone Before," "Mudd's Woman," and "The Omega Glory") should be made as the second pilot to present to NBC. Despite his best friend Stephen Kandel penning "Mudd's Women," he believed "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was the strongest choice. It's also with this episode where we're introduced to one of the central themes of the series — the struggle between emotions and reason, as seen through Gary Mitchell's increasingly erratic behavior.

Academy Award-winning cinematographer Ernest Haller ( Gone with the Wind ) came out of semi-retirement at Goldstone's recommendation to DP the episode.

Gary Lockwood, who played Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell, had previously worked with Roddenberry on The Lieutenant . Lockwood, of course, went on to greater sci-fi fame with the film 2001: A Space Odyssey .

Sally Kellerman, who portrayed Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, went on to star as Major Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan in the film M*A*S*H .

With Jeffrey Hunter's refusal to reprise his role as Captain Pike from "The Cage," the franchise gets its introduction to William Shatner's charismatic and confident Captain James Kirk.

Behind-the-Scenes Tidbits

The phaser rifle made its one and only appearance in this episode.

In the episode, Gary Mitchell states that "The Nightingale Woman" was one of the "most passionate love sonnets of the past couple centuries." In actuality, the poem was written by Roddenberry about the plane he flew during World War II.

The silver contacts worn by Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman were designed by Los Angeles optician John Roberts, who placed tinfoil between two lenses which covered the entire eye. While Kellerman had no difficulties with the lenses, Lockwood was unable to see through them unless he looked down while tilting his head upwards. He utilized this to his advantage to convey Mitchell's increasingly arrogant behavior.

This is the only episode where Spock and Scotty wear gold and tan tunics instead of their better known blue and red, respectively.

Speaking to StarTrek.com about the episode, Star Trek 's longevity, and her and Lockwood's enduring association with Trek , Kellerman said, "(Lockwood and I) had no idea we’d be talking about it (50) years later, but it’s really great. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving. We really had nothing to do with it. We just happened to be in the episode."

Memorable Lines

One of the best lines in the episode was Kirk's frustrated plea to Spock regarding the decision to maroon Mitchell, "Will you try for one moment to feel? At least act like you've got a heart."

Another memorable bit of dialogue, uttered by Mitchell to Kirk, "You should've killed me while you could, James. Command and compassion are a fool's mixture."

The opening scene of a game of three-dimensional chess between Kirk and Spock quickly established the differences in humans and Vulcans:

Have I ever mentioned you play a very irritating game of chess, Mr. Spock?" "Irritating? Ah, yes. One of your Earth emotions.

Kirk and Spock

"Above all else, a god needs compassion," pleads Kirk as he reasons with Mitchell.

Mitchell proclaims, "Morals are for men, not gods."

Kirk quotes the British historian, Lord Acton, to Elizabeth, "Do you like what you see? Absolute power corrupting absolutely?"

The Strange Energies That Saved Star Trek

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Who Is Star Trek’s Gary Mitchell? [Star Trek]

The name of the new Star Trek movie villain has not been released, but a slip from actor Karl Urban gave the name “Gary Mitchell.” Who is he?

Benedict Cumberbatch has been confirmed as the unnamed villain in the next Star Trek film. Producer Damon Lindeoff has only said that the character will be “ an iconic film performance .”

While promoting his new film Dredd lead actor Karl Urban, who plays Dr. “Bones” McCoy, talked to SFX about working with Cumberbatch. “He’s awesome, he’s a great addition, and I think his Gary Mitchell is going to be exemplary.”

Who Is Gary Mitchell?

Gary Mitchell, played by Gary Lockwood, was in the 1966 Star Trek The Original Series episode “ Where No Man Has Gone Before .” He’s a helmsman on the U.S.S. Enterprise. After the ship comes in contact with an energy field called “The Galactic Barrier” he gets powerful psionic abilities.Oh, those wacky Galactic Barriers.

He starts off with minor powers like telepathy, extrasensory perception and telekinesis. As Mitchell becomes more powerful he becomes haughty, distant and cruel. Kind of like Donald Trump.

Eventually Kirk tries to maroon him on the planet Delta Vega. But Mitchell has become so strong that he kills a crew member, stuns Kirk and Spock and escapes with his love Dr. Elizabeth Dehner.

At this point his power convinces him that he is a god. Mitchell has the ability to control energy and materialize trees and other objects. Gary Mitchell uses it to create a paradise and gives some of his power to Dr. Dehner. Eventually Kirk and Mitchell fight and he is killed.

How Could Gary Mitchell Fit Into the New Timeline?

In the original timeline Gary Mitchell is a student of Captain Kirk while he was at the Academy. Kirk is a Lieutenant and Mitchell is first-year cadet. When they meet again Kirk is a Captain and Gary Mitchell is a Lieutenant Commander. The relationship is ironic since Mitchell goes from a student to the master. Think Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. Only the master of evil Mitchell!

But, that was the old timeline. There’s a new one now. Considering Kirk left Starfleet Academy and immediately took command of the Enterprise that back story doesn’t make sense. Also, since Mitchell must be much younger than Kirk, the new timeline would also have to ignore the ages of the characters.

Here’s a clip of Gary Mitchell fighting with Captain Kirk from the episode.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes image of Spock ( Zachary Quinto ) fighting Benedict Cumberbatch.

If they can make it work, it’s a brilliant choice since the character is less well known than Khan. There would be fewer comparisons.

Read more about Gary Mitchell at the Star Trek wiki

Star Trek 2 stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, John Cho and Bruce Greenwood as the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Peter Weller, Eve and Benedict Cumberbatch join the cast for the second film. Star Trek 2 is scheduled to open on May 17, 2013.

What do you think? Would Gary Mitchell make a good villain for the new Star Trek movie?

[Image Source: Memory Alpha ]

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Every star trek: the original series episode ranked from worst to best, icymi: wolverine costume revealed in leaked deadpool 3 pic, the flash drops out of top ten, and more, 14 comments.

That's cool – certainly better casting than Cumberbatch as Khan…

I think this is definately the way to go. Using lesser known villians from the original TV series means avoiding the usual fanboy cries of distain. I myself was ready to jump into a rant about the dillusional beilief that Ricardo Montalban could be replaced by Benedict Cumberbatch – JJ Abrams from hell's heart i stab at thee. For now it appear that my wrath shall have to wait.

As regards the timeline situation (ah JJ you do like to reboot your universes don't you?) I don't see it as a problem. I think the new timeline has pretty much realigned to where it should be (Einstein would be so proud), given that Kirk missed the years of working through the ranks and become captain pretty much in his first week proper. This should more than account for his delay in entering the academy.

Puts me more in mind with the last Star Trek Generations movie, Nemesis. I think they could make it work.

Gary Mitchell doesn't really sound like a very scary villain. It sounds like someone who should be working in the Enterprise's accounting department.

I think he could be a really good villain. Just depends on how they do it–of course.

I think this could be really interesting. I love it when the enemy is close to home.

It'll be interesting to know if this is yet another of those it's-him-no-wait-it's-not-turns-out-it-is deals. You'd think if the truth slips, the studio would just embrace it.

It could be another red herring Tony. It may turn out he's actually the "Salt Monster."

Melissa, his connections to Kirk would make him a great villain. Very close to home.

Yeah, Golden Eagle. It would be easy to mess up

Pat it would be scary if he's working the calculator…with his mind! LOL Accounting

Alex, that's interesting. I don't see the connection, but am open to suggestions.

Montalbahn's performance is so iconic ReulctantGeek that it would be really hard to top. If he didn't have a Hispanic accent people would go nuts. The new timeline does work well for most things, but when it comes to character ages it may get dicey. Timelines are definitely Abram's thing.

Mitchell would have made for a much better movie. I just watched the pilot, and Mitchell reminded me so much of Quito's Sylar, they should have just cast him as Mitchell and Pine's academy buddy from the beginning. Kirk would have had a different group of friends in those early days; Mitchell was even the one that sent Carol his way (blond lab technician) so they still could have had that subplot worked in. Khan was an utter dissapointment.

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Star Trek: Lower Decks Evokes Captain Kirk's Original Villain

As Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2 begins, the Cerritos faces an antagonist with similar powers to the first villain Captain Kirk took on.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2, Episode 1 "Strange Energies," streaming now on Paramount+ .

Star Trek: Lower Decks is officially back for its second season, with the animated series continuing to poke good-natured fun at some of Star Trek 's classic tropes. Season 2 launches right into an homage of sorts to the acclaimed Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "Chain of Command," but the majority of the season premiere riffs on the second pilot of the original series, as Ensign Beckett Mariner and the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos take on a crew member transformed into a demigod. And while this conflict is resolved in a way that only Lower Decks can pull off, it does directly call back to Captain Kirk's first supervillain showdown all those years ago.

While not the first episode of Star Trek to air on television or even the first episode of the franchise ever produced , 1966's "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was the pilot episode that got the series picked up by the network. Introducing Captain James T. Kirk to the franchise, the episode had the Enterprise collide with a cosmic barrier at the edge of the galaxy, resulting in two crew members, his old friend Gary Mitchell and the ship psychiatrist Doctor Elizabeth Dehner, being bathed in strange energies. The two quickly developed godlike powers, with Mitchell growing violent and overbearing. This culminated in a fatal struggle that saw Kirk and Dehner stop him on a remote mining planet, resulting in both Mitchell and Dehner's deaths.

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In the Lower Decks Season 2 premiere , Mariner is cleaning off structures on a faraway planet that are covered in soot, when she accidentally exposes a strange device that projects strange energies into First Officer Jack Ransom. Already growing increasingly resentful of his post on the U.S.S. Cerritos due to the preferential treatment that Captain Carol Freeman is affording her daughter Mariner, Ransom uses his powers to physically engage the Cerritos itself while rewriting the planet and its populace in his literal image.

As Mariner watches this take place from the planet's surface, the ship's physician Doctor T'Ana quickly diagnoses Ransom's condition as the same symptoms exhibited by Gary Mitchell decades prior. When Mariner asks how Mitchell was defeated, T'Ana observes that the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise dropped a boulder on him, in a nod to the unconventional means Kirk used to kill his old friend. As Freeman talks down Ransom and helps him regain his senses, Mariner begins beating the strange energies out of the commander, culminating in T'Ana dropping a boulder on him to finish the job. Fortunately for Ransom, he survives the boulder drop and is expected to make a full recovery after returning to the Cerritos.

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True to form, Lower Decks gives its godly confrontation a considerably happier ending than Kirk's battle against Mitchell, with reality restored and no serious casualties endured. The crew has learned personal lessons about themselves as they continue their low stakes missions across the United Federation, with callbacks to the entire breadth of Star Trek 's history that made the animated series so endearing in its first season. And with the various Star Trek series featuring the characters taking on rogue gods with delusions of grandeur, Mariner has more than proven herself capable of taking down the familiar trope without so much as breaking a sweat.

To see Mariner take down her very own Gary Mitchell, watch the Season 2 premiere of  Star Trek: Lower Decks , now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes releasing on Thursdays.

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Where No Man Has Gone Before

• The flight recorder of the 200-year-old U.S.S. Valiant relays a tale of terror--a magnetic storm at the edge of the galaxy.
• When the Enterprise attempts to penetrate a space barrier, it is damaged and creates a potentially worse problem. Two crew members, including Kirk's best friend, gain psionic powers that are growing exponentially. This leaves Captain Kirk with the difficult choice; either marooning them or killing before they get so powerful they lose their humanity and become truly dangerous. — Kenneth Chisholm <[email protected]>
• The starship USS Enterprise, commanded by Captain James Kirk, attempts to leave the galaxy but runs into an energy barrier and is seriously damaged. The accident causes Kirk's friend Gary Mitchell to develop superhuman psychic powers and attack the crew. Only Kirk can stop him. — Eric Sorensen <[email protected]>
• When Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise attempt to leave the galaxy, an electrical barrier has an immediate impact on two crew members. Dr. Elizabeth Dehner and Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell have in the past both tested quite high on an ESP rating scale. Mitchell almost immediately begins to acquire superhuman powers. His mind becomes a sponge as he accumulates more and more knowledge and he develops telekinetic abilities. Knowing from a recovered space probe that a similar occurrence took place nearly 200 years before, Kirk is faced with the task of marooning his good friend Mitchell and Dr. Dehner on an isolated planet. — garykmcd
• Enterprise receives an emergency transmitter at the edge of the galaxy from a ship SS Valiant that's been missing for 200 yrs. They retrieve the data on the transmitter and figure that 200 yrs ago, the Valiant was hit by a magnetic storm at the edge of the galaxy and was thrown back into the galaxy space. The ships log then has multiple searches on ESP (Extrasensory Perception) ratings of crew members. Something else happens which kills all crewmen on the ship other than the captain. The Captain then orders self destruction of the ship a few days later. Kirk orders the Enterprise to the point where Valiant went and encounters a force field. After the Enterprise attempts to cross the Great Barrier at the edge of the galaxy, crew members Gary Mitchell (Helmsman) and Elizabeth Dehner (Psycologist) are hit with massive energy surges, which also knock out the ship's warp drives. The ship uses impulse power to return back into the galaxy. The Enterprise has a few people dead and each of them had a portion of their brains burned out. Spock finds that both Mitchell and Dehner scored high in their academy ESP scores. Mitchell is in sickbay and displays aggression and wants Kirk to be "nice to him".. He can control instruments with thought.. Dehner observes him and he trusts her. Kirk finds that Mitchell is able to control the ship's bridge instruments and confronts Dehner, who defends Mitchell saying he hasn't hurt anyone and a being with superior ESP could be beneficial for mankind. Spock reckons Mitchell is developing "godlike" psychic powers, and soon wont be under anyone's control. Spock says Kirk has 2 options, kill Mitchell. or strand him on planet Delta Vega (which they reach under impulse) and use the Dilithium core from its mining machines to kick start the Enterprise engines and warp out. Kirk forces Mitchell down to the surface of Delta Vega after drugging him. Mitchell talks about finding a "suitable" planet for himself where he can play god. Kirk discovers that hitting a force field drains Mitchell's power for a second. The Enterprise engines are repaired. Kirk installs a destruct button on the surface of Delta Vega, in case Mitchell escapes. Meanwhile Mitchell gets more powerful and is able to project his power beyond the force-field and escapes. Turns out Dehner was in cahoots with him. Kirk goes after Mitchell and Dehner with orders that Enterprise leaves to the nearest base within 12 hrs (if they don't hear from Kirk) and expose Delta Vega to a lethal dose to radiation to kill everyone on the surface. Kirk tracks Dehner and Mitchell as they plan to settle on their new life on Vega. Dehner speaks to Kirk, but Kirk tries to get Dehner to see that Mitchell is not God, but a human who got God powers. He is not compassionate and has all the flaws of humans. He appeals to her human side to help Kirk stop Mitchell. As Mitchell tries to kill Kirk, he proves Kirk's point and Dehner tries to stop Mitchell, in the process Dehner stuns Mitchell badly and drains his power, giving Kirk an opening to attack Mitchell and bury him in the grave that Mitchell had prepared for Kirk. Dehner dies.

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William Shatner Says Playing A Resurrected Captain Kirk Is An Intriguing Idea He Might Consider

• William Shatner is open to playing Captain Kirk again, not just a cameo, for genuine role in Star Trek if offered.
• OTOY deep-faked Leonard Nimoy as Spock, and can make actors look decades younger with technology.
• Shatner suggests a storyline where Captain Kirk's brain is frozen for a future return in Star Trek.

William Shatner would consider playing Star Trek ' s Captain James T. Kirk again, calling the possibility of playing a digitally de-aged Kirk "an intriguing idea." Shatner last portrayed Kirk in 1994's Star Trek Generations , which killed off the Captain of the Enterprise. Now age 93, Shatner's prolific career has continued with more acting roles, writing books, signing on as a spokesman for various companies, going to space with Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and his own autobiographical documentary, William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill.

In an interview with Global News Canada to promote You Can Call Me Bill 's digital on-demand release , William Shatner says he is open to playing Captain Kirk again if Star Trek offered him a substantive role, not just a cameo. Read his quote below:

It's an intriguing idea... Its almost impossible, but it was a great role and so well-written, and if there were a reason to be there, not just to make a cameo appearance, but if there were a genuine reason for the character appearing, I might consider it.

Mr. Shatner signed on as a spokesman for digital graphics company OTOY, which has created deep-faked renderings of Leonard Nimoy as Spock and other astounding Star Trek visuals for the Roddenberry Archives. Shatner spoke about OTOY's technology:

[Otoy] takes years off of your face, so that in a film you can look 10, 20, 30, 50 years younger than you are.

As for how Captain Kirk could return - a scenario WIlliam Shatner has written Star Trek novels about - Bill suggests one possible scenario:

A company that wants to freeze my body and my brain for the future might be a way of going about it... Weve got Captain Kirks brain frozen here. Theres a scenario. Lets see if we can bring back a little bit of this, a little salt, a little pepper. Oh, look at that. Here comes Captain Kirk!

William Shatner At 93: 10 Greatest Star Trek Moments

On the legendary Captain James T. Kirk actor's 93rd birthday, here's a look at William Shatner's all-time greatest Star Trek moments.

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Set Up Captain Kirk's Possible Return

Could william shatner play kirk again.

Star Trek: Picard season 3 set up a potential scenario for Captain Kirk's return, revealing that James' remains are stored in Daystrom Station, Section 31's black site, under the auspices of 'Project Phoenix.' This could open the door for Captain Kirk to be resurrected , perhaps by cloning or with a human-like synthetic android body like the one given to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Theoretically, William Shatner could return as Kirk, digitally de-aged by a few decades.

Mr. Shatner does not want a mere cameo as Kirk, but a role worthy of the Captain that could add to his lore.

Willam Shatner previously stated that he would be open to an A.I. recreation of Captain Kirk after he's dead , as long his his family was financially compensated. However, the 93-year-old legend of stage and screen is musing about actually playing Kirk himself though digital wizardry. But the catch is Mr. Shatner does not want a mere cameo as Kirk, but a role worthy of the Captain that could add to his lore. With new Star Trek movies and TV series in the works, maybe William Shatner returning as Captain Kirk could be an event to mark Star Trek 's 60th anniversary in 2026.

Source: Global News Canada

Star Trek: The Original Series is streaming on Paramount+

Cast Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, George Takei, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan

Network NBC

Streaming Service(s) Paramount+

Franchise(s) Star Trek

Writers Gene Roddenberry

Showrunner Gene Roddenberry

Where To Watch Paramount+

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Star trek: discovery season 5 has a tribute to kenneth mitchell.

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Kenneth Mitchell’s 4 Star Trek: Discovery Characters Explained

Star trek: discovery reveals seven of nine's surprising legacy, i've been missing detmer & owosekun in star trek: discovery season 5.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 7 - "Erigah"

• Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah" pays tribute to the late Kenneth Mitchell, a beloved member of the Star Trek family.
• The USS Mitchell is mentioned on standby to aid the USS Discovery against the Breen.
• Kenneth Mitchell passed away after a battle with ALS in February 2024, but he will always be remembered.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah" contained a tribute to the late Kenneth Mitchell. In its fifth and final season, Discovery has sent Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery on an intergalactic treasure hunt in search of the powerful technology of the Progenitors. Early in the search, Burnham and her crew learned that over 800 years before, five scientists left behind five clues that led to the technology's location. The Discovery's pursuit of these clues has so far led them to several locations both old and new.

The USS Discovery is not the only ship searching for the Progenitors' treasure, as renegade couriers Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) are also determined to find the powerful technology. L'ak is a member of Breen royalty and he and Moll have a Breen blood bounty (or Erigah) on their heads. Written by M. Raven Metzner and directed by Jon Dudkowski, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7 , "Erigah" brings everything to a head, as Moll and L'ak are apprehended by the Federation only for the Breen to show up at Federation Headquarters. Discovery's crew then works to decipher the final clue and prepare the ship for a potential battle, while Captain Burnham and Federation officials try to negotiate with the Breen.

The late Kenneth Mitchell was a beloved member of Star Trek: Discovery's recurring cast, playing three different Klingons and one brilliant scientist.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5’s Tribute To Kenneth Mitchell Explained

Discovery named a federation starship after the late actor.

Star Trek: Discovery's final season has contained more references to past Star Trek stories and lore than any previous season of the show. "Erigah" contained a particularly heartfelt reference to Star Trek: Discovery actor Kenneth Mitchell, who tragically passed away due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on February 24th, 2024. Mitchell had been battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, since 2019. Several members of the Star Trek family shared their grief over Mitchell's passing , and Star Trek: Discovery continues to pay tribute to the late actor by naming a Federation Starship the USS Mitchell.

Stamets tells Tilly, "the Mitchell is out there."

When the Breen arrives at Federation HQ in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) wants to return to Federation Headquarters to help her Starfleet Academy cadets. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) intercepts Tilly, saying that he needs her to help Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) figure out the final clue. Sylvia points out that the Breen "destroyed an entire city" the last time they visited the Federation, and Stamets tells Tilly, "the Mitchell is out there." If Discovery were to be destroyed by the Breen, the USSMitchell could complete the mission to find the Progenitors' treasure.

Who Kenneth Mitchell Was In Star Trek: Discovery

Mitchell portrayed four different characters in star trek: discovery..

In Star Trek: Discovery season 1 , Kenneth Mitchell portrayed the Klingon Kol of the House of Kor in five episodes. Kol butted heads with the Klingon T'Kuvma (Chris Obi) and his protege, Voq (Shazad Latif). While T'Kuvma sought to unify the Klingon houses against the Federation, Kol wanted his own house to rule over both the Klingons and the Federation. Kol was killed in a final confrontation with Discovery. After Kol's death, Kenneth Mitchell played Kol's father, Kol-Sha, in Discovery season 2, episode 3, "Point of Light," who was later killed by L'Rell (Mary Chieffo).

Mitchell also provided the voice for three different characters in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1, episode 8, "Veritas."

In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, episode 12, "Through the Valley of Shadows," Kenneth Mitchell appeared as Tenavik, the adult son of Voq and L'Rell. As a monk at the monastery on Boreth, Tenavik warned Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) that he would see his own inevitable future if he used one of the planet's time crystals. In the final two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 3, Mitchell portrayed Aurellio, a scientist employed by the Emerald Chain. Aurellio, who later began working with the Federation, was written as a hoverchair user so that Mitchell could use his wheelchair. With all of these characters under his belt, Kenneth Mitchell made an indelible impact on Star Trek: Discovery and will always be a part of the Star Trek family.

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery stream Thursdays on Paramount+

Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.