WARNING: This thread WILL contain unhidden spoilers for this entry. Because this re-watch is in a slightly-subjective chronological order and not in production order, please refrain from talking about the content of other episodes or movies in this thread. If you do, please put that content inside spoiler tags. Some people here may be watching Star Trek for the first time.

#26: Star Trek: The Original Series, season 1, episode 25 “The Devil in the Dark”

Written by Gene L. Coon, directed by Joseph Pevney.

Stardate 3196.1 (October 2267)

“I’m beginning to think I can cure a rainy day.” - Doctor Leonard McCoy

*Something has been killing miners on Janus VI, threatening the operation of a vital minerals supplier for the Federation. The Enterprise is sent to offer assistance and discover a giant, living rock - the first known example of silicon-based life. Because it moves so fast and is nearly impervious to phaser fire, the creature cripples the mining colony’s nuclear reactor before anyone could react and retreats deep into the planet. Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, and 100 security officers race against a dying life support system in a maze of mining tunnels to find the creature and stop it from killing anyone else."

Originally released: 9 March 1967

“The Devil in the Dark” on Memory Alpha

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What did you think?

  • JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.social
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    10 days ago

    Good comments. I’m thankful I circled back to this thread to read them.

    I don’t know how much of that was intentional, but I think this is the first instance of Spock calling Kirk Jim.

    Yeah, those are some of the most moving moments in the series, and I’d forgotten all about this example. With Spock being delighted to see Jim still alive in Amok Time surely the pinnacle of such moments.

    …and the first and only TOS episode that has zero female lines.

    Interesting! And I guess that never registed with me, being of the wang-swinging persuasion. That said, I suppose there is a filmic tradition of doing men-only dramas, such Das Boot, 12 Angry Men and all that. Even going back to ancient Greek theatre, I believe. Not a good excuse of course, but something to put in to the equation.