"Where No Man Has Gone Before"

[Stofsk]

The impression I got from Inside Star Trek was that Ellison really dragged his heels on the re-writes, and that the Trek staff (which included Roddenberry, but I'm pretty sure Gene Coon was involved in it, and I think Dorothy Fontana had a crack at it as well) mainly re-wrote him because they needed a shootable script and couldn't wait any longer.

That particular would fit with Harlan's attitude. Having met the man and eaten and talked with him, he does have a distinct "My way.". He can be reasonable but within his parameters.

As for his particular story, it was ultimately DC Fontana that changed it to what you see on screen.

DC's wasn't bad, but I think Harlan's ending had poetry and was just... beautiful. That epilogue should have been kept IMO.

[Havok]

The episode was remastered, but I don't know if it's been broadcast yet. The schedule was a bit haphazard.

Well, The Cage is on right now. So I guess they decided to air it.

[Patrick Degan]

This is perhaps a bit of thread necro, but these clips of the original cut to WNMHGB are rather interesting. Videos of this version of the second pilot were floating around for a while during the 80s and early 90s but I doubt any of those can be found today.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3

The first segment with Kirk's original log entry as the opening teaser is very evocative, gives you the sense that the Enterprise really is pushing out into the Infinite —an impression achieved with some very effective use of Alexander Courage's incidental music in this cut. There is also very much an Outer Limits feel to the production with it's slightly different titling styles, especially at the beginning of each act in the episode. I'd love to get a whole cut of this version of the second pilot, but I know it probably will never happen.

[Themightytom]

If anybody cares, there is a fan made video "Of Gods and men" which features an AU taht refers to what would ahve happened if Chris pike had been in command during this episode instead of Kirk. Its not canon but it feachers Nichelle nichols, Walter Koening and a host of other Star trek Alum
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... ds+and+men

The first segment with Kirk's original log entry as the opening teaser is very evocative, gives you the sense that the Enterprise really is pushing out into the Infinite —an impression achieved with some very effective use of Alexander Courage's incidental music in this cut. There is also very much an Outer Limits feel to the production with it's slightly different titling styles, especially at the beginning of each act in the episode. I'd love to get a whole cut of this version of the second pilot, but I know it probably will never happen

It also clarifies that the Enterprise is NOT an exploration vessel, it sounds like a giant police car. it is explicitely stated that a mission of exploration would be "different"

I kind of like the way the production is done too. The Enterprise looks busy, you see a guy run pst with a haz mat suit too, which kind of makes you feel like the crew of the Enterprise actually ahve things to do, and they are good at them and well supplied.

As opposed to TNG where they mill around like its a mall.

As an interesting change, there are woman wearing pants in this episode, and men wearing dresses in Encounter at Farpoint O.o

[Havok]

Those are awesome Degan. Nice find. The opening and establishing of the Enterprise actually being out side the galaxy would have put a whole new spin on the series that I definitely would have liked to seen. Interesting what it would have done to the Vs debate, as Warp Speed would certainly be a hell of a lot faster in this AU.

[Patrick Degan]

If you notice in the episode credits sequence, as the crew are scrambling to alert stations, the first shot of Gary Mitchell has him gesturing toward Yeoman Smith like the easygoing womaniser he is. That same gesture appears in a far more sinister context underlining Mitchell's loss of humanity with his zapping Kirk and Spock and later during the battle-of-powers between Mitchell and Dr. Dehner.

[Themightytom]

If you notice in the episode credits sequence, as the crew are scrambling to alert stations, the first shot of Gary Mitchell has him gesturing toward Yeoman Smith like the easygoing womaniser he is. That same gesture appears in a far more sinister context underlining Mitchell's loss of humanity with his zapping Kirk and Spock and later during the battle-of-powers between Mitchell and Dr. Dehner.

Good catch, I was thinking about that yesterday, he playfully reaches for her in longing as she moves quickly away. He is not so playful when he gains superpowers.

[Havok]

It's also interesting that that is the same type of move we see Kirk making in Star Trek several times. Different universe/time line, but I wonder if Kirk would have succumbed the same way Mitchell did to the power?