Search - Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 14, Episodes 27 & 28: Errand of Mercy/ The City on the Edge of Forever on DVD

Aimee M. (AimeeM)
Reviewed on 2/21/2010...

ERRAND OF MERCY
Classic example of a Star Trek, although somewhat lacking in that it does not include the full cast of characters. Of course we have our two favorites: Spock and Kirk. Includes definite "Peace is better than War" message. Has Klingons, naturally. Although the whole idea of how Klingons acted was still a little new (Any Next Generation fan would be shocked at the ease with which some of the Klingons surrender) not to mention that the only distinction between a Klingon and a Human is the Klingon where's brown pants and has brown paint on his face. Hadn't made the bumpy forhead yet.
But this episode is a good one. Worth a watch for sure.

THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER
This episode actually won an award. Yep. It is that good.
Okay so it isn't exactly as epic and dramatic as today's drama seen on television, but at the time it was. The acting is GOOD. The storyline was developed WELL. Instead of thinking "How long until this episode is over" you find yourself caught up in the story-line. It could have easily been made into a Two Part Episode or even a full length movie. Very well made.

Great Drama!

Greatwood | Sugar Land, TX | 03/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The City on the Edge of Forever" is great drama presented during Star Trek's phenomenal run in the sixties. The story was genuine and unique for the time and addressed the issue of time travel quite intelligently..Based on an original story by Harlan Ellison, this wonderful episode starred the beautiful Joan Collins in a sensitive and touching role as Edith Keeler..a social worker who's death has an impact upon history.

The chemistry between William Shatner and Joan Collins works well in this episode and Shatner's acting is very subdued but very effective..He conveys his emotions quite effectively in his closeups! I can understand why this particular episode is considered one of the best in the series! Every time I used to run across it as a rerun I would find myself stopping what I was doing to watch it! Now I have it on DVD and still enjoy watching it! One of my favorite scenes is the close up on Joan Collin's face when Spock was trying to explain what he was trying to buid with all the the tubes and antennas chirping in their bungalow..Her expression is priceless! I loved Joan Collins in this role..I wish she would have done more in this vein..

The Guardian of Forever was a unique design and worked very effectively for the show..It must have been quite a feat putting together all of these props for this show..

I would say I am a true Trekkie in that I have read practically every autobiography written by the cast and all the supporting books on the show..I can say honestly that I have seen all 79 episodes at one time or another in my life but now that they are available on DVD I plan on rewatching them and adding my favorites to my collection!

Also DeForest Kelley was superb in this show! DeForest was a brilliant actor who has made such an indelible impression as "Bones" McCoy..In this episode his frenzied state of mind is portrayed convincingly and his scene with Joan Collins is one of the best in the series in my opinion. This show had it all..great writing..great directing..great acting!!"

Time Space Absolute

Golden Lion | North Ogden, Ut United States | 09/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The enterprise discovers an ancient portal through time. A surge of energy from the portal hits the enterprise injurying Sulu. The shock wave causes Sulu to go into cardiac arrest. Dr. McCoy is about too hypo Sulu with with cordrazine when another wave hits the enterprise leading too an accidently injection. The cordrazine cause Dr McCoy to have excessive paranoia. McCoy thinks Enterprise members are a ship "of murderers and assassins" and assaults transporter personnel, beams down to the planet, and travels back into time. Spock and Jim beam down and discover the Personal Guardian of the time portal and because the guardian can only play the time scenes at one speed, they are prior in time too McCoy's arrival.
Spock and Jim must repair the history damaged by McCoy and return the enterprise back into existence. Jim and Spock arrive in New York City, in the late 1930s during the depression era. They escape a confrontation with a police officer and manage to arrive at the 21st mission and meet a woman name Edith Keeler.

War is evil. War impoverishes countries. The US maintained a policy of isolationism. America did not share Europe's fascination with death. Could America have remained free without participating in WWII? Spock's computer prediction was wrong. America would have remained free without entering the war. The economic loan defaults would take 10 years to stabilize and another 10 for the companies too rebuild. There would be no US war debt. The free market forces of capitalism would create new wealth.

Life, liberty, and private property inevitable rights would set the groundwork for US prosperity. America would prosper and Nazism like Communism would collapse under the weight of its ideology disconnects. Germany had expended all its resources and did not have the resources fight America. The US had the able to protect itself, if attacked; thus avoiding an offensive war. Spock's computer algorithm was simple, the first country too possess a nuclear weapon would an idol of unprecedented super power. The computer predicted that passive movements would result in losing the arms race, the destruction of Europe, and the Rise of a new Rome. History seems to favor Spock; however, his algorithm was designed to make his version of history preferred.

Spock builds a 21st computer by assembling vacuum tubes in a series creating a mnemonic memory device. The crude computer reveals that Social Worker Edith Keeler was killed in a hit and run car homicide. At that moment the computer burns up. Spock redesigns and stabilizes, the computer and learns that history has suddenly changed. Edit Keeler does not die because McCoy intervenes and saves her. Edit Keeler leads a growing pacifist movement and becomes the President of the United States. German would win the arms race, destroy Europe, and control the world. The change in world events over the next six years would destroy the Federation space programs causing the Enterprise too cease to exist. Edit Keelers became the focus point in time changing history. McCoy was the random element.

McCoy appears and lies sick in the street. McCoy is taken to the Mission, but Jim and Kirk are unaware of his arrival. Keeler is impressed with McCoy and nurse him to health. McCoy falls in love with Keeler.

Kirk romantic intentions for Keeler have been increasing. Keeler stumbles on the stairway but Kirk saves her from falling down the stairs. Spock chastises Kirk believing he may have interfered with time allowing his "fascination for death scenero" manifest.

Jim and Spock prevent McCoy from saving Keeler; events unfold as predicted and Keeler dies in the car accident.

The personal Guardian knew that Kirk and Spock would fix history. We know this because they did not cease to exist. Therefore, the guardian was unwilling to provide an advice or assistance. The past could not be changed by visitors, so the visit to the past was harmless.
"