Collecting Trek

A TOS collection 40 years in the making

Tag: Star Trek

One of everything, please: 1969’s Catalog #3 from Star Trek Enterprises

IDIC pendants, all the scripts, even actual film footage from the set. Gene Roddenberry had collectors in mind even as the show was still in its first run.
The last-minute Roddenberry rewrite that elevated Balance of Terror

“Bones — what if I’m wrong?” Kirk asked in a touching scene in Balance of Terror. The original version of that scene was a mundane exchange until Gene Roddenberry fixed it the day before the cameras rolled.
What did AMT get for building the Galileo? And how much does a shuttlecraft cost?

If I had a time machine, I would return to August 1966 and pay AMT to make me a Galileo. And I wouldn’t need to bring much cash.
Before VCRs, we had the Fotonovels. And they were glorious

In the before-time when home video was unknown, we had Fotonovels. Those great photos meant we could examine the bridge, the transporter effect and the tricorder’s control panel. Fotonovel 1 retells the most famous episode, and includes Harlan Ellison informing readers his script was better.
Pain on screen and in real life: Diamond Select’s Devil in the Dark diorama

The diorama is detailed, accurate and you can pick one up fairly cheaply, and it represents both William Shatner’s professionalism and a sad time in his life.
Star Trek as Canadian content

Although thoroughly American in origin, the diversity and peaceful collaboration the show espoused is very Canadian in tone.
Boarding the Enterprise, a review: challenging and fascinating insights into the original series

Star Trek’s take on the Vietnam War. Kirk/Spock slash fic. Is the transporter a death machine? Why no seatbelts? You should read this book, but first read my post about it.
A defence of The Way to Eden: it’s better, and much darker, than you remember

The episode is widely disliked, so you probably haven’t seen it in a while. I encourage you to watch it again. It’s not hippies and bouncy songs. It’s a mass murderer and his enthralled gang.
Waiting on Walter. My lunchbox needs him

Walter Koenig, I need you. Please come back to Toronto. Also, did you know Canadians got to see Star Trek before the Americans?
Inside Star Trek 6: bubble-wrap Klingons and warm Gorns

Ruth Berman takes us into Leonard Nimoy’s office, costumer Bill Theiss reveals the placemat origins of the Elasian costumes, and there’s a strange bit about a warm Gorn.