Library Computer: “Making of Yesterday’s Enterprise” Review + Interview April 8, 2008
by John Tenuto , Filed under: Books, TNG , trackback
This week Library Computer takes a look at a number of ‘making of’ books for specific Star Trek episodes, including a review of the latest one about making the classic TNG episode "Yesterday’s Enterprise." We also have an interview with the author Eric Stillwell (who co-wrote the story for the episode) where he discusses both the episode and his time working on the TNG staff.
PREVIOUS STAR TREK EPISODE MAKING OF BOOKS
There have been many behind the scenes books for the various Star Trek TV series and films, and they will be the subject of future columns. This column looks at the three (and soon to be four) books dedicated to specific TV episodes, each written by people involved in the writing of the episode.
"The Trouble With Tribbles"
The first episode specific episode book was the 1973 edition of “Trouble with Tribbles: The Complete Story of One of Star Trek‘s Most Popular Episodes” by David Gerrold. As with most of these kinds of books, Gerrold discusses how the story started and what changes took place over the various drafts of the scripts. The book is written in the same lyrical style as the episode, with humorous pencil art, and includes valuable historical photos from the making of the episode. Despite its humor, the book is also educational, teaching about the process of authoring a teleplay.
“Trouble with Tribbles” making-of is available used at Amazon
"City on the Edge of Forever"
The next book is Harlan Ellison’s 1996 "The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay that Became the Classic Star Trek Episode
"The City on the Edge of Forever" making-of is available at Amazon
NEW "YESTERDAY’S ENTERPRISE" BOOK
The latest entry for episode-specific books is "The Making of Yesterday’s Enterprise" by Eric Stillwell, and it is much better than Ellison’s. The author provides a fascinating account of how the episode evolved from the initial idea (a story about Sarek going back in time to take the place of Surak) and also gives insights into the everyday machinations of working on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
In addition to creating the story (with Trent Christopher Ganino) for "Yesterday’s Enterprise," Stillwell was a production assistant and script coordinator for TNG working primarily for showrunner Michael Piller. The book actually doesn’t focus on Stillwell’s own contribution and in fact he gives much credit for the episode to all the various writers, especially Piller and Ron Moore. Instead, Stillwell writes more as a witness to Trek history on how a classic TNG episode came to be, from conception through to production, airing and the response.
Like with Gerrold’s "Tribbles" book, Stillwell also educates the reader with details and insights into the workings of Hollywood and specifically the production of Star Trek. Especially interesting is how credit for an episode on television is decided and its implications. Other details include how the episode’s narrative changed over time. For example, in the original drafts, the romance was between Tasha Yar and Data and not Tasha and Lt. Castillo of the Enterprise C. And it was Data (and not Guinan) who realizes Tasha’s true fate in the original timeline. However, Piller felt Data/Tasha story was weak and ‘too convenient’ and didn’t fit with Data’s character as an android.
The book includes memos between writers, behind-the-scenes photos (taken by Stillwell), various drafts of script ideas as well as the entire filming script. The reader is also treated to on-set stories such as the time Rick Berman got upset over Ganino talking to Whoopi Goldberg (even though it was Goldberg who initiated the conversation to ask about a line in the script).
Beyond the ‘making of’ you also get reactions to the episode from both the fans and critics. There is also interesting information on Paramount’s (failed) campaign to get the episode nominated for Emmys (even going as far as re-arranging reruns to concur with Emmy voting). And Stillwell shows a lot of class with a chapter tribute to the late Michael Piller whose contributions to Star Trek are legion.
For those wishing to learn about the process of how a television episode moves from idea to completed narrative, or for those who enjoy reading about "what could have beens" with Star Trek narratives, this is a great book.
"The Making of Yesterday’s Enterprise
Q&A WITH ERIC STILLWELL
TrekMovie.com: Did working on the show affect your fandom?
Eric Stillwell: Working on Star Trek changed my fan experiences in ways both good and bad. It was very exciting to be working on early days of The Next Generation, but I quickly discovered that I needed to distance myself from being identified as a “fan,” because there were so many people who worked on the show and at the studio who had serious misconceptions about Star Trek fans. The whole Star Trek phenomenon was a mystery to so many people in the industry….On the other hand, I was also living a dream come true for any Star Trek fan. How many people can say they’ve had a chance to work side by side with some of their personal idols, like Gene Roddenberry!
TrekMovie.com: What was it like working for Michael Piller? And also working for Rick Berman?
Eric Stillwell: Working for Michael Piller was a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with one of the best writer/producers I’ve ever encountered in Hollywood. Michael was a very serious, disciplined writer. Sometimes he could be difficult to work with when he was singularly focused on a project or when he was writing a script. But Michael was a perfectionist whose storytelling always came first. His stories and scripts always had to be the best they could be. And he expected the same from his writing staff and freelance writers. There was many a writer who left Michael’s office with a bruised ego. But with Michael, it was never personal. He didn’t have time to let egos stand in the way of product. It was all about producing the best possible stories and scripts. And I think he succeeded more times than not. I still credit Michael for saving the Star Trek franchise when we came on board as the head writer of TNG during the third season of the series. I think the work speaks for itself. Working for Rick Berman was a more tenuous experience for me. I’m afraid my memories of Berman are more negative than positive. I’ll just leave it at that.
TrekMovie.com: Were there changes to the "Yesterday’s Enterprise" story that bothered you as the script was given to other writers?
Eric Stillwell: I have to honestly say that I don’t recall any changes to the story that bothered me. In fact, I really feel that Ron Moore made some wonderful changes that actually improved the story – as did Michael Piller. All of the writing staff added tremendously to the teleplay. Unlike some writers in Hollywood, I’ve always appreciated the collaborative nature of television writing – often referred to derisively as “script writing by committee.” But if that’s something that bothers you, then I would suggest that writing for television isn’t really a good career choice.
TrekMovie.com: "Yesterday’s Enterprise" is considered by many to be the best TNG episode. What is it about the episode that resonates with fans?
Eric Stillwell: “City on the Edge of Forever” and “Mirror, Mirror” were the inspirations for “Yesterday’s Enterprise” – and the episode was written by genuine fans of the original series. Trent and I were both die-hard TOS fans. And certainly Ron Moore was a huge TOS fan. I think the final episode reflects the elements of the original series which have made that series and the entire franchise a phenomenon for more than 40 years. It’s hard to put a finger on one particular element that makes the episode resonate with the fans, but having watched the episode again recently, I think it still holds up after nearly 20 years! In some ways, the lessons learned in our war-torn alternate universe are more powerful today than they were in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, humanity still hasn’t learned the lessons that Star Trek has been offering since the 1960s.
NEXT UP, MAKING OF "SAREK"
The next ‘making of a Trek episode’ book (to be published later this year) is Peter Beagle’s "Writing Sarek" based on the Next Generation episode and Alzheimer allegory, "Sarek." Beagle developed the story and wrote the teleplay (based on the story by Marc Cushman and Jake Jacobs). According to the publisher’s website “this book, which will contain a complete "behind the scenes" history of the writing of the episode (all the way back to Marc Cushman’s first pitch to Gene Roddenberry!), plus Peter’s notated original teleplay and additional analysis and commentary.”
Preorder "Writing Sarek" at ConlanPress.
OTHER BOOK NEWS
By Rob Lyons
Book Nominations
Three veterans of Star Trek fiction have been nominated by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers for their 2008 Scribe Awards, according to a post at their blog.Keith R.A. DeCandido received three nominations; one in the Best Young Adult Original category for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Deathless", another in the Best Speculative Original category for last fall’s Next Generation novel "Q&A", and a third in the Best Speculative Adapted category for his novelization of "Resident Evil: Extinction". Greg Cox was also nominated in this category for "52: The Novel". Alan Dean Foster, who developed the story for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and novelized the episodes of the animated Star Trek series, will be honored with the Grandmaster Award. The winners will be announced at the San Diego Comic Con this July.
Trek books at NYC Comic Con
Editors and Writers from Pocket Books will sit down at the New York Comic Con for a Star Trek Books panel from 12:30 to 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 19. A special limited edition sampler of several upcoming novels, including "Kobayashi Maru", "Greater Than the Sum", and the Destiny Trilogy will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The event takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. More information can be found at their website.
COMING NEXT WEEK
For next week’s Library Computer, Rob Lyons takes a look at "Night of the Wolves", the second novel in the Deep Space Nine prequel series Terok Nor
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Comments»
Yesterday’s Enterprise is my favourite TNG episode!
Same here Harry! I want to see it in HD so bad :(
I love Yesterday’s Enterprise! One of my favorite TNG episodes. Sarek is another of my favorites as well. Patrick Stewart was AMAZING during the scene when he was experiencing the suppressed emotions transferred over to him from the mindmeld with Sarek. That scene should have been nominated and/or won an Emmy!
Nice review of a range of books. The “Yesterday’s Enterprise” book sounds entertaining.
I’ve got to ask — why in the world was Berman upset at the writer talking to Whoopi Goldberg?!
Yesterday’s Enterprise is also my favorite TNG episode! Glad to see so many others agree with me! I almost want to buy the book, but I just don’t have the money.
Bring on TNG on HD; but give the effects to someone who will consistently do good work. Make it widescreen too!
I really enjoyed the Ellison book … I never felt it tried to take a decision away from me or instruct me how to feel … I mean, it’s Ellison, so you know going in that it’s going to be acerbic and forceful; that’s just the way the man is :)
My own favorite version of the episode is actually the James Blish adaptation, which includes a little of this and a little of that …
Gerrolds book is still collecting dust with all my Trek memorabilia. But because YE is one of my favorite TNG eps, too. I will go out and get Mr. Stillwells book for sure. And why am I not surprised about the comment regarding the nice and caring Berman, destroyer of franchises, haha
“Yesterday’s Enterprise” was great, although my favourite is still “The Inner Light”. “Best of Both Worlds Pt.1″ would be up there too.
Have to re-read “The Making of The Trouble With Tribbles”. Haven’t read that since it first came out. And “The Making of Star Trek” by Stephen Whitfield (I think that’s his name) and Gene Roddenberry. I devoured that book as a kid!
Yeah Bring on Next Gen in HD! Have Darren Dochterman do the effects though, not inconsistent CBS D
C’mon- the best Next Gen was “Inner light” followed closely by the ones mentioned above
Would nominate Reunification as well except for the forced used of Denise Crosby as Sela. Took me right out of the (up to then good) story.
It is a crime the some of TNG’s TOS and DS9 episodes were never emmy nominated, episodes like Sarek, Yesterdays Enterprise, The Inner Light, Times Arrow Parts 1 & 2, COTEOF, Balance of Terror, Mirror Mirror, Sacrifice of Angels, heck there are a few powerful DS9 episodes whose names escape me at this point.
But the fact is Trek has been one of the best shows on TV and has been extremely popular (until UPN!). And Trek writing, although at times odd, has always been strong, so has the performance of the cast, Mark leonard, Patrick Sewart, Avery Brooks, absolutely brilliant talent.
John Tenuto dropped the ball during his interview with Stillwell. Stillwell stated what an honor it had been to work for Roddenberry. Instead of following up on that, Tenuto asks him anout Piller and Berman! Argggggh!
“Yesterday’s Enterprise” was the TNG episode I waited for. It’s the episode I wanted all of them to be.
#12
The interview was conducted by email, with questions sent to Mr. Stillwell. It was not the kind of interview which would allow for what you suggest. Michael Piller was much more of the focus of the book and on Mr. Stillwell’s entire career than Gene Roddenberry. There is a tribute to Mr. Piller in the book. However, there is a nice story about how Gene Roddenberry watched the episode with Mr. Stillwell. Thank you though for the comments.
Yesterday Enterprise is one of the best episodes of trek ever done. With reagard the Ellison Book City on the Edge of Forever, im sorry I am with Ellison side on this one. I own a copy of this book and from what ive read, had they done it this way ,it would have gone down as the absolute finest Trek episode and probably one of the finest science fiction pieces for television ever done.
While much of TNG hasn’t held up to repeated viewings for me, Yesterday’s Enterprise continues to be very watchable and one of the best shows from that series. Still, the original story about Sarek going back in time to take Surak’s place is such an intriguing concept; it’s a shame that it was never put to film.
I’ve read both the David Gerrold and Harlan Ellison books and I’d have to agre with John Tenuto’s assessments, especially of the latter; too much of Ellison’s notorious vitriol comes thru, he takes cheap shots all over the place and refuses to understand that his story did not take place in a vacuum but was part of an ongoing series. For what it’s worth, I thought his original drafts were actually pretty mediocre (especially how the various characters behave as Edith is about to die); DC Fontana’s rewrite really simplified the story, removed a lot of extraneous characters and situations, and everyone pretty much stayed in character.
Yesterday’s Enterprise is probably my all-time favorite Star Trek episode, despite the fact that DS9 is my favorite series, followed in a close second by TOS.
Of course, the fact that, as 12 year old, I had a huge crush on Tasha Yar doesn’t figure into that at all.
All kidding aside, it was an outstanding episode, and I still enjoy popping it into the DVD player today and watching it. It hasn’t aged poorly at all.
This sounds like an interesting book, and I am glad to see some recognition being given to unique and interesting TNG episodes in this format.
Rob+
Peter Beagle is a great guy and a great writer (his best known work is “The Last Unicorn”, both the book and the screenplay for the movie that’s based on the book). I highly recommend his books.
#16 and basically gutted his script.
I look forward to reading this book! Yesteday’s Enterprise (I vividly remember watching for the first tine) — I was floored!!!! I said to myself this not only the best TNG episode ever, but flat out one of the best Star Trek episodes EVER!!!! Who says time travel stories are over-done??? YE and City on the Edge of Forever were pure drama at its best!
I am a Trek Heretic, for “Yesterday’s Enterprise” is my LEAST FAVORITE Trek episode.
There are so many other FAR BETTER hours of TNG…to me it seemed to be a contrived vehicle to allow nothing more than the brief return of Tasha Yar.
#21 Your Kidding Right? Yesterday EnteprIse I arguably the best episode of the next Generation, there are not alot episodes that match this one, for drama and action and Heroism and it actually was a cool way to bring back Tasha Yar and it set the stage for a pretty good season 4 climax for Trek, whats not to like here?
I find 99% of TNG to absolutely numbing and dreadfully boring and uncreative. I have a hard time rewatching any of it. But there is no denying Yesterday’s Enterprise rocked. It spotlights the incredible potential that sadly, was rarely realized. Easily, for my money, the best episode of TNG.
Knocking the Ellison CITY book is silly … clearly with trek, folks want to ‘print the legend’ as LIBERTY VALLANCE reports it, and anybody trying to be truthful like Ellison isn’t welcome.
You guys ought to read his FLINTLOCK script for an unproduced OUR MAN FLINT series … spectacular and smart, kind of FLINT meets THE PRISONER. I think Ellison’s greatest strength is as an essayist, but some of his screenplays and a lot of his fiction is superb.
The Gerrold book IS great.
#24
The criticisms of Ellison had nothing to do with him speaking his truth. It had to do with what is in my opinion a style that frankly negates whatever good arguments he authors. In this book Ellison’s style doesn’t appear confident enough to not denegrate others. He can speak his truth, yet should be capable of doing so in this book without resorting to mockery. This is merely my opinion. Thanks for posting yours.
#24 Ive read the Flintlock Script it was great and should have been produced. What I find interesting is that He kept saying that City was to expensive to produce and the script was not usable? give me a break?
In televised version we have Edith Keeler a Depression aged Social work giving a speech about Moon Landings? Somehow I don’t remember thatone being in the original script.
Yesterday’s Enterprise was an incredible episode for so many reasons, not the least of which was our look at the Enterprise-C. I never really understood why they set up the Ent-C’s crew uniforms the way they did - those TOS-Movie-era jackets looked weird without the belts and the turtleneck undershirts.
I don’t know if I can truly call it my favorite though - there were so many stellar episodes of TNG, it’s hard to pick out a particular one. The Inner Light, Best of Both Worlds, Relics, Sarek, The Survivors, The Measure of a Man, The Offspring, The Arsenal of Freedom (I’ve always had a soft spot for this one, mainly cause Geordi gets to command the Enterprise in battle), are just a few that come to mind…
If my list seems weighted towards the first 3 seasons, it’s cause I have been rewatching the whole series with my kids as I introduce them to it (after previously introducing them to TOS)… Tonight we are scheduled to watch TBOBW Part 1… can’t wait!
And on the subject of Ellison, I haven’t read his book, but I’ve heard enough about his original version of TCOTEOF to make me very glad that D.C. Fontana got ahold of it.
#27 the same D C Fontanta who i believe praised the original script? You might want to read it before you decide that one
22 - No, I’m not kidding at all. While I respect that others love the episode, I think its grossly overrated.
It doesn’t even come close to stacking up to “The Best of Both Worlds,” “The Inner Light,” “Family,” “Chain of Command” and many other TNG episodes.
For me, it came across as “we need to find a way to bring Denise back,” and I thought it was not the most creative hour of Star Trek. To me, it was a February “sweeps” episode and nothing more. (I also thought that, in subsequent episodes, the Sela character was laughable at best since the timeline regarding her birth was completely off.)
Again, this is my opinion solely, but in my own personal stack ranking of TNG episodes, “Yesterday’s Enterprise” is in my bottom tier. I mean, it’s well ahead of “Night Terrors,” but I truly cannot stand that episode.
I loved YE to death, but felt cheated somewhat by the subsequent appearance of Sela as an ongoing Romulan badguy. She was about as deep as Lursa and B’etor, and in “Redemption” they created a quick’n'dirty backstory based on YE to explain her existence.
Redemption also takes the “Tasha finally dies a hero” story point, and she ends up being executed after voluntary enslavement as the consort of a Romulan.
#28 DC can praise Ellison’s original script all she wants - The rewritten version is what aired. Drug-dealing crew members? Kirk acting completely out of character? I don’t think so. The original may have been good SF, never saying it wasn’t. But the revised version is better Star Trek.
Ellison wouldn’t have been so pissed had he not assumed for years that it was Roddenberry who rewrote him. He’s been very generous towards DC ever since it finally came out that she was the actual silent rewriter…. I always felt his annoyance was most with Roddenberry’s handling of the matter.
All told, both versions have their highlights. The Ellison script is a great science fiction short story… The Fontana revision is a great episode of Star Trek.
In any event, I recommend having a couple whisky sours, smoking a dozen cigarettes.. and then reading the Ellison book in the midst of a hangover and nicotine withdrawal shakes…. THEN, you’ll get the right sensation in which to read that book.
But I agree Gerrold’s book is the best. I still remember reading it the Christmas after it came out on a lawnchair in St Pete Florida at my grandparents… a clear indelible memory from the early 70’s…. I wonder how many were inspired too to attempt to write a script after reading it!
Gerrold is awesome, if you can get your hands on early Starlog issues, he used to write all the time in there if I recall. I also remember him doing a series about the “upcoming Star Trek feature film” in the mid-70’s, which was the only way we could get nuggets of information on it since we didn’t have the interwebs yet :)
I absolutely love this episode, mostly because I thought it was so awesome to see the Enterprise-C for the first and ONLY time.
One question I always had was why did the crew of the Enterprise-c not have anything on underneath their “Jackets”. Budget restraints? There was no tunic on underneath, which I found weird.
This one is awesome, with a close second behind being Spock’s two parter in the fifth season (Unification).
Also a big fan of Scotty’s episode.
#31 Sorry Lyle you haven read the script, so How can you make those statements? If you had actually read the script you would see that there is no drug dealing character in the original, that a myth created by someone else.
“Yesterday’s ENTERPRISE” should have been shelved and saved for the first TOS/TNG crossover. With a little retooling, it could have tied into the whole Khitomer thing in ST6.
Gene Coon also had a hand in revising Ellison’s draft as well according to Herb Solo.
And I’m not much on TNG, but this was one of those episodes I very much enjoyed.
it’s realy sad that both the city on the edge anf yesterdays ent was not nomanated for an emmy. i know that hollywood has always been bisaed towards startrek but when you think about it it had the best writing and action and what i like about those and other episodes. star trek made you think and got you involved in the story. star trek did that long before c.s.i or n.c.i.s. those shows make you think and get you involved but star trek has been doing that for years. you look at c.s.i or n.c.i.s and others and they get all the awards and emmys and golden globes. but star trk has not gotten the awards as much. it’s a shame that the main stream hollywood has never realy shown a lot of respect to star trek. but im hopeing with the new movie that j.j. abrams is doing that it may change. with an A list directer and top A list people working on it. we can only hope.
I would love to have a book or video devoted to the making of “Trials and Tribble-ations.” Really.
#39
There was a Science Fiction Channel documentary at the time of the episode. The Deep Space Nine Companion by Terry Erdmann has a good discussion of the episode, and the novel has commentary by Ron Moore and David Gerrold.
#38 Ellison’s Script for City on the Edge of forever did win the Hugo award.
#35 Garovorkin - Yes, there most certainly was a drug-dealing Enterprise crewman in Ellison’s first-draft script, his name was Lieutenant Richard Beckwith. This has been common knowledge for years. It’s discussed on a number of different websites including Memory Alpha and also this page:
http://www.fastcopyinc.com/orionpress/articles/city.htm
Just to name a few examples. If you want to say it’s a myth, there’s a whole lot of sites that disagree with you. Do you have any proof to back that up?
Don’t forget to review the eBook, “the Magic of Tribbles: The Making of Star Trek Deep Space Nine Trials and Tribbleations”
http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=481067
#35, I read the various versions of the script several years ago. While there were no “drugs” per se, the “jewels of sound” did have addictive qualities and the antagonist (who’s name escapes me) did use and distribute them illicitly. So the term “drug dealer” wouldn’t be completely wrong here - the guy definitely acted like one and the stuff he peddled had the same effect.
Also, as others have said, Ellison’s story was was good sci-fi, but not good Star Trek. The characters behaved very inconsistently with what had been established. The aforementioned bady guy’s attempt to save Edith at the end also made absolutely no sense at all within the context of the story and his prior actions; Kirk and Spock’s rationalizations as to why he tried to save her were likewise very weak. The whole subplot about Rand and the other crewmembers fighting space pirates on that alternate version of the Enterprise that showed up in some of the revisions felt very weak and tacked on (even Ellison himself complained that he only added it in at the producers insistence as I recall).
About the only part of Ellison’s script that I liked was the subplot with Trooper (at least, I think that was his name, his character had lost his legs when he fought at Verdun).
#42 and #44 okay fine the Whole pleasure jewels that Beckwith was selling Jewels with addictive qualities that could constitute drugs that one is is a bit Iffy.
“#31 Sorry Lyle you haven read the script, so How can you make those statements? If you had actually read the script you would see that there is no drug dealing character in the original, that a myth created by someone else.”
Dude, what the heck are you talking about? Of course the character of Richard Beckwith was a drug dealer, not to mention being a murderer.
“#38 Ellison’s Script for City on the Edge of forever did win the Hugo award.”
No, the televised version won the Hugo (as well as the George Melies award for televised fantasy at Equicon ‘73). Ellison’s version won the Writer’s Guild award for Best Teleplay.
“The characters behaved very inconsistently with what had been established. The aforementioned bady guy’s attempt to save Edith at the end also made absolutely no sense at all within the context of the story and his prior actions; Kirk and Spock’s rationalizations as to why he tried to save her were likewise very weak. The whole subplot about Rand and the other crewmembers fighting space pirates on that alternate version of the Enterprise that showed up in some of the revisions felt very weak and tacked on (even Ellison himself complained that he only added it in at the producers insistence as I recall).”
Interestingly, while the post-hoc rationalization for Beckwith’s attempt to save Keeler’s life appears in the script’s final act in Ellison’s book, it does not exist in the version of the teleplay originally published in Roger Ellwood’s collection “Six Science Fiction Plays” that came out in the mid-Seventies–I’ve wondered if it was included after the fact to silence critics who pointed out the Beckwith’s selfless act, which underpins the entire story, indeed doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given his character. Incidentally, I much prefer Ellison’s introduction to the teleplay in the Ellwood book, which is just as informative as to how this classic hour of television came to be, and far less ugly and vituperative.
“All told, both versions have their highlights. The Ellison script is a great science fiction short story… The Fontana revision is a great episode of Star Trek.”
My feelings exactly.
#46 Point taken Micheal.
#42 Lyle and #44 TonyD and #46 Micheal sorry Im damned idiot. Unfortunately when when it comes to Ellison I tend to very biased in his favor,Gentleman Im sorry this is question of me just plain not thinking about what I was saying.
“Yesterday’s Enterprise” is a great piece of television, and one of the best Star Trek episodes ever written, and I say that as someone who is not a particularly big fan of TNG. I bought one of the fan collective sets on dvd which has that episode.
I can almost forgive the Klingon in a Starfleet uniform, the ship’s counselor, the holodecks, the artificial officer, the boring PC of the late 80’s and early 90’s, a bland Captain, and children aboard a starship…almost. However, I have to give credit where credit is due.
As for “City On The Edge Of Forever”, it would be difficult to convince me that changing anything in Fontana’s television version would have made a better episode of Star Trek. It is brilliant as it is. Ellison’s ego is bigger than Shatner’s! This episode is still very powerful, and one of Shatner’s best performances in his career, IMO. This is a magnificent Star Trek episode.
“The Trouble With Tribbles” is one of my favorites, of course. It is, IMO, the most fun episode of any Star Trek incarnation to watch, and James Doohan’s best moment (IMO, he absolutely steals the show). DS9’s revisit to this story was great too, and one of that series’ best moments is Sisko’s “chat” on the bridge of the Enterprise NCC-1701. And who could forget O’Brien lying to Captain Kirk after the infamous fight scene?
Always loved Yesterday’s Enterprise for its darkness and light. Love that my namesake basically wants to fire phasers until the primary hull melts, while Picard is more like the Picard we know, looking for answers.
I don’t see any mention of the continuity gaff. (?) This episode was made not long after the introduction of the new (better) costumes, so maybe there was a wardrobe shortage and they had to ‘convert’ existing costumes. Anyway, at the end when he and Guinan are in Ten Forward, Geordi’s sleeve (and I think his collar) clearly are from the altered timeline. Oops.
To every one who has ever wanted to play Yesterday’s Enterprise as the Enerprise D or C or even the klingons, Ultimate universe mod for legacy and you can do so!!!!!!!!!!!
“Gentleman Im sorry this is question of me just plain not thinking about what I was saying.”
No problem, guy, we all frak up on occasion. And I’m glad Ellison has such an impassioned defender in his corner on these fora; he certainly deserves it, bad temper or no. :-)
“As for “City On The Edge Of Forever”, it would be difficult to convince me that changing anything in Fontana’s television version would have made a better episode of Star Trek.”
Read Ellison’s original and see.
#52 Micheal I have learned so much from reading Ellison over the years. I first discovered him in a book called Stalking the Nightmare and i was hooked on him from that point on. I have never been disappointed anything I have ever read by him. Through him I have picked so may good authors that I might never have ever known about. Alfred Bester, Theodore Sturgeon,Cordwainer Smith, Cornel Woolrich, Gerald Kersh, James Branch Cabell and many,many others. He does have his faults, but he has brilliant mind and he is a very wise literary sage.
#50 - Back when I was able to explain (almost) any continuity error (before Voyager made it impossible), I had a explanation for this. The filmed but unused ‘B’ storyline dealt with a visting member of the StarFleet Quartermaster Advanced Research Unit, Lt. William Ware. Falling behind on their yearly required uniform redesign, the QARU desperately needed to field test the new uniform design. After pestering the crew for the entire episode, Geordi gave in and wore the uniform, and gave it his recommendation.
Unfortunately, Ware’s superior officer, Vice-Admiral Dougherty, rejected the uniform. Ware was so dejected that he left Starfleet and designed clothes for some group called the Son’a.
Later, Ware met Dougherty again, and at the opportune moment, suggested to his new employers that the Vice Admiral might look better with a little face lift.
.
.
.
…or not. >;>}
#52—Again, I don’t see where anything would be an improvement over the aired version, considering the objective of adapting it to a TOS Star Trek episode with less than an hour of airtime. IMO, it is perfect as it is.
Is it in print? Where can I get it at?
The reader is also treated to on-set stories such as the time Rick Berman got upset over Ganino talking to Whoopi Goldberg (even though it was Goldberg who initiated the conversation to ask about a line in the script).
Berman was one funny guy was’nt he? Whoopi improved that script greatly with her presence, it made the whole episode and the sela thing go together well.
There is one thing that i have pondered in this. If the episode had been done the way Ellison wrote it , With Beckwith and the pleasure Jewels and trooper would that have had an effect on trek for the better or for the worse? Roddenberry no doubt had an issues with Ellison’s story particularly how he portrayed both Spock and Kirk. I know this is impossible for alot of reasons but i would like to see someone make a CGI animated film base exactly on Ellison’s treatment, just to see how it would look.
I will get this book and enjoy it, but I always have a probem with Stillwell….he was in charge of the fan group “Starfleet International” during a very dark time that caused a lot of fans to leave. His mention of distancing himself from fans gets under my skin a bit. You can be a fan and a proffessional screen/Star Trek writer.
I haven’t read the Stillwell book, but its getting horrible reviews on Amazon. Is this a self published book? Stillwell uploaded his own cover on amazon as well - hmmm.
“There is one thing that i have pondered in this. If the episode had been done the way Ellison wrote it , With Beckwith and the pleasure Jewels and trooper would that have had an effect on trek for the better or for the worse? Roddenberry no doubt had an issues with Ellison’s story particularly how he portrayed both Spock and Kirk. I know this is impossible for alot of reasons but i would like to see someone make a CGI animated film base exactly on Ellison’s treatment, just to see how it would look.”
Well, if produced as written it would definitely be a different Trek than the one we know, and since I value the franchise at least as much for its goofy optimism about the future of humanity as for its literary quality–more, truth be told, as the quality has been spotty at best much of the time–for my money the Trek mythos would suffer even as “City on the Edge of Forever” would itself be a better episode. And yeah, I’d love to see a quality CGI production of Ellison’s original script myself, though it’ll never happen.
“Again, I don’t see where anything would be an improvement over the aired version, considering the objective of adapting it to a TOS Star Trek episode with less than an hour of airtime. IMO, it is perfect as it is.”
Okay, fair enough. You might try reading (if you can find a copy) SF author James Blish’s adaptation of “City” that he did for the second Trek paperback, where he tried with some success to merge the best elements of both scripts in telling the story. (At the very least, I can assure you that Edith Keeler’s speech to the destitute about having hope and faith in the future is far superior in Ellison’s original compared to the aired version.)
“Through him I have picked so may good authors that I might never have ever known about. Alfred Bester, Theodore Sturgeon,Cordwainer Smith, Cornel Woolrich, Gerald Kersh, James Branch Cabell and many,many others. He does have his faults, but he has brilliant mind and he is a very wise literary sage.”
Try the Ellison collections “Partners In Wonder,” “Love Ain’t Nothing But Sex Misspelled” (non-SF) and “Shatterday” for some of his best work. And check out writer Dan Simmons, a highly successful novelist whom Ellison mentored early in his career.
#61 Yeah Micheal I read his book Prayers to Broken Stones which both he and Simmons recounts how they met each other. Ive also read Song of Kali and Carrion Comfort, plus the first two Hyperion novels Simons is incredible.
If you can ever find it try the Novel Phoenix without Ashes by Ed bryant, its a novelization of Ellison’s never used pilot script for the infamous Star Lost series. The novel is actually quite good, it also includes an introduction talking about the ill fated series that lasted 16 episodes. I have never seen this one but I found a website which showed what the series looked like, The words national tragedy would be an understatement in this case. . The series was filmed on tape like Dr who only not as good. The ship which was mulitgenerational , Looks like a ball park light fixture pretending to be a space ship. Micheal you really have to see this one to believe it.There was also a plot synopsis to all the episodes and you’ll understand why he used the Cordwainer Bird Pseudoname. Of further interest, Author Ben Bova who was scienfic consultant to the series and then left very quickley Wrote A comedy sci novel called The Star Crossed. Its a parody of what Ellison went through, If you can find I recommend it, it is funny as hell.
#58: I took over Starfleet when I was a 17-year-old high school student twenty-eight years ago. The organization was defunct and effectively out of business. It was blacklisted by the Star Trek Welcommittee and Starlog Magazine. I helped reconstitute the organization by changing the name, getting us off the blacklists, getting Gene Roddenberry’s endorsement of the club, and by landing a story in Starlog magazine that helped swell the ranks of the organization by thousands of new members. Sure there were some rough times — I was a working college student trying to run an international non-profit during my free time. We suffered some growing pains in the process, but when I stepped down in 1984 there were thousands more members than when I started. And that was 25 years ago. Can’t we let bygones be bygones?
As to this interview, I never said I tried to distance myself from the fans when I worked on TNG. I said I learned to distance myself “from being identified as a fan” by my colleagues at the studio because of the gross misconceptions they had about Trek fans — always assuming we were stealing things like props to sell at conventions. Even Harve Bennett put me and Richard Arnold on his short list of suspects when items went missing from his set during production of Star Trek V. Of course, Richard and I had nothing to do with those thefts, but those of us who were “fans” were always the ones given the closest scrutiny.
There was another time when Majel Barrett Roddenberry asked me to be the editor of her “Inside Trek” fan club newsletter (published by Lincoln Enterprise), which I did for one issue. When Rick Berman found out, he threw a fit — and I was forced to resign from editing the newsletter for Majel.
Those where the kinds of experiences I was talking about in the interview (much of which was edited for space). It wasn’t about distancing myself from other fans — it was about avoiding the “fanatic” stereotyping in the work place. Everybody knew I was a huge fan of the original series.
Again, we’re talking about things from 20 years ago.
I love being a Star Trek fan. I’m a bigger fan today that I’ve ever been — and I’m not just referring to my middle-aged gut. I still love to attend conventions when I get a chance — especially the ones in Europe (I’m going to Eurocon in Italy next year) — and I love meeting other fans and talking with them about my time working on TNG, Voyager, DS9, etc.
And you are right — it is absolutely true that one can be a fan and a professional at the same time. There are many great examples in Hollywood — not least among them the wonderful and talented new team of writers and producers working on the next Star Trek film. I can hardly wait!
Eric,
Sounds like you have managed to stay in love with Trek despite it being associated with some bad experiences. You are one of the few fans who had inside knowledge of the inner workings of Trek and came away without being disillusioned by the realities of Hollywood.
Great to hear you are not holding grudges. If only some others felt the same way.
The “Yesterday’s Enterprise” book sounds most intriguing - especially the lost Data/Yar subplot. I’ll definitely be picking it up when it comes out. Looking forward to the Sarek book as well.
I’d also highly recommend both the Gerrold & Ellison books to anyone reading this. They are each very informative in the behind the scenes of a show like Star Trek. Gerrold’s book is a good example of the story process going well, Ellison’s book is a good example of it going less than ideally. Ellison’s book also shows that Roddenberry was not the faultless saint many fans (& GR himself, sometimes) portrayed him as.
Although COTEOF is a terrific episode, there was some equally terrific stuff in Ellison’s unproduced script. I’m sorry I never got to see Beckwith, Trooper, and some of Ellison’s wonderfully poetic dialogue brought to life.
“yesterdays enterprise”was my number 1, but i loved the initial shock of “cause and effect”. And “the inner light” is easily, in my humble opinion, the best of the more contemplative episodes of Trek ever.
Shat Hands~
I read Ellison’s book, and I have to say that I think that the televised episode is superior. Ellison’s biggest qualm with the episode is that he did not like the ending. His version ended with Spock saying, “No one ever gave up love for the universe.”, while the televised version ended with Kirk saying, “Let’s get the hell out of here.” Now which is the better line? At first glance, one may say Ellison’s last line. But if you consider the context of the televised last line, the Guardian says one of greatest quotes in all of science fiction, “Other such journeys are possible, let me be your gateway.” Kirk being offered the ability to time travel, considers that he has seen enough, and flat out rejects the possibility. More dramatic that way than Kirk sulking in his quarters.
COTEOF had some other great science fiction lines:
“Happyness at least.” –Uhura
“You, what planet is this.” –McCoy
Best episode of Star Trek ever, all series considered. Very well written, Ellison wrote a masterpiece script. Roddenberry improved it though, and I do not care what Ellison says.
#66 well to each his own on this issue
“If you can ever find it try the Novel Phoenix without Ashes by Ed bryant, its a novelization of Ellison’s never used pilot script for the infamous Star Lost series. The novel is actually quite good, it also includes an introduction talking about the ill fated series that lasted 16 episodes.”
Yes, I’m familiar with “The Starcrossed” and Ed Bryant’s novelization of Ellison’s pilot script, which was almost as excellent as the series was terrible. (Man, what a comedown for Kier Dullea, after “2001.” And whatever happened to Bryant anyway, who was a promising talent?) Harlan’s introduction, in addition to giving a behind-the-scenes look at that debacle in all its godawful splendor, also reveals why he was much more kindly disposed towards Gene Roddenberry during the ’70s than anytime before or after. And yes, Bova’s “The Starcrossed”– which featured the character of a short, brilliant-but-pain-in-the-ass writer who somehow seemed vaguely familiar–was a real hoot, if a little over-the-top.
#68 its funny but the only other thing that I remember Keir Dullea in was when he reprised his David Bowman Character in the movie 2010 in 1984 and then disappeared completely. I also remember reading in the Starlost website, that Walter Koenig guest stared on that series for 2 episodes. As for Ed Bryant, no clear idea of what happened to him, I think he is still alive, its to bad he quit writing. He is one of two writers that I would like to see write some more stories, the other guy that I would like to see write again is Barry Malzberg.
Eric,
I’m curious……back during the first run of TNG it was common knowledge that the producers were willing to look at “spec” scripts from outside….tell me, was Hilary Bader one of the in-house writers who vetted incoming scripts?
#41. i knew it won the hugo award. but im talking about an emmy and for yesterdays ent a golden globe or an emmy would have been great. i know that tng did get an emmy nod on the 7th season but thats about all i can remember. i know the fx and stuff won oscars and emmys. but the actors and writers and gene hinself deserved an emmy and golden globe. ok. jj abrams. i hope you being an A list director can bring main stream hollyweired to truly respect star trek.
I’d love to read some more stories from Mr. Stillwell, got any more?
BTW anyone see the vid on You Tube with the guys who illegally videotaped the TNG sets?
#70: Harry: Hilary Bader was a wonderful writer and wrote some great stuff for Star Trek. It was very sad when she passed away in 2002. Her talent and wonderful personality and deeply missed.
All of the staff writers on the show were involved in vetting speculative scripts and passing along their recommendations to Michael Piller.
#71
Trek has never won an oscar for anything, though it did manage to get some noms for TMP and a few others (unbelievably, TVH got noms for cinematography and I believe music, which is like giving Teri Hatcher a nomination for a Grammy.)
I’d love to find out who vetted my THE INQUIRY spec, which is the one that got me in to pitch during 4th season TNG. It was a lot like something they were already doing, THE DRUMHEAD, though at the time I think DRUMHEAD was called IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE.
Pitch session was definitely about in the top 10 worst hours of my life. Was all set to pitch to PIller when he got called upstairs to get yelled at by GR (I was surprised he was even still there at that point), so I got dumped on Jeri Taylor, who was pretty new and clearly not in a buying mood. But Ron Moore sat in on the session and was terrific, and really went to bat (unsuccessfully) for one of my pitches. But Taylor kept chanting the, “Picard wouldn’t do that” mantra, so that was that.
One of the bestthings about YE was the way Christopher MacDonald, who played Lt. Castillo, started to channel William Shatner in his mannerisms. By thetime he was in the Captain’s chair near the end, he was in a very “Kirkian” mode.
#74 Eric Stillwell
thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I appreciate it!
I love how Nimoy and Shatner stoop to get into the picture with shrimp Ellison on the cover - a coded insult indeed
YE is in my opinion the best episode of TNG. I can remember when that episode first came out. Word got out about it, and I remember hearing even non Star Trek fans talking about it. A great episode for so many reasons, too many to list here. Cool that we get a book about it, can not wait to read it.
#79 Wick if your interested someone wrote a fan fiction novle in which the events in Yesterday’s enterprise took a really bizare turn, What happens is that the Enterprise C and The Enterprise D end up going through the rift totegher and the y end up in the Babylon 5 universe and arrive at the station to help defend it. ohter wrings include a story in which the federation ends up helping Earthdome against the mimbari. Tab on to thw meu item writings, to get the complete list.
Perhaps Mr. Stillwell should get a column here on TrekMovie.com! Once again, another fine edition of Library Computer. I fear for my pocket every week because I become dead set in getting at least one of the books featured. That being said, I’m all the more looking forward to the next one!
I was only still doing my TNG concordance zines when, midway into a season of TNG trying mightily to finally turn the corner, I saw YE and was blown away, thinking: “Wow, they have finally done it; they have finally topped the features! They really are going to make it.” I had just begun a budding association and friendship with Eric, a great source and help with all my work yet to come–and so today one of my simplest yet most prized possessions is the pre-broadcast flier about YE that Eric sent out to friends and colleagues announcing the show’s airing! Wish I’d been in LA by then. But glad to see Eric’s book taking off in all-new avenues now!
I agree with what people are saying on here - that Yesterdays Ent is by far the best TNG ep - even besting Best of Both Worlds (part 1)….its gotta be one of the best Trek eps ever really..in fact its probably 2nd only to City on the Edge…
I always thought it made a great companion piece to Mirror Mirror (althought YE certainly isnt a Mirror Universe ep..it still deals with an alternate universe) so its good to know that Eric mentions that Mirror Mirror and City on the Edge of Forever were the inspirations for YE
In fact both Mirror Mirror & Yesterdays Ent recently aired together in the UK as part of a parallel universe night..
i will buy this book…there was pretty good background info on YE in Larrys TNG Companion but a whole book on it from the writer is pretty much a must buy…
36. Ralph F - April 9, 2008
“Yesterday’s ENTERPRISE” should have been shelved and saved for the first TOS/TNG crossover. With a little retooling, it could have tied into the whole Khitomer thing in ST6.
That wouldve been awesome - The Ent A gets blasted into the future during the end battle with the BOP…Cue cliffhanger end leading to a Yesterdays Enterprise version of Star Trek Generations in 1994…wouldve been a bummer waiting 3 years though..(unless they’d released it while TNG was still on tv like the X Files movie)
They couldnt really use the YE story as a TOS/TNG crossover film once it had already been done on tv….so we got the nexus : (