Coming across David Gerrold's contribution to someone else's book (more on that later) recently, I was inspired to read two of his own books and found them fascinating. The first is "The Trouble with Tribbles: The Birth, Sale, and Final Production of One Episode" which he wrote in 1973. It is a delightful chronicle of Gerrold's background as a fan of science fiction, his first sale as a screenwriter, and his interactions with the producers of the series.

His progress from concept to finished script, and how all those details we came to love came to be, is captivating. One section particulary revealing section shows Gerrold's original story premise, footnoted with the hand-written margin notes by series producer Gene Coon explaining how certain things would have to change, either for story value or production cost.

There are dozens of photos, both publicity shots and rare on-set pictures, including a tutorial - based on Wah Chang's design - on how to make your own Tribble! Chapters are headed by a caricature of the author; the one of the tiny writer standing before the Olympian-scale desk of Gene Coon conveys what it must have felt like at that first meeting.

The completed script is there, along with the author's footnotes regarding the differences between what's on the page and what appeared in the episode.

For anyone who is interested in the behind-the-scenes activities on this or any other television series, Gerrold's tale is not only enlightening but inspiring.

The book is long out of print, and the well-worn paperback copy I read was randomly marked up with bright pink highlighter. If you are interested in locating a copy for yourself, please drop me a note at mwade@roddenberry.com and I'll help you.

The second and third books? Check my column on Tuesday...

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Star Trek Remastered

The Star Trek Remastered episode this weekend is "Court Martial". This first-season episode was production number 15, airing on February 2, 1967.

The teleplay was written by Don M. Mankiewicz and Steven W. Carabatsos, the series' script consultant, from a story by Mankiewicz. Keeping with our apparent trend of late, Marc Daniels was in the director's chair.

This first-season episode premieres this weekend in syndication, but is also available on the Season 1 Remastered DVD Set. Look for some beautiful new shots right as the episode begins! First, two ships orbiting the planet, with shuttlecraft zipping around, then a new digital matte painting of Starbase 11 at night - with vessels in the background, and characters visible moving inside the building.

For you eagle-eyed fans, look closely at the start of Act II, just before Kirk meets with Areel Shaw in the bar. In the shot featuring the new digital matte painting of Starbase 11 at night - there is a couple walking down the path, away from the camera. Can you tell me who they are? Write me at mwade@roddenberry.com!

We have an exclusive image from the episode, provided by our friends at CBS Digital: The shuttlecraft Picasso, as it flies past the Enterprise on the way down to Starbase 11. Click here to see the full-sized image.

You have to love McCoy's observation when he meets the lovely Areel Shaw and finds out she is acquainted with Kirk: "All my old friends look like doctors. All of his look like you."

  

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Remastered Trivia

Once again, Barbara Hamper from San Antonio, Texas was first to respond to my question about director Marc Daniels' appearance in an episode. She correctly pointed out that he played the character Jackson Roykirk, creator of Nomad and "perhaps the most brilliant, though erratic, scientist of his time" in "The Changeling" in season two - although he only appears as a still image on a computer display.

As the director of that episode, Daniels chose to pose in costume (Scotty's dress uniform), presumably to save the cost of hiring an actor. Well done, Barbara!

 

 

 

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