‘Star Trek’ Retro Recap: ‘The City on the Edge of Forever’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

I think what I’ve always loved about science fiction in general, is the genre’s ability to challenge its audience and its characters in ways we never thought were possible. And often times, said challenge comes forth by sending dynamic and thoughtful questions our way, the kind that truly leave you wondering how you would handle a specific situation, and if there’s one series/franchise that accomplished this feat on a consistent basis, it would have to be Star Trek. And for proof of this, well look no further than the iconic next episode of this magnificent show, since it went places that few sci-fi stories will go.
 
For ‘The City on the Edge of Forever’ plays the ultimate game of what if, by putting Captain James T. Kirk into the no-win scenario that he so dreads and well, this is hands down one of my favorite Original Series episodes. Simply because it perfectly embodies everything that the franchise stands for and it tells one finely woven tale that challenges Kirk like never before. In fact, this story features one of the most complex moral challenges I’ve ever seen on television since so much depth goes into what Kirk is faced with and despite having seen this episode a few times now, the choice he faces, haunts me for hours on end, every single time I indulge in this story and this time around was no different.
 
I mean, just look at the problem the man has to face. Because if he indulges his heart and stays with Edith in 1930s Earth, he can watch her accomplish wonders before the Third Reich takes over the planet, killing millions in the process and ruining the beautiful future that awaits mankind. Or, he can let her die and preserve a beautiful future but carry with him the knowledge that he let a good soul perish when he could have prevented her end. Which is something that goes against everything that Jim stands for and watching him agonize over this decision is what makes this episode so worthwhile since you can see Jim trying his best to work out every alternative before coming to the same one in every single scenario in that; Edith has to die.

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Which in essence, makes this episode a story about sacrifice. Since Kirk has to give up what his heart desires in order to save an entire way of life and while some might quickly say that making that call is a no brainer, I think if we were in Kirk’s shoes we would equally agonize over this call. Because love is damn powerful, and it definitely blinds us. Yet what I truly appreciated about this particular tale is how it ends since it doesn’t present us with a cheery James Kirk who is ready to sit in the captain’s chair once again. We instead see a broken man, who will need a few drinks and some silence to heal the ache in his heart and that level of humanity was just bittersweet to see at the end of this tale and honestly, it speaks to volumes to William Shatner’s skills as an actor.
 
Because the only way to make a story this heavy, work on screen, is have to actors that can deliver emotional gravity and my goodness, does everyone deliver in this tale. For Shatner brings us the angst of Kirk’s decision in subtle fashion, and you see him trying desperately to hold back the tears when it comes to his loss, and his performance is supported by a stunning job from DeForest Kelley who makes a drugged Bones as terrifying as they come, and their emotional moments are anchored nicely by Leonard Nimoy’s always delightful, even-keeled performance of Spock and the gentle nature of Joan Collins’ portrayal of Edith Keeler.

​In the end however, this is one of those classic episodes that holds up when it comes to the test of time and its themes and ideas still have great power and poignance, and I’m honestly thinking about going back to watch this one to bask in the wonder of this story one more time. But that, will likely come after my next viewing of the series, for the first year in the five year mission is about to come to an end and I need to see how season one wraps up so that I’m free to properly indulge in my favorite moments from the genesis of this magnificent franchise. Until next time. 

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