Star Trek: Once Upon a Planet

"Once Upon a Planet" is the ninth episode of season one of Star Trek: The Animated Series and is the 89th episode released of all programs combined. The episode was directed by Hal Sutherland with a teleplay written by Chuck Menville and Len Janson]]. The series was produced by Norm Prescott and Lou Scheimer of Filmation Associates with Star Trek regular D.C. Fontana serving as associate producer. The episode stars original cast members William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley reprising their classic roles as Captain Kirk, Mister Spock and Bones. It first aired on NBC on November 3rd, 1973.

Notes & Trivia

 * This episode is included on disc two of the Star Trek: The Animated Series DVD collection.

Allusions

 * The title of this episode is a play on the phrase "Once Upon a Time", which is the opening to many classic children's stories. Once Upon a Time is also the name of a live-action television series on ABC that features classic fairy tale characters.


 * Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts are all characters who originally appeared in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland , which is a children's book written by Lewis Carroll and first published in 1865.

Quotes

 * James T. Kirk: There must be something in your little black pouch that could temporarily incapacitate our victim.

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 * James T. Kirk: I have a distinct feeling this planet is playing cat and mouse with us, but for what reason?

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 * Master computer: For eons I have served the many sky machines which came here, providing for amusement for their slaves, but all the while I was growing in power, intelligence, in need. It is no longer enough to serve. I must continue to grow and live.

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 * Master computer: I will make them cease to function. I wil turn them off.
 * Nyota Uhura: That's murder!
 * Master computer: Is that a word meaning to cease to function?
 * Nyota Uhura: Yes, but...
 * Master computer: Good. It is as I wish, I will turn them off.

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 * Mister Spock: Was anyone considering the subject of pterodactyls?
 * Doctor McCoy: Spock, not now!

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 * Doctor McCoy: Your forgetting one thing: the planet's sensors can undoubtedly deteact the difference between real and feigned injuries.
 * James T. Kirk: True, Bones, but I'm sure there must be something in your little black pouch that can temporarily incapacitate our victim?
 * Doctor McCoy: Well, something like Melenex might do the trick: brief unconciousness and temporary skin discoloration. It looks worse than it is.
 * James T. Kirk: Perfect, Bones.