Many iconic television moments came out of Star Trek: The Original Series, from Captain Kirk's fight with the Gorn in "Arena" to the goatee-sporting Spock in "Mirror, Mirror." Beyond these classic stories, some episodes remain underrated, falling near the end or just short of many best-of lists. William Shatner has cited the beloved "The City on the Edge of Forever" as one of his favorite episodes, but he has also mentioned another season 1 story as a favorite. TOS season 1, episode 25, "The Devil in the Dark" remains an underrated classic with a quintessentially Star Trek story.
William Shatner & Leonard Nimoy Both Named "The Devil In The Dark" Among Their Favorite Star Trek Episodes
"The Devil In The Dark" Is A Star Trek Classic
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have both praised "The Devil in the Dark" as one of Star Trek: The Original Series' finest offerings. The first Star Trek episode to open with a scene not set on the USS Enterprise, "The Devil in the Dark" centers on a mining colony plagued by a mysterious and deadly monster. When the Enterprise arrives to investigate, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy begin searching for the creature. When the creature reacts intelligently, Spock initiates a mind meld with it, learning that it is called the Horta.
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The miners have disturbed the Horta's home and have been unknowingly killing its eggs, leading the creature to react defensively. In the end, Kirk convinces the miners to work with the Horta, as it and its young can help dig more tunnels throughout the mine. In his 1993 book, Star Trek Memories, William Shatner spoke about "The Devil in the Dark," revealing that his father passed away during filming, and the cast and crew helped him get through it. Leonard Nimoy brought up the episode in the 50 Years of Star Trek documentary, praising the themes of overcoming fear of the unknown.
"The Devil In The Dark" Is Still Overlooked As A Classic Star Trek: The Original Series Episode
"The Devil In The Dark" Exemplifies Star Trek's Optimistic Message Of Finding Common Ground
Although "The Devil in the Dark" regularly pops up on lists of the best Star Trek episodes, it often gets overshadowed by more famous stories. While it may not be as memorable as some episodes, "The Devil in the Dark" tells a classic Star Trek morality tale with a relatively happy ending. The miners learn that the creature they have come to fear is not actually a monster, but merely a parent protecting its young. The Horta, too, learns that the miners have not been destroying its eggs intentionally, as they had no idea what they were.
Dr. McCoy says "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer!" in this episode, his first use of the famous "I'm a doctor, not a..." catchphrase.
In the end, the miners and the Horta learn to coexist in the cave system, with the Horta even helping create new tunnels. With its solid story and memorable moments, like Spock's mind meld, "The Devil in the Dark" has more than earned its place among episodes like "The City on the Edge of Forever," "Arena," "Amok Time," and "Mirror, Mirror." William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have different reasons for citing "The Devil in the Dark" as a favorite, but both agree it stands among the best stories that Star Trek: The Original Series has to offer.
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