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The City on the Edge of Forever
The City on the Edge of Forever | Harlan Ellison
7 posts | 8 read | 5 to read
The award-winning original teleplay that produced the most beloved episode of the classic Star Trek serieswith an introductory essay by the author. USS Enterprise Starfleet officers Capt. James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock escort a renegade criminal to a nearby planet for capital punishment, and they discover the remains of a city. This ancient civilization is inhabited by the alien Guardians of Forever, who are tasked with protecting a time machine. When the criminal escapes through the portal into the past, he alters Earths timeline, damaging humanitys future role among the stars. Pursuing their prisoner, Kirk and Spock are transported to 1930s Depression-era New York Citywhere they meet pacifist Edith Koestler, a woman whose fate is entwined with the aftermath of the most devastating war in human history. A woman whom Kirk has grown to loveand has to sacrifice to restore order to the universe. In its original form, The City on the Edge of Forever won the Writers Guild of America Award for best teleplay. As aired, it won the Hugo Award. But as Harlan Ellison recounts in his expanded introductory essay, Perils of the City, the televised episode was a rewrite of his creative vision perpetrated by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and the shows producers. In his trademark visceral, no-holds-barred style, the legendary author broke a thirty-year silence to set the record straight about the mythologized controversy surrounding the celebrated episode, revealing what occurred behind-the-scenes during the production. Presented here as Ellison originally intended it to be filmed, this published teleplay of The City on the Edge of Forever remains a masterpiece of speculative fiction, and a prime example of his uncanny ability to present humanity with all its virtues and faults.
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belacat
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Having recently viewed the award-winning episode of Star Trek with my daughters, I decided to read the master's original script while the show was still fresh in my mind. Yes, his script was much better and more intriguing.

I knew Ellison had a reputation for being volatile, but WOW, I almost stopped reading his side of the story. He was so eloquent and folksy at the same time I could not put the book down. Yes, I was under his spell.

TheBookDream Ellison was something else 5y
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tournevis
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#Bookhaul part 2: The Motherload!!! I am so giddy about those. I have City on the Edge of Forever (not the one tagged, though I have that one too), so my collection grows! 😁😁😁😁😁😁

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Yossarian
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True words to learn from and contemplate, from a classic science fiction writer.

tournevis My fav quote from him is "The most common things in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity." ? 8y
Spiderfelt More coincidences! I'm was just listening to Neil Gaiman read his two pieces about Harlan Ellison. Moments ago. There are so many great quotes. 8y
Thedrunkstrawberry I've been trying to read this but his diatribe of an intro has really turned me off, and i can't seem to get through it. 8y
Sydsavvy I once had a law professor say that to a our class after a fellow student gave a Weird sex scenario and then asked if was porn 😂😂😂. I can't ever hear that expression without thinking of that moment. Great answer, great quote. 8y
Bette ❤️ Harlan 8y
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Thedrunkstrawberry
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Dear sir, if you're going to write a bitter, angry, novella length diatribe of an intro accusing everyone around you of half truths and out right lies, please at least get your facts straight. 😖🙄(trek premiered in 66). Perhaps if this was the only error, but he continues to screw things up. He claims to have started the letter writing campaign that saved Star Trek so he could see his episode produced. But City aired one year before that...

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Ksvz
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Pickpick

memoir Audio While I enjoy Star Trek, I am not a devotee nor have I ever seen the episode in question. I got the book because of the cover and thought it was a sci fi story. instead it is a magnificent tale of lies, deceit, and creative heartbreak. I am left with a deeper understanding of how stories are created, a script reads, and how Hollywood's conformity is its worst enemy. very insightful and the original story is worth being told. +

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Anton
Pickpick

Not sure this counts as 'read' because I skipped the hundred page rant about how Gene Roddenberry ruined the episode, but on its own City On The Edge Of Forever is an interesting Star Trek script. I liked the takes on Kirk and Spock, and the darker side of the Federation. Fun short read.

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Anton
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I'm not sure if there's going to be a specific official celebration date for Star Trek's 50th anniversary, but since the new movie opens soon it seemed as good of a time as any to read something Trekkie. I decided on this infamous screenplay by the equality infamous Harlan Ellison. 🖖🏼📺📖