Six Science Fiction Plays

Now that IDW Publishing is about to publish a comic book adaptation of the Star Trek episode, The City on the Edge of Forever, based on Harlan Ellison's original, unfilmed teleplay, I decided it was about time I read said teleplay. Elwood's book includes six plays, with Ellison's script up front and center, along with an introduction by the cantankerous writer. The history of the personalities involved isn't nearly as interesting as the story itself. Reading the script with all the camera and stage directions allowed me to screen the episode in my mind. I found Ellison's original story to be more high concept than the version that was broadcast, but it has all the right grace notes: the wondrous discovery of the Guardians of Forever (yes, that's right, Guardians plural), Kirk falling for Edith Keeler, Spock's logical concern for his friend and the possible consequences of Kirk's emotional state, and the ultimately tragic outcome. There is also a minor, but compelling character named Trooper, new to those of us who have only seen the television episode. Would Ellison's story have worked if filmed as he wrote it? My guess is yes, it would have been fine. At the same time, the rewritten version is not nearly the catastrophe that Ellison makes it out to be. If you are a Trekkie like me, this is definitely worth taking the time to read. There is a more recent publication that contains the script, [b:The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay 216177 The City on the Edge of Forever The Original Teleplay Harlan Ellison https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387701962s/216177.jpg 209287], with much more from Ellison about his involvement with Star Trek. I haven't read this book, but I have a copy buried somewhere in one of the piles of books in my home. I'm looking for it. You should too, but not in my home. Look in yours. Oh. One last thing. There are five other plays. I didn't read them. Maybe someday.