The Devil in the Dark
- Episode aired Mar 9, 1967
- TV-PG
- 50m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
The Enterprise is sent to a mining colony that is being terrorized by a mysterious monster, only to find that the situation is not that simple.The Enterprise is sent to a mining colony that is being terrorized by a mysterious monster, only to find that the situation is not that simple.The Enterprise is sent to a mining colony that is being terrorized by a mysterious monster, only to find that the situation is not that simple.
George Allen
- Engineer #1
- (as George E. Allen)
Lee Allen
- Janus VI Miner
- (uncredited)
Tom Anfinsen
- Civilian Engineer
- (uncredited)
Bill Blackburn
- Lieutenant Hadley
- (uncredited)
Frank da Vinci
- Lt. Osborne
- (uncredited)
Robert Hitchcock
- Miner
- (uncredited)
Monty O'Grady
- Miner
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn his book "Star Trek Memories", William Shatner identified this as his favourite episode, because his father died during filming and Leonard Nimoy's delivery of the mind meld lines made him laugh. He thought it was "exciting, thought-provoking and intelligent, it contained all of the ingredients that made up our very best Star Treks."
- GoofsUsing clubs to attack the Horta would make no sense. Since the Horta exudes an extremely corrosive fluid to create its tunnels, capable of dissolving large quantities of solid rock in seconds, all it would need to do to protect against the clubs is release a large quantity of the corrosive. Any kind of club used to attack the Horta at that point would simply disintegrate when it touched the corrosive on the Horta's exterior.
- Quotes
[McCoy has been ordered to help a silicon-based life form]
McCoy: You can't be serious. That thing is virtually made out of stone!
Captain James T. Kirk: Help it. Treat it.
McCoy: I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer.
Captain James T. Kirk: You're a healer. There's a patient. That's an order.
- Alternate versionsSpecial Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: The Animated Series: One of Our Planets Is Missing (1973)
- SoundtracksTheme From Star Trek
Written by and credited to Alexander Courage
Featured review
Curing a rainy day
Enterprise visits mining colony Janus VI.
This is a classic episode with a brilliant message and a number of strong character moments.
The plot is simple and highly effective with a powerful statement on humanity that embodies the best themes of Star Trek. It unfolds in a compelling way with Kirk and Spock at the heart of it, well supported by Bones and Scotty.
Kirk is fantastically written, behaving in a way you would want someone of senior authority to act. There are no rash decisions. He is the ultimate cool head in a difficult and pressured situation.
Spock is the catalyst for everything positive that happens. These are great moments that define his character. His level of humanity is laid bare in his compassion for life and his protective instincts towards his Captain. I love how he spins his obvious emotional response as defending science.
Bones has rarely been cooler, particularly in his transition from seemingly lacking the confidence to do something to an almost god-like belief in his own abilities.
I think what makes it great is that it is so different from most other creature-based sci-fi and adventure stories. It would be so easy to give in to the blood-lust of most film and television consumers and make it a 'fight the monster' story, but this one could not be more opposite.
The visuals are mostly great. I love the set design, props and cinematography. The creature effects are very Star Trek. There's not much to say other than it is a stuntman underneath a what looks like a Persian rug decorated with foam pizza toppings. All part of the sixties charm.
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy both give strong performances, particularly Shatner under the circumstances of his personal life at the time. DeForest Kelley has a smaller role, but he has some classic lines. James Doohan is entertaining as ever and the guest performers are solid.
This is a classic episode with a brilliant message and a number of strong character moments.
The plot is simple and highly effective with a powerful statement on humanity that embodies the best themes of Star Trek. It unfolds in a compelling way with Kirk and Spock at the heart of it, well supported by Bones and Scotty.
Kirk is fantastically written, behaving in a way you would want someone of senior authority to act. There are no rash decisions. He is the ultimate cool head in a difficult and pressured situation.
Spock is the catalyst for everything positive that happens. These are great moments that define his character. His level of humanity is laid bare in his compassion for life and his protective instincts towards his Captain. I love how he spins his obvious emotional response as defending science.
Bones has rarely been cooler, particularly in his transition from seemingly lacking the confidence to do something to an almost god-like belief in his own abilities.
I think what makes it great is that it is so different from most other creature-based sci-fi and adventure stories. It would be so easy to give in to the blood-lust of most film and television consumers and make it a 'fight the monster' story, but this one could not be more opposite.
The visuals are mostly great. I love the set design, props and cinematography. The creature effects are very Star Trek. There's not much to say other than it is a stuntman underneath a what looks like a Persian rug decorated with foam pizza toppings. All part of the sixties charm.
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy both give strong performances, particularly Shatner under the circumstances of his personal life at the time. DeForest Kelley has a smaller role, but he has some classic lines. James Doohan is entertaining as ever and the guest performers are solid.
helpful•70
- snoozejonc
- May 1, 2021
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