Metamorphosis 

While returning to the Enterprise aboard the shuttlecraft, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a seriously ill Federation diplomat find themselves kidnapped by an energized cloud.

Director:

Ralph Senensky

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Gene L. Coon

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Capt. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
Glenn Corbett	...	Zefram Cochrane
Elinor Donahue	...	Nancy Hedford
James Doohan	...	Scott
George Takei	...	Sulu
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura

Storyline

The Enterprise shuttlecraft, carrying Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy and critically ill Federation Ambassador Nancy Hedford, encounters a mysterious energy cloud which pulls them down to planet Gamma Canaris N. There they meet a castaway, a young man who purports to be Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the Warp Drive over 100 years ago. In history he had lived to be 80 years of age before disappearing somewhere in space. Apparently the same energy cloud which brought the shuttlecraft to the planet also found and rejuvenated Cochrane, making him effectively immortal. Unless Kirk can get themselves released soon, the ambassador, without vital medical treatment, will die.

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Plot Keywords:

year 2267 | 2260s | 23rd century | immortality | zefram cochrane character | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1967 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A drawback to the use of a wide angle lens is evident in the scene where Glenn Corbett first approaches the shuttlecraft. Accent lights on top of the set's background are clearly visible along the top of the "sky" as the camera pans to the right when following Corbett's path. At the end of the shot the black edge of the set is clearly visible behind the shuttlecraft.

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Goofs

Just after the first time that Kirk uses the universal translator to speak with The Companion, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy turn to walk into Cochrane's shelter, which they were standing less than 10 feet away from, while Cochrane is at least 50 yards away. When the shot switches to the interior, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are seen coming through the entry door, immediately followed by Cochrane, even though Cochrane would have been 30-45 seconds away at normal walking speed.

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Quotes

Captain James T. Kirk: You say you can communicate with it. Perhaps you can find out what we're doing here.
Zefram Cochrane: I already know.
Captain James T. Kirk: You wouldn't mind telling us?
Zefram Cochrane: You won't like it.
Captain James T. Kirk: I already don't like it.

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Alternate Versions

Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Far Beyond the Stars (1998)

User Reviews

Introducing Zephraim Cochrane - And the Franchise's Greatest Love Story

This canonical episode of the original series explores the universality (and non-universality) of love, and introduces the inventor of warp drive, Zephraim Cochrane. Although obsessive fans may find fault in some aspects of Cochrane's barely explored back-story, this is the episode that created Cochrane's legend and laid the groundwork for one of the franchise's best efforts - First Contact - among others.

Glen Corbett and Elinor Donahue are strong guest stars playing the bold personalities of, respectively, Cochrane and a terminally ill diplomat (Nancy Hedford) on a vital mission for the federation. En route, Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Hedford are essentially kidnapped by an energy being who they will come to know as The Companion. Once landed, they meet an impossibly young Zephraim Cochrane and hear the bizarre story of how he ended up about 200 years younger than he should be, alone with The Companion on a distant planet. Hedford will die if she doesn't get proper care very soon. Cochrane will die if he does not have some human companionship. The Companion may die without Cochrane. Our heroes are powerless to resolve these problems.

The episode is very story-driven and well written by the stalwart Star Trek legend Gene L Coon. It is probably Ralph Senensky's best directorial effort on behalf of TOS. Shatner, Corbett and Donahue all give nice performances, even if Cochrane and Hedford are not the most likable characters in the pantheon. The special effects for this episode are decidedly mediocre, but do not detract from the flow of story.

Recommended, even for non-fans.