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Spectre of the Gun by Sarah Jenkin |
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An episode of the original series of Star Trek bears a number of uncanny similarities to the village tale 'Living in harmony'. The series was produced at roughly the same time in the U.S. as 'The Prisoner' was being produced in the U.K. They are similar in the way the executive producer encouraged storywriters to convey an allegorical message throughout the episodes. The third season of Trek, produced from summer 1968 – January of 1969 encountered two major setbacks. The first was the severely slashed budget, which led to more 'creative' accounting, especially when it came to sets. Another concerned the story premise of one of the episodes. The programme manager Stan Robertson objected to it's inclusion in a science fiction series, since "It's just an excuse to do a western". He was sure that the episode, developed by Gene Coon before he left the production company in September 1967, and completed under the pseudonym 'Lee Cronin', would not be popular. In 'Spectre of the gun', Captain Kirk is ordered to contact the Melkotians, a xenphobic race of telepaths. As punishment for ignoring a buoy, members of the crew are transported to a re-creation of a shoot out at the Ok Corral. They are to play the parts of the losing side. . . The first similarity concerns the sets used by both episodes. The trek set, as the result of budget cutbacks, is a bare minimalist representation of the set of a western. The sky is red, and the shop fronts have no shops behind them. We have to wait until the end of 'Living in Harmony' to return to reality, but then again I am not saying these episodes are very similar to one another. The second similarity concerns the way the situations both sets of characters find themselves in; they are merely illusion, imposed onto the mind by the use of drugs and suggestion – whether through microphones, or direct telepathic contact (Where are you Alison?). The Enterprise crew are aware that this is a simulation, but as far as they are concerned the effects are just as deadly as real life, as are the emotions provoked by their situations. All of which are carefully observed by others. The third similarity concerns the characterisation. In both, the protagonists attempt a non-violent approach to their situation which, for one reason or another is not accepted. The law is useless. Characters are pushed until they are forced to react. Both episodes have a mysterious young woman, who is emotionally involved with the protagonists (No, not Kirk this time). In both cases this leads to jealousy, and an unsavoury dispute with harsh consequences for those involved. And both episodes have mind bending endings. The timing of both episodes is interesting. 'Spectre of the Gun' was written in 1968 and filmed the same month. NBC aired it 25th October 1968 (Ooh er, the episodes 'happened' 26th October. 1881 that is).* Even though the Prisoner screened in the UK October 1967, it did not reach the states until 1st June 1968. However, CBS omitted 'Living in Harmony' during the first screening. Perhaps the hero refusing a gun was too controversial for a country trying to draft for Vietnam. Unless the writers in the US had access to British TV, however, plagiarism seems unlikely. And I am unaware of any trips to Europe Trek producers/writers may have made. So, that just leaves two shows from very different series, produced at virtually the same time. And the eerie similarities that seems to grow with each new showing. . .
*(Editor writes…. According to the 30th anniversary releases of the original series, the episode first aired on 25th not 26th of October 1968.) Geoff Lake writes. Many thanks for the article Sarah. I decided to view Spectre of the Gun, to see if I could add anything to your comments. Unlike Harmony, the characters do not mind taking up guns as they are in fact acting out something that has already been written. The whole story revolves around The Gunfight at the OK Corral with Scotty as Billy Clantin, Kirk is Ike Clantin, Chekov as Billy Claybourne, Bones is Tom McClouree and finally Spock is Frank McClouree. Kirk works out early on in the episode that they will have to face the Earps in a shootout. According to the Tombstone Epitaph the date is October 26th 1881. Also early on in the episode Chekov is killed but as everything around them, is an illusion, and just like Number Six's character in Harmony, no one can actually die, however the difference is, Spock has to give the crew a mind meld in order that the crew believe they can't be killed. The episode is a bit Prisonerish but also reminds me of the Red Dwarf episode Gunmen of the Apocalypse, transmitted 1993 which won the best BBC sitcom comedy award and the International Emmy Award Winner 1994. This Red Dwarf story I have written about before, and tells the story of Kryten entering a computer game to try to clear up a virus, quickly he is followed by the rest of the crew. Like Spectre they know the western surroundings are not real but they can be hurt. At the time of my article I was trying to compare it with Living in Harmony but after re-viewing Spectre of the Gun, I think it is more likely that the Dwarf story pays homage to Star Trek. For readers who have not seen the Star Trek episode, Spectre of the Gun, it is well worth checking it out and does stand out from a very unstable cost cutting season. It is available with two other episodes, Elaan of Troyius and the superb The Paradise Syndrome. (Available on Paramount video cat No VHR 4320) and is good value for around £12.99, cheaper if you shop around, and has a running time of 144 Minutes). Also in case readers are interested, the Red Dwarf episode, Gunmen of the Apocalypse is also available on BBC video (cat no BBCV 5580) again with two other episodes, Psirens and Legion. And has a running time of 86 Minutes retailing for about £12.99. Thanks again to Sarah for the article and if any more readers have comparisons of The Prisoner, or other cult tv stories please write to us and we will check them out. |