Star “tek Created by: FIRS? DRAFD GENE RODDENBERRY March 11, 1964 STAR TREK is... A one-hour dramatic television sertes, Action - Adventure = Selence Fiction. The firat such concept with strong central lead characters plus other continuing regulars. And while maintaining a femiller central location and regular east, explores an anthology-like range of exciting human experience. For example, as varied as ... THE NEXT CAGE, The desperation of our series lead, caged and on exhibition like an animal, then offered 4 mate. THE DAY GHARLIZ B¥GAK# GOD. The accidental ecourrence of infinite power to do all things, in the hands of a very finite man. PRESIDENT CAPONE. A parallel world, Chicago ten years after Al Capons won and imposed gangland statutes upon the nation. TO SKIN A TYRANNOSAURUS. A modern man reducad to a sling and a club in a world 1,000,000 B.C. ‘THE WOMEN. Duplicating a page fron the "Old West"; hanky-panky aboard with a cargo of Woren destined for a fareoff colony. THE COMING. Alien people in an alien aoclety, but something disturtingly feniliar about the quiet dignity of one who Is being condemned to erucifixton. {Sae later pages for more)STAR TREK offers an almost infinite number of exciting Solence Fiction stories, thoroughly practical for television, Howt Astronomers express it this way Fre (Mg) - clnil «xm ® L/S Or to put it in simpler terns, by multiplying the 400,000,000,000 gelaxtes (star clusters) in the heavens by an estimation of average stars per galaxy (7,700, 000, 000, 000, 200,000, 000,000,000,000,000), we have the approximte number of stars in the universe, a5 we understand it now, And so ... se. Af only ome in # billion of these stars is a “sun" with a planct ... ;--and only one in a Dillion of these is of earth size and composition ... there would still be something near 2,800, 000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000 worlds with a potential of oxygen-carton life .., se. on (by the most conservative estimates of chemical and organic probability), something like three million worlds with a chame of intelligent life and social evolution similer to our own.Or to put it in a languegs of television STAR TREK ia a “Wagon Train" concept -- bullt around characters who travel to worlds "similar" to our own, and meet the ection-adventure-drana which becomes our stories, Their transportation is the erulser "S.S. Yorktown", performing a well-defined and long-range Bxploration-Sctence- Security mission which helps create our format. ‘Tha time is "Somewhere in the future”, It could be 1995 or maybe even 2995. In other words, close enough to our own time for our continuing characters te be fully identifiable as people like us, but far enough into the future for gelaxy travel to be thoroughly established (happily elininsting the need to encumber our stories with tiresome scientific explanation),‘The "Parallel Worlds" concept 1s the key ... +e» to the STAR TREK format, It moans simply that our stories deal with plant and animal life, plus people, quite similar to that on earth, Social evolution Will also have interesting points of similarity with ours. There will be differences, of course, ranging from the subtle to the boldly dramatic, out of which cones much of our color and excitement. (And, of course, none of this prevents an occasional "far our" tale thrown in for surprise and change of pace.) The "Paraliel Worlds" concept makes production practical by permltting action-adventure science fiction at a practical budget figure via the use of available “sarth" casting, sets, locations, costuming, and so on. As tmportant (and perhaps even more so in many ways) the "Parallel Worlds" soncspt tends to keep even the most inaginative stories within the general audionce's frame ef rofercnee through such esognizable and identifiable casting, ssts and sostuming.PRINCIPAL CHARAGTER Robert KM. april -- The "skipper", about thirty-four, Academy graduate, rank of captain. Clearly the leading man and central charecter. ‘nis role 1s designated for an seter of top repute and ability. A shorthand sketch of Robert April might be "A space-age Captain Horation Horn lower", lean and capable both nontally and physically. Captain April will be the foous of many stories -- in Still others he may lead us into the introduction of the guest star around who thet story centers, A colorfully complex personality, ha 1s capable of action and decision which can verge on the heroic -- and at the same time lives 4 continual battle with self-doubt and the loneliness of command. AS With sim{lar men in the past (Drake, Cock, Bougaia- ville and Scott), his primary weakness is a predilection to action over administration, a temptation to take the greatest risks onto himself, But, unlike most early explorers, he has an almost compulsive compssion for the plight of others, alien as well as humn, mast continu- ally fight the temptation te risk many to save one.OTHER REGULAR CHARACTERS Tha Executive Officer -- Never referred to as anything but "Nuuber One", this officer is female. Almost mysteriously female, in fact -- slim and dark in Nile Valley way, age uncertain, one of these women who will always lock the same between years twenty to fifty. An extraordinarily efficdent officer, "Number One" enjoys playing it expressionless, cool ++ le probably Robert April's superior in detailed knowledge of the multiple equipment systems, departments and crew members aboard the vessel. When Captain April leaves the crert, "Number One" moves up to Acting Commandersjhe Navigator -- Jose Ortegas, born in South America, 1s tall, handsome, about twenty-five and brilliant, but still in process of maturing. He ia full of tvoth humor and Latin temperament. He fights a perpetual and highly-personal battle with his instruments and calculators, suspocting that space, and probably God too, aro ongaged in a giant conspiracy to make his professional and personal life as difficult and uncomfortable 80 possible, José is painfully eware of the historical repute of Latins aa lovers == and 1s in danger of failing this ambition on a coamie soale, Ship's Dostor -~ Phillip Boyce, an unlikely space traveler. At the age of fifty-one, he's worla.y, humorously cynical, makes it a potnt to thoroughly enjoy his own Weaknesses. Captain April's only real confidant, "Bones" Boyce considers himself the only realist aboard, measures each new landing in terms of relative annoyance, rather than exeltement.The captain's right-hand man, the workine Level somuander of all the ship's functions from manning the bridge to supervising the lowllest scrub detail, His namo 19 "Mr, Spock", and the first view of him ean be almost frightening -- a face su heavy-ildded and satanic you might almost expect hin to have a forked tell. Probably half Martian, he has a slightly reddish complezton and semi-pointed ears, But strangely -- Mr, Spock's quiet temperament is in aramatic contrast to his satanie look. of all the erew aboard, he is the nearest tc Captain April's equal, physically and emotionally, as & commander of men. His primary weakness is an almost cat-lika suriosity over anything the slightest "alien", The Captein's Yeoman == Except for problems in naval parlance, "Colt" would be called e yeowoman; blende and with a shape even 4 uniform could not hide, She serves as Robert April's secretary, reporter, bookkeeper, and undoubtedly wishes she could also serve him in more personal departments. She is not dumb; she is very female, disturbingly so.Excerpted from orders to Captain Robert 4. April: TIL. You are therefore posted, effective immediately, to command the following: The 5.5, Yorktown. Cruiser Class -~ Gross 190,000 tons Grew Gomplement -- 203 persons Drive == space-warp. (maximum velocity +73 of one light-year per hour) Hangs -- 18 yoars at galaxy patrol speeds Rogistry -- Earth, United Space Ship IV. ature and duration of command: Galaxy exploration ami Class investigation: 5 years V. You will patrol the ninth quadrant, beginning With Alpha Genturi and extending to the cuter Pinial Galaxy limit. VI. You will conduct this patrol to accomplish primarily: {a} Earth security, vis exploration of intelligence ahd social systems capable of 8 galexial threat, and (b} Sofentific Investigation to add te the earth's body of knowledge of life forms and social systems, and {e} Any required assistance to the several earth colonies tn this quadrant, and the enforcement of appropriate atatutes affecting such Federated commerse vessels and traders as you might contact in the course of your mission. VII. Consistent with the equipment and limitations of of your cruiser class veasel, you will confine your landings and contacts ta planets approximating oarth-Mars Conditions, life, and sociel orders.10 Sone format and budget considerations ... SETS. Our format is tailered to practical production and coat factors. Use of stage sets, backlot and other locations are ximpliried by Captuin April's “elass HN” orders, and our own "Parallel Worlds" concept. ‘The majority of story premises listed can be accomplished on such common studio backlot loceles and sets such es Barly 1900 Street, Oriental Village, Cai town, Forder Fort, Victorian Drawing Room, forest and Streamaide. STAGES. The remarkable story latitude inherent in the concept also serves practical considerations by permitting reasonably simple adaptation of stories to fit current studio construction. for example, interiors and exteriors temporarily avaliable after an "Egyptian" motion picture, 4 “horror” epic, or even an unusual telefilm, could be used to mest the needs of a number of 3 tory premises listed here. SET AMP LOCALE CARRY-OVER. Where particularly advantageous set or location conditions occur, or where a particulerly exciting "world" is created, STAR TREK may do three or four stories chars. THE CRUISER. The "S.S. Yorktown” is, of course, @ standing set to be amortized over the lire of tha series. For economy, the basic set fa designed so that ell cabina, wardrooms, and passages can be yedressad and doubled. LANDINGS. ‘The Cruiser will stay in space orbit, will yarely land on a planet. Landings ere meda via a small (and transportable) recon rocket vehicle. Generally, sudience view of siphtings and landings will be that of the control crew, 1.e., threugh instruments or on a “telescreen” (permitting uaa of selected atook film). Also for economy, ship miniaturization footege will be planned for maximum use, also awortized over the life of the series.n CASTING. Although it would be foolish to state we will never do a "monster" opisods, most casting will bo fairly routine. Where required, “alien” varlations will be obtained via padding, wigs, and simpler makeup devices, Eut again, our general format stays "Parallel Worlds" and (as alwaya in quality drama) the most unusual, exotle, and shockingly exciting differences always coma out of action and reaction. LANGUAGE, We establish a "telscommunioater™ device early in ths series, little more complicated than a small transistor radio carried in a pocket. 4 simple "two-way scrambler", it appears ta be con- verting all spoken language into English. WEAPONRY. Equally basic and simplified. The Gruiser is amed With Lasser Bouma for self-protection only, Crew sidearns are rifles and pistols with ao adjustment and will fire simple bullets, explosive projectiles, or hypodermic pellets which atun or tranquilizo. ilicn weaponry, because mineral, vegetation and gravity are similar to earth, will follow a general earth pattern. Ranges from spears, bows, swords and lances, to variations of firearms. Row and then, of course, we may sprine a surprise variation, such es a fairly advanced civilization which clings to feudal armor and swords as a way of life. COSTUME, Alicn garments are basically recognizable, i.@,, algo following the "Parallel Worlds" concept. Fastoral, indian or viking types of alien would generally clothe thetselves close to that worn at Similar periods In our own socialevolution. Crew uniforms are 'naval’ in general appearance, attractively simplified and utilitarian. Jgain, surprise variations are possible here too,12 Specifics on the SS Yorktown ... Ag with GUNSHOKE's Dodge City, KILDARE's Blair General Rospital, we may never get around to exploring every cabin, department and cranny of our cruiser. The point being -- it 1a 2 whole eonmunity in which We can anytime tals our camera down a passageway and find a guest star or secondary character (scientist, spectalist, ordinary airman, passenger or stowaway) who can propel us into a story. New and then a story will take place exclusively aboard the Yorktown, d.e., such as the tale ofa strange "intelligence" which has made its way aboard and is working to take over the minds of certain key crewmen, Or the transportation of a person or a material which poses a mounting Jeopardy to the ship and our characters. The interlor construction is utilitarian rather than exotic with a few approrpriats indications of advanced controls and instruments. ‘Thera are gelleya, reareation rooms, a library, a hospital unit, and seie tire laboratories, in addition to expected items such as the bridge, communication Poor and crew quarters always with a slight naval flavor,13 Other story springboards ... THE PERFECT WORLD. Landing on this particular planet, Captein april and the STAR TREK reconnaissance team find a civilization appmximating earth circa 1564. Eut with sone unusual exceptions -- seeming perfect order, no crime, no social problems, no hunger or disease, a place of charming and completely adjusted people. In fact, so pleasant and well ordered that something has to be wrong, Investigation in thia direction finds Rebert April seized and subjected to ineredible police barbarisn, even more shooting Dy its contrast. Only slowl; does 1t become apparent that our wanderers have stumbled upon an exanple similar te the novel, "1984", but with all the rough adges remeved, i.¢,, completely efficient, alao samplet-ly despotic communiem carried to its oxtrem. MR. SOCRATES. The most unusual world in the universe, a society secretly in a telepathic contact with the garth for centuries, selecting and duplicating in intelligent, lifelike form, the most unusual fatell:ots produced in mankind's history. Ona single streat one might meet such people as Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Florence Uightingele, Genghis Khan, Thomas Jefferson, Carry Nation and «dolf Hitler. ‘het at first seems like pure fantasy to the STAR TREK principals, suddenly becomes s very real and very deadly game ag they begin to realize this is a form of "Roman Colosseum", that the participants are all "Gladiators" the stakes are life and death, and the games are about to begin, THE STRANGER. After taking off froma planet, the 8.5. Yorktown proceeds toward anotner planet in the sate solar syatem. Not until then does it become apparent that an alien intelligaice has mada its way aboard with the aim of taking over the minds o. key erew members =~ purpose to uss our Cruiser to attack q rival civilization on the other planet. Actually a "horror" tale, we emphasize the subtleness of this attack on intelligence, reaching a point where mutual suspicion is endangering the entire ship.uy THE MAN TRAP. aA dosert trek story, taking mombors of our band from one point on a planet to another. But what appears to be » pleasent tobally earthlike and harmless world, rapidly develops into a hundred miles of fear and suspicions as Captain April and crew begin to encounter strange apparitions. Actually more than eppariticna, these are wich - fulfillment traps which become as real as flesh and bleed. Whatever a man wants most will appear before hin, i+6., water, food, a femala, a long-dead parent, gold, or even a way to power. The traps beeae ineraasingly subtle to the polnt where our crew nearly destroys itself out of a total inability to separate the reality they must have fron the apparitions Which will destroy then, CAMELOT REVISITED. A planet of Hermes IZ, an ineredible social order which is thoroughly modern in many respects but retuins the knighthood, armor and other trappings sinilar to our middle ages. A touch of "A Connecticut *ankse in Ring Arthur's Court", 8 our star wanderers atop briefly to investigate and then become increasingly embroiled Ina web of archaic secial practices, finally reaching the point where they too are engaged in lance and sword play te preserve thelr own akins. 1004.5, Or, "A Century After the Eomb" -- @ terrifying parallel as we examine what might be our own world a few decades after an atomic holocaust. KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY. An earth colony on 4 planst in the Sirius group is visited by the §.5. Yorktown fifty years after colonization. 4n attack by the viking-like savages has destroyed and scattered tha colonists, reducing them to a "frontier" log-fort life. Unwilling to risk the S.8. Yorktown, Captain Robert April attempts, with a smali band, to regroup and lead the colonists in defense. REASON. In the Isace IV group, a world where intelligent life has died, leaving a perfectly functioning robot society. Long speculative speculative problem on earth, this requires detailed investigation and analysis, even at the risk of the Cruiser's reconnaigance party pratending15 to be robots themselves. Can a robot be capable ef enotional feeling? San it be capable of reasoning in human termst What happens when an efficient robot sopiety discovers alien flesh and blood apies in its widat? REASON Il. An extension, possibly the second part of the previous tele, portraying the struggle of the last human survivers, aided by our Cruisor's reconnaissance party, outmatched and relatively defongeless as they attempt to reselze possession of thetr planet, Gan a tan, Tagged and miserable, etill be mastort A MATTER OF CHOICE, Another entrapnent story, 1.0, a planet in which the intelligent life has achisved no great material success but inatead, has lsarned the power to live and relive over and over again in different ways, any portion of their past life they choose. This is a starring vehicle for Captain Robert M. April ag he 1a presented with the chance to do those certain things all over again, THE PADIANT ONE. A love story, the passion of a arew member for an angelic fenale on a ‘Garden of Bden' planet -- the one hitch being her chemistry ineludes radium in lethal quantity. ‘The man who became her lover woulc live six weeks to six montha, no longer. THE TRADER. Satunii, a planet of inoredible oriental spasndor rereileasly ruled as emperor by a space trader turned renogade, Like a visit to the court of Ghengis Khan. A QUESTION OF GANNIBALISM. Visiting the earth eelory on Regulus, spril's sortie party besame aware the cow-like orentures raised on the renohes there are actually intelligent beings. Eut the colonists, whe have built thelr empire lergely on the supply and sale of this meat, rebel et the attempt te free their “cattle. THE MIRROR, Near collision with «nother Yorktown on an exact opposite course, Not only is it the seme cruiser, it is manned by exactly the same crew. Could you face yourself after discovering survivel depends upon killing yourself?Bry TOFX, The first major menace to Earth. 4n alien intelligence, claiming te be pure thought and no body, which “devours” intelligenes, Leaving behind a helpless idiot. Near starvation for eons, it has boon frantically seeking precisely the tyne of "food" the Earth could supply in quantity. THE PET SHOP. Exactly duplicating St. Louis, 1916, a city where women are so complately the masters that men have the status of pets. Somethins of a satire on "people and dogs", this stery showa men treated In that fashion, caged in kennels, others glothed and perfumed and treated as lspdogs, aa long as they continue to fawn, appreciate and selflessly love. KONGO. The "Ole Plantation Days" of the South, with the slight exception of 1b being white Savages who are snipped fn and auctioned at the Slave mart. Part of our crew is trapped, thought to be runaways, and sold as plantation and household hands. ‘THE VENUS PLANET. The social evolution process here centered on love -- and the very human male menbera of our erew find what seems the ultimate in aneroug wish-fulfillment in the perfectly developed arts of this place of ineredibly beautiful w men. Until they begin to wonder whet happened to all ths men there, IMPECTION, A fonale erew nember discovered to be pregnant, and the growing realization 1t could be the larvae of an alien, using har bedy like sone Ainsests plant their egea in other living insects.