I operated the B camera on this scene and helped light it. (Along with just about every scene in the show!) In fact that was the very first scene I worked on with Phase 2. (Or New Voyages as it was then called.)

One of the things David Gerrold did in directing this scene is to use both cameras on fairly wide coverage in master takes. (i.e. the whole scene played in every take.) The idea was to "force" the editors to keep the length of this scene, and to put the viewer right in the room with them. We (The DP and I) had to fight to get the tighter shots, but when Gerrold relented he asked for two's. (i.e. shots that have both actors in frame.)

Given the particular controversy around this scene it was a good way to go, but as a DP and editor I always want more coverage to help keep the edit flowing smoothly. It always helps to be able to cut to a reaction or CU and possibly save a good take with a minor flaw.

Gerrold wanted people to confront their feelings about these characters and their relationship. I have seen people with issues regarding homosexuality walk out of screenings of the episode.

The guest stars were Denise Crosby and Bill Blair, both of whom were a pleasure to work with.

To answer AmishJohn about the naming of Peter Kirk... this character was introduced in the original series episode "Operation Annihilate"

[en.wikipedia.org]

To address Jim Topoleski, the actor that portrayed him (Craig Hundley) was 12 at the time the episode aired. That would make our ensign Peter Kirk 15.

There is room to fudge the numbers a bit... Peter could have been older than the actor in the original episode (as posited by the novel Avenger), and more time could have passed than indicated. Can you tell that this continuity point came up during production?

His partner is Alex Freeman, a medical technician.

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- Kirk's easy rip shirts... gay

- Kirk's pre-oiled hairless chest... gay

- any time Uhura sang... SO gay

- Picard as Robin Hood... G-A-Y GAY

- Data can double as a flotation device in the event of an emergency... head- bashingly gay

- Star Trek: Voyager... super gay

- " I've got faaittthhh, of the heearrrttt."... the gayest

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Star Trek V: The Anal Frontier

Star Trek: Deep Space Drilling

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Neither of them is blue, purple, or green.

What is Star Trek romance if it isn't interspecies?

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