Show Notes
Spectre of the Gun was the sixth episode of Star Trek's third season to air, with an alien race punishing the Enterprise's unwelcome visit with a theatrical form of execution. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the nature of reality.
On a mission to make contact with the reclusive Melkotian race, Kirk orders the Enterprise to ignore a warning buoy and approach the alien planet. On transporting to the surface he, Spock, McCoy, Chekov and Scotty are soon placed in a Wild West fantasy setting by an angry Melkotian (Abraham Sofaer).
Drawing on a remarkably niche level of historical knowledge, they place themselves at the OK Corral where they must face off against Wyatt (Ron Soble), Morgan (Rex Holman) and Virgil Earp (Charles Maxwell) along with Doc Holliday (Sam Gilman) to save the town and it's residents including the barman Ed (Charles Seel), Sheriff Behan (Bill Zuckert) and Chekov's sudden love interest Sylvia (Bonnie Beecher).
Spectre of the Gun was directed by Vincent McEveety, the last of his six episodes in the chair. The writer was Gene Coon under his Lee Cronin alias.
In this episode Gerry and Iain considered the legacy of Wyatt Earp.
The discussion continues in the comments below and please keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where we're @trekpodcast.
You can listen to the show here on the website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google or wherever you find your podcasts.
Spectre of the Gun was released in 1968. It is 50 minutes long and originally aired on the NBC network. It can be viewed on Paramount+ in the United states, Netflix in the UK and is available on DVD and Blu Ray in other countries, including a comprehensive remastered set of all three seasons released by Paramount Home Entertainment.
More from Fascinating? - A Star Trek Podcast
This special update episode marks ten years since we published Episode One of the Columbo Podcast – Murder by the Book. In this episode, Gerry and Iain look back on ten years of podcasting together and announce their plans for the Columbo Podcast in 2025.
This final wrap-up brings together our thoughts on the show and the movies. We look back on our high and low points and answer some last listener questions. In this episode Gerry and Iain firm up their plans for the future.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was the sixth and final big-screen adventure for the Star Trek crew, with peace talks between the Klingons and the Federation threatened by a high profile assassination. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss whether peace is possible without trust.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier was the fifth big-screen adventure for the Star Trek crew, with Spock’s secret half-brother leading his cultists on a mission to find God. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss the difference between the family you’re born with and the family you choose.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was the fourth big-screen adventure for the Star Trek crew, with the group forced to travel back in time to the 1980s to recover a pair of humpback whales. In this episode Gerry and Iain discuss defunct donut chains and timeless landmarks.