Star Trek

The Devil in the Dark

Season 1, Episode 25, Aired 3/9/67

Episode Summary

Kirk investigates a series of grisly murders on a mining planet that are the work of a seemingly hostile alien creature.

8.7

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Episode Clips

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Cast & Crew

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Leonard Nimoy

Mr. Spock
William Shatner

Captain James Tiberius Kirk
Janos Prohaska

The Horta (uncredited)

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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Kirk and Spock attempt to reason with a creature that has been killing people.

9.0

"Superb"

By Celedorian, Nov 20, 2010 Report Abuse

This is one of the episodes of Star Trek that made me a fan of the Original Series. It was written by Gene Coon, perhaps the best writer on the show; certainly second only to Gene Roddenberry when it came to developing Star Trek's stories the first two seasons. The episode begins as a horror episode, with a monster attacking people. But instead of leaving it at that, Star Trek takes the next step and asks, "Why is it attacking people?" In doing so, it throws it throws out some interesting science fiction ideas. The episode mostly centers around Kirk, Spock, Bones, engineer Vandenberg (played by guest star Ken Lynch) and, of course, the monster. Leonard Nimoy deserves special mention; as Spock (and the monster) he knocks it out of the park, giving another outstanding performance. All in all, a great episode.moreless

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Miners on Janus VI get scared by some guy crawling under a poorly constructed turtle costume

7.0

"Good"

By hrtonslv, Nov 20, 2010 Report Abuse

What a beautiful message, really. I love the occasional theme in Star Trek that peace and beauty among other things are not always easy to see by mere appearance. I read it was one of Shatner's favorites with the additional side item that he lost his father during the shooting of this episode and the crew was quite supportive to him. I have used the "Horta lesson" many times in my life on misjudgment of character and behavior of people and situations. The creepiness and terror of this episode is overcome by warmth. What a nice idea.moreless

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3 0
Kirk, Spock and McCoy investigate a series of incidents on a mining in which workers have been killed by a seemingly hostile subterranean creature. Although it looks somewhat cheap and dated in places, mostly a good episode...moreless

9.5

"Superb"

By Jay-Spacedust, Nov 09, 2008 Report Abuse

(Note that, as with all of my 'Star Trek' reviews, I am reviewing the original versions; I have not yet seen the remastered versions).

I have been watching 'Star Trek' since I was very young, thanks to my father who was a casual viewer. When I started to really get into it during my teens, this episode stuck in my mind as being one of my favourites for whatever reasons.

Something that works against this episode somewhat is its cheap and dated look. In most cases, I will defend original 'Trek' episodes, as I believe they mostly worked wonders considering the technical limitations of the time, not to mention the usually tight budget. But I have to admit, this one looks a bit ropey in places.

A key example of this is the backdrop to the mining colony; while elsewhere in the series we are treated to some stunning matte backdrops, this one sadly just looks like a cheap painting, and looks very unconvincing.

The caves too aren't the best (looking distinctly like paper mache in places), and the creature itself looks like something from a weaker moment of vintage-era 'Doctor Who'. Some episodes have dated better than others, and I have to say, time hasn't been very kind to this one.

But for all that, the episode is redeemed by being a really good story. Look past the dodgy effects and sets, and this is a great piece of 'Trek' writing and direction.

Unusual with this episode, is that it features extremely little of the Starship Enterprise. The entire teaser does not feature any crew members a rarity in itself and we only get a brief Enterprise scene at the start of the second act, and in the final, obligatory "all laugh at Spock" scene.

William Shatner has commented that this is his favourite 'Trek' episode, and in many respects I can see why. It is an interesting story, with an interesting twist in the tale, which makes you question just who the real villain of the piece is. Where other shows would dish up standard 'monster of the week' stories, 'Star Trek' would offer up more thoughtful yet none the less entertaining tales such as this.

Talking of Shatner, I did notice in a number of shots from behind that it was a double in his place. This would be explained by the fact that his father passed away during filming of this episode, so a double was used in rear shots to allow him some time away.

As I say, as a teen I really liked this story, and I still enjoy it. There are a couple of moments where things slow up a little (heck, that's the case in many episodes), but if you're prepared to forgive the dodgy effects and sets, this is a really good episode.moreless

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attack of the horta.

8.4

"Great"

By coolchris44, May 26, 2007 Report Abuse

a monster has killed 50 mean on palnet janus vi. so the leader calls to kirk to help them investigate and they discover the creature that is killing the men and kirk woounds it. the monster also destroyed the life support machine. kirk later finds the monster and has spock talk to it using the mind meld where they learn that they killed her babys so thats why see was attacknig so then the the convince the horta to help with the mining efforts since it was so good at tunneling and the people of janus vi discover more elements then they ever knew where there anf they will become rich. dr.mccoy healed the horta with concrete. a great episode.moreless

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The devil made me do It!

7.0

"Good"

By GeorgeJobson, Jan 04, 2007 Report Abuse

Kirk, Mr. Spoock and Dr. McCoy are on Janus VI to investigate a monster attacking workers. They don't know the cause, but spook knows why the monster's doing it by examing a series of egg like balls that the workers may have found. Kirk is battling the creature the wrong way. Mr. spook knows how to communicate with the creature is thje key for the reason why the creature was attacking the workers. it lies within the egg-like balls as the key. it's a rare that the crew will take on stuff like the creature, but this is a good epiosde, if not a great episode.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- For all their high-tech advances, McCoy uses a plastic yellow bucket to hold the thermo-concrete he uses on the Horta. Edit
- While Kirk is waiting for Spock to arrive, after his meeting the Horta and sitting down, we see him holding his phaser pointed at the ground, near his waist. We then cut to a wide shot when Spock comes in and we see Kirk holding his arm stretched out, only this time he is holding his communicator. Then we cut back to a close-up of Kirk and his arm's holding the phaser again, pointing down. Edit
- Several times in this episode, Kirk uses his communicator and it doesn't "chirp" when he opens it. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- Due to the support of the cast and crew during the death of his father (see below), William Shatner rates this as his favorite episode. Edit
- During the filming of this episode, William Shatner's father died, so for most of the shots where there isn't a frontal view of the captain, it is a double. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Kirk: Think she'll go for it? Spock: It seems logical, Captain. The Horta has a very logical mind. And after close association with humans, I find that curiously refreshing. Edit
- Spock: Curious. What Chief Vanderberg said about the Horta is exactly what the Mother Horta said to me. She found humanoid appearance revolting, but she thought she could get used to it. McCoy: Oh, she did, did she? Now tell me--did she happen to make any comment about those ears? Spock: Not specifically. But I did get the distinct impression she found them the most attractive human characteristic of all. I didn't have the heart to tell her that only I have... Kirk: She really liked those ears? Spock: Captain, the Horta is a remarkably intelligent and sensitive creature with impeccable taste. Kirk: Because she approved of you. Spock: Really, Captain, my modesty... Kirk: Does not bear close examination, Mr. Spock. I suspect you're becoming more and more human all the time. Spock: Captain, I see no reason to stand here and be insulted. Edit
- Spock: The odds against both of us being killed are 2,228.7 to 1. Kirk: 2,228.7 to 1? Those are pretty good odds, Mr. Spock. Spock: And they are of course accurate. Kirk: Of course. Well, I hate to use the word, but, logically with those kinds of odds you might as well stay. But please stay out of trouble, Mr. Spock. Spock: That is always my intention, Captain. Edit
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