How do you make an enemy feel close when the actors never filmed their confrontation together? This behind-the-scenes exploration of Star Trek's The Balance of Terror follows the production choices that turned separated performances into one of television's most memorable command duels.
Discover how Paul Schneider drew on submarine warfare and Cold War deterrence; how Mark Leonard and William Shatner's separate performances were connected through writing, photography, music and editing; and how Romulan makeup, Wah Chang's Bird of Prey, miniature effects, Jerry Finnerman's lighting and Fred Steiner's score created the episode's tension. We also examine Roddenberry's handwritten script revision, Kirk's fear of making the wrong decision, and the episode's lasting influence on Star Trek, including Strange New Worlds.
The result is more than a battle between hidden ships. It is a study of command, prejudice, responsibility and the uneasy recognition between two opponents who never get to shake hands.
0:00 The Illusion of the Unforgettable Encounter
1:23 Submarine Warfare in Deep Space
2:23 The Language of Nuclear Deterrence
5:31 The Art of Alien Biology and Costume Design
10:46 Personalizing the Captain's Burden
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