Changes: The Lights of Zetar (episode)

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At planetoid Memory Alpha, an Enterprise crew member's body is taken over by mysterious energy lifeforms.

Summary

Teaser

Scott and Romaine

While the Enterprise ferries Lieutenant Mira Romaine to Memory Alpha, a planetoid that serves as the central library of the Federation, Scott and Romaine spend a good deal of time together and Scott seems to be falling in love with her.

Spock detects an apparent storm, approaching the ship at warp factor 2.6, and concludes that it cannot be a natural phenomenon. The storm bypasses the shields and penetrates the Enterprise. Romaine speaks gibberish and other bridge personnel report various paralysis effects. Captain Kirk characterizes the event as an "attack" and Spock agrees.

Act One

In sickbay, Romaine minimizes the event, but Doctor McCoy insists that Romaine was the most affected of the crew of 430 and he wants to know why. Scott coaxes Romaine to cooperate more fully but Romaine fears her assignment is at risk.

Lieutenant Sulu projects the storm's course as heading for Memory Alpha, which was built without defensive shields in view of its academic purpose. The Enterprise cannot contact Memory Alpha to warn it, nor reach Memory Alpha until the storm has come and gone.

Memory Alpha technician possessed — Zetarian victim

Kirk assembles a landing party, annoyed that Scott is dallying in sickbay to tend to Romaine. On Memory Alpha, all the staff is dead except for a female who is making the same garbled sounds Romaine made during the initial "attack" on the bridge.

Act Two

The female on Memory Alpha dies of "severe brain hemorrhaging due to distortion of all neural systems, dissolution of autonomic nervous system", according to McCoy. The other Memory Alpha personnel have each had a different brain center destroyed.

Kirk interrogates Romaine to try to find a link, but Romaine interrupts the dialogue to urge the crew back to the Enterprise, as she is sure the storm is returning. When Sulu reports the same thing, Kirk orders the landing party back to the ship. The transport of Romaine is interfered with but eventually completed.

Romaine tells Scott she saw the dead workers on Memory Alpha, "in their exact positions." Scott ascribes it simply to "space" and tells Romaine not to report it unless "you want to spend the rest of the trip in sickbay."

As the storm closes, Chekov cannot evade it. Spock reports ten distinct lifeforms in the cloud and doubts that the ship can adequately be shielded against it. The cloud approaches the ship.

Act Three

Kirk says that "perhaps it understands another kind of language." He orders red alert and for phasers to be fired, first a warning shot, then a shot directly into the cloud. As Sulu reports that the direct shot has slowed the cloud, Kirk orders phaser crews to fire again. But Scott reports by intercom that the damage to the cloud seems to be killing Romaine as well. Kirk orders key personnel to the briefing room.

There, Kirk searches for personal data on Romaine that might relate to the attacking cloud. McCoy reports that two hyperencephalograms show that Romaine's brain wave patterns have been altered since the encounter. Spock thinks McCoy has presented the wrong tape, but his concern shows that the hyperencephalogram now matches the ship's tracking of the cloud. Her mind is joining that of the attacker.

Scott now discloses that Romaine has been seeing future events. Kirk asks Romaine to describe each event. She describes the effects that have occurred, and one that has not occurred: Scott dying.

Kirk orders escape at warp factor 8, but it is useless. He also asks Romaine not to resist but to let the aliens operate through her, hoping to control that moment to save the ship. Finally, he orders the medical lab to prepare antigrav units.

Act Four

Mira Romaine in pressure chamber — Zetarians being exorcised from Romaine in the pressure chamber.

The lights swarm on Romaine and enter her body. Scott despairs that Romaine is lost, and McCoy believes there is no way to force the lights out without killing her. Romaine is determined to retain her identity, but begins speaking for the aliens, which Spock encourages.

The alien reports through Romaine that they are from Zetar, where all humanoid life was destroyed. They are the will of the last hundred from Zetar, who have searched for a millenium "for one through whom we can see and speak and hear and live out our lives."

Kirk insists that Romaine's body "has its own life to lead." The aliens say they regret the killing they have done, but intend to survive. Scott carries Romaine to the pressure chamber. The aliens attack Scott – as Romaine foresaw – but the attack is not fatal. Chamber pressure is increased, despite the risk of killing Romaine. The aliens are driven out of Romaine's body and are gone.

The Enterprise prepares to return to Memory Alpha to let Romaine begin her assignment. In sickbay, Kirk asks his aides for estimates on the incident's permanent impact on her. Spock thinks the episode should strengthen her. Kirk has trouble believing that the aides are, for once, in complete agreement.

Log Entries

Captain's log, stardate 5725.3. The Enterprise is en route to Memory Alpha. It is a planetoid set up by the Federation solely as a central library containing the total cultural history and scientific knowledge of all planetary Federation members. With us is specialist Lieutenant Mira Romaine. She is on board to supervise the transfer of newly designed equipment directly from the Enterprise to Memory Alpha ... When a man of Scotty's years falls in love, the loneliness of his life is suddenly revealed to him. His whole heart once throbbed only to the ship's engines. He could talk only to the ship. Now he can see nothing but the woman.

Captain's log, supplemental, stardate 5725.6. The storm has cleared Memory Alpha. It is heading away at incredible speed. We have been unable to make contact with the planetoid. Its silence is ominous. We are beaming down to investigate.

Memorable Quotes

"I didn't think Mister Scott would go for the brainy type."
"I don't think he's even noticed she has a brain."

- Chekov and Sulu, on Scott and Mira

"With a bedside manner like that, Scotty, you're in the wrong business."

- Chapel, before leaving him and Mira in sickbay

"Is the doctor there with you, or will I find him in engineering?"

- Kirk to Scott, on his dereliction of duty

"Doctor McCoy can no more cure it than he can a cold."

- Scott, convincing Mira not to report her visions

"I'd rather die than hurt you. I'd rather die!"

- Mira to Scott, on foretelling his death

"Somehow, I find transporting into the darkness unnerving."

- McCoy when the landing party beams down to a dark Memory Alpha

"Mira will not kill me."

- Scott, before placing her in the chamber

"Reduce the pressure very, very gradually, Spock."
"We may tax Mister Scott's patience, Doctor."

- McCoy and Spock, on ending Mira's treatment

"Now we have all the time in the world."

- Scott to Kirk, on Mira

"Humans do claim a great deal for that particular emotion."

- Spock to Kirk, on love as a factor in Mira's recovery

"Mister Scott, how's Lieutenant Romaine?"
"Beautiful, Captain."

- Kirk and Scott

"Well, this is an Enterprise first. Doctor McCoy, Mister Spock and Engineer Scott find themselves in complete agreement. Can I stand the strain?"

- Kirk

Background Information

Script and production

The co-writer of this episode was ventriloquist and puppeteer Shari Lewis of "Lamb Chop" fame. She was a huge fan of Star Trek and fulfilled a dream by co-writing this episode with her husband Jeremy Tarcher. She also wanted to play Mira Romaine, but was not cast. [1]
When Lewis originally pitched the idea to producer Fred Freiberger, he turned it down, saying that they were already working on a similar concept. When Lewis came back with another story idea, Freiberger told her that he'd buy the first one, because the other similar project had been scrapped.[2]
Lewis wrote the love affair of Scotty into the episode because she thought "Captain Kirk is the one who always gets the girl".[3]
In a story outline dated 12 September 1968, Mira was Scotty's new engineering assistant and shared his fascination for machinery. Final draft script 28 October 1968, filmed early November.
The overhead zoom shot of the bridge in the teaser was not shot for this episode. It apparently was filmed for (but not used in) "The Galileo Seven". Bill Blackburn, rather than Walter Koenig, is at the Navigator station in the shot. It is noticeable that he is wearing Lieutenant stripes in the shot. The crew is also noticeably wearing the velour uniforms seen in season 1 and 2, not the nylon variety that replaced them in season 3.
There is extensive use of Alexander Courage's music from "Where No Man Has Gone Before" in this episode. Most notable is the piece used for the approach of the Zetarians which was scored for the "Where No Man..." scene when the Enterprise encounters the galactic barrier.

Sets and props

This is the last time the emergency manual monitor and engineering sets will be used. Engineering is seen briefly in "The Savage Curtain", but as stock footage.
This is the only time more of Dr. McCoy's medical lab, including an antigrav tube, is seen.
The Memory Alpha monitor room was the reused control room set from "Whom Gods Destroy".
The glass-covered portal of the medical decompression chamber appears to be a door left over from a suspended-animation pod in "Space Seed".
During the tag in sickbay as Kirk, Spock and McCoy discuss Lt. Romaine, a discarded newspaper can be seen through the doorway to next room lying on the floor ( to the right of Nimoy's elbow ).

Continuity

This was John Winston's only appearance during Star Trek's final season. It is also the only episode in which he appears in addition to all eight regulars, including Christine Chapel.
Additionally, this is the final episode in which we will see a Tellarite and an Andorian in TOS.
The Human-looking female Memory Alpha technician was originally scripted as being a member of a species known as the "Reidonians". [4]
All the scenes of Mr. Scott while Lt. Romaine is being treated in the chamber in the medical lab show him with a Sciences style chest insignia (with a stylized "globe," as Spock and Dr. McCoy would wear) as opposed to the usual "spiral" on his red duty uniform.

Reception

Ronald D. Moore once cited this episode as his least favorite installment of the original Star Trek series, saying that it "doesn't even have the campy fun of 'Spock's Brain' to get you through it." (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1, p. 112)

Remastered information

File:MemoryAlphaLogo.png

Okuda's Memory Alpha emblem

"The Lights of Zetar" was the seventy-second episode of the remastered version of The Original Series to air. It premiered in syndication on the weekend of 7 June 2008 and aside from the standard CGI replacement footage of the Enterprise, this episode most notably featured new effects shots of the Zetarians and Memory Alpha, which included the appearance of the library complex, where none had appeared before.

According to Michael Okuda: "Based on the size and spacing of the windows, I'd estimate that each of the domes must be similar to the Superdome." Also, "if you look very closely at the far left dome, you might notice a small blue patch on the top of the dome. That's the Memory Alpha emblem." [5]

The next remastered episode to air was "The Way to Eden".

Apocrypha

The third book in Wallace Moore's "Balzan of the Cat People" pulp SF series, 1975's "The Lights of Zetar," was apparently an homage to this episode.
Star Trek Novel #42, Memory Prime by Gar and Judith Reeves-Stevens, continues the story of Mira on Memory Prime, the successor to Memory Alpha. Other than her romance with Scotty and a very brief mention of the Zetarians, no other story elements are carried over from the episode.
The short story "Ancient History" in the Strange New Worlds VI anthology portrayed Scotty and Captain Morgan Bateson, both catapulted into the future by their respective mishaps, meeting and hashing out, physically and verbally, old rivalries, one of which was based on the fact that Mira Romaine married Bateson after her relationship with Scotty had ended.

Production Timeline

Story outline by Shari Lewis and Jeremy Tarcher, 22 August 1968
Story outline, 6 September 1968
Story outline, 12 September 1968
Teleplay, 8 October 1968
Final draft script, 28 October 1968
Filmed, 5 November 1968 – 12 November 1968
Original airdate, 31 January 1969
Rerun airdate, 26 August 1969
First UK airdate 17 November 1971

Video and DVD releases

Original US Betamax release: 1988.
UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 38, catalogue number VHR 2434, 4 February 1991.
US VHS release: 15 April 1994.
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 3.6, 5 January 1998.
Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 37, 27 November 2001.
As part of the TOS Season 3 DVD collection.
As part of the TOS-R Season 3 DVD collection.

Links and References

Starring

William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

Also Starring

Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock

And:

DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy

Guest Stars

Uncredited Co-Stars

References

Andorian; anti-grav test unit; autonomic nervous system; atmosphere (unit); biography; "Bones"; brain; brain circuitry pattern (B.C.P.); brain hemorrhage; brain wave pattern; briefing room; central brain; common cold; condition yellow; deep space assignment; emergency manual monitor; empathy; Federation; fingerprint; general quarters;hyperencephalogram; intruder alert; library; logic; love; Martian Colony 3; medical lab; Memory Alpha; memory core; Milky Way Galaxy; neural system; pathology; phaser; phaser tracking controls; planetoid; power generator; precognition; pressure chamber; psychological profile; psychosomatic illness; red alert; researcher; Romaine, Jacques; Romaine, Lydia; scholar; scientist; security Condition Three; space sickness; specialist; speed of light; starbase; Starfleet preliminary examinations; Steinman analysis; telepathy; Tellarite; universal translator; voice analysis; Zetar; Zetarians

External links

"The Lights of Zetar"
Template:NCwiki
"The Lights of Zetar" at Wikipedia
""The Lights of Zetar"" at MissionLogPodcast.com, a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast

Previous episode produced: "The Mark of Gideon"	Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3	Next episode produced: "The Cloud Minders"
Previous episode aired: "That Which Survives"	Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3	Next episode aired: "Requiem for Methuselah"
Previous remastered episode aired: "The Mark of Gideon"	TOS Remastered	Next remastered episode aired: "The Way to Eden"

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 |        nSerialAirdate_Remastered = 20080607
 }}
-At planetoid Memory Alpha, an ''Enterprise'' crew member's body is taken over by mysterious energy life-forms.
+At planetoid Memory Alpha, an ''Enterprise'' crew member's body is taken over by mysterious energy lifeforms.
 ==Summary==
 ===Teaser===
 [[File:Mira Romaine and Scotty.jpg|thumb|Scott and Romaine]]
-The [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|''Enterprise'']] has been assigned to ferry [[Lieutenant]] [[Mira Romaine]] to [[Memory Alpha]], a planetoid that serves as central library of the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]]. Romaine's task is to transfer new equipment to the facility.  During the voyage, [[Montgomery Scott|Scotty]] and Mira spend a good deal of time together and become romantically involved.
+While the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|''Enterprise'']] ferries [[Lieutenant]] [[Mira Romaine]] to [[Memory Alpha]], a planetoid that serves as the central library of the [[Federation]], [[Montgomery Scott|Scott]] and Romaine spend a good deal of time together and Scott seems to be falling in love with her.
-During the journey, the ''Enterprise'' detects a strange energy storm on a course to the planetoid. [[Spock]] concludes that, given the storm's superluminal speed, it cannot be a natural phenomenon. The ''Enterprise'' intercepts the storm which bypasses the [[shields]] and through hull. Everyone on the ship experiences some form of an "attack". Lieutenant Romaine is the one affected the most by the experience.
+[[Spock]] detects an apparent storm, approaching the ship at [[warp factor]] 2.6, and concludes that it cannot be a natural phenomenon. The storm bypasses the shields and penetrates the ''Enterprise''.  Romaine speaks gibberish and other [[bridge]] personnel report various paralysis effects.  [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] characterizes the event as an "attack" and Spock agrees.
 ===Act One===
+In [[sickbay]], Romaine minimizes the event, but [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] insists that Romaine was the most affected of the crew of 430 and he wants to know why.  Scott coaxes Romaine to cooperate more fully but Romaine fears her assignment is at risk.
-The exposure to the storm affects the [[nervous system]]s of the crew, and Lieutenant Romaine faints from the effect.
+Lieutenant [[Hikaru Sulu|Sulu]] projects the storm's course as heading for Memory Alpha, which was built without defensive [[shield]]s in view of its academic purpose.  The ''Enterprise'' cannot contact Memory Alpha to warn it, nor reach Memory Alpha until the storm has come and gone.
 [[File:Memory Alpha technician possessed.jpg|thumb|left|Zetarian victim]]
+Kirk assembles a landing party, annoyed that Scott is dallying in sickbay to tend to Romaine.  On Memory Alpha, all the staff is dead except for a female who is making the same garbled sounds Romaine made during the initial "attack" on the bridge.
-The storm continues to head for Memory Alpha, and engulfs the planetoid. Beaming down to investigate the damage, the ''Enterprise'' crew discovers the Memory Alpha staff have been killed.
 ===Act Two===
+The female on Memory Alpha dies of "''severe brain hemorrhaging due to distortion of all neural systems, dissolution of autonomic nervous system''", according to McCoy.  The other Memory Alpha personnel have each had a different brain center destroyed.
-However, the crew find a woman barely alive lying on the floor unconscious, her skin is covered with a mysterious energy. She does not last long, suffering from a [[brain hemorrhage]] as the energy begins to drain from her.
+Kirk interrogates Romaine to try to find a link, but Romaine interrupts the dialogue to urge the crew back to the ''Enterprise'', as she is sure the storm is returning.  When Sulu reports the same thing, Kirk orders the landing party back to the ship.  The [[Transporter|transport]] of Romaine is interfered with but eventually completed.
-Returning to the ship, the Enterprise is pursued by the storm. After a while, the phenomenon situates itself directly in front of the Enterprise.
+Romaine tells Scott she saw the dead workers on Memory Alpha, "''in their exact positions''."  Scott ascribes it simply to "space" and tells Romaine not to report it unless "''you want to spend the rest of the trip in sickbay''."
+As the storm closes, [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] cannot evade it. Spock reports ten distinct lifeforms in the cloud and doubts that the ship can adequately be shielded against it.  The cloud approaches the ship.
 ===Act Three===
+Kirk says that "''perhaps it understands another kind of language''."  He orders [[red alert]] and for [[phaser]]s to be fired, first a warning shot, then a shot directly into the cloud.  As Sulu reports that the direct shot has slowed the cloud, Kirk orders phaser crews to fire again.  But Scott reports by [[intercom]] that the damage to the cloud seems to be killing Romaine as well.  Kirk orders key personnel to the [[briefing room]].
-After it ignores a warning shot, the Enterprise fires its phasers directly upon the phenomenon. However, Kirk stops the attack once he finds out that Romaine is affected by the phaser attacks. The crew then discover that as a result of the storm, Romaine has been transformed.  She now has a bizarre connection to the storm's energy, and is able to predict where it will strike next.  She senses the ''Enterprise'' will next feel the storm's effects. Despite evasive maneuvers by the ''Enterprise'', the storm enters the vessel. Once inside, the storm appears to the crew as a group of bright flashing multi-colored lights.
+There, Kirk searches for personal data on Romaine that might relate to the attacking cloud.  McCoy reports that two [[hyperencephalogram]]s show that Romaine's brain wave patterns have been altered since the encounter.  Spock thinks McCoy has presented the wrong [[tape]], but his concern shows that the hyperencephalogram now matches the ship's tracking of the cloud.  Her mind is joining that of the attacker.
+Scott now discloses that Romaine has been seeing future events.  Kirk asks Romaine to describe each event.  She describes the effects that have occurred, and one that has not occurred: Scott dying.
+Kirk orders escape at warp factor 8, but it is useless.  He also asks Romaine not to resist but to let the aliens operate through her, hoping to control that moment to save the ship.  Finally, he orders the [[medical lab]] to prepare antigrav units.
 ===Act Four===
 [[File:Mira Romaine in pressure chamber.jpg|thumb|Zetarians being exorcised from Romaine in the pressure chamber.]]
+The lights swarm on Romaine and enter her body.  Scott despairs that Romaine is lost, and McCoy believes there is no way to force the lights out without killing her.  Romaine is determined to retain her identity, but begins speaking for the aliens, which Spock encourages.
-The lights swarm on Mira and enter her body, and [[Doctor]] [[Leonard McCoy]] determines that there is no way to force the lights out without killing her.  Checking through Romaine's personnel file, Spock discovers the Lieutenant has a high susceptibility to empathic transmissions, which makes her an ideal home for the lights. The lights reveal, speaking through Mira, that they are in fact non-corporeal energy beings from the dead planet, [[Zetar]]. They insist that they have the right to inhabit Romaine's body, but [[Montgomery Scott]] refuses.  He places Mira in the ship's pressurization chamber and activates it.  Once the Zetar are exposed to several [[Atmosphere (unit)|atmospheres]] of [[pressure]] they expire, having become accustomed to the vacuum of space.
+The alien reports through Romaine that they are from [[Zetar]], where all humanoid life was destroyed.  They are the will of the last hundred from Zetar, who have searched for a millenium "''for one through whom we can see and speak and hear and live out our lives''."
-Lieutenant Romaine is now free from the alien influence and can return to Memory Alpha to help restore the library.
+Kirk insists that Romaine's body "''has its own life to lead''."  The aliens say they regret the killing they have done, but intend to survive.  Scott carries Romaine to the pressure chamber.  The aliens attack Scott &ndash; as Romaine foresaw &ndash; but the attack is not fatal.  Chamber pressure is increased, despite the risk of killing Romaine.  The aliens are driven out of Romaine's body and are gone.
-==Log Entries==
-* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2269]]
+The ''Enterprise'' prepares to return to Memory Alpha to let Romaine begin her assignment.  In sickbay, Kirk asks his aides for estimates on the incident's permanent impact on her.  Spock thinks the episode should strengthen her.  Kirk has trouble believing that the aides are, for once, in complete agreement.
-==Memorable Quotes==
-"''When a man of Scotty's years falls in love, the loneliness of his life is suddenly revealed to him. His whole heart once throbbed only to the ship's engines. He could talk only to the ship. Now he can see nothing but the woman.''"
-: - '''Kirk'''{{'}}s log, on Scott and Mira
+==Log Entries==
+* ''[[Captain]]'s log, [[stardate]] 5725.3. The Enterprise is en route to Memory Alpha. It is a planetoid set up by the Federation solely as a central library containing the total cultural history and scientific knowledge of all planetary Federation members. With us is specialist Lieutenant Mira Romaine. She is on board to supervise the transfer of newly designed equipment directly from the Enterprise to Memory Alpha ... When a man of Scotty's years falls in love, the loneliness of his life is suddenly revealed to him. His whole heart once throbbed only to the ship's engines. He could talk only to the ship. Now he can see nothing but the woman.''
+* ''Captain's log, supplemental, stardate 5725.6. The storm has cleared Memory Alpha. It is heading away at incredible speed. We have been unable to make contact with the planetoid. Its silence is ominous. We are beaming down to investigate.''
-"''I didn't think Mister Scott would go for the brainy type.''"<br>
+==Memorable Quotes==
+"''I didn't think Mister Scott would go for the brainy type.''"<br />
 "''I don't think he's even noticed she has a brain.''"
 : - '''Chekov''' and '''Sulu''', on Scott and Mira
@@ Line 84: / Line 98: @@
+"''Is the doctor there with you, or will I find him in engineering?''"
-"''I was just checking on the lass. She's going to be fine now. There's nothing wrong with her.''"<br>
+: - '''Kirk''' to Scott, on his dereliction of duty
-"''Well, I'm relieved to hear your prognosis, Mister Scott. Is the doctor there with you, or will I find him in engineering?''"
-: - '''Scott''' and '''Kirk''', on Scott's dereliction of duty
-"''I'd rather die than hurt you! I'd rather die!''"<br />
+"''Doctor McCoy can no more cure it than he can a cold.''"
+: - '''Scott''', convincing Mira not to report her visions
-"''All right, now. What's all this talk of dying? They've called the turn on us three out of four times. Now, that's a better average than anybody deserves. It's our turn now. We'll fight them. So let's not hear anything more about dying.''"
-: - '''Mira''' and '''Scott''', on her premonitions
+"''I'd rather die than hurt you. I'd rather die!''"
+: - '''Mira''' to Scott, on foretelling his death
+"''Somehow, I find transporting into the darkness unnerving.''"
+: - '''McCoy''' when the landing party beams down to a dark Memory Alpha
+"''Mira will not kill me.''"
+: - '''Scott''', before placing her in the chamber
 "''Reduce the pressure very, very gradually, Spock.''"<br />
 "''We may tax Mister Scott's patience, Doctor.''"
-: - '''McCoy''' and '''Spock''', on Mira's treatment
+: - '''McCoy''' and '''Spock''', on ending Mira's treatment
@@ Line 103: / Line 127: @@
+"''Humans do claim a great deal for that particular emotion.''"
-"''Would either of you credit Scotty's steadfast belief in her as a factor?''"<br />
+: - '''Spock''' to Kirk, on love as a factor in Mira's recovery
-"''You mean, love as motivation? Humans do claim a great deal for that particular emotion. I suppose it is possible.''"
-: -  '''Kirk''' and '''Spock''', on Mira's recovery
 "''Mister Scott, how's Lieutenant Romaine?''"<br />
 "''Beautiful, Captain.''"
 : - '''Kirk''' and '''Scott'''
 "''Well, this is an ''Enterprise'' first. Doctor McCoy, Mister Spock and Engineer Scott find themselves in complete agreement. Can I stand the strain?''"
 : - '''Kirk'''
 ==Background Information==
 ===Script and production===
-* The co-writer of this episode was the [[Shari Lewis]] of "Lambchop" fame. She was a huge fan of ''Star Trek'' and fulfilled a dream by co-writing this episode with her husband. She also wanted to play Mira Romaine, but was not cast. [http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=2827]
+* The co-writer of this episode was ventriloquist and puppeteer [[Shari Lewis]] of "Lamb Chop" fame. She was a huge fan of ''Star Trek'' and fulfilled a dream by co-writing this episode with her husband Jeremy Tarcher. She also wanted to play Mira Romaine, but was not cast. [http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=2827]
-* When Lewis originally pitched the idea to producer [[Fred Freiberger]], he turned it down, saying they're already working on a similar concept. When Lewis came back with another story idea, Freiberger told her that he buys the first one, because the other similar project was scratched.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1pTcU4l8Ak&p=B2246EE90736AB16&playnext=1&index=14]
+* When Lewis originally pitched the idea to producer [[Fred Freiberger]], he turned it down, saying that they were already working on a similar concept. When Lewis came back with another story idea, Freiberger told her that he'd buy the first one, because the other similar project had been scrapped.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1pTcU4l8Ak&p=B2246EE90736AB16&playnext=1&index=14]
-* Lewis wrote the love affair of Scotty into the episode, because she thought "Captain Kirk is the one who always gets the girl".[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1pTcU4l8Ak&p=B2246EE90736AB16&playnext=1&index=14]
+* Lewis wrote the love affair of Scotty into the episode because she thought "Captain Kirk is the one who always gets the girl".[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1pTcU4l8Ak&p=B2246EE90736AB16&playnext=1&index=14]
 * In a story outline dated {{d|12|September|1968}}, Mira was Scotty's new engineering assistant and shared his fascination for machinery. Final draft script {{d|28|October|1968}}, filmed early [[November 1968|November]].
-* The overhead zoom shot of the bridge in the teaser was not shot for this episode. It apparently was filmed for (but not used in) {{e|The Galileo Seven}}. [[Bill Blackburn]], rather than [[Walter Koenig]], is at the Navigator station in the shot. It is noticable that he is wearing [[Lieutenant]] stripes in the shot. The crew is also noticably wearing the satin velour uniforms seen in season 1 and 2, not the nylon variety that replaced them in season 3.
+* The overhead zoom shot of the bridge in the teaser was not shot for this episode. It apparently was filmed for (but not used in) {{e|The Galileo Seven}}. [[Bill Blackburn]], rather than [[Walter Koenig]], is at the Navigator station in the shot. It is noticeable that he is wearing [[Lieutenant]] stripes in the shot. The crew is also noticeably wearing the velour uniforms seen in season 1 and 2, not the nylon variety that replaced them in season 3.
 * There is extensive use of Alexander Courage's music from {{e|Where No Man Has Gone Before}} in this episode.  Most notable is the piece used for the approach of the Zetarians which was scored for the "Where No Man..." scene when the Enterprise encounters the galactic barrier.
 ===Sets and props===
-* This is the last time the [[emergency manual monitor]] and [[engineering]] sets will be used. Engineering will be seen briefly in {{e|The Savage Curtain}}, but this will be stock footage.
+* This is the last time the [[emergency manual monitor]] and [[engineering]] sets will be used. Engineering is seen briefly in {{e|The Savage Curtain}}, but as stock footage.
 * This is the only time more of Dr. McCoy's [[medical lab]], including an antigrav tube, is seen.
 * The [[Memory Alpha]] monitor room was the reused [[control room]] set from {{e|Whom Gods Destroy}}.
+* The glass-covered portal of the medical decompression chamber appears to be a door left over from a suspended-animation pod in {{e|Space Seed}}.
+* During the tag in sickbay as Kirk, Spock and McCoy discuss Lt. Romaine, a discarded newspaper can be seen through the doorway to next room lying on the floor ( to the right of Nimoy's elbow ).
 ===Continuity===
-* This was [[John Winston]]'s only appearance during Star Trek's final season.
+* This was [[John Winston]]'s only appearance during Star Trek's final season. It is also the only episode in which he appears in addition to all eight regulars, including [[Christine Chapel]].
 * Additionally, this is the final episode in which we will see a Tellarite and an Andorian in TOS.
 * The Human-looking female Memory Alpha technician was originally scripted as being a member of a species known as the "Reidonians". [http://www.fastcopyinc.com/orionpress/articles/lights_of_zetar.htm]
+* All the scenes of Mr. Scott while Lt. Romaine is being treated in the chamber in the medical lab show him with a Sciences style chest insignia (with a stylized "globe," as Spock and Dr. McCoy would wear) as opposed to the usual "spiral" on his red duty uniform.
+===Reception===
+* [[Ronald D. Moore]] once cited this episode as his least favorite installment of the original ''Star Trek'' series, saying that it "''doesn't even have the campy fun of '[[Spock's Brain (episode)|Spock's Brain]]' to get you through it.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1]]'', p. 112)
 ===Remastered information===
@@ Line 165: / Line 193: @@
 * Teleplay, {{d|8|October|1968}}
 * Final draft script, {{d|28|October|1968}}
-* Filmed in early {{m|November|1968}}
+* Filmed, {{d|5|November|1968}} &ndash; {{d|12|November|1968}}
+* Original airdate, {{d|31|January|1969}}
+* Rerun airdate, {{d|26|August|1969}}
+* First UK airdate {{d|17|November|1971}}
 ===Video and DVD releases===
@@ Line 174: / Line 205: @@
 * Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 37, {{d|27|November|2001}}.
 * As part of the [[TOS Season 3 DVD]] collection.
+* As part of the [[TOS-R Season 3 DVD]] collection.
 ==Links and References==
@@ Line 207: / Line 239: @@
 ===References===
-[[Andorian]]; [[anti-grav test unit]]; [[autonomic nervous system]]; [[atmosphere (unit)]]; [[biography]]; [[brain]]; [[brain circuitry pattern]] (B.C.P.); [[brain hemorrhage]]; [[brain wave pattern]]; [[briefing room]]; [[central brain]]; [[common cold]]; [[condition yellow]]; [[emergency manual monitor]]; [[empathy]]; [[Federation]]; [[fingerprint]]; [[general quarters]]; [[generator]]; [[hyperencephalogram]]; [[intruder alert]]; [[library]]; [[love]]; [[Martian Colony 3]]; [[medical lab]]; [[Memory Alpha]]; [[memory core]]; [[neural system]]; [[pathology]]; [[phaser]]; [[phaser tracking control]]s; [[planetoid]]; [[precognition]]; [[pressure chamber]]; [[psychological profile]]; [[psychosomatic illness]]; [[researcher]]; [[Jacques Romaine|Romaine, Jacques]]; [[Lydia Romaine|Romaine, Lydia]]; [[scholar]]; [[scientist]]; [[security condition three]]; [[space sickness]]; [[specialist]]; [[speed of light]]; [[starbase]]; [[Starfleet preliminary examination]]s; [[Steinman analysis]]; [[telepathy]]; [[Tellarite]]; [[universal translator]]; [[voice analysis]]; [[Zetar]]; [[Zetarian]]s
+[[Andorian]]; [[anti-grav test unit]]; [[autonomic nervous system]]; [[atmosphere (unit)]]; [[biography]]; "[[Bones]]"; [[brain]]; [[brain circuitry pattern]] (B.C.P.); [[brain hemorrhage]]; [[brain wave pattern]]; [[briefing room]]; [[central brain]]; [[common cold]]; [[condition yellow]]; [[deep space assignment]]; [[emergency manual monitor]]; [[empathy]]; [[Federation]]; [[fingerprint]]; [[general quarters]];[[hyperencephalogram]]; [[intruder alert]]; [[library]]; [[logic]]; [[love]]; [[Martian Colony 3]]; [[medical lab]]; [[Memory Alpha]]; [[memory core]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[neural system]]; [[pathology]]; [[phaser]]; [[phaser tracking control]]s; [[planetoid]];  [[power generator]]; [[precognition]]; [[pressure chamber]]; [[psychological profile]]; [[psychosomatic illness]]; [[red alert]]; [[researcher]]; [[Jacques Romaine|Romaine, Jacques]]; [[Lydia Romaine|Romaine, Lydia]]; [[scholar]]; [[scientist]]; [[security Condition Three]]; [[space sickness]]; [[specialist]]; [[speed of light]]; [[starbase]]; [[Starfleet preliminary examination]]s; [[Steinman analysis]]; [[telepathy]]; [[Tellarite]]; [[universal translator]]; [[voice analysis]]; [[Zetar]]; [[Zetarian]]s
-===External link===
+=== External links ===
-* {{NCwiki|The Lights of Zetar|The Lights of Zetar}}
+* {{Startrek.com|lights-of-zetar-the|"The Lights of Zetar"}}
+* {{NCwiki|The Lights of Zetar|"The Lights of Zetar"}}
+* {{wikipedia-quote|The Lights of Zetar}}
+* {{ml|the-lights-of-zetar|"The Lights of Zetar"|external}}
 {{TOS nav|season=3|last={{e|The Mark of Gideon}}|next={{e|The Cloud Minders}}|lastair={{e|That Which Survives}}|nextair={{e|Requiem for Methuselah}}|lastair_remastered={{e|The Mark of Gideon}}|nextair_remastered={{e|The Way to Eden}}}}
+[[Category:TOS episodes|Lights of Zetar, The]]
 [[de:Strahlen greifen an]]
 [[es:The Lights of Zetar]]
-[[fr:The Lights of Zetar]]
+[[fr:The Lights of Zetar (épisode)]]
 [[it:Le speranze di Zetar (episodio)]]
-[[ja:TOS:消滅惑星ゼータの攻撃]]
+[[ja:消滅惑星ゼータの攻撃（エピソード）]]
 [[nl:The Lights of Zetar]]
 [[pl:The Lights of Zetar]]
-[[Category:TOS episodes|Lights of Zetar, The]]