British Universities Film & Video Council

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Conscience of the King, The

Synopsis
This episode of the original Star Trek series not only takes its title from Hamlet (II.ii.606) but also incorporates plot elements from Shakespeare’s play, or rather plays: an ‘old-fashioned’ performance of Macbeth by the Karidian company of players starts off this episode and immediately identifies its ‘villains’, lead actor Karidian, previously known, it turns out, as ‘Kodos the Executioner’, and his murderously protective daughter, Lenore. Captain Kirk ‘becomes’ Hamlet, seeking justice but uncertain how to execute it. Lenore, in the end a mad mixture of variety of Shakespearean heroines, quotes snatches from Julius Caesar, The Tempest, and Hamlet over the dead body of her father during the interrupted performance of Hamlet Act 1, Scene v.
Series
Star Trek
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Transmission details
8 Dec 1966 (Channel: NBC)
Duration
45 mins

Credits

Director
Gerd Oswald
Producer
Gene L. Coon; Gene Roddenberry
Writer
Barry Trivers
Cast
Marc AdamsHamlet (Hamlet)
Barbara AndersonLenore Karidian (Lady Macbeth)
Barbara AndersonLenore Karidian (Ophelia)
Arnold MossAnton Karidian (Ghost)
DeForest KelleyDr. Leonard H. McCoy
Karl BruckKing Duncan (King Duncan)
Leonard NimoyCaptain Spock
Nichelle NicholsCommander Uhura
William SargentDr. Thomas Leighton
William ShatnerCaptain James T. Kirk

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Historical period
Future
Plays
Hamlet; Macbeth
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Science fiction (television)

Notes

Notes
Available on DVD as part of the complete first season DVD set.
General
William Sargent, who plays Dr Thomas Leighton in this episode, was also the producer of Richard Burton’s 1964 Hamlet. Bruce Hyde, the Lieutenant who is poisoned, in real life eventually became the Head of Drama at a University in Minnesota.
History
Episode 13 of Season 1
Reviews
For more information on this episode and details of the Shakespeare-STAR TREK connection in general, see also this website:
http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Shakespeare_and_Star_Trek

Online Availability

Online URL
www.startrek.com

Production Company

Name

Desilu Productions

Archive

Name

Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division

Web
http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window
Phone
(20) 707-8572
Fax
(20) 707-237’1
Address
Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States

Distributor

Name

Paramount Pictures

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets

Online Retailer

Name

amazon.com

Web
http://www.amazon.com External site opens in new window

Record Stats

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