Star Trek: Elizabeth Dehner and Gary Mitchell, Explained

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Star Trek: Elizabeth Dehner and Gary Mitchell, Explained

Key Takeaways

  • NBC favored action over intellect in Star Trek, which prompted the creation of a second pilot.
  • “Where No Man Has Gone Before” featured characters with psychic conflicts and engaging storylines.
  • Mitchell and Dehner grew powerful after contact with the Galactic Barrier, leading to a tragic conclusion.

As a dedicated Star Trek enthusiast who has traversed the cosmos alongside Kirk and his crew for countless hours, I can confidently say that the tale of Gary Mitchell and Dr. Elizabeth Dehner is one of the most captivating and tragic stories ever woven within the expanses of the final frontier. Their brief yet poignant appearances in “Where No Man Has Gone Before” have left an indelible mark on my memory, a testament to the power of character development even when time is limited.

One fascinating bit of Star Trek lore (which longtime fans will know) is that The Original Series had two pilots. The first, called “The Cage,” featured Captain Pike and his crew encountering the Talosians, a powerful race of psychic aliens. Upon its completion, NBC felt that “The Cage” was too slow and too intellectual. However, instead of rejecting the show outright and despite the steep price tag, they commissioned an unprecedented second pilot. “The Cage” would go on to be incorporated into a two-part story in season 1, episodes 11-12 “The Menagerie.” “The Cage” was also later released on home video in 1986.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but reflect on the intriguing episode titled “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” This installment wasn’t just about psychic struggles, it was brimming with action too, making it a perfect fit for NBC. Interestingly, although this episode initially showcased psychic conflict, it was later decided to air it as the third episode due to some concerns that it might be too explanatory.

Before the Galactic Barrier

Star Trek: Elizabeth Dehner and Gary Mitchell, Explained

In his Starfleet Academy days, Lieutenant Gary Lockwood (Gary Mitchell) was a close friend of Kirk’s. Despite their friendship, Gary found Kirk’s studies demanding, so he orchestrated a plan to make things easier for Kirk – setting him up with a blonde lab technician as a distraction. This strategy proved effective, almost leading Kirk to marriage. Their bond was so strong that Gary once took a poison dart meant for Kirk during a mission, nearly costing his own life. Interestingly, Gary’s family had psychic abilities, and he himself could communicate telepathically with the Bandi.

Similar to Mitchell, Dr. Elizabeth Dehner (Sally Kellerman) possessed an innate talent for ESP, a gift that was evident even in her childhood when she used it to play guessing games. This ability played a role in her choice to become a psychiatrist. Dehner’s fascination with individuals who exhibited extrasensory abilities extended beyond curiosity; it was so profound that she wrote her college thesis on the subject. This research led to her assignment at Aldebaron Colony, home to residents who could manipulate psychic energy. Later, Dr. Dehner joined the crew of the Enterprise to study the psychological responses of the crew during emergency situations.

After the Galactic Barrier

Star Trek: Elizabeth Dehner and Gary Mitchell, Explained

As the Starship Enterprise crossed the Galactic Barrier in “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” Mitchell and Dehner were struck by an electric-like force. Initially, Dehner seemed unharmed, but Mitchell displayed changes almost instantaneously. His eyes glimmered with a peculiar silver light, and he suddenly had the ability to read more rapidly, detect people’s presence, and his intellectual capacity significantly increased.

In their professional arrangement, Kirk tasked Dehner with collaborating with Mitchell. Initially, their relationship was strained upon introduction – Mitchell attempted to flirt with Dehner, but she rebuffed him. Over time, they developed a bond as Mitchell shared his extraordinary skills with Dehner. He demonstrated this by altering his vital signs and even defying death temporarily. When Dehner assessed Mitchell’s recall of a deeply emotional poem, a romantic connection ignited between them.

Worry grew as Mitchell’s abilities seemed to grow stronger, yet his compassion towards others dwindled. When he picked up on Kirk and Spock’s disagreement about the possibility of having to eliminate him for the sake of the crew, he attempted to resist, but Dehner managed to restrain and sedate him. However, in time, he broke free together with Dehner, whose eyes had also turned silver like Mitchell’s.

On Delta Vega, Mitchell employed his abilities to cultivate trees and Kefarian apples, a delight of his, to enhance the surroundings. Dehner was taken aback, as her powers were also growing, though at a slower pace due to lower initial ESP capabilities compared to Mitchell. However, Mitchell started showing contempt for humanity and claiming divinity. Kirk attempted to reason with Dehner, who still retained some human qualities, questioning what she believed would be Mitchell’s actions if his abilities continued to escalate. In a dramatic turn of events, Mitchell compelled Kirk to kneel before him and pray as if he were a deity. Dehner retaliated with her powers, enabling Kirk to subdue Mitchell. Regrettably, Dehner too succumbed in the process. Ultimately, Kirk documented their demise as occurring during duty, thereby honoring them posthumously since they had not solicited the events that transpired.

Despite appearing together in just one Star Trek episode, Mitchell and Dehner left a lasting impact. You might recognize Mitchell from his brief appearance in an episode of Lower Decks. The three-part novel series My Brother’s Keeper delved into Kirk and Mitchell’s relationship before the events of “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” A photonovel called Strange New Worlds (unrelated to the series) depicted Gary’s resurrection, while in the IDW comics, both characters show up in the Kelvin timeline. In this alternate universe, Dehner decides not to join the Enterprise when she learns McCoy is on board due to their rocky past. Could we see these two characters again in Strange New Worlds? Only time will reveal the answer.

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2024-09-09 00:33