The City On The Edge Of Forever (alt. version)

On This Day In History
1979: Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran

Quote Of The Day
"Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humour in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious. Islam does not allow swimming in the sea and is opposed to radio and television serials. Islam, however, allows marksmanship, horseback riding and competition."
(Ruhollah Khomeini)

In the original version of the classic, Hugo Award winning Star Trek episode, The City On The Edge Of Forever, Lt. Uhura was the main protaganist. Accidentally injected with a massive dose of cordrazine, Dr. McCoy leaps into The Guardian and is transported back to Iran in the 1970's. Believing Ayatollah Khomeini to be "a damn Vulcan in disguise," McCoy attempts to kill the Islamic leader before he can fulfill what he mistakenly believes to be a Vulcan takeover of the Earth. McCoy's botched assassination attempt has the opposite effect, however, initiating a global wave of sympathy for the Ayatollah and a global conversion to Islam. Once ensconced in his de facto position of World Leader, the Ayatollah bans all forms of art, theatre and music, even those which venerate Mohammed and Allah. As a result, the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew cease to exist.

When Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Lt. Uhura leap into The Guardian to try and repair the damage which Dr. McCoy caused, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock are transported to 1970's America and Lt. Uhura is transported to 1970's Iran. In Iran, she meets the Ayatollah who reminds her, in many ways, of her beloved Mr. Spock. Lt. Uhura and the Ayatollah fall in love and, as the religious leader's heart mellows, he begins to pull back on some of the stricter Islamic doctrines. He even becomes a fan of a popular T.V. show called Galaxy Quest which is gaining a small underground fan base in Iran. A few days later, Kirk, Spock and McCoy find Uhura and the Ayatollah gamboling merriliy in a rose garden and the male crew members whisk her back to a fully restored 22nd century.

Although this version of The City On The Edge Of Forever was never filmed, a musical interlude to be sung by Nichelle Nichols was written and later recorded by Pamela Stephenson for the satirical comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News.

The Ayatollah Song