The Starship Enterprise - everyone knows it. Affectionately referred to as the "classic series" these days, the old Star Trek series from 1966 is the cornerstone of something a lot of fans would call the greatest space saga ever, which would go on to be followed by several more TV series and feature films. This success could not have been imagined when the series was first broadcast. Produced under the tightest budgets and schedules, the ratings always left room for improvement. Only the massive commitment of the fan base, which was already loyal at the time, made it possible for the series to make it to 3 seasons. Then NBC pulled the plug and Star Trek seemed dead.

In the early 1970's, the series was sold to so-called "syndicated" stations, smaller, local stations that broadcast Star Trek on the best slots and sparked an enthusiasm for the series that would later lead to the production of the feature films. And yet another station bought into the series - ZDF. A bold move for a public broadcaster of the time, but not too bold either: German viewers got to see only 26 selected episodes, and in 1973 another 13 of the total 79 episodes. Unfortunately, ZDF did not acquire the original NBC versions, but the syndicated versions, in which numerous episodes had been cut in favor of commercial time. Therefore, we're discussing those in our archive.

"Where No Man Has Gone Before" was the second pilot produced before serialization. After "The Cage" exceeded any budget constraints in 1964, and was generally too highbrow for NBC, they nevertheless recognized the high quality of the production and commissioned Gene Roddenberry to make another pilot. This time, however, the result was to be more action-heavy, and the budget was cut in half to $300,000. This could be kept to by using the sets and trick shots from "The Cage". However, NBC did not air it as the first episode, but mixed it in unobtrusively into the first season. This was mainly due to the fact that the sets and costumes of this pilot still looked significantly different than in the regular series, in addition, three important crew members were missing here with Dr. McCoy, Uhura and Rand. So they wanted to avoid too much of a jump between the TV premiere and the next episode.

About 1 minute and 27 seconds are missing due to 4 cuts.

03:07
A shot of the Enterprise was cut along with the English title overlay.
7 sec

40:19
Kirk's conversation with Dr. Dehner has been significantly shortened. He tries to speak to her conscience, emphasizing her responsibility as a human being and a psychologist. Mitchell will have the usual human weaknesses even as a god.
Kirk: "Above all else, a god needs compassion! Mitchell!!! Listen..."
Dehner: "What do you know about gods?"
Kirk: "Then let's talk about humans. About our frailties. As powerful as he gets he'll still have all that inside of him."
Dehner: "Go back!"
Kirk: "You were a psychiatrist once. You know the ugly, savage things we all keep buried, that none of us dare expose. But he'll dare! Who's to stop him, he doesn't need to care! Be a psychiatrist for one minute longer. What do you see happening to him? What's your prognosis, Doctor!"
35 sec

42:42
In the German version, you can see Kirk being thrown to his knees by Mitchell's forces. Then the cut occurs: Mitchell forces Kirk to worship him like a god, but the latter continues to try to influence Dehner. The German version resumes when Kirk says in the off "Absolute power corrupting absolutely!".
Kirk: "There'll only be one a'you in the end."
Mitchell throws more telepathic punches at him.
Kirk: "One jealous god, if this makes a god! Or is it making him something else?"
Mitchell: "Your last chance, Kirk."
Kirk: "Do you like what you see?"
23 sec

47:09
After the little closing gag, shots of the screen and the Enterprise flying away are missing.
22 sec