Physical Address

304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Star Trek The Original Series Return To Tomorrow

“Return to Tomorrow,” the twenty-first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series season two, stands as one of the show’s most memorable explorations of morality and identity. First aired in 1968, this episode features a memorable cast led by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and guest star Diana Muldaur. The storyline revolves around the Enterprise crew encountering ancient disembodied minds, with Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. Ann Mulhall lending their bodies for an extraordinary experiment. Highlighting thought-provoking themes and striking performances, “Return to Tomorrow” remains a significant chapter in the Star Trek universe, influencing later scripts, adaptations, and related works.

Star Trek The Original Series Return To Tomorrow

“Return to Tomorrow” is a memorable episode from the second season of Star Trek: The Original Series that explores themes of identity and trust. The Enterprise crew answers a distress call from a seemingly lifeless planet, where they encounter three alien minds—Sargon, Thalassa, and Henoch—preserved in glowing spheres. These beings ask to temporarily inhabit the bodies of Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Mulhall to build android hosts for themselves. The episode takes an intriguing turn when Henoch, who occupies Spock’s body, reveals his sinister plan to betray the others and keep the body for himself.

This episode stands out for its philosophical exploration of consciousness and the risks of sharing one’s body and mind. It also offers a rare glimpse of Spock acting with a darker edge, which adds tension and drama. Nurse Chapel plays a key role, especially when Henoch manipulates her to poison Sargon. Despite some critiques of its execution, “Return to Tomorrow” is appreciated for its ambitious ideas and its reflection on the nature of existence and cooperation across species.

Elegant starship bridge with crew members in action

Star Trek Season 2 Episode 21

Star Trek Season 2, Episode 21, titled “Patterns of Force,” is a memorable and thought-provoking installment from the original series. In this episode, Captain Kirk and his crew visit a planet where a Nazi-like regime has been established by one of Kirk’s old professors, John Gill, who tried to impose Earth’s history onto an alien culture. The episode explores the dangers of blindly copying historical systems without understanding their consequences. It has a unique mix of adventure and serious themes, as Kirk goes undercover in Nazi uniform to uncover the truth and stop the escalating conflict between two planets. The story raises questions about power, ideology, and the impact of history on societies, making it one of the more intellectually engaging episodes of the series. While it attempts a swashbuckling Indiana Jones vibe, it also touches on the darker realities of authoritarianism and the risks of cultural interference. Overall, “Patterns of Force” stands out for its bold narrative and remains a classic example of Star Trek’s willingness to tackle complex social issues through sci-fi storytelling.

Kirk faces a moral dilemma in a mysterious galaxy

Star Trek The Original Series Return To Tomorrow Cast

The cast of Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Return to Tomorrow” features the classic core crew along with a notable guest star. William Shatner leads as Captain James T. Kirk, who temporarily hosts the consciousness of Sargon, one of the ancient beings central to the story. Leonard Nimoy plays Spock, who also becomes a host for another entity named Henoch. DeForest Kelley appears as Dr. Leonard McCoy, and Diana Muldaur guest stars as Lt. Cmdr. Ann Mulhall, an important character who also hosts Thalassa, another survivor of the ancient race. James Doohan contributes as Chief Engineer Scott and provides the voice for Sargon.

The rest of the Enterprise crew includes Nichelle Nichols as Uhura, George Takei as Sulu, Cindy Lou as a nurse, and Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel. Several other actors appear in smaller, often uncredited roles, such as Bill Blackburn as Lieutenant Hadley/Android and Frank da Vinci as Lt. Brent. This mix of main and guest cast brings to life a compelling story about ancient minds seeking new bodies, blending familiar faces with intriguing new characters in a memorable episode from 1968.

Classic Star Trek cast in iconic science fiction episode

Star Trek Sargon Episode Cast

The Star Trek episode “Return to Tomorrow” features a memorable cast that brings this intriguing story to life. William Shatner stars as Captain James T. Kirk, Leonard Nimoy plays Mr. Spock, and DeForest Kelley appears as Dr. Leonard McCoy. Diana Muldaur guest stars as Lt. Cmdr. Ann Mulhall, a key character who beams down with Kirk and Spock to the mysterious planet. James Doohan, known for playing Scotty, provides the voice of Sargon, the telepathic being who inhabits Kirk’s body during the episode.

The episode’s cast also includes Nichelle Nichols as Uhura, George Takei as Hikaru Sulu, and Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel, rounding out the familiar Enterprise crew. Eddie Paskey appears as a guard, and several other supporting actors fill out the roles of Starfleet officers and alien beings. The dynamic between the main cast and guest stars adds depth to the story, especially with the mind-transference plot involving Sargon and his companions.

Overall, the cast blends the classic Star Trek crew with compelling guest performances, making “Return to Tomorrow” a standout episode for fans of the original series.

Star Trek cast members from the episode “Sargon” together

Star Trek The Original Series Return To Tomorrow Episodes

“Return to Tomorrow” is a memorable episode from the second season of Star Trek: The Original Series that explores some classic sci-fi themes like consciousness and identity. The story begins when the Enterprise answers a distress call from a seemingly lifeless planet, Arret. There, Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, and Lt. Cmdr. Ann Mulhall meet Sargon, a telepathic being whose consciousness, along with two others—his wife Thalassa and former enemy Henoch—has been preserved in glowing spheres for centuries after their civilization’s destruction.

The trio requests to temporarily inhabit human bodies to build android hosts for themselves. Kirk, Spock, and Mulhall become their vessels, but things take a dark turn when Henoch reveals his plan to betray the others and keep Spock’s body permanently. The episode mixes suspense with philosophical questions about the nature of life and the risks of sharing bodies. It also features some rare moments of Spock acting villainous, which adds an intriguing twist.

While some critics find the pacing uneven and the plot familiar, “Return to Tomorrow” remains a thoughtful exploration of trust, power, and what it means to be human, wrapped in the adventurous spirit of Star Trek.

Crew encounters advanced beings with a mysterious agenda

Diana Muldaur

Diana Muldaur is an accomplished American actress known for her memorable roles on television, especially as Rosalind Shays on L.A. Law and Dr. Katherine Pulaski in the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Born in Brooklyn in 1938 and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, she began acting in high school and continued through college, graduating from Sweet Briar College in 1960. She honed her craft studying under the renowned acting teacher Stella Adler and made a name for herself on the New York stage before moving into film and television.

Muldaur’s career spans decades, including appearances in Star Trek: The Original Series where she played two different characters in the late 1960s. She earned two Emmy nominations for her work on L.A. Law in the early 1990s. Beyond acting, she broke ground behind the scenes as the first woman president of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from 1983 to 1985, highlighting her influence in the industry.

Her film roles include supporting parts in movies like The Swimmer and McQ, showcasing her versatility. After a successful run on L.A. Law, she took a long break from acting, leaving behind a legacy of strong, complex characters and leadership in television.

Diana Muldaur smiling warmly at a public event

Star Trek Return To Tomorrow Script

The Star Trek episode “Return to Tomorrow” is a fascinating story from the original series’ second season. It centers on the Enterprise crew responding to a distress call from a seemingly lifeless planet. When Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, and Lt. Cmdr. Ann Mulhall beam down, they meet Sargon, a telepathic being whose consciousness is preserved in a glowing sphere. Sargon and two others, his wife Thalassa and former enemy Henoch, are the last survivors of their race, existing as disembodied minds after their planet’s destruction. They ask to temporarily inhabit the bodies of Kirk, Spock, and Mulhall to build android hosts for themselves.

The script explores themes of trust, identity, and the ethical dilemmas of body possession. Kirk’s willingness to risk his body for the greater good highlights the spirit of exploration and sacrifice central to Star Trek. However, the story takes a darker turn when Henoch reveals his treacherous plan to keep Spock’s body for himself, forcing the crew to confront a dangerous internal threat. This episode, with its blend of philosophical questions and suspense, reflects Gene Roddenberry’s evolving vision for the series, emphasizing humanity’s quest for knowledge and the moral challenges that come with it.

Futuristic dialogue in a Star Trek episode setting

Return To Tomorrow Book

Return to Tomorrow is a captivating time travel novel that explores the lives of two very different men who get a chance to relive pivotal moments in their past. Thomas Scott has lived his life twice before and dreams of meeting his future wife at the right time, while Ben Lewis, stuck in his eighteen-year-old body again, plans to use this second chance for selfish gain. Their paths cross in 1988 Oxford, leading to a clash of intentions that only intensifies over the years. The story culminates in a dramatic showdown during the vibrant club scene of Ibiza a decade later.

What makes this book special is how it blends sci-fi with romance and everyday struggles, focusing on ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations. It’s part of an epic series that creatively explores time travel and alternate timelines, following characters from youth to middle age. If you enjoy stories that mix emotional depth with thrilling twists and a nostalgic 1980s vibe, Return to Tomorrow offers a fresh and engaging take on the genre.

Futuristic cityscape with advanced technology and exploration theme

Return To Tomorrow Movie

“Return to Tomorrow” is a classic episode from the original Star Trek series, where the crew of the starship Enterprise responds to a mysterious distress call from a planet believed to be lifeless. They discover three survivors of an ancient civilization—Sargon, Thalassa, and Henoch—whose minds have been preserved in glowing spheres for centuries after their world was destroyed by war. These beings ask to temporarily inhabit the bodies of Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Ann Mulhall to build android bodies for themselves.

The episode explores themes of trust, identity, and the risks of sharing one’s body and mind. While Sargon and Thalassa seem noble, Henoch has darker intentions, leading to tension and danger aboard the Enterprise. The story combines suspense with classic sci-fi ideas about consciousness and survival beyond physical death. Ultimately, the episode ends on a bittersweet note, with Sargon and Thalassa choosing to remain as noncorporeal beings, free to roam the universe together. It’s a memorable blend of philosophical questions and thrilling adventure that fans of Star Trek often appreciate for its thoughtful storytelling and character dynamics.

Sci-fi scene featuring astronauts exploring an alien landscape

The Ultimate Computer

The Ultimate Computer is a concept rooted in the idea of a machine that can perform any computable task by following a set of instructions or a program. This idea was first formalized by Alan Turing in 1936 with his Universal Turing Machine, which laid the groundwork for modern computers. Essentially, the Ultimate Computer is one that can execute any algorithm, making it incredibly versatile and powerful. Today’s computers, including tiny System on a Chip (SoC) devices, are practical realizations of this concept, capable of performing billions of operations per second while fitting in the palm of your hand. They operate by processing data through a central processing unit (CPU), storing instructions and data in memory, and using input/output devices to interact with users and other systems. The evolution from the massive ENIAC computer of the 1940s to today’s compact and energy-efficient machines shows how far the Ultimate Computer idea has come, blending theoretical foundations with real-world technology to transform how we live and work.

Futuristic computer with advanced technology and sleek design

In conclusion, “Return to Tomorrow” stands as a compelling episode within the Star Trek: The Original Series canon, deftly exploring themes of humanity, consciousness, and the essence of existence. As Captain Kirk and his crew confront the complexities of interacting with ancient beings and the ethical dilemmas surrounding their requests, viewers are prompted to reflect on the nature of life and the moral responsibilities that come with it. The episode not only entertains but also inspires deeper philosophical discussions, highlighting Star Trek’s enduring legacy as a thought-provoking series that challenges us to consider our own humanity and the potential of the unknown.