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

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

Shakespeare, "Conscience of the King, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66461 (Accessed 26 Nov 2024)

Marc Adams	Hamlet (Hamlet)
Barbara Anderson	Lenore Karidian (Lady Macbeth)
Barbara Anderson	Lenore Karidian (Ophelia)
Arnold Moss	Anton Karidian (Ghost)
DeForest Kelley	Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
Karl Bruck	King Duncan (King Duncan)
Leonard Nimoy	Captain Spock
Nichelle Nichols	Commander Uhura
William Sargent	Dr. Thomas Leighton
William Shatner	Captain James T. Kirk

SHAKESPEARE