How Walter Koenig Corrected a Star Trek Error in a Legendary TOS Episode, Backed by William Shatner

Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in Star Trek season 2, recently shared a behind-the-scenes story about fixing a mistake in a classic episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. In episode 2 of season 2, titled "Who Mourns for Adonais?", the Starship Enterprise encounters the Greek god Apollo, who attempts to win over Lt. Carolyn Palamas.

During a discussion on The 7th Rule podcast, Koenig mentioned that he noticed an error in the script of the episode. He pointed out that the screenplay incorrectly referred to the Greek hero Odysseus as Ulysses, which is his Latinized name. William Shatner, who portrayed Captain Kirk, also agreed with Koenig's observation. You can listen to the full conversation on The 7th Rule podcast for more insights.

Walter Koenig mentioned that he made a small change to the script. The script originally had the name Ulysses instead of Odysseus. Walter pointed out the error and corrected it to Odysseus. William Shatner agreed with Walter's correction, acknowledging that he was right. This was a rare occasion during the 2 seasons and 7 movies of the show.

Ryan T. Husk jokingly commented that this correction was probably the nicest thing William Shatner had ever said to Walter Koenig. Both shared a laugh at the light-hearted moment.

Although he respects William Shatner as an actor, Walter Koenig not being fond of Star Trek 's series lead overall is also the stuff of legend.

Star Trek Now Allows Actors To Adjust Dialogue

Not sticking to the script was once forbidden in Star Trek

DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, Walter Koenig as Chekov, William Shatner as Kirk, and James Doohan as Scotty all looking offscreen - Not sticking to the script was once forbidden in Star Trek - Star Trek Now Allows Actors To Adjust Dialogue

Walter Koenig changed the name of Ulysses to Odysseus in Star Trek: The Original Series' "Who Mourns for Adonis?" This was a notable moment because actors were not allowed to change dialogue in Star Trek scripts for many years. In the later Rick Berman era, actors had to stick exactly to the written lines, with no room for improvisation. The casts of Star Trek: The Next Generation and other series have often mentioned this strict rule even years after their shows ended.

In the current Star Trek series on Paramount+, actors now have the freedom to improvise, which marks a significant change. Jonathan Frakes, a director who was once an actor on Star Trek: The Next Generation, is amazed by how the current cast can adapt their dialogue. During the filming of a crossover episode for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Frakes encouraged actors like Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome to improvise to add humor to the scenes. The producers of Star Trek: The Original Series and William Shatner deserve credit for accepting Walter Koenig's suggestion to change "Ulysses" to "Odysseus" in the episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?"

Star Trek: The Original Series is available to stream on Paramount+.

Source: The 7th Rule

Editor's P/S:

Walter Koenig's anecdote about correcting the script error in "Who Mourns for Adonais?" is both amusing and insightful. It reveals a rare moment of collaboration between Koenig and Shatner, who are often portrayed as having a strained relationship. The fact that Shatner acknowledged Koenig's correction highlights the importance of accuracy and attention to detail, even in fictional works.

Koenig's story also underscores the evolving nature of Star Trek. While the original series was known for its adherence to scripts, later iterations have embraced improvisation and allowed actors to contribute to the dialogue. This shift reflects a broader trend in storytelling, where creators are increasingly recognizing the value of spontaneity and authenticity.