Trivia: When Kirk is donning the Gestapo uniform, Spock says, "You should make a very convincing Nazi." Although the look Kirk gives him is funny, it should be remembered that both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were both Jewish.
Trivia: The events and description of the Planet Killer in this episode are referenced in The Next Generation novel "Vendetta." It was in the records Data was examining for a report for Picard. The first one was called a prototype, and the one Picard and crew face is the finished model. Larger, more powerful, and warp capable, this machine was driven by the vendetta of a person that wants revenge on the Borg.
Trivia: This episode (which first aired on October 27, 1967) was the only "holiday-themed" episode of Star Trek TOS. It was supposed to be a Halloween-ish story with witches, a spooky castle, black cats, skeletons and zombies, and there are repeated references to Halloween and "Trick-or-Treat" throughout the episode.
The Ultimate Computer - S2-E24
Trivia: In this episode, when brooding about M5, Kirk quotes John Masefield, "All I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by." In Star Trek V, on approach to the Enterprise-A, he again uses the quote.
The Gamesters of Triskelion - S2-E16
Trivia: The dagger that Uhura's drill thrall has on is the same model seen in S2: Ep 4: "Mirror, Mirror."
The Trouble With Tribbles - S2-E15
Trivia: Captain Koloth was played by William Campbell, who also played the fan favorite Trelane in "The Squire of Gothos." Almost twenty-seven years later, he reprised the role of Koloth in the DS9 episode "Blood Oath."
Trivia: Vulcans generally do not smile, but after Amanda says "I love you" to Sarek, then playfully chides him about it, he touches her fingers and smiles.
Who Mourns for Adonais? - S2-E2
Trivia: This is the first episode to feature all seven members of the original cast.
Trivia: The caves where the Children of the Son hide out are located right below the famous Hollywood sign.
Trivia: The Enterprise does not make an appearance until 27 minutes into the episode.
Chosen answer: If they're in orbit, they're being pulled along by the planet's gravity well, therefore, impulse engines would only be used for minor corrections and would be "on standby" while in orbit, but not active. (Like keeping your car idling without revving the engine and creating plumes of exhaust).
Captain Defenestrator
Thank you for the info.
Movie Nut