Revealing mistake: As Charlie watches the pole lowering into a square hole in the deck, the wood grain of the set piece is visible. The wood has been painted gray/silver to look like metal. (00:06:06)
Continuity mistake: An Orion spy (disguised as an Andorian) attacks Captain Kirk in the corridor on Deck 5 and plainly stabs Kirk in the back on the right side. As he staggers to his feet, Kirk first reaches to the wound with his right hand, indicating that it is, indeed, on the right side of his back. He then reaches far across his back with his left hand to touch the wound, and we see blood on the back of his hand (but not on his sleeve). So, it is visually established that the wound is on the right side of his back. But, a few moments later in SickBay, Dr. McCoy announces that Kirk's wound is a "puncture to the left lung." Then, later in the episode, Kirk his holding his left arm as though he is suffering pain on the left side.
Continuity mistake: The chain symbol on Kirk's shirt goes from dark to light and back several times.
Continuity mistake: Kirk is holding the communication device out to his right from his view of the Companion and Cochran's, but the next instant shot shows Kirk holding the device close to his chest as he speaks with the Companion.
Continuity mistake: The designs of the fabric the Companion holds up to view Cochran are different from her view versus the view from Cochran's.
This Side of Paradise - S1-E25
Plot hole: When Captain Kirk is the last person unaffected by the spores, he's on the bridge lamenting the fact that he is trapped in orbit above the planet since he can't pilot the ship alone. He also can't call for help because Lt. Uhura sabotaged long range communications. but Captain Kirk has somehow forgotten about the shuttle craft. He could have easily escaped on one of those.
Continuity mistake: While Kirk questions Spock about his command decision on the Galileo, shots of Uhura and Mears show the ladies close together at Uhura's station with Mears' hands hidden but close up shots of McCoy show Mears and Uhura in the background further apart from each other and Mears' hands in front of her body.
Continuity mistake: As the team of 4 energize from Enterprise to go to Exeter, the positions of Spock and Lt. Gallway are altered as they re-emerge on the other side.
Continuity mistake: As Kirk wipes a tear from Elaan's face, both cheeks are wet. A second later, both cheeks are dry.
Continuity mistake: In sick bay, close ups of Sarek show him sitting up at a 90 degree angle, but the long shots show him reclining at a 45 degree angle as the shots cut away and back.
Factual error: Throughout the episode, there is a constant reference to 5 p.m. being the time Kirk and crew (a.k.a., the Clanton gang) were to die. However, the real 30-second shootout was at 3 p.m.
The Ultimate Computer - S2-E24
Audio problem: After trying to change course, Sulu calls Kirk. Kirk says "Kirk here", and then you hear the click of the comm button being hit.
The Gamesters of Triskelion - S2-E16
Revealing mistake: When Kirk goes to kick his opponent, you can see the kick was at least a foot and a half from the man.
The Gamesters of Triskelion - S2-E16
Continuity mistake: As Kirk gets up from the ground on Triskelion, his communicator is open. When he goes to use it, it's closed and he opens it.
Continuity mistake: As Scotty starts prying the panel open, it's with a tool in his right hand, and the thumb of his left. After the cut, he's suddenly holding it in his right hand.
Other mistake: After Scotty makes his remarks to Spock, he raises his phaser. The sparks start up before Scotty levels his phaser.
Revealing mistake: As Spock gets to to the helm position, the whole console visibly wobbles as he hits the controls.
Continuity mistake: As Christine goes to put the respirator in place, she uses her right hand. After the cut, it's her left that puts it in place.
Continuity mistake: As Bones works on Joe's injury, a red light turns on over his head shining down on the area, illuminating his hair. A second later, the red is gone, then back.
Continuity mistake: The indicators radically change positions when Spock gets on the bio bed.
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