For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky - S3-E8
Question: Dr. McCoy stays on the planet Yonada as one of Yonada's people, but doesn't change his Starfleet uniform to what the people of Yonada are wearing. Why not? He chose to stay and no longer wanted to be on the Enterprise.
For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky - S3-E8
Question: How did Dr McCoy know that Kirk and Spock were going to beam down? Kirk didn't call him to beam down with them.
Answer: Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and civilizations. He knew they wouldn't just fly away. Besides any expedition would require a leader, a scientist and a medical doctor.
Answer: There's no explanation. He may not have completely adjusted to living there or gotten around to getting new clothing. He was also still a member of Star Fleet and would wear his uniform until he formally resigned. TV shows back then were cheaply made and rather lax about details like that. They may simply have deemed it unnecessary to change McCoy's costume. It could also be interpreted as foreshadowing that he would return to Star Fleet. Also, in all the Star Trek series, miscellaneous characters would often wear only one outfit, even though the story may take place over many days. In the early days of TNG, Counselor Troi wore the same outfit in nearly every episode until she started wearing a uniform later in the series. The practical logistical reason for a character wearing one costume is that it maintains continuity for the post-production editing process.
raywest ★