Blood and Fire (Star Trek)
Encyclopedia
"Blood and Fire" is an episode written by David Gerrold
for possible use on Star Trek: The Next Generation
. The script was commissioned and written, but never actually filmed because certain studio executives had a negative reaction to its positive depiction of an openly gay couple. It was eventually adapted by Gerrold into a standalone novel.
In the original script, the crew of the Enterprise-D
came upon a derelict spaceship whose crew had all been killed off by Regulan bloodworms. Since these creatures are highly dangerous and can kill within hours, any ship or space station found to be infested with bloodworms must be sterilized and/or destroyed, as per Starfleet
orders. The concept of Regulan bloodworms, mentioned in dialogue in the original Star Trek
series (but never actually explained until this episode), was intended to be a metaphor for the AIDS
crisis, as AIDS was a similarly lethal disease.
This episode was also noted for its inclusion of two openly gay
crewmembers, which would have been a first in Star Trek history. Years later, an AIDS allegory would finally be included in a Trek episode, namely the Star Trek: Enterprise
episode "Stigma".
Herbert Wright
rewrote the script under the name "Blood and Ice", which also was left unproduced.
With Gerrold's permission, Carlos Pedraza rewrote Blood and Fire for the fan series Star Trek: New Voyages. http://www.trektoday.com/news/150307_03.shtml Gerrold did a final draft polish and also directed the episode. The episode has come under fire for showing the two crewmembers sharing an extended, open-mouthed kiss while in bed together in their quarters.http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/star-trek-fan-boys-react-set-phasers-to-whine?&comment=62095
David Gerrold
Jerrold David Friedman , better known by his pen name David Gerrold, is an American science fiction author who started his career in 1966 while a college student by submitting an unsolicited story outline for the television series Star Trek. He was invited to submit several premises, and the one...
for possible use on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
. The script was commissioned and written, but never actually filmed because certain studio executives had a negative reaction to its positive depiction of an openly gay couple. It was eventually adapted by Gerrold into a standalone novel.
In the original script, the crew of the Enterprise-D
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
came upon a derelict spaceship whose crew had all been killed off by Regulan bloodworms. Since these creatures are highly dangerous and can kill within hours, any ship or space station found to be infested with bloodworms must be sterilized and/or destroyed, as per Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
orders. The concept of Regulan bloodworms, mentioned in dialogue in the original Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
series (but never actually explained until this episode), was intended to be a metaphor for the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
crisis, as AIDS was a similarly lethal disease.
This episode was also noted for its inclusion of two openly gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
crewmembers, which would have been a first in Star Trek history. Years later, an AIDS allegory would finally be included in a Trek episode, namely the Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
episode "Stigma".
Herbert Wright
Herbert Wright (producer)
Herbert Wright was a science fiction writer and producer. His most notable work was for Star Trek: The Next Generation and War of the Worlds...
rewrote the script under the name "Blood and Ice", which also was left unproduced.
With Gerrold's permission, Carlos Pedraza rewrote Blood and Fire for the fan series Star Trek: New Voyages. http://www.trektoday.com/news/150307_03.shtml Gerrold did a final draft polish and also directed the episode. The episode has come under fire for showing the two crewmembers sharing an extended, open-mouthed kiss while in bed together in their quarters.http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/star-trek-fan-boys-react-set-phasers-to-whine?&comment=62095