“We need something new and different” shouted D.C. Fontana the writer of this episode. She was speaking to Leonard and Bill as they did their walk-thru for blocking, preparing for that days shooting of  “The Enterprise Incident” (Season 3, Episode 2) airing in September of 1968.

Leonard suggested, “How about I give Bill a hard right cross like a human would do  but with my Vulcan strength crushing his jaw and he crumples against the wall?”

John Lucas, the director, shook his head… “Rodenberry would nix that cuz he really doesn’t want Spock to be about violence. We need something more of a reflex. Why don’t you grip his face and do a mind meld? We’ll call it the ‘Vulcan Death Grip”.

“Hold it – Hold it!” interjected Shatner. “My make-up and hair are perfect right now. Do it with the stand-in”…

Enter Routy Chicken, his opportunity to become a contributor to something immortal.

He was in other Star Trek episodes. See the link below.

 

 

Double For Shatner