There was one extremely prominent regular (or officially, “semi-regular”) who disappeared half way through the first season, just one. And this “firing” remains highly controversial to this very day. I can’t even tell you the real reason. I can only recite the different reasons *given*.
That cast member was actually someone quite popular in the first season, Grace Lee Whitney, as Yeoman Janice Rand. She was kind of Captain Kirk’s secretary, and later in the series, all the “Yeomen” that followed were usually women, and they likewise had secretarial or minor administrative tasks.
(Although her one most common task seemed to be to get Kirk a cup of coffee or a snack whoever he needed it.)
The amazing thing, in light of her not staying on the show, is how much she was part of early publicity. In early publicity shots, she was shown as being the female “star” of the show, along with Shatner and Nimoy, the male stars. That’s how central she was. And — in my personal opinion — she was very good in some highly memorable episodes, playing a central role in “Miri,” “The Enemy Within,” “The Naked Time,” “Charlie X” and other episodes.
Now, here is where it gets sad… Several reasons were given for her departure over the years:
- The “official” story, which is somewhat questionable, is Plot Reasons. Supposedly, the writers and producers wanted Kirk to be free to romance a different “alien babe form” every week. Janice Rand, from the beginning, was Kirk’s unspoken love interest: she was the woman he always wanted but followed a “hands off” policy as Captain. Only by shipping Rand off the Enterprise, the story went, could Kirk have different love affairs. Otherwise Kirk would’ve been the most unfaithful man in the galaxy, and the audience would’ve hated him. Hmmm… romancing Edith Keeler when we knew he was supposed to end up with Janice? That wasn’t going to fly, was it?
- But the real reason may have had more to do with Grace Lee Whitney’s reported addiction problems.
- And yet the real REAL reason may be alleged sexual harassment on the part of one of the producers or “back office” personnel. For years, I have tried to figure out which producer was responsible for making Grace Lee Whitney’s life miserable, but I’ve never been able to say with any confidence, despite one or two suspicions I’ve had.
Nonetheless, when you re-watch the first season of the Original Star Trek, I think she added a great deal to it.
And the story has a happy ending, sort of… in several of the Star Trek movies, this actress popped up in some small supporting roles — apparently still as her character of Janice Rand, but promoted to officer.
For what it’s worth, no one wore a mini-skirt better. But she was a good character beyond that, with believable feelings and competence.