Episode Behind the Scenes

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First appearance of the Vulcan mind meld.
   
Morgan Woodward, who plays Dr. Simon van Gelder, would later play Captain Ronald Tracey in "The Omega Glory".
   
This episode was later parodied in the "South Park" episode "Roger Ebert Should Lay Off the Fatty Foods", complete with characters named Dr. Adams and van Gelder and school counselor Mr. Mackey performing a mind meld. "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are admittedly big "Star Trek" fans and make many references to both the classic series and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in "South Park".
   
Dr. Adams refers to his colleague when instructing him to put Captain Kirk back in the chair as "Eli", which is also the actor's real name.