“The Omega Glory” is one of four TOS episodes in which the Enterprise encounters another
Constitution-class Starship, in this case the
Exeter. In three of these episodes,
including “The Omega Glory,” the crews of the other Starships are either entirely dead or all dead
except the skipper.
Spock’s ability to broadcast telepathic influence without physical contact features in “The Omega Glory” & just two other TOS
episodes
—“A Taste of Armageddon” & “By Any Other Name.”
“The Omega Glory” is also one of seven TOS episodes featuring a near-perfect parallel Earth.
In “The Omega Glory,” McCoy notes that human bodies are 96% water, when they are actually around 70% water.
“The Omega Glory” marks the first and only time in TOS that reference is made to phaser “power packs.”
Actor David L Ross portrayed “redshirt” Lieutenant Galloway in five episodes of the first season, two episodes of the second season (including
“The Omega Glory”), & a single third-season episode. In “The Omega Glory,” Captain Tracey disintegrates Galloway with phaser fire.
This did not prevent David L Ross from appearing in the third-season “The Day of the Dove”
as another “redshirt,” Lieutenant Johnson. Furthermore, Ross reappeared, as Galloway, in the third-season “Turnabout Intruder.”
“Turnabout Intruder” was, in fact, Ross’ only by-name onscreen credit on the show. Galloway’s inexplicable resurrection was the second
such return of a TOS “redshirt” from beyond the grave. Mr Leslie was the first.
“Friday’s Child” marks the second appearance of Klingons. The Klingon present on Capella IV is referred to only as “Klingon”
in dialogue but is listed as Kras in the screenplay & end credits. Kras lacks the dark skin & Asian facial hair that distinguished Klingons in their
debut in “Errand of Mercy.”
The title of the episode refers to a version of the old children’s rhyme “Monday’s Child” in which Friday’s child is said to be
“full of woe.” (Wednesday Addams is also supposedly named after a different version of this rhyme, which has Wednesday’s child
“full of woe.”)
Julie Newmar guest stars as Eleen in “Friday’s Child.” Newmar is perhaps best known for the role of Catwoman in the first two seasons of
the 1960s Batman television series, which aired almost exactly contemporaneously with Star Trek: TOS. Miss America of 1955, Lee Meriwether, who played
Catwoman in the 1966 Batman film, also guest starred on Star Trek: TOS—as Losira in the third-season “That Which Survives.”
That the pacifistic Dr McCoy is the one familiar with the culture of the warlike Capellans is ironic. Strangely, although Kirk’s interference with the Capellans’
“barbaric” traditions causes the initial problem between the Enterprise crew & the natives, McCoy quickly falls in & begins violating more Capellan
traditions, further exacerbating the strife. Indeed, the cultural intolerance of Kirk & McCoy is frequently the driving force behind much of their conflict & violations
of the Prime Directive.
“Journey to Babel” features the first appearance of Spock’s parents—Sarek & Amanda. Sarek is played by actor Mark Lenard who
also potrayed the Romulan Commander in “Balance of Terror” & the Klingon captain in
Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Lenard, therefore,
was the first person to play Star Trek’s three major alien races—Vulcan, Klingon, & Romulan. Moreover, Lenard reprised the role
of Sarek of Vulcan in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, & two episodes of TNG. Jane Wyatt, who plays Amanda Grayson,
is perhaps best known for her role as Margaret Anderson in Father Knows Best. Wyatt also reprised the role of Spock’s mother in
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
“Journey to Babel” introduces two new Vulcan terms—tal-shaya (ancient Vulcan execution method) & sehlat
(a living Vulcan teddy bear with long fangs).
“Journey to Babel” establishes Spock’s (& Sarek’s) blood type as T-negative.
“Journey to Babel” marked the first appearance of the other two founding members of the United Federation of Planets (besides humans & Vulcans)—Andorians
& Tellarites. The two species would make many later appearances in TOS, TAS, the feature films, TNG, & Star Trek: Enterprise. Tellarites also make one
appearance on Star Trek: Voyager.