But when I went back to my alma mater, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, I went to the library where they have all my papers, and I was stunned to see an exchange of memoranda between me and Gene Roddenberry that I had totally blocked out. Once I read them, I understand why I blocked them. It was very toxic, very venomous. He hated the script. I guess I didn’t know any better, so I was intemperate. I responded intemperately.
Anybody at UI who can get access to those memos, LOL? That sounds catty and fun. I know Roddenberry never truly came around on TWoK, but IIRC he acknowledged it was well-made for what it was.
IIRC he acknowledged it was well-made for what it was.
Honestly, I think he just realized he had no choice.
The conflict between Roddenberry and Meyer is pretty well-known, but I agree it would be…interesting to see the original documents.
Roddenberry from what I’ve read in multiple places sounded like a huge asshole to me, and nowhere near the ‘Great Bird of the Galaxy’ he liked to self-label himself as. Now yes, a very talented asshole, whose vision started the franchise, and certainly who put in much work on TOS (along with many other talents), but nevertheless a real PITA on a personal level who wound up burning most of his bridges.
Point is-- if Meyer lost his cool with him as a young guy, I wouldn’t be very surprised.