Several key parts of the Star Trek universe have become ingrained into the core of the franchise and have existed since the original series. None, however, have been as iconic as the IDIC. Over the years, it has turned into an iconic piece of merchandise for hardcore fans, and it holds great significance within the story.
However, many fans may not know the backstory behind the piece of jewelry or another place where it appears. It would seem that the idea of the necklace can be traced back to the beloved writer of the series, Gene Roddenberry.
Surprisingly enough, he got a lot of pushback from the cast and had to work very hard to get it integrated into the series.
Gene Roddenberry Had a Vision
The concept of the IDIC was headed by Gene Roddenberry in a manner that would almost be too extreme for some. The symbol had quite an interesting philosophy behind it, representing themes of infinity. However, it would seem that its main intentions were more focused on profit than meaning.
In a letter sent to Fred Freiberger in 1968, via Star Trek Fact Check, Roddenberry detailed how he wanted to use the symbol to sell merchandise for fans. Calling it Spock’s Medallion, parts of the series were rewritten so that he could fit this element in.
Once the episode would air, Roddenberry would use his own mailing company, Lincoln Enterprises, to sell products with similar themes to fans of the story. Although the perspective was certainly an impressive one on Roddenberry’s part, it would seem that not everyone was happy with what he was trying to do.
The Cast of Star Trek: The Original Series Put Their Foot Down
The cast of Star Trek: The Original Series was quite hesitant about agreeing to Gene Roddenberry’s idea. It was not the risk or the creative aspect that made them uninterested in doing it. It was the fact that Gene Roddenberry wanted to use his own mail-order business to sell the merchandise and make a profit.
After asking Will Shatner through several meetings and getting rejected, Roddenberry moved his attention toward Leonard Nimoy. He wanted to make the IDIC central to Spock’s character and tried very hard to get his idea launched. However, as Nimoy revealed in his book, I Am Spock, he was seriously hesitant.
Certainly, I was all in favor of the philosophy behind the IDIC– but not the fact that Gene wanted me to wear the medallion because he wanted to sell them through his mail-order business, Lincoln Enterprises.
Where the scene had been problematic creatively for me, it was now problematic ethically. While I wouldn’t argue with the IDIC concept, I was troubled that I had opened the door and let in a new kind of animal while trying to get rid of another.
While he was on board with the vision that was trying to be translated onto the screen, he did not like the capitalistic approach to it. He did not like that something that was supposed to be a project with a bigger vision was being used as an advertisement for Roddenberry’s personal business. He constantly refused to be a part of it and let his character be used like this. So much so, that the idea was postponed for some other time.
Although I didn’t appreciate Spock being turned into a billboard, I at least felt that the IDIC idea had more value than the content of the original scene. We filmed the scene as Gene had rewritten it. But the whole incident was rather unpleasant.
After many years, the concept was brought up again but with a different vision, and this time, Nimoy was unable to refuse. However, he still did not agree with selfish desires clouding the vision of the series as a whole and stood by it for decades.
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