The Changeling (Star Trek: The Original Series) The Changeling (Star Trek: The Original Series) "The Changeling" is the third episode of the of the American science fiction television series "". Written by John Meredyth Lucas and directed by Marc Daniels, it was first broadcast on September 29, 1967. The crew of the USS "Enterprise" deals with a life-destroying space probe originally launched from Earth. The plot contains similarities to the later . The "Enterprise" investigates a distress call from the Malurian star system. Upon arrival, First Officer Spock reports no life readings from any of the 4 billion inhabitants, despite otherwise normal recent communications. The ship's shields
Star Trek: The Original Series realizations of the franchise adhered to the "Wagon Train" paradigm of the continuing journey, with the notable exception of the serialized "", "", and the of "". In Roddenberry's original concept, the protagonist was Captain Robert April of the starship S.S. "Yorktown". This character was developed into Captain Christopher Pike, first portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter. April is listed in the "Star Trek Chronology", "The Star Trek Encyclopedia" and at startrek.com as the "Enterprise"s first commanding officer, preceding Captain Christopher Pike. The character's only television/movie appearance is in the "" episode "The Counter-Clock Incident" In April 1964, Roddenberry presented the "Star