Time Travels with Truffle: Dateline September 8th, 1966 – Desilu Studios – Hollywood, California

 

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Time Travels with Truffle: Dateline September 8th, 1966 – Desilu Studios – Hollywood, California 

Star Trek: “The Trouble with Truffle” — The Lost Episode (1966)

It all began one ordinary afternoon at Desilu Studios in Hollywood. The crew was filming the pilot for Star Trek, the set buzzing with lights, cameras, and futuristic props. Then, out of nowhere, a small reddish orange Pomeranian wandered onto the soundstage.

The dog trotted past the cameras, hopped onto Captain Kirk’s chair, and sat proudly as if she belonged there. William Shatner laughed, Leonard Nimoy raised an eyebrow, and DeForest Kelley muttered, “Well, she’s got more command presence than half the human actors here do.”

Despite studio prohibitions against animals on set, the cast and crew were instantly smitten. Gene Roddenberry himself declared, “She’s staying.” Thus, an exception was made — and Truffle became the only non human, non Vulcan allowed to roam freely during filming.  And thus a script for a future episode began to form…

The Lost Episode: “The Trouble with Truffle”

Act I — The Intruder

The USS Enterprise is en route to the Beta Canis System when a mysterious energy surge disrupts the transporter. Out of the shimmering beam appears a small, fluffy creature — adorable yet unsettling.

Spock identifies her as a “bio telepathic organism of unknown origin.” Kirk, amused, names her Truffle. But soon, the crew notices strange behavior: systems malfunction, replicators produce endless dog treats, and the ship’s computer begins responding to Truffle’s barks.

Act II — The Takeover

Truffle’s charm turns dangerous. She hypnotizes crew members with her large, luminous eyes, compelling them to obey her silent commands. Scotty reports that the warp core hums in rhythm with her heartbeat.

McCoy insists she’s not evil — just misunderstood. “She’s lonely, Jim,” he says. “She’s trying to make the ship her pack.”

But Spock warns that her telepathic field is expanding. If unchecked, she’ll merge with the Enterprise itself.

Act III — The Resolution

Kirk confronts Truffle on the bridge. “You’ve got to let go,” he pleads. “We’re explorers, not your pets.”

Spock devises a plan to channel her telepathic energy through the deflector dish, sending a signal to her homeworld. The gamble works — Truffle releases her hold, saving the ship.

Before dematerializing, she leaves a final message on the computer screen:

“Resistance is futile!  You will be mine.”

Epilogue

The crew gathers on the bridge. McCoy sighs, “I was running out of idea, Jim.  I’m just a doctor, not a Veterinarian!” Spock replies, “Illogical, Doctor.”

Kirk smiles, glancing at the captain’s chair — where a tuft of reddish fur remains.

Legacy

Though “The Trouble with Truffle” was never filmed, studio memos confirm Roddenberry drafted the outline after the real Truffle’s visit. The story inspired later episodes exploring sentient life and emotion — precursors to The Trouble with Tribbles and Data’s Day.

Truffle became a studio legend, remembered as the dog who wandered onto the Enterprise and stole the hearts of everyone aboard.

And once again, History is gently guided by a tiny paw.