Star Trek: 10 Greatest Genre Episodes Ever

Romance, literary form, usually characterised by its treatment of chivalry, that came into being in France in the mid-12th century.

The City On The Edge Of Forever is considered the height of romance in Star Trek, despite its sci-fi and time travel leanings, because there is simply no denying the chemistry between William Shatner and Joan Collins. Though the story ends in tragedy, that too is baked into the fibre of romance, so much so that the story itself tells you it must be so.

Edith Keeler must die.

From Spock's lips to our broken hearts, this was a doomed romance from the beginning. Having said that, Kirk's obligation to see history set right may break the code of chivalry, but would saving her have really given her a better life? After all, her movement led, however indirectly, to the Nazis winning the war. What sort of future would that look like?

One could (easily) argue that the real romance of The Original Series was between Kirk and Spock, or even Kirk and the Enterprise (for further details, see Gene Roddenberry's novelisation of The Motion Picture), but in terms of pure, episodic romance, it must be the tragedy of Edith Keeler, James T. Kirk, and a well-meaning Leonard McCoy. 

Why must romance so often be combined with pain? Harlan Elison, who hurt you?