The Enterprise crew (TOS) in front of the Guardian of Forever.

The Guardian of Forever is a time portal portrayed in the fictional universe of Star Trek. The first appearance of the Guardian was in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The City on the Edge of Forever" (1967). In that episode, the voice of the Guardian was provided by Bartell LaRue. The Guardian's only other on-screen appearance was in the animated episode "Yesteryear" (1973), in which the Guardian's voice was provided by James Doohan (best known as Scotty). The Guardian has proven popular in both fan fiction and the "official" Star Trek novels published by Pocket Books. However, none of these writings, nor the animated series, are considered canon. Image File history File links STCityForever. ... Image File history File links STCityForever. ... Time portals are often employed in various fictional genres, such as Sci-Fi and Fantasy. ... A fictional universe is an imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for one or (more commonly) multiple works of fiction or translatable non-fiction. ... The current Star Trek franchise logo Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment series and media franchise. ... The starship Enterprise as it appeared on Star Trek Star Trek is a culturally significant science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry in the 1960s. ... The City on the Edge of Forever is the penultimate episode of the first season of Star Trek: The Original Series. ... Yesteryear is an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Montgomery Scott, usually known as Scotty, is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series, played by James Doohan. ... The current Star Trek franchise logo Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment series and media franchise. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In the Star Trek universe, analysis of the ruins on the Guardian's home world suggests it may be billions of years old but no one knows who built the Guardian. The Guardian is able to speak to anyone who asks it a question, though the meaning of its responses is not always clear. For instance, when asked if it was machine or being, it responded, "Both, ... and neither." When Spock says that there is no reason to speak in riddles, the Guardian says that it answers in the way that is best for "your limited understanding." The Guardian can detect changes in the timeline, but typically provides its users little help in figuring out how to change it back. And being in the vicinity of the Guardian when such changes occur isolates those there from the effects of the change in the timeline. The below is an abridged timeline of events established in the group of television shows and feature films set in the fictional Star Trek universe. ...

In Trek literature

The Guardian makes a few appearances in non-canon published Star Trek literature, most notably: This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In the short-story "Mind-Sifter," by Shirley S. Maiewski, in the collection Star Trek: New Voyages.

In the novel Federation by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, the Guardian apparently stopped responding to questions several years after the events of "The City on the Edge of Forever".

In the novel Imzadi by Peter David.

In the novel Provenance of Shadows by David R. George III, where the Guardian and "The City on the Edge of Forever" are pivotal to the story and the fate of the Guardian may be indicated.

In the novel Star Trek: First Frontier by Diane Carey and Dr. James I. Kirkland, where the Guardian of Forever is instrumental in helping Kirk and his crew return to just before the extinction of the dinosaurs to correct an altered timeline, from which they were spared due to an unexpected effect of an experimental new shielding system.

In the trilogy of novels entitled Crucible by David R. George III, which explores the long-term effects on Kirk, Spock, and McCoy of the only canonical appearance of the Guardian.

In the novels Yesterday's Son and Time for Yesterday, both by A.C. Crispin. Kirk, Spock and McCoy use the Guardian to visit Sarpeion in the past and find Zar, Spock's long lost son from All Our Yesterdays (TOS episode).

In the novelization of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home by Vonda McIntyre, McCoy angers Kirk before their time travel by asking, "What would the Guardian say?" The short story is a literary genre. ... Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens are a prolific husband and wife writing team, known mainly for their involvement with the Star Trek franchise. ... The City on the Edge of Forever is the penultimate episode of the first season of Star Trek: The Original Series. ... A word from the science-fiction television series Star Trek The Next Generation. ... Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) (born September 23, 1956) is an American writer, best known for his work in comic books and Star Trek novels. ... Cover to the 2000 Star Trek: New Earth debut novel, Wagon Train to the Stars. ... Star Trek currently holds the record for the most novels based upon a single fictional universe. ... // [edit] Plot introduction Time For Yesterday is a novel by A. C. Crispin set in the fictional Star Trek Universe. ... Ann C. Crispin is a science fiction writer and the author of over sixteen published novels. ... All Our Yesterdays is a third season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, first broadcast March 14, 1969 and repeated on August 5, 1969. ... Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Paramount Pictures, 1986; see also 1986 in film) is the fourth feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series. ... Vonda Neel McIntyre (born Louisville, Kentucky in 1948) is a science fiction author. ...

In "New Voyages"

The Guardian appears in an episode of Star Trek: New Voyages. The episode portrays a second Guardian, much larger than the first, through which a starship can fly.

Trivia

• In computer role-playing game Fallout 2 there's a random encounter in which the player is able to enter a time portal resembling the Guardian of Forever which makes him start the plot of Fallout, Fallout 2's prequel.

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Fallout 2 is a critically-acclaimed computer role-playing game published by Interplay in 1998. ... A random encounter is a feature commonly used in hack and slash role-playing games and computer and video games whereby encounters with non-player character (NPC) enemies or other dangers occur sporadically and at random. ... Time portals are often employed in various fictional genres, such as Sci-Fi and Fantasy. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

See also

• Stargate

A typical depiction of a Milky Way Stargate Stargates are fictional devices that feature as a central part of stories set in the Stargate science fiction universe. ...

External link

• Guardian of Forever article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki