Here are several deleted scenes from Balance of Terror.
The first cut scene is an effects shot with dialog explaining to some degree why the Romulan ship is saucer shaped with protruding nacelles. It also explains Mr. Stiles reference to spies.
INSERT - SHIP'S VIEWING SCREEN
The attacking vessel can now be seen definitely to be some modified version
of a starship saucer main section... but with the dark markings on its underside
which suggests a bird-of-prey with half-spread wings. And centered there is
a threatening-looking "weapon tube" device. We see it in full size
only momentarily.. then it launches a torpedo-like bolt of blinding energy from
the weapons tube.
HANSON'S VOICE
You see it, Enterprise?! Starship
design. Warn Earth...
(STATIC CRACKLE)
... espionage, stolen our designs... traitors...
This scene shows the head technician sauntering back and forth observing the read outs on the control panels. The scene was shortened to hasten the pace of the show. This is one of the few episodes that we see technicians wearing the gold/green jumpsuits.
This next sequence was to occur just before the Enterprise bridge scene
when Rand enters and asks Kirk if she should continue making log entries. It
was probably cut because it slows the pacing of the episode. What is interesting
about the Romulan dialog is its cadence, which is almost poetic in nature.
INT. ROMULAN SHIP'S BRIDGE - COMMANDER AND CENTURION
The Centurion lies on the Commander's couch - and we can tell he is badly
injured. The Commander sits nearby, tending to him... The Commander gently lifts
the Centurion's head, and tries to get him to drink a medicine. He tries, but
turns from it, gagging with pain.
CENTURION
My chest. I cannot swallow.
The Commander looks worriedly at him -
then lowers his head back onto the
pillow-like armrest of the couch...
Decius approaches the Commander... His
eyes
glitter and he bows with eager respectfulness.
DECIUS
Commander, I know now why you were honored with leadership!
Our mission is all we hoped!
The Praetor will be pleased!
COMMANDER
(looks up at him - coldly)
His joy warms my life.
DECIUS
(crowing)
How they tried to flee! - like a
field creature from a hunting
bird. A happy sight --
COMMANDER
May your Praetor have his wish
then. Death!
The Commander whirls, dismisses Decius with a scornful gesture. The young officer's
face freezes hard. He bows curtly, turns on his heels to exit... Painfully,
his breath rasping in his throat, the Centurion reaches out for the Commander's
arm.
CENTURION
(weak whisper)
Be wise, good friend... see the
danger where it lies.
The Centurion is suddenly gripped with pain... gritting his teeth not to show
his anguish. Gently, the Commander tries to comfort him.
This next cut scene is towards the end of the episode with Kirk saluting the Romulan commander.
Just before the Romulan Commander destroys
his ship, Kirk salutes him.
The Commander responds with a stiffly-precise small bow.
From this point the episode continues on as televised.
There are several other interesting behind the scenes aspects to this episode.
When filming it is sometimes wise to shoot a safety take. A “Safety”
is an additional take, done after a successful one, as a backup. The take which
was used showing Nimoy in the phaser room is rife with purple smoke and could
have easily obscured the action of the scene.
If after viewing the footage it was discovered that the scene was unusable it would be very expensive to re-shoot the scene as the set may have already been dismantled, the cost of overtime for the crew, putting the production behind schedule, etc. With this as a possibility a safety is shot. The safety scene shows the same action, sans purple smoke. The smoke could be added later as a double exposure, an inexpensive effect if the the scene warranted it.
The make-up on Gary Walberg (Commander Hanson) is quite detailed. Also, its interesting to note that the Enterprise's interior set design for the bridge uses a color palette of mostly primary colors; red, green and blue, whereas the Romulan ship uses mostly the secondary colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.
Thanks to Dave T. for the Balance of Terror clips.
Thanks to Christopher B. for the Kirk saluting scene, and the additional scenes including the commander bowing and the safety phaser room scene.
Thanks to David E. for the Balance of Terror script excerpts.