Speaking of using familiar things as a story crutch, I've gained new insight into some of TOS STAR TREK's more 'earthbound' episodes tonight while watching a rerun of MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE which, as you'll remember, was STAR TREK's sister show, filming on the same lot at the same time. In just one episode tonight, I swear the action took place in Bela Oxmyx's office, Llandru's boarding house, and the main H.Q. of the Nazi planet -- Willie Armitage even got to stash a bound-and-gagged guard in the Nazi closet that McCoy beams down into. (It's the episode where Martin Landau dresses up as Hitler).

Or so it seemed. Reminded me of when the Stooges would occasionally arrive at a Scottish castle that was just used in some big Columbia period piece.
"Good night, Dr. Carruthers." "Goood - Bye, Roy................."