Visible crew/equipment: When Scotty joins Thalassa while she's working, she asks if he has "prepared the megaton hydrocoils," and the shadow of the boom mic can be seen moving at the top of the screen. (00:33:20)
Continuity mistake: Why does Kirk think a being of pure energy is "impossible?" They've encountered several such creatures in the past in "Metamorphosis," "Obsession," and "Wolf in The Fold."
Chosen answer: If they're in orbit, they're being pulled along by the planet's gravity well, therefore, impulse engines would only be used for minor corrections and would be "on standby" while in orbit, but not active. (Like keeping your car idling without revving the engine and creating plumes of exhaust).
Captain Defenestrator
Thank you for the info.
Movie Nut