Yes, it’s absolutely because of the audience of the time, and possibly the writer(s). Maybe they snuck the ending shot in before anyone could realize and it was either spend more money and time to redo or just go with it. That’s exactly how Shatner got the kiss into that other episode, by ruining the rest of the “more accepted” takes.
It’s also why the 80s and 90s movies and shows still have references that we can relate to. A true 23rd/24th century script would not do well even if shown now.
Yes, it’s absolutely because of the audience of the time, and possibly the writer(s). Maybe they snuck the ending shot in before anyone could realize and it was either spend more money and time to redo or just go with it. That’s exactly how Shatner got the kiss into that other episode, by ruining the rest of the “more accepted” takes.
It’s also why the 80s and 90s movies and shows still have references that we can relate to. A true 23rd/24th century script would not do well even if shown now.