Trek II ~ Khan's Wife

Discussion in 'Star Trek Movies I-X' started by Keith1701, Jun 9, 2013.

  1. Keith1701

    Keith1701 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Does anyone know why they did not bring Khan's wife into the movies? Also, does anyone know weather or not they even thought about it?
     
  2. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Where would Khan's vengeance be when his wife was still alive?
     
  3. Harvey

    Harvey Admiral Admiral

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    Memory Alpha says that Harve Bennett wanted her to appear in the movie, but when he discovered actress Madlyn Rhue was confined to a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, discarded the idea.
     
  4. CorporalClegg

    CorporalClegg Admiral Admiral

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    The wife should have been shown in the film in some capacity. It's hard to take a villain too seriously when his motives are complete hearsay. The issue was only addressed by one throw-away line that dismissed the issue and shooed it off screen in hopes no one would notice.

    There needs to be some kind of "proof" for the audience. Other wise, for all we know Khan is pissed because Kirk broke the head off his Darth Vader doll. For example, that's the whole point of the mind meld scene in ST09. It pulls the story together. It's not much, but it's better than nothing.

    Essentially, TWOK took the ghost out of Hamlet.

    They could've used someone else. No one would notice.
     
  5. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    ^ It could be that Bennett decided not to recast the part of McGivers simply out of respect for Madlyn Rhue's health issues. And I'm OK with that.

    My problem is this: Given how Khan basically slapped McGivers around in "Space Seed", I'm wondering how he ever could have considered her "beloved"... then again he could have been bullshitting Kirk when he said that.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2013
  6. Peach Wookiee

    Peach Wookiee Cuddly Mod of Doom Moderator

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    Abusive relationship. And Marla fell for it.
     
  7. JoeZhang

    JoeZhang Vice Admiral Admiral

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    He was stuck on a planet that was a living hell - and the way montalban does not chew scenery but starts neatly at each corner of the set in every scene and swallows it whole, co-stars and all sell that idea*.


    * with apologies to Variety
     
  8. ALF

    ALF Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    KHAN: "I'm better."
    KIRK: "At what?"
    KHAN: "Having a wife. Sharing domestic chores."
    [Franchise fatigue kicks in, no more Trek until 2030]
     
  9. scotpens

    scotpens Professional Geek Premium Member

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    At first Khan merely used Marla as a tool to gain control of the Enterprise. But at the end of "Space Seed," he said he considered her a "superior woman." He certainly could have developed genuine feelings for her.

    As for Khan slapping Marla around or physically abusing her -- what scene was that?
     
  10. Chrono85

    Chrono85 Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    I always imagined that she was killed off because it provided extra motivation for Khan to want revenge. As for whether he really cared abut here or not; at first, he only used to as a means to an end to achieve his goals, but maybe actual feelings developed later. it would have been more impactful if they had maybe shown her grave or something :).
     
  11. JarodRussell

    JarodRussell Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Right now I'm wondering why Khan didn't simply revive his wife using his blood. But then again TWOK is filled with so many plot holes...
     
  12. Nerys Myk

    Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

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    Hard to say. All we know is her death was caused by a ceti eel.
     
  13. Galileo7

    Galileo7 Commodore Commodore

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    Agree. She should have been in WOK.
     
  14. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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    I agree. Khan's genetic enhancements resulted in his uncontrollable ambition and thirst for power, but there's no evidence that they prevented him from showing compassion to another being or from falling in love with another person. He seemed genuinely impressed by her courage in agreeing to stay with him on Ceti Alpha V. It's not difficult to believe that he learned to love her during the intervening years.

    --Sran
     
  15. Therin of Andor

    Therin of Andor Admiral Moderator

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    Like they didn't notice Khan's multiracial colleagues turning young, blond and Aryan? Dark-haired offsider Joaquin for blond Joachim?

    Or like no one noticed the switch in Saaviks (ST III) and Cochranes ("First Contact")?

    :rommie:
     
  16. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Things like compassion and love are incompatible with ambition and power.

    Probably took awhile...
     
  17. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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    Not necessarily. It's a reasonable assumption that most Starfleet officers are somewhat ambitious (they would have to be to qualify for admission to the academy), and higher-ranking officers certainly yield a great deal of power. Yet, Starfleet officers are also among the most compassionate individuals featured in Star Trek. Khan's genetic enhancements make him something of an outlier, but no one is completely without positive emotions.

    They had plenty of time on their hands.

    --Sran
     
  18. Therin of Andor

    Therin of Andor Admiral Moderator

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    A piece of set dressing was prepared for the Ceti Alpha V shack: a painted portrait depicting Khan, Marla and their young son. It linked back to Marla's hobby in TOS. Ultimately, the portrait was not shown on screen.
     
  19. CorporalCaptain

    CorporalCaptain Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Well for Pete's sake, let's see it!
     
  20. arch101

    arch101 Commodore Commodore

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    They might have used Rhue's illness in story. I'm trying to decide if a Mcgivers crippled from trying to remove the eel along with a dead son would have been even more powerful and dramatic motivation for Khan. Her death in the final battle would certainly have moved Khan to set off the Genesis Device instead of finding a way to fight on.