Captain Kirk was simply never written as a saint or a very noble character. Perhaps that's the reason why so many fans like him, because they can identify with him at some point (nobody's perfect after all).
Did Kirk's rather *enthusiastic* execution of Nero bug you?
- Thread starter Chrisisall
- Start date
- Status
Huh? My take on Kirk is that his moral landscape was cleverly crafted to that his immorality was the who-cares stuff - skirt chasing, cheating on stupid academy tests, he probably smoked pot too 
- but that the areas in which his morality was rigid were comparatively far more important - upholding Federation ideals even when inconvenient, worrying about the good of his crew, being harder on himself than anyone else, being compassionate when a lesser person would have been vengeful.
The genius behind how Kirk was written - and should be written going forward - was that he is a highly moral person without ever being off-putting or distancing, you know, "better than us." He only sweats the big stuff.
The Nero incident might be a mistake, but when I saw the film, it didn't jump out at me as such. On the contrary, I thought it was a nice Kirk-like moment for him to try to talk Nero away from the cliff edge. That was the moment at which I really felt, finally, that I was seeing a guy who I could accept as the "real" Kirk, despite the differences in how he might have started out as a character.
- but that the areas in which his morality was rigid were comparatively far more important - upholding Federation ideals even when inconvenient, worrying about the good of his crew, being harder on himself than anyone else, being compassionate when a lesser person would have been vengeful. The genius behind how Kirk was written - and should be written going forward - was that he is a highly moral person without ever being off-putting or distancing, you know, "better than us." He only sweats the big stuff.
The Nero incident might be a mistake, but when I saw the film, it didn't jump out at me as such. On the contrary, I thought it was a nice Kirk-like moment for him to try to talk Nero away from the cliff edge. That was the moment at which I really felt, finally, that I was seeing a guy who I could accept as the "real" Kirk, despite the differences in how he might have started out as a character.
About the space octopus vs space squid thing or the Kelvin's registry?
About the Narada having been the Space Octopus around here since we first heard of its existence.
The Kelvin's registry number remains the subject of an ongoing difference of opinion, and is a different topic altogether.
This reminds me of a true Sci-Fi "masterpiece" starring Lorenzo Lamas, which I've never seen, because the title and the studio simply say enough:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Shark_Versus_Giant_Octopus
Sorry, just couldn't resist.
I might rent it just to have some good laugh. That studio is known for their "masterpieces" such as "Transmorphers" or "Alien Vs. Hunter".
I loved the scene and didn't really think it was "out of character" for Kirk in the least. Did it bug me? Not really. I thought that it was interesting (and unexpected) that he even TRIED to offer Nero assistance- despite all that Nero had done up to that point (killing his father, destroying several Federation starships, destroying Vulcan, and threatening Earth) he STILL thought that saving Nero and his crew was something that could lead to a greater good in the future (i.e. peace between the Federation and Romulus). Nero, predictably, "spat" in his eye and Kirk ordered him finished off, which didn't seem totally unreasonable given that they needed to make sure the Narada was finished off once and for all and they didn't have enough time to try to change Nero's mind.
Last edited:
It's not like he hasn't done it before.
"Khan, I'm laughing at the superior intellect..."
he also wanted kirk to kill the horta.
and not only do we have kirk from search from spock .
we also have kirk in taste of armageddon to see how far kirk is willing to go.
Yep, General Order 24. (torch the whole planet)
I thought 24 was the one about miniskirts?
Or is that General Order 23?
Or is that General Order 23?
What about The Third Directive Of Emperor Pirk from "Star Wreck: In The Pirkinning":
"All Non-P-Fleet craft are to be destroyed on sight."
Hmm, Kirk's reaction didn't bug me as much as Spock's parting comment did. Yes, yes, I know Nero screwed everyone without the forethought of lube and everyone was hurting, but Spock's little flippant comment really jumped out at me. Hey, I understand, man, but still... Maybe it could have been worded a bit differently? *shrugs*
One love, Spock. One love, man!
One love, Spock. One love, man!
As far as Kirk in general, in VI, he was still grieving the loss of David, still bitter, and angry...but he did his duty and played the role of diplomat with Gorkon and co...even when his every cell wanted to be anywhere but there. He said in his log dictation just before Valeris came in, words that indictated a willingness to acknowledge the rightness of what Spock was doing, despite his own pain and anger...and no, in XI, ChrisPineKirk was smiling not because he'd just finished Nero, but because they had 'cheated death', and won the day....
startrekrcks
Fleet Captain
I liked the scene especially when Pine said You Got It so cool and good response
I look at Spock's "No, not really. Not this time." was the one time he gave in to his feelings.
He was not advocating murder, but disparaging that he would be saving the man responsible for destroying his home world, and killing his mother.
Given what Nero had done, I don't blame him one bit for this one lapse of logic.
Kirk, however, was truly stepping into his role as Captain, a soldier, diplomat and a representative of the Federation.
He wanted Nero gone, and for good reason, so he didn't shed a tear when Nero refused his offer of help. "You Got it" in this case means "Whatever you want. We're done here."
He was not advocating murder, but disparaging that he would be saving the man responsible for destroying his home world, and killing his mother.
Given what Nero had done, I don't blame him one bit for this one lapse of logic.
Kirk, however, was truly stepping into his role as Captain, a soldier, diplomat and a representative of the Federation.
He wanted Nero gone, and for good reason, so he didn't shed a tear when Nero refused his offer of help. "You Got it" in this case means "Whatever you want. We're done here."
I'm going to have to jump on board with the 'Kirk did the right thing' crowd. He offered his hand, got the finger in return, made sure the threat was neutralized. I just watched it the other night, and don't recall him smilling until after they dumped the warp cores and were thrown free, and that was more of a 'whew, we made it' than anything else.
- Status
