Is Kirk really to blame for the events in 'The Wrath of Khan'?

[Timo]

Most certainly so. But what Kirk wrote is still a filthy lie that leaves good people unprepared to the fact that folks like Mitchell can suddenly culminate their fine careers as hideous beasts without a shred of decency to them.

Also, it's insulting to Dehner. She did perform her duty to the hilt, despite being affected like Mitchell and formally also being "this evil entity" from that point on.

Kirk may be sentimental. But he shouldn't be allowed to be a fool for that. Equating the deaths of Mitchell and Dehner is an act in service of the enemy, obscuring the vitally important facts of the event. MItchell's reputation is neither here nor there. The fact that he became a monster is all that matters in that respect.

As for the reputation bit... Really, if "he was not himself" were a valid argument here, what if he went corrupt a year earlier and then killed left and right for that year? Rotten is rotten. That Mitchell was able to have second thoughts during a moment of weakness is just more damnation on the cake: he really "should" have returned to the light side if he could, and all the more blame on him for being too weak to do that. A drunkard shouldn't get a praising obit for being too weak to quit, either. That is, in the theoretical situation where warning the rest of the universe about the dangers of alcohol were somehow novel and relevant. Hiding the ugly truth works fine when it doesn't matter...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[BillJ]

As for the reputation bit... Really, if "he was not himself" were a valid argument here, what if he went corrupt a year earlier and then killed left and right for that year? Rotten is rotten. That Mitchell was able to have second thoughts during a moment of weakness is just more damnation on the cake: he really "should" have returned to the light side if he could, and all the more blame on him for being too weak to do that. A drunkard shouldn't get a praising obit for being too weak to quit, either. That is, in the theoretical situation where warning the rest of the universe about the dangers of alcohol were somehow novel and relevant. Hiding the ugly truth works fine when it doesn't matter...

It was clear there was a war going on within Mitchell. That there was something in the power causing him to go off the deep end. When his power is momentarily depleted, he looks at Kirk, clearly frightened and says "Jim..."

Dehner simply was a stronger person and more capable of fighting whatever was going on inside of her.

 

[UssGlenn]

Dehner simply was a stronger person and more capable of fighting whatever was going on inside of her.

Possible, but Dehner got a lighter dose as her ESP rating was lower. Therefore even if both Mitchell and Dehner had the same "will to fight" Dehner would have the better chance.

 

[Mister Spock]

I'm surprised that Starfleet didn't quarantine the planet like they did Talos IV. Allowing a starship near a planet populated by atomic supermen is just asking for trouble. At the very least, Kirk could have left a buoy telling any passing travellers that going to Ceti Alpha V wasn't an A1 good idea.

 

[Timo]

Those no doubt work as honey jars, though: whatever the pious Starfleet considers too scary for the universe, it probably means profit and power to the less timid.

I mean, Talosian powers supposedly would have, at least according to the Talosians themselves. So, that there were no buoys there either in "If Memory Serves" or in "The Menagerie" probably means that Starfleet actually cares.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Nerys Myk]

I'm surprised that Starfleet didn't quarantine the planet like they did Talos IV. Allowing a starship near a planet populated by atomic supermen is just asking for trouble. At the very least, Kirk could have left a buoy telling any passing travellers that going to Ceti Alpha V wasn't an A1 good idea.

Well they did blow up a neighboring planet in an attempt to neutralize them.
Wait, was I supposed to reveal that?
Forget I said anything.
I was never here.

 

[DonIago]

I'm surprised that Starfleet didn't quarantine the planet like they did Talos IV. Allowing a starship near a planet populated by atomic supermen is just asking for trouble. At the very least, Kirk could have left a buoy telling any passing travellers that going to Ceti Alpha V wasn't an A1 good idea.

It seems eminently possible that whatever blew up CA6 could have blown up any buoys as well.

Of course, it turns out that CA6 was blown up by time travellers whose future depended on Khan getting off the planet and ensuing events.

 

[Timo]

Planets blowing up is mundane, and people generally pay no attention. But Starfleet's reputation for tech hygiene is exemplary. When a buoy goes down, the Federation sends a ship to fix it...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[tharpdevenport]

Got to justify all those manned ships somehow.

Buoys aren't going to check themselves. ;-)