Sir, he's dead already

[Whale4ever]

As far as the character of Kirk is concerned, he indeed HAD faced the death of a close friend previously: Gary Mitchell. Though under way-funky circumstances.

Shatner's reaction to Nimoy's Spock following the briefing on Mitchell's increasing ESP abilities was as good as any Kirk "drama" scenes ever filmed, imho.

A short moment, yes, but extraordinarily important to the future of the character.

 

[FalTorPan]

I think Shatner's two best acting bits in Trek were the Spock death scene in TWOK, and his reaction to David's death in TSFS -- him missing the captain's chair.

 

[SmoothieX]

I too get a little misty eyed every time I watch that scene. I'm glad Dee Kelley spoke out against saying 'he's dead, Jim' because that really would have made it corny.

McCoy and Scotty really do a good job of setting up the death scene that follows. Scotty sounds angry when he says 'He's dead already' and McCoy just sounds so defeated when he says 'It's too late.'

 

[Basill]

I too get a little misty eyed every time I watch that scene. I'm glad Dee Kelley spoke out against saying 'he's dead, Jim' because that really would have made it corny.

McCoy and Scotty really do a good job of setting up the death scene that follows. Scotty sounds angry when he says 'He's dead already' and McCoy just sounds so defeated when he says 'It's too late.'

Yeah, I think it shows off McCoy's concern for the rest of the personnel, and Scotty's lifetime of experience so well. With his sharp and deadpan, "Sir! He's dead already" You get the impression that he has seen his share of engineering personnel turn to jelly from the inside out from horrible radiation exposure and the like. Even if it weren't a common occurrence, he knows what is coming.

I also love how Kirk has to make eye contact with both of them for it to sink in. Of course it took 3 men to hold Kirk back, and I always thought that extra that was down in front and mostly out of site and with no lines was bit under appreciated.

 

[cultcross]

I too get a little misty eyed every time I watch that scene. I'm glad Dee Kelley spoke out against saying 'he's dead, Jim' because that really would have made it corny.

It's a shame he didn't object to that line about 'he's really not dead, as long as we remember him'. That line makes me cringe.

 

[Timby]

Personally, I'm thinking Shatner's reaction-acting to hearing of the death of his son in STIII was just as well done as the Spock scene. IIRC, I remember reading something where the falling down off-the-chair bit was an ad-lib by Shatner. Nimoy saw the value in it and allowed the cameras to continue to roll. Maybe it was in the commentary. Can't remember.

Shatner wrote in Star Trek Movie Memories that Nimoy directed him to simply step backwards, and then Shatner accidentally tripped upon the step before the captain's chair. Nimoy thought it was great, and told Shatner to intentionally trip for the next take (which is the one that wound up in the movie).

 

[AxelFoley]

Best scene in Star Trek history, IMO. Nothing will ever top it.

 

[jackorama666]

I agree with the original post

 

[darkwing_duck1]

TWOK should have gotten Best Picture, Shatner Best Actor, and Nimoy Best Supporting Actor on that scene alone, nevermind the REST of the film!

I'm sitting here with tears running down my cheeks after reading this thread.

 

[SmoothieX]

Yeah, I think it shows off McCoy's concern for the rest of the personnel, and Scotty's lifetime of experience so well. With his sharp and deadpan, "Sir! He's dead already" You get the impression that he has seen his share of engineering personnel turn to jelly from the inside out from horrible radiation exposure and the like. Even if it weren't a common occurrence, he knows what is coming.

I hadn't thought about how Scotty musta seen his far share of on the job deaths in the engine room over the years.

I always felt in this case he was not only broken up about his long time comrade's death, but also upset over the fact the the reason Spock had to sacrifice himself was because Scotty and the rest of engineering couldn't make the repairs in time.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Nicholas Meyer has said in his director's commentary for TWOK that he discovered the way to get the performance he wanted from Shatner was to do the scene over and over until Shatner got tired of "acting" and just said the words.

 

[A beaker full of death]

Yeah, I think it shows off McCoy's concern for the rest of the personnel, and Scotty's lifetime of experience so well. With his sharp and deadpan, "Sir! He's dead already" You get the impression that he has seen his share of engineering personnel turn to jelly from the inside out from horrible radiation exposure and the like. Even if it weren't a common occurrence, he knows what is coming.

I hadn't thought about how Scotty musta seen his far share of on the job deaths in the engine room over the years.

Shatner and Doohan always had a great chemistry on screen in those roles. The way Kirk looks at Scotty after he says that line -- he takes Scotty's word right there, and probably wouldn't have taken it as gospel from anyone else. Kirk already knows that if there were any possible human or superhuman way to save Spock, Scotty would have already come up with it. So for Scotty to say "he's dead already" is the final word in Kirk's mind.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I agree with that.

 

[Manticore]

I always find it an amazing testament to Doohan's acting abilities that despite his apparent strong dislike for Shatner, their scenes together always have a good warmth and camaderie between them, at least in the movies.

 

[Sector 7]

Yeah, I think it shows off McCoy's concern for the rest of the personnel, and Scotty's lifetime of experience so well. With his sharp and deadpan, "Sir! He's dead already" You get the impression that he has seen his share of engineering personnel turn to jelly from the inside out from horrible radiation exposure and the like. Even if it weren't a common occurrence, he knows what is coming.

I hadn't thought about how Scotty musta seen his far share of on the job deaths in the engine room over the years.

Shatner and Doohan always had a great chemistry on screen in those roles. The way Kirk looks at Scotty after he says that line -- he takes Scotty's word right there, and probably wouldn't have taken it as gospel from anyone else. Kirk already knows that if there were any possible human or superhuman way to save Spock, Scotty would have already come up with it. So for Scotty to say "he's dead already" is the final word in Kirk's mind.

Very well said... It is no secret that I have NO love for Shatner the person... but I have to agree that this is THE best scene in all of Star Trek. I, too, get choked up every time I have seen it.