What is Kirk?

[Outpost4]

With the new movie, I've been thinking about Sherlock Holmes. A lot of actors have played Holmes, and while their performances are all different and unique, they still share a common portrait. Conan Doyle painted such a vivid picture of Holmes on the page, there is really only one way to play him. Intelligent, egotistical, driven, impulsive and explosive. Also contemplative and an addict, expecially for something interesting.

With Kirk we don't have that. We don't have an original source in the written word to fall back on. And yet I would guess most of us think we know at least a piece of Jim Kirk. We have a sense of who he is. I'd like to come up with a list of those qualities.

Let's play a game. Here's the setting: Mr. X has finally been cast to play Kirk. You are JJ Abrams. You sit down with X and say, Congratualtions, bubba. You just got the role of the lifetime. Of course you know who Jim Kirk is...you don't?...and I cast you?...OK, here it is. This is James T. Kirk:

Now this is your part. Give me your description of Jim Kirk.

Here's are some of my qualities for Jim Kirk:

brave
strong
crafty
romantic
intuitive

 

[Michael]

I'd say

humorous
honorable
compassionate
larger-than-life (but maybe that's the Shat-part)
commanding
macho
convincing (I wouldn't play poker with him)
charming (when it comes to women)

 

[The Doctor]

I'm a big fan of early S1 Kirk: filled with an almost equal measure of self-doubt and reckless confidence. Brash, impulsive and an almost effortless leader of men. But his command front is a facade, underneath he is constantly questioning himself: his his biggest critic. He relies on the experience of Bones and Spock to bring him through, to temper his almost limitless enthusiasm with emotion and common sense from Bones and precise logic from Spock. Kirk, must like Holmes, craves a challenge: without it, without the intense pressures of command Kirk languishes as his self-doubt takes over.

That's what I'd say, anyhow.

 

[StarMan]

He is:

1. A Captain
2. Not a homosexual

 

[Outpost4]

Belar said:
larger-than-life (but maybe that's the Shat-part)

I've been struggling with this. How much of Shatner should be in the new guy's performance of Jim Kirk?

 

[RookieBatman]

Outpost4 said:
With Kirk we don't have that. We don't have an original source in the written word to fall back on.

It's not original, but if they really wanted a written-word presentation of Kirk, I'd point them towards books like "Federation" by the Reeves-Stevenses. Those two really understand what makes Kirk tick.

 

[Outpost4]

I thought about that when I wrote the sentence. Certainly not to be dismissive of Trek lit, we really have only one original source and that's the 79 episodes. The movies don't count. They are of a different time and focus. Plus Shatner's portrayal of Kirk varies so much from movie to movie.

No, if we have one original source, a reference, to call on for what defines Kirk, it is the three seasons of Star Trek.

 

[Franklin]

Well, let's try these exerpts from "The Making of Star Trek":
-- Kirk is an idealist.
-- Kirk is sensitive.
-- Kirk has a complex personality.
-- Kirk is very aware of the responsibility of his position and how it conflicts with his individual needs.
-- Kirk can push himself beyond his limits.
-- Kirk is worthy of respect.
-- Kirk is very intelligent.
-- Kikr is a man of decision.

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Cocky.

Badass.

Devil-may-care.

Competent.

Loyal.

Passionate.

Handsome.

Arrogant.

Smooth.

Charming.

Independent.

 

[Proximity_Phaser]

I'd have the actor read some Hornblower and Aubrey novels.

 

[Dale]

Kirk and Kirk... what is Kirk?

 

[jonnyskywatcher]

I have no idea, because as far as I've seen from the few episodes of the TOS and the Star Trek movies I've watched Kirk has come off as little more than a walking, talking Cardboard cutout of a human being. From the way many people talk about him, I have come to think that some people have watched TOS so many times that they have lost touch with how people actually behave and see the slightest movement in an episode as poignant emotional moment.

Or maybe that's just me.

 

[Proximity_Phaser]

jonnyskywatcher said:
I have no idea, because as far as I've seen from the few episodes of the TOS and the Star Trek movies I've watched Kirk has come off as little more than a walking, talking Cardboard cutout of a human being. From the way many people talk about him, I have come to think that some people have watched TOS so many times that they have lost touch with how people actually behave and see the slightest movement in an episode as poignant emotional moment.

Or maybe that's just me.

How dare you? Kirk may be a swaggering, overbearing, tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood, but he's not a cardboard cutout of a human being.

That'd be Lt. Leslie.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

emotional
an intuitive genius (but behaves in a disarming way that camoflages it)
not as self-confident as he acts
too risk-taking for his own good

 

[Roshi]

He's not afraid of God.

 

[xortex]

passionate, broad acting style, paragon of virtue.

 

[xortex]

and inwardly conflicted.

 

[xortex]

What Kirk is not is a sneaky opportunist. I.e. a winner take all type like James Bond.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Currently dead under a pile of rocks on Vermillion XXII.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Outpost4 said:
I've been struggling with this. How much of Shatner should be in the new guy's performance of Jim Kirk?

None. Shatner is an actor with his own style. Anyone aping said style would lapse into parody. If I want a half-imitation I'll watch New Voyages. Any professional actor will adapt the character to his own style.