I've mentioned this in a few threads, but I'll just say it again: I feel that all of the TOS characters that appeared in TNG (and GEN) were either treated poorly or terribly. The only exception is McCoy, whose cameo in "Encounter At Farpoint" was beautifully written and performed.
The worst offender of all is Captain James T. Kirk, the greatest live-action science fiction character of all time, who is nothing more than a plot device in a movie that should have been at least as much about him and his crew as it should have been about Picard and his.
As a lifelong Trek fan (born in '76), I decided long ago to go with my own head canon instead of dwelling on the massive missed opportunities that frequently plague Star Trek history. As a result, GEN is a pure TNG tale with no 23rd century connections and the other TNG films also happen very differently.
I enjoy imagining what Captain Kirk would have done after being forced to retire at what would be in the 23rd century the young age of 60. I don't see Kirk doing ridiculous "mid-life crisis" stunts like orbital skydiving. I imagine he would continue to climb and keep active in other ways, but he doesn't fully retire. It's just not in the man's nature.
After giving this years of thought, I've narrowed things down to two possibilities. Let's assume that Spock became an ambassador and that McCoy continued in Starfleet, eventually heading up Starfleet Medical. However, Scotty went into transporter purgatory and Kirk didn't get stuck in plot contrivance purgatory, either.
Captain Kirk: Lone Explorer: I don't know how the financial side of things would work in the late 23rd century, but I imagine that Kirk could have bought a small starship of his own after retirement. I'm thinking of a ship roughly the size of the Syndey Class, like the U.S.S. Jenolan. It would have to be largely automated since Kirk would be traveling alone. In this scenario, Kirk would head "out there, that a way" and explore at his own leisure and discretion. He'd make time to keep up with old friends but I imagine he would one day disappear, his ultimate fate left unknown. There's no reason he couldn't live as long as McCoy or even longer.
Captain Kirk: Colony Command: I prefer this scenario a little more if only because I think Kirk would want to feel that he's continuing to make a difference and he can't do that in the same way on his own. He would retain his own starship but would lead colonists to their new homes and help them establish their colonies. This would keep him somewhat affiliated with Starfleet though he wouldn't answer to them directly. Kirk wouldn't settle down for the first decade or so, but he'd eventually marry and have a few children. However, he would never stay away from the center seat of his ship for long and as in the other scenario, he would perhaps disappear at some point, his final fate left to speculation and ultimately, legend.
As for what he'd name this ship, I have no idea. Enterprise seems too obvious, but at the same time, there's no reason he couldn't use the name for his personal vessel.
I'd love to read your ideas regarding James T. Kirk's ongoing adventures after TUC.
The worst offender of all is Captain James T. Kirk, the greatest live-action science fiction character of all time, who is nothing more than a plot device in a movie that should have been at least as much about him and his crew as it should have been about Picard and his.
As a lifelong Trek fan (born in '76), I decided long ago to go with my own head canon instead of dwelling on the massive missed opportunities that frequently plague Star Trek history. As a result, GEN is a pure TNG tale with no 23rd century connections and the other TNG films also happen very differently.
I enjoy imagining what Captain Kirk would have done after being forced to retire at what would be in the 23rd century the young age of 60. I don't see Kirk doing ridiculous "mid-life crisis" stunts like orbital skydiving. I imagine he would continue to climb and keep active in other ways, but he doesn't fully retire. It's just not in the man's nature.
After giving this years of thought, I've narrowed things down to two possibilities. Let's assume that Spock became an ambassador and that McCoy continued in Starfleet, eventually heading up Starfleet Medical. However, Scotty went into transporter purgatory and Kirk didn't get stuck in plot contrivance purgatory, either.
Captain Kirk: Lone Explorer: I don't know how the financial side of things would work in the late 23rd century, but I imagine that Kirk could have bought a small starship of his own after retirement. I'm thinking of a ship roughly the size of the Syndey Class, like the U.S.S. Jenolan. It would have to be largely automated since Kirk would be traveling alone. In this scenario, Kirk would head "out there, that a way" and explore at his own leisure and discretion. He'd make time to keep up with old friends but I imagine he would one day disappear, his ultimate fate left unknown. There's no reason he couldn't live as long as McCoy or even longer.
Captain Kirk: Colony Command: I prefer this scenario a little more if only because I think Kirk would want to feel that he's continuing to make a difference and he can't do that in the same way on his own. He would retain his own starship but would lead colonists to their new homes and help them establish their colonies. This would keep him somewhat affiliated with Starfleet though he wouldn't answer to them directly. Kirk wouldn't settle down for the first decade or so, but he'd eventually marry and have a few children. However, he would never stay away from the center seat of his ship for long and as in the other scenario, he would perhaps disappear at some point, his final fate left to speculation and ultimately, legend.
As for what he'd name this ship, I have no idea. Enterprise seems too obvious, but at the same time, there's no reason he couldn't use the name for his personal vessel.
I'd love to read your ideas regarding James T. Kirk's ongoing adventures after TUC.
