The idea that it "cheapens the impact" is a nonstarter for me. I agree the script has plot holes. I agree that Khan was a poor choice. I think the space jump was dumb and the Scotty leaving the Enterprise only to return was equally dumb.
But, the idea of Kirk's sacrifice being cheapened is one I cannot begin to fathom. He goes from thinking he is above the fray, that the rules don't apply so long as he doesn't lose a crewmember, and cooks the book to support his ego. That at the end he has the same damn choice as his father, and chooses to sacrifice himself in the name of his crew, like Spock had done in the name of the Prime Directive, moves me every single time. Because it's Kirk's story, Kirk's choice and he doesn't know that McCoy will save him.
If he stays dead he will only know the ship was saved, but not the rest.
"Ain't it a bitch."
Real 2013 vibes in this thread now
Yeah I still love Into Darkness and eagerly awaiting the return of "they moved Delta Vega!" 2009 quibbles
I agree on the Khan scream, but that's two seconds of the film after a moving scene? Fuck that if I'm going to let 2 seconds ruin the feelings over my man Kirk sacrificing himself.
That's not just an Abrams' problem.
So, I decide to revisit this whole moment because it has been a minute and I was struck by a realization: Spock's "KHAN" yell, while again silly, is actually from a place of pure emotion. In TWOK, for all the praise heaped on Kirk's Khan yell it was a ruse. It was meant to make Khan think he had won, when Kirk already had plans in place. While important for the ruse, the pure raw hatred was not the same as Spock's in that moment, deprived of a relationship he would never know the depths of, or so he felt in the moment. As I stated in another post, Spock becomes like Nero, driven by a need for revenge.
Spock’s Khan yell, in story, is more appropriate to its moment than Kirk’s. I’ve held that opinion since I first saw 09 on opening day. Subsequent viewings of each have only strengthened my view (and I’m rather fond of Ham Shatner).
You've held the opinion that Spock's Khan yell is more appropriate than Kirk's since 2009?
My bad. Since 2013.
Right now, today, in the early 21st century, my wife’s company is curing leukemia in otherwise terminal patients with umbilical cord blood sourced stem cells, in combination with the “secret sauce” (my term) they’ve developed to significantly enhance the efficacy of the stem cells. It’s in clinical trials and approaching the final phase before full approval by health agencies in multiple countries. It’s happening now. Today. 
Yeah, that's why they conspicuously show the torpedo sitting on the Genesis planet at the end, because they were actually intending to kill the character forever.
It's amazing to me.
