In the very begining of the movie, at Kirks birth, I thought to myself here begins a life that will end on Veridian III. Far away in time and space but it begins here. Then I realised later in the film with the changed timelime that it wasn't necessarily so. Kirk, Spock, McCoy any of them could be killed at any time. Altering the timeline was essential to remove the constant stigma of a historical record, or "we know they are going to get out of this because..." Because Sulu hasn't had a daughter yet... Because the Enterprise B hasn't been launched... Because Scotty isn't on the Genolen... Because McCoy was on the Enterprise D... Because they all make it to the Kitomer conference in time to save the day.
These are all new voyages and anything can happen. The gloves are off.
These are all new voyages and anything can happen. The gloves are off.