4“Captain, although your abilities intrigue me, you are quite honestly inferior – mentally, physically…“
-Khan Noonien Singh to James T. Kirk, Space Seed
Nobody does arrogance better than a superhuman, war criminal tyrant.
Unfortunately, every time I watch this and Khan mentions Kirk’s ‘abilities’ I think, “What, Jim’s ability to hand over the schematics to his starship? Fail, Jim. Fail.”
There are so many reasons to love this episode, though, (not counting McGyvers, geez, way to make us women look stupid) because McCoy is awesomely badass, Spock wins my heart, and this episode is truly the sown ‘seed’ of a trilogy of movies that made me believe in the Triumvirate.
Related Posts:
- I can’t get this out of my head. – from July 12, 2014
- Dubstepping the Trek – from December 7, 2013
- When All Else Fails, Watch Star Trek – from November 30, 2013
- This Should Have Been – from September 14, 2013
- Today’s Musing – from August 31, 2013
Nice to read about the old series. While Space Seed was never my favorite, I do agree that it spawned some powerful Trek. Wrath of Khan was a well done movie but after all these years, more distanced now from being so obsessed with the show, I realize I am actually pissed at the arrogance of Nick Meyer to kill off Spock. The movie being pretty good Trek still doesn’t justify it. I used to just be more easy about it. I accepted the Trek I was handed because we, as fans back then, were so hungry for more. We didn’t have spin offs. We didn’t have Internet movies and Internet fanfic. Only zines and pining for more Trek. Now I get to pick and choose my Treks. I love reboot much much more as an excellent movie than I do Wrath of Khan, which is saying a lot because I am/was very loyal to the “old crew.” But if you want to just talk about good movies, that was great. Killing Spock? Not great. And arrogant of the stupid writers/directors to think they can kill a pop icon like that because they can…even if it wasn’t, it almost feels like they were laughing at the fans; it almost feels bullying. Ah well, two cents from a very old timer who watched her first Trek rerun while babysitting at age 13 in ’73.
I would never call Space Seed one of my favorite episodes. In that, I agree with you. But I love the idea of Khan as a villain, and that Kirk has to face him years down the road. Now, about Spock’s death? It was shocking. It’s almost makes you wonder why they would think that would be okay in any universe, at any time – even twenty years later in the fandom. Of course, it made a perfect reason (public demand) to continue producing Star Trek movies. Honestly, I see TOS and the movies as almost two separate entities. Both are wonderful in their own ways (except V’Ger, srsly) and the movies in particular go a long way to give us more background for the imagination in how our crew matures together. Then again, you know I’m very pro-trio and I feel like I’m being fed it with a spoon during the movies. XD
Just popping in to give my two cents… (not that you actually *asked*) :D Space Seed isn’t my favorite ep (mostly because of McGivers), but the follow-on movie is good cinema. My favorite movie is still “Undiscovered Country” because it actually addresses some of the political structure and the “less than perfect” Federation. But you bring up the death of Spock and I clearly remember how it affected me, how it still affects me and I think about Mr. Joss Whedon and his tendency to kill off beloved characters. And I wonder if Spock’s death made enough of an impact on him that he followed that path, too? At least #COULSONLIVES on television.
:) I post these entries exactly for others’ “two cents” – so the asking is inherent! Why do you bring up Coulson? Now I must be sad again. Oh, Coulson. I want you back it the movie!verse so so badly. It’s just not fair. And unless the Avengers are regular primetime guests on the show, I will never be able to forget about his death. Damn you, Whedon.