Missing Star Trek ShatnerKirk ScenePosted by dhoffman on November 23rd, 2009
I think I’ve been up front about this in the past but I’m not really a Star Trek fan. Well, that’s not true, exactly. What it is is this: I’ve never really watched the shows.
Oh, I watched the original shows, as reruns with my dad, when I was a kid. And again, recently, with the HD re-releases, by way of iTunes. And I saw that not-nearly-as-awful-as-everyone-says-but-still-pretty-fucking-dull Star Trek: The Motion Picture in its original theatrical release (and enjoyed a nice, deep slumber).
I believe I’ve seen the rest of the movies, up through First Contact, in the theater, as well.
I never watched Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager or Generations (that’s all of them, right?). Which is to say, I might have been in a room when they were on, but I didn’t *watch* them — which is to say, *follow* them.
But still, I like Star Trek. I think the original crew is the best. I love the fact that, culturally, James T. Kirk has sort of become . . . well, almost a mythological figure. You can say, “Captain Kirk” and people know what you’re talking about, same as if you’d said Dracula or Superman or Hercules.
Which is to say, they’d know vaguely what you’re talking about. They’d be aware that Captain Kirk had a space ship and they’d know about Spock’s ears and they’d know some other stuff — tribbles, Kahn, hot green alien girls.
Same as they might know Dracula’s name but not that the “fearless vampire hunters” are Harker, Godalming, Seward and Van Helsing. Superman fights Lex Luthor and maybe they know that, but they probably don’t know about other, lesser-known villains. Hercules? Maybe they think of Lou Ferigno or (gasp!) Kevin Sorbo, but do they know in the original myth, he brutally murdered his wife (while, I believe, under another god’s control, but what can you do, right)?
So: Captain Kirk. James Tiberius Kirk. A part of the language. I really dig that, the notion of that. It’s something (almost) from my lifetime that could just live on with us, as a people, forever. A hundred years from now, will future astronauts jokingly call their commander, “Captain Kirk”? Maybe.
All this is preamble for the following. It’s the original scene, as written but never (so far as I know) filmed, from J.J. Abrams’ recent Star Trek movie. I’d heard about it, and honestly, reading it, God, I wished they’d filmed it. It would have been just the barest taste of William Shatner. Just enough to make folks have little geekgasms. Not too much — and in no real context — to overshadow the new cast.
And it would have tied things together beautifully.
So, here you go, first, the link: Linky-Poo.
And here, in case it gets pulled, or something, the quote in full. Obviously, if you haven’t seen the film . . . well, what are you waiting for? The thing came out on DVD and Blu-Ray last Tuesday. Get with it.
Here you go:
This begins during the scene where Spock Prime meets Quinto’s Spock at the end of the film:
SPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a favor... put away logic, and do what feels right. The world you’ve inherited lives in the shadow of incalculable devastation... but there’s no reason you must face it alone.
And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that until now, we’ve only caught glimpses of. Places it on the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his eyes is profound...
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
This was a gift to me. Representing...a dream. One we were unable to fulfill. (softly) The way you can now. And moves to the door.
Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)
As my customary farewell would appear oddly self serving, I will simply say...good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the corridor. Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the pendant... and realizes it’s a HOLO-EMITTER. After considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always, brash, wry, confident -- and SINGING:
KIRK/ SHATNER
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...(stops, grins) I know I know, it’s illogical to celebrate something you had nothing to do with, but I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your appointment to the ambassadorship so I thought I’d seize the occasion... Bravo, Spock -- they tell me your first mission may take you away for awhile, so I’ll be the first to wish you luck... and to say... (beat, emotional) I miss you, old friend...
And we’re PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the image of Kirk’s future self, the message, but above all -- the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had...
INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes right by a man conferring with a nurse -- the man pauses, turns... it’s SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that the stranger who’s just passed him is... oddly familiar.
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I suppose I’d always imagined us...outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching life swing us into our Emeritus years...
INT. STARBASE ONE – HANGAR – ETERNAL NIGHT
MUSIC BUILDING -- glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing. Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW -- over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS -- TRACK DOWN the faces, all proud:
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I look around at the new cadets now and can’t help thinking... has it really been so long? Wasn’t it only yesterday we stepped onto the Enterprise as boys? That I had to prove to the crew I deserved command... and their respect?
And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A man. And to every fan’s delight, finally wearing his YELLOW SHIRT. The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a podium:
COMMANDANT
This assembly calls Captain James Tiberius Kirk...
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the hangar -- past UHURA... SULU... CHEKOV... SCOTTY. All Beaming. Notably absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the stairs, snaps to attention:
COMMANDANT (CONT’D)
Your inspirational valor and supreme dedication to your comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of service and reflect utmost credit to yourself, your crew, and the Federation. By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby directed to report to Commanding Officer, USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
Kirk turns. Walks to... PIKE. In a wheelchair now, wearing an ADMIRAL’S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair’s turned totally grey -- but despite his trauma, his pride’s overwhelming. They SALUTE each other:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
... I am relieved.
He opens a BOX in his lap -- glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
PIKE (CONT’D)
And as Fleet Admiral, for your... unique solution to the Kobayashi Maru, it’s my honor to award you with a commendation for original thinking.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk’s chest...
PIKE (CONT’D)
(a touch choked) Congratulations, Captain.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE. OUR MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his eyes:
BONES
... Same ship, different day.
As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we go to the BACK of the hangar... SPOCK PRIME. Watching. Moved beyond words. He turns and leaves them to it... as he goes...
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I know what you’d say -- `It’s their turn now, Jim...’ And of course you’re right... but it got me thinking:
INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL – EARTH – DAY
Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirk’s transmission:
KIRK/SHATNER
Who’s to say we can’t go one more round? By the last tally, only twenty five percent of the galaxy’s been chartered...I’d call that negligent. Criminal even -- an invitation. You once said being a starship captain was my first, best destiny... if that’s true, then yours is to be by my side. If there’s any true logic to the universe...we’ll end up on that bridge again someday.
Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say most...
KIRK
Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the journey itself... is home.
Young Spock’s face. Lost in feelings that flood through him.