Movies - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

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	Movies - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Paramount Pictures, 1982) is the second feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series. Originally released to theatres as Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan It is often referred to as ST2:TWOK or TWOK. It is widely regarded by fans as the best film of the series, and even many non-fans regard it as an excellent science fiction film.

Cast

Plot summary

In the Star Trek episode "Space Seed", the USS Enterprise encountered Khan Noonien Singh and his followers in cryogenic freeze aboard a "Sleeper ship" named SS Botany Bay. The Enterprise crew revived Khan, who when examined was revealed to have been genetically engineered for physical and mental superiority. When the senior officers discovered that Khan was the same tyrant who escaped in the late 20th century, Khan was imprisoned in his "guest" quarters. He subsequently escaped from confinement and revived his followers, other "supermen" who had helped him control a quarter of Earth until the 1990s. They were joined by Enterprise officer Lieutenant Marla McGivers, who fell in love with Khan and helped them seize control of the Enterprise. After defeating Khan and his crew, the episode concluded with Captain James T. Kirk exiling them to the inhospitable but survivable Ceti Alpha V, where they could build their own civilization, rather than their talents going to waste in a Federation penal colony.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan begins fifteen years later as Admiral James T. Kirk is spending his birthday reviewing a training exercise. As expected, Lieutenant Saavik has lost the "no-win" Kobayashi Maru Scenario, "a test of character" every cadet is expected to fail. Questioning over her failure, Kirk assures her with the advice that "A no-win situation is something every commander may face." Further, he counsels, "how we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life."

Outside the training room, Kirk thanks Captain Spock for the antique copy of A Tale of Two Cities that Spock (who now commands the Enterprise) has given him as a birthday gift. Spock returns to the Enterprise to prepare for Kirk's inspection, and Kirk returns to his San Francisco, California apartment. Dr. Leonard McCoy arrives, bringing illegal Romulan ale for refreshment, and antique reading glasses as a gift; the latter are also practical, since Kirk is allergic to the usual medication that would treat his age-related vision problems. In front of his guest, Kirk resumes brooding. The sombre "party" prompts McCoy to demand why they're treating his birthday like a funeral. He charges that Kirk is using his birthday as a pretense. The truth is that Kirk regrets no longer commanding a starship, and he finds his duties as an admiral unsatisfying.

Meanwhile, the starship USS Reliant believes they have found a suitable test planet for Project Genesis. Over subspace communications, molecular biologist Dr. Carol Marcus — head of the project team, which is located aboard Spacelab Regula One — emphasizes that the planet must be completely lifeless: "There can't be so much as a microbe, or the show's off." Captain Clark Terrell and first officer Commander Pavel Chekov beam down to the planet to confirm, but lifeless it is not. They discover cargo containers with signs of human habitation, but no people. When Chekov discovers a seatbelt with "Botany Bay" as an inscription, he grows terrified. Realizing who is on the planet, he tells Terrell they have to leave immediately — but Khan and his followers are outside and capture them. Khan's history is briefly laid out in an exchange with Chekov, whom Khan remembers (see below, "Space Seed" actually was before Koenig joined the cast). When Khan says that Kirk marooned them "here," Chekov accuses him of lying, because they were left on Ceti Alpha V. Khan angrily bursts out, "This is Ceti Alpha V!" He explains, "Ceti Alpha VI exploded, six months after we were left here." The shock shifted Ceti Alpha V's orbit such that it went from inhospitable to nearly unsurvivable. Khan now realizes the Reliant mistook the planet as Ceti Alpha VI and that thus, Chekov and Terrell hadn't been expecting to find him there at all. He therefore questions Terrell and Chekov about their actual mission was, but they remain silent. Khan then uses the slug-like young of "Ceti Alpha V's only remaining indigenous inhabitant" — the ceti eels — to gain control over Terrell and Chekov. The creatures burrow through their victims' ear canals to their brains, leaving them in a highly suggestive state. Khan nods with satisfaction, once again addressing Terell and Chekov: "That's better. Now tell me, why are you here? And tell me where I may find . . . James Kirk."

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