20 Most Messed Up Deaths From The Star Trek Movies

6. Peter Preston Picked A Pickle

Peter Preston might have merely been a young midshipman (first class) — still an Academy student on a training cruise — but his heroism was a match for all the officers above him. Like another a little later, he gave his life in engineering saving others. "He stayed at his post."

Unlike Spock, however, Preston didn't get a do-over down on the Genesis Planet. Unlike Spock, Preston — badly burned and approaching death — was first carried up to the bridge by his uncle. The horrifying sight in the turbolift gave pause for more than one to gasp in horror.

With no mention of the family connection in the theatrical release of The Wrath of Khan, the turbolift scene was also undeniably bizarre. We could certainly understand Scotty's heartfelt dedication to anyone in engineering, but why so heartbroken over Preston in particular?

In the director's cut, Scotty's "my sister's youngest, Admiral," during Kirk's engine room tour, answered that question. Preston's final moments in sickbay were also slightly altered. With added poignancy, the director's cut switches back to a shot of the midshipman's face as he gives his last word — "Aye".