20 Things You Didn't Know About Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
2. A Tribute To Merritt Buttrick
Merritt Buttrick originated the role of David Marcus, then-Admiral Kirk's son, in Star Trek II. Directed by Nicholas Meyer in that film, he would return in Star Trek III to reprise the role, only to receive a brutal death at the hands of the Klingons. This is one of the key contributing factors to now-Captain Kirk's feelings against the species as a whole.
By 1989, and at 29 years of age, Buttrick had developed AIDS. He suffered from toxoplasmosis of the brain, along with pneumonia, and these were the main contributing factors to his death on the 17th of March of that year.
When production began on Star Trek VI, Meyer wanted to include a posthumous cameo to honour the actor. Kirk's placement of the photograph on his nightstand is a touching tribute to the young actor, while David's death becomes one of the key plot points in the effort to incriminate Kirk in the assassination of Gorkon. At the end of the film, Azetbur and Kirk share a moment of understanding.
You've restored my father's faith.
And you've restored my son's.