10 No-Win Scenarios In Star Trek (And How They Were Resolved)
5. Project Genesis
Scenario: The Genesis Torpedo will detonate and destroy all life on the Enterprise unless the ultimate sacrifice is made. To undo that sacrifice, another one is waiting.
Resolution: Spock's death, thanks to the actions of Khan, are among the most devastating moments in Star Trek's history. Admiral Kirk is forced to watch his closest friend die, taking little comfort in the knowledge that only this sacrifice is what saved the Enterprise and her crew. While they all mourn for Spock, a new planet is born from the Genesis effect. It becomes Spock's burial ground.
However, after learning that he has inadvertently made a dreadful mistake in leaving Spock's body there, Kirk steals the Enterprise back from Spacedock and rushes to the Genesis planet again. His son, David Marcus, developer of the Genesis torpedo, is a prisoner on the planet. The Enterprise is crippled again, David is executed by the Klingons and their ship is about to be boarded.
The fact that Kirk manages to turn this situation around by setting the ship to self-destruct, rescuing Saavik and a reincarnated Spock and makes off with the Klingon Bird of Prey is easily one of the reasons he remains one of the most famous men in Starfleet's history.