Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is, in the opinion of many Trek fans, the franchises crowning masterpiece, a tight, suspenseful thrill ride of a movie, as effective on its twentieth viewing as it is the first time. One of the climactic scenes of the film remains, more than thirty years after the films debut, a heartbreaking moment that can still bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded movie watcher. The Enterprise has just survived a fierce battle with Kirks old nemesis, Khan. Although Khan has been defeated, he has activated the Genesis device, which will soon reorganise all matter within range. The Enterprises warp drive has been damaged and the ship will not escape in time. Spock rushes down to the engine room and repairs the damage, but is slowly killed by by radiation poisoning in the process. Including such memorable lines as The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, I have been, and always shall be, your friend, and, of course, Live long, and prosper, this devastatingly emotional scene of heroism and sacrifice is, in the minds of many Star Trek fans, Spocks finest moment, the act which defines him as a selfless, logical, courageous hero. Watching The Wrath of Khan, even with the hindsight of having seen the later films and knowing Spock is not gone forever, we still feel its intensity, its sadness, and its demonstration of good ultimately triumphing over seemingly overwhelming odds. What's your favourite Spock moment? If it's not The Wrath Of Khan, what is it? Share it down in the comments.
Aaron Smith is a writer who can't stick to one genre. He's written horror, mystery, fantasy, and espionage novels and short stories, including new tales of Sherlock Holmes. A lifelong fan of movies, comics, good books, obscure trivia, and the New York Yankees, he lives in northern New Jersey.
