Star Trek, the Original Series: Space Seed
Aaaaah, Space Seed. Khan's "origin story." Khan, for those who don't know, is the genetically engineered super-human villain of the second Star Trek movie, titled, of course, "The Wrath of Khan," which is, of course, the source of the famous Shatner soundbyte, "KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" This episode, thus, is a significant contributor to shared geek-culture. It is also an episode that, by this point in time, establishes Star Trek most clearly as alternate universe instead of, "Well, maaaaaaaaaaaaybe this is the future," since the Eugenics Wars are established to have occurred in the mid 1990's (and also we should already have sleeper ships, dammit!). Unless we did have those wars, and I just blinked and missed them.

The Enterprise finds a strange vessel floating in space with a cargo of humans in suspended animation. One of the humans are awakened, and he comes aboard the Enterprise to heal and recover while the Enterprise crew tries to figure out who the hell he is. Khan, a genetically engineered human from the late 20th century, rewards their hospitality with betrayal, wakes the rest of his crew, and takes over the Enterprise with the intention of using it to conquer, well, first a world, but in the long term, the galaxy. The Enterprise crew turn the tables on their captors and are able to gas most of the enhanced humans into submission, leaving Cowboy Kirk to brawl it out with Khan. Khan... mostly kicks his ass, really, but Kirk eventually gets a hold of something he can use as a weapon and bludgeons Khan into unconsciousness. The Enterprise is recovered, and the enhanced humans, plus Khan's love interest amongst the Enterprise crew, Marla McGivers, are sent to an untamed world that lacks any native sapient species.

A note about Marla McGivers: can't stand her, can't stand her, can't stand her. She's the sort of 'needs to be dominated' female character that just makes me sick. I imagine that her releasing Kirk is supposed to redeem her after she betrays the crew to Khan because he's the sort of hot, dominating masculine male man she's been reading about in her history books (she's the crew's ancient culture expert, or some such), but really, she just comes off as wishy-washy. No wonder she didn't survive on the exile planet.

Moments and quotes that made me smile, and specific comments:

KIRK: I thought you said it couldn't possibly be an Earth vessel.
SPOCK: I fail to understand why it always gives you pleasure to see me proven wrong.
KIRK: An emotional Earth weakness of mine.

KIRK: An old Earth vessel, similar to the DY=500 class.
SPOCK: Much older. DY-100 class, to be exact. Captain, the last such vessel was built centuries ago, back in the 1990s.

Where's mine? :(

SPOCK: Hull surface is pitted with meteor scars. However, scanners make out a name. SS Botany Bay.
KIRK: Then you can check the registry.
SPOCK: No such vessel listed. Records of that period are fragmentary, however. The mid=1990s was the era of your last so-called World War.
MCCOY: The Eugenics Wars.
SPOCK: Of course. Your attempt to improve the race through selective breeding.
MCCOY: Now, wait a minute. Not our attempt, Mister Spock. A group of ambitious scientists. I'm sure you know the type. Devoted to logic, completely unemotional

Again, clearly establishing the dates of World War III. Also, I am both amused and irritated how Spock's commentary on human history gets turned into a criticism of Vulcan culture by McCoy. Yo, McCoy, bitch all you want to, but it was humans what did that, not Vulcans.

KIRK: The Bridge is yours, Mister Spock. Care to join the landing party, Doctor?
MCCOY: Well, if you're actually giving me a choice
KIRK: I'm not.

KIRK: Very interesting. You ready, Bones?
MCCOY: No. I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by this gadget.
KIRK: You're an old-fashioned boy, McCoy.

This episode is the first time I recall seeing McCoy bitching about the transporter, but it will not be the last time.

SCOTT: Definitely Earth-type mechanism, sir. Twentieth century vessel. Old type atomic power. Bulky, solid. I think they used to call them transistor units. I'd love to tear this baby apart.

I am amused by the fact that, while the space travel indicates technology more advanced than what we had in the 1990's, the mention of transistors indicates something less advanced.

MARLA: I've seen old photographs of this. Necessary because of the time involved in space travel until about the year 2018. It took years just to travel from one planet to another.

I bet we're behind on developing warp speed, too. :(

SPOCK: Even a theory requires some facts, Captain. So far I have none.
KIRK: And that irritates you, Mister Spock.
SPOCK: Irritation?
KIRK: Yeah.
SPOCK: I am not capable of that emotion.
KIRK: My apologies, Mister Spock. You suspect some danger in them?
SPOCK: Insufficient facts always invites danger, Captain.
KIRK: Well, we'd better get some facts.

KIRK: If I were to rate your performance as a member of the landing party today I
MARLA: I know, sir. I'm sorry.
KIRK: Lieutenant, at any one time, the safety of this entire vessel might depend upon the performance of a single crewman, and the fact that you find a man strangely compelling to you personally
MARLA: Not personally, Captain. Professionally. My profession is historian, and when I find a specimen from the past alive, I'm in the sheer delight of examining his mind.
KIRK: And men were more adventuresome then. Bolder, more colorful.
MARLA: Yes, sir, I think they were.
KIRK: Good. If I can have honesty, it's easier to overlook mistakes. That's all.

... Dude. She should at *least* get a, "Don't let it happen again"! And later on, Khan throws her around and pulls her hair. Well, no *wonder* she betrays the Enterprise for him.

Twit.

MCCOY: Well, either choke me or cut my throat. Make up your mind.
KHAN: English. I thought I dreamed hearing it. Where am I?
MCCOY: You're in (a squeeze makes him lower his voice) You're in bed, holding a knife at your doctor's throat.
KHAN: Answer my question.
MCCOY: It would be most effective if you would cut the carotid artery, just under the left ear.
(Khan releases him.)
KHAN: I like a brave man.
MCCOY: I was simply trying to avoid an argument.

KHAN: Captain, I wonder if I could have something to read during my convalescence. I was once an engineer of sorts. I would be most interested in studying the technical manuals on your vessel.
KIRK: Yes, I understand. You have two hundred years of catching up to do.
KHAN: Precisely.
KIRK: They're available to any patient on the viewing screen. Doctor McCoy will show you how to tie into the library tapes.

The policy of making the ship's technical manuals available to any and all patients, even non-crewmembers and strangers, is idiotic.

KIRK: This Khan is not what I expected of a twentieth century man.
SPOCK: I note he's making considerable use of our technical library.
KIRK: Common courtesy, Mister Spock. He'll spend the rest of his days in our time. It's only decent to help him catch up. Would you estimate him to be a product of selective breeding?
SPOCK: There is that possibility, Captain. His age would be correct. In 1993, a group of these young supermen did seize power simultaneously in over forty nations.
KIRK: Well, they were hardly supermen. They were aggressive, arrogant. They began to battle among themselves.
SPOCK: Because the scientists overlooked one fact. Superior ability breeds superior ambition.

KHAN: I've been reading up on starships, but they have one luxury not mentioned in the manuals.
MARLA: I don't understand.
KHAN: A beautiful woman. My name is Khan. Please sit and entertain me.
(She perches on another bed)

TWIT!

KHAN: But I caution you. Such men dare take what they want.
He kisses her, and she responds.)

TWIT!

The entire dinner conversation is pretty well played and well maneuvered, I'm going to quote the whole darned thing.

KIRK: Forgive my curiosity, Mister Khan, but my officers are anxious to know more about your extraordinary journey.
SPOCK: And how you managed to keep it out of the history books.
KHAN: Adventure, Captain. Adventure. There was little else left on Earth.
SPOCK: There was the war to end tyranny. Many considered that a noble effort.
KHAN: Tyranny, sir? Or an attempt to unify humanity?
SPOCK: Unify, sir? Like a team of animals under one whip?
KHAN: I know something of those years. Remember, it was a time of great dreams, of great aspiration.
SPOCK: Under dozens of petty dictatorships.
KHAN: One man would have ruled eventually. As Rome under Caesar. Think of its accomplishments.
SPOCK: Then your sympathies were with
KHAN: You are an excellent tactician, Captain. You let your second in command attack while you sit and watch for weakness.
KIRK: You have a tendency to express ideas in military terms, Mister Khan. This is a social occasion.
KHAN: It has been said that social occasions are only warfare concealed. Many prefer it more honest, more open.
KIRK: You fled. Why? Were you afraid?
KHAN: I've never been afraid.
KIRK: But you left at the very time mankind needed courage.
KHAN: We offered the world order!
KIRK: We?
KHAN: Excellent. Excellent. But if you will excuse me, gentlemen and ladies, I grow fatigued again. With your permission, Captain, I will return to my quarters.

MARLA: I don't know if you're going to like living in our time.
KHAN: Then I'll have to remold it to my liking.
(Embraces her)
MARLA: Please don't.
(Pushes her away.)
KHAN: Go. Or stay. But do it because it is what you wish to do. Well?
MARLA: I'll stay a little longer.

ARGH!!

KHAN: This grows tiresome. You must now ask to stay.
MARLA: I'd like to stay. Please.

AAARGHH!!!!

He takes her hand, then forces her down onto her knees.)
KHAN: Open your heart. Will you open your heart?
MARLA: Yes.

DIE MARLA DIEDIEDIEDIE!!!!

KHAN: I intend to take this ship. Do you agree?
MARLA: Oh, please don't ask me
KHAN: I need your help.
MARLA: You won't harm anyone?
KHAN: Now you question me?
MARLA: No.
KHAN: Will you assist me?
MARLA: Oh, please, Khan, don't ask me
KHAN: Leave me then. (He throws her against the opposite wall. THROWS) Go, I say.
MARLA: No. I promise. I'll do anything you ask.

GRAAAAAAAARGHHHHH!!!!!

KIRK: Name, Khan, as we know him today. (Spock changes the picture) Name, Khan Noonien Singh.
SPOCK: From 1992 through 1996, absolute ruler of more than a quarter of your world. From Asia through the Middle East.

Every time they give dates in this episode, it just cracks me up.

KIRK: He was the best of the tyrants and the most dangerous. They were supermen, in a sense. Stronger, braver, certainly more ambitious, more daring.

I only quote this bit because it is the exact opposite of what Kirk says to Spock earlier. Make up your blasted mind, Kirk!

SCOTT: There were no massacres under his rule.
SPOCK: And as little freedom.
MCCOY: No wars until he was attacked.
SPOCK: (shocked) Gentlemen.
KIRK: Mister Spock, you misunderstand us. We can be against him and admire him all at the same time.
SPOCK: Illogical.
KIRK: Totally.

KHAN: Captain, although your abilities intrigue me, you are quite honestly inferior. Mentally, physically. In fact, I am surprised how little improvement there has been in human evolution. Oh, there has been technical advancement, but, how little man himself has changed. Yes, it appears we will do well in your century, Captain.

KHAN: I should have realized that suffocating together on the Bridge would create heroic camaraderie among you. But it is quite a different thing to watch it happening to someone else. Engage the viewing screen. I'm sure you recognize your medical decompression chamber here, Doctor. And the meaning of that indicator. (It is dropping to 10Hg) Your Captain will die. If you join me, Mister Spock, I will save his life. My vessel was useless. I need you and yours to select a colony planet. One with a population willing to be led by us.
MCCOY: To be conquered by you. A starship would make that most simple, wouldn't it?
KHAN: Each of you in turn will go in there. Die while the others watch.
MARLA: Khan. There's no reason I must watch this, is there?
KHAN: (Shakes his head) But I hoped you would be stronger. (She leaves) If any one of you joins me, anyone! I'll let him live. It's so useless!

Oh-hai! More emotional abuse heaped on Marla by the man she still stays with in the end! ARGH!!!! TWIT!!!

KIRK: Captain's Log. Stardate 3143.3. Control of the Enterprise has been regained. I wish my next decisions were no more difficult. Khan and his people. What a waste to put them in a reorientation centre. And what do I do about McGivers?

And if you had put them in that reorientation center, Kirk, you wouldn't have had the problems you will later!

SPOCK: Quite correct, Captain. Planet number five there is habitable, although a bit savage, somewhat inhospitable.
KIRK: But no more than Australia's Botany Bay colony was at the beginning. Those men went on to tame a continent, Mister Khan. Can you tame a world?
KHAN: Have you ever read Milton, Captain?

(Other stuff happens, the genetically enhanced folks leave.)

SCOTT: It's a shame for a good Scotsman to admit it, but I'm not up on Milton.
KIRK: The statement Lucifer made when he fell into the pit. 'It is better to rule in hell than serve in heaven.'

SPOCK: It would be interesting, Captain, to return to that world in a hundred years and to learn what crop has sprung from the seed you planted today.
KIRK: Yes, Mister Spock, it would indeed.

And if you had checked a lot *sooner* than a hundred years, you also wouldn't have had those later problems! Sheesh!

But at least I know that it is Marla's fate to die soon. DIEDIEDIEDIEDIE!!

Full transcript.</aa>