Unprepared Encounters: Times When the Starship Enterprise Wasn't Ready for Its Star Trek Mission
A detailed exploration of the unforgettable and unexpected challenges faced by the various Starships Enterprise during their iconic voyages in the Star Trek series.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Admiral Kirk was not prepared to command a refitted Enterprise. Given the temporary command of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture to investigate an unidentified alien object several days from Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk accelerates the ship's departure schedule to intercept the object known as V'Ger. Though Kirk's initial excitement at the prospect of command has him expecting a refitted but essentially the same starship as from his previous command, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not the case. After an eighteen-month-long refit, the Enterprise is all but a new ship - (almost) ready to embark on a new mission, overseen and due to be commanded by the now temporarily demoted Commander Will Decker.
Star Trek The Motion Picture Admiral James T Kirk William Shatner
Ironically, it was Admiral Kirk who recommended Captain Decker to take over the Starship Enterprise's center seat before James took it for himself and reduced Decker to First Officer. It's worth noting that Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott highlighted the need for more time before launch. Ceding on 'untested captain' upon learning of Kirk's temporary command appointment, Scotty lists the need for further refit works, a shakedown cruise, sufficient transition time with the new equipment for the crew, and warp tests for the ship's engines. Aboard the Enterprise, Kirk's lack of familiarity with the refitted ship becomes starkly apparent when he is momentarily unable to find his way to the bridge without assistance.
Kirk Decker Star Trek Motion Picture
Further demonstrating Kirk's unreadiness for the instant reality of command, Decker later countermands the Admiral's order to fire phasers when an engine imbalance creates a wormhole. It's Decker's proficiency with the Starship Enterprise that saves the ship before it can even intercept V'Ger.
Kirk picks out Ilia's clothes
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
The Enterprise was a training vessel with a limited crew. When the USS Enterprise receives a distress call from Regulus I in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Admiral Kirk consults with Starfleet command and Captain Spock and assumes command to respond to the call. Initially on board to assist with a short training cruise for Academy cadets, Kirk and his officers swiftly maneuver into their earlier roles. But the ship, primarily used for training, holds only a limited crew. Despite this, the Enterprise sets a course for Regulus I to offer aid. As Khan Noonien-Singh, a deadly foe from Kirk's past, simultaneously reemerges intent on revenge, this mission will both renew Kirk and break him.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. James Doohan as Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott, William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk.
Interestingly, the Enterprise's not-totally-ready-for-the-mission status reflects that of Admiral Kirk himself. Depressed, doubtful, and disillusioned by his age and role as a Starfleet admiral, Kirk is spiraling without a steady command to counter him, yet is also increasingly emotionally ill-suited to return to one. Professional and in command, nevertheless, Kirk's experience and savvy outwits the genetically engineered intellect of Khan, although Spock sacrifices his life to save the ship and his friends when Khan implements his doomsday detonation of the Genesis Device.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Genesis Project on Regula I. William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Dr Leonard 'Bones' McCoy, Kirstie Alley as Saavik, Merritt Butrick as David Marcus, Bibi Besch as Carol Marcus.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
The Enterprise was stolen and operated by a skeleton crew. Following Spock's death in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the grieving Admiral Kirk and crew of the USS Enterprise return to Earth. When Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek, demands an explanation and the delivery of Spock's body and katra, Kirk embarks breaks numerous Starfleet regulations to find Spock and reunite him with his living soul. Failing to get permission to return to the now-quarantined Genesis planet, Kirk and the command crew release the ailing-by-katra Doctor Leonard McCoy and steal the Enterprise, simultaneously sabotaging the USS Excelsior to prevent them from giving chase.
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. The command crew steal the Enterprise. Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov, George Takei as Hikaru Sulu, James Doohan as Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott, DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy, William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk.
The gambit pays off, and Kirk and crew set course for the Genesis planet to retrieve Spock's body to return it to Vulcan. With time against them and the security and welfare of both Spock and McCoy at stake, along with their own professional futures, Kirk and cohorts must operate the stolen Enterprise with only a skeleton crew when they encounter Kruge, a Klingon madman seeking the secrets of Genesis. Unprepared to battle the Klingons, Admiral Kirk's only recourse to keep the Enterprise from falling into enemy hands is to destroy it.
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. James Doohan as Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott, William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard McCoy. On Vulcan's surface watching destruction of USS Enterprise.
