1986 - STAR TREK IV: The Voyage Home

Story: Leonard Nimoy and Harve Bennett
Dir.: Leonard Nimoy
Producer: Harve Bennett

Captain Kirk : William Shatner
1st Officer, Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy
Dr. McCoy: De Forest Kelly
Commander Scott: James Doohan
Commander Uhura: Nichele Nichols
Commander Sulu: George Takei
Commander Chekov: Walter Koenig
Commander Chapel: Majel Barett
Lieutenant Saavik: Robin Curtis
Sarek: Mark Lenard
Amanda: Jane Wyatt
Dr. Gillian Taylor: Catherine Hicks
Federation President: Robert Ellenstein
Music: Leonard Rosenmann
Klingon Ambassador: John Chuck

After the Fal Tor Pan, Spock's memory comes back more and more and he takes great efforts to achieve to be what he has been before. Meanwhile the Klingon ambassador speaks in front of the Federation council. He accuses admiral Kirk of having killed his people while Sarek, the Vulcan ambassador, comes in for the defence of the accused. "There will be no peace as long as Kirk lives!" the Klingon ends his accusations. The President of the Federation assures him that Kirk will be tried for nine violations of the Federation law. This makes the Klingon ambassador furious. He wants Kirks death. At the same time a probe is monitored by stations in space. It is of gigantic proportions and powers and approaches earth. No data of it can be analyzed. 

On Vulcan the crew awaits the time until Scotty has repaired the Bird of Prey with a lot of Vulcan help. ("The Repairs are easily done, but the Klingon language is difficult to read.") They know that getting back to Earth means to stand trial for abducting the Enterprise, refusing to obey orders and other illegal actions they undertook to search for Spock. They are ready to stand for their actions in front of the Federation council. In irony Dr. McCoy has named the captured Klingon vessel the "Bounty". During all this time Spock has achieved to answer any question he had learned before, in any subject and area he is interested in, very precisely and changing the topics rapidly. Testing himself by computer he answers all the questions asked correctly in a very high speed - until he is confronted by the question: "How do you feel?" The question is repeated. He tells the computer: "I do not understand the question." In this moment his mother, Amanda, comes in. She explains that the computer knows that he is human, and feelings are a part of humans. Asking him whether he still believes that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (which he confirms) she says: "Then you are here because of a mistake - your friends have given their future to save you." Spock is aware that humans sometimes are illogical. "They are indeed" Amanda agrees and leaves trusting he will find his way. 

The probe comes closer to earth. Everywhere it passes all energy fades. All systems are deprived of all powers. Wherever the probe goes by; stations, docks, outposts, ships, anything stops working. The "Bounty" is repaired and ready to leave Vulcan with Captain Spock on board. He excuses for his appearance in the white robe of Vulcan tradition: "I seem to have 'misplaced' my uniform." Amanda and Saavik watch the Bird of Prey leave Vulcan. McCoy wonders whether it is a good idea to take Spock along: "He's not exactly working on all thrusters." "It will come back" Kirk is sure. In the dark Klingon ship all assume duty and Spock works on the science section as McCoy begins a conversation with him. He is glad that he does not carry Spock's mind with him any more: "I surely could not fill your shoes." "My shoes?" Spock is amazed. But McCoy does not give up, he wants to know how it was since Spock has been somewhere nobody has been before. Life - death . . . McCoy wants to discuss it with him. Dryly Spock answers: "It would be impossible to discuss this without a common frame of reference." "You are joking!" McCoy can't believe what he's heard. "A joke is a story with a humorous climax?" Partly Spock asks the question, partly he recites his knowledge. "You mean I have to die to discuss your insights on death?" McCoy wonders. But now Spock excuses himself, he has to work, a couple of distress calls are coming in. 

On earth the probe has affected the weather. Clouds cover the atmosphere to 88% while the probe keeps on vaporizing the waters of the oceans and all energy has faded. Sarek visits the president who sadly states that there is no chance to answer the probe. "It is difficult to answer if one does not understand the question," Sarek empathises and suggests transmitting an interplanetary distress signal. The warning is received in the Bird of Pray, too: The president advises all ships to avoid earth. All ships in orbit already have lost their power. A probe jeopardizes all life on earth. The energy supply has broken down and the oceans are vaporized. If there is no chance to communicate with the probe, they will have no chance to survive. "Avoid the planet earth at all costs!" is the final summary of the message. Kirk asks Uhura to play the sounds of the probe. Listening to them Spock thinks that the probe has not come in order to destroy, rather to make contact. This contact is not necessarily meant for humans since the signals are directed to the oceans. Wondering how the sounds might sound under water Kirk asks Uhura to adapt them to those circumstances. Now Uhura plays the sounds as they would sound under water and Spock leaves to check on his theory and proves it: The sounds are identical with the sounds of the humpback whale. It is whale - song the probe is communicating by. Whales have existed on earth 10 million years before there were men. 

Kirk wonders whether they could combine sounds and answer. Spock agrees, but points out that any message would not make sense; they would be responding in gibberish. Because whales have been extinct in the 21st century the only place where to find the humpback whales would be the earth of the past. McCoy cannot believe it: "You are proposing that we go backwards in time, find humpback whales, then bring them forward in time, drop them off, and hope the hell they tell this probe what it's gonna do with itself. That's crazy!" "You have got a better idea?" Kirk challenges him, "Now is the time!" and makes contact with Star Fleet headquarters and informs them about their plans. Some variables (availability of fuel components, mass of the vessel through a time continuum and probable location of humpback whales, in the case: The Pacific basin) Spock had to program from his memory, i.e. information the computer did not have, to calculate the exact time of arrival at earth: the late 20th Century. McCoy is not happy about this: "Angels and ministers of grace defend us!" "Hamlet act 1 scene 4," Spock comments. And Kirk trusts in Spock's memory. 

Increasing the warp speed to a dangerous limit and passing the sun at close range they attempt the leap in time – and succeed. "Judging by the pollution content of the atmosphere I believe we have arrived at the later half of the 20th century," Spock evaluates the readings. "Admiral, if I may: We are probably already visible to the tracking devices of the time." "Quite right, Mr. Spock," Kirk agrees: "Engage cloaking device, Mr. Chekov." Spock finds the position: "On the West coast of North America." "Admiral, I am receiving whale song," Uhura rejoices and wonders why it is coming directly from San Francisco City. Scotty calls in: The Klingon crystals needed for energy have broken down. The time travel has taken its toll. Spock suggests using nuclear reactor power, the power source of the time. With a device which eliminates the contamination they could gather the energy and transform it into photons, causing crystal restruction - theoretically. "Where could we find those reactors – theoretically?" Kirk goes along. Spock: "Nuclear power was widely used in naval vessels." 

Seeing San Francisco from above Kirk orders the Bird of Prey to be taken down to land in Golden Gate Park. Kirk divides up the teams: Uhura and Chekov go after the uranium power. Dr. McCoy, Mr. Scott and Commander Sulu will convert us a whale tank. The announcement is followed by a remark from McCoy: "Oh joy!" Kirk's look at Spock while he prepares his crew that some of the customs might take them by surprise is met by Spock's interesting eyes, but he does not move a muscle. "It's a forgone conclusion none of these people have ever seen an extra - terrestrian before" ... Without a word Spock tears a ribbon from his coat and binds it around his forehead by this covering his ears. Without a commend he waits for the reactions. No one says a word, but the faces vary: One shows amusement, one admiration. "This is an extremely primitive and paranoid culture" Kirk continues and makes everybody aware of the importance of their mission. 

The cloaked Bird of Prey lands in Golden Gate Park creating a lot of wind and sound. Some people having worked near by escape in fear. The crew has to remember the coordinates where they have "parked". They soon realize that money is still used and that they need some of that. Kirk sells his glasses at an antique dealer's shop. "Excuse me – weren't they a birthday present from Dr. McCoy?" Spock asks Kirk. "And they will be again – that's the beauty of it!" Kirk responds. The money they get is equally shared and the small groups separate quite disorientated. "Here we are walking the streets of San Francisco looking for humpback whales. How do we solve this minor problem?" Kirk asks. Spock suggests having a look at a map he sees at a bus station. Studying the map he comes closer to a way juxtaposing the coordinates Uhura gave them ... "I think the station we are looking for is in Sausalito, there are humpback whales named George and Gracy." Kirk interrupts him after having read an ad printed at the side of a bus. Wondering how his captain came to know this, Kirk answers: "Simple logic!" 

Uhura and Chekov have a hard time asking people for the place where the nuclear vessels are to be found – especially when Chekov speaks in a heavy Russian accent. Kirk and Spock have taken a bus (after they have been thrown out of the first wondering: "What does it mean: Exact change?") and sit opposite a punk who "entertains" the whole bus with very loud punk music. The punk even makes the music louder after Kirk requested to decrease the volume. This disobedience to his captain and the unnecessary noise makes Spock use the Vulcan Nerve Pinch on him. The punk's head falls down on the radio and switches off the music. All people in the bus applaud Spock – and Kirk joins in. While they ride on the bus Spock uses the chance to ask about the "colourful metaphors" like "double damn ass and you" and others he had overheard. They establish that both know the literature where it has developed from. Scotty, McCoy and Sulu find an address where glass is produced. 

Soon Kirk and Spock arrive at the Cetacean Institute – the place where whales are kept so that people see them and learn about them. Dr. Gillian Taylor is the group's guide. She gives information to the group and also tells about illegal hunting practices. "To hunt a species to extinction is not logical." Spock comments. "Whoever says the human race is logical?" Gillian asks back. Commencing the tour Gillian shares that she's sad that George and Gracy will be released to the open sea soon, she's got quite attached to them. "How soon?" Kirk wants to know, but Gillian does not know either. Standing in front of a big tank the group can watch the whales under water. Kirk looks for Spock who used to be with him on the tour. In disbelieve he finds him: Inside the tank swimming beside one of the whales. Gillian speeds up to get to the top of the tank to confront Spock: " Who the hell are you and what were you doing in there?" Joining in the frequent usage of colourful metaphors Spock explains: "Attempting the hell to communicate." "Communicate? Communicate what? You have no right to be here." Kirk encourages him to speak. "Admiral, if we assume that these whales are ours to do with as we please, we would be as guilty as those who caused their extinction." When Gillian threatens to have them thrown out by the cops, Kirk explains that they were only trying to help, Gillain says: "The hell you were, buster. Your friend was messing up my tank and messing up my whales." "They like you very much, but they are not the hell your whales." Spock responds. "I suppose they've told you that?" Gillian jokes. "The hell they did." Spock calmly states. Walking back to San Francisco Kirk tries to talk Spock out of using colourful metaphors (Unsuccessfully) and learns from Spock that the whales are not happy with the way the humans treat their species. But Spock hopes he was able to make them understand what they were here for. 

From Uhura and Chekov Kirk gets a message: They have found a nuclear vessel and Uhura has got the coordinates. Their plan is to beam in tonight, collect the photons and beam out. Kirk agrees. A car stops beside Kirk and Spock: Gillian is wondering about them walking all the way back to San Francisco and refers to the incident. Attempting to explain Spock's behaviour, Kirk tells Gillian that Spock had had too much LDS back in the sixties. "LDS?" Gillian wonders but offers them a ride because she's 'got a weakness for hard luck cases, that's why she's working with whales'. Wanting to know what might happen to the whales after they have been released, Kirk asks Gillian about it. She worries about them because their lives will be jeopardized by the hunters. Word by word Gillian recites what Spock has said at the institute - and Spock wonders whether it is time for a colourful metaphor. "Gracy is pregnant," Spock's simple statement causes Gillian to take a full break. "How do you know that?" Before Spock can answer Kirk intervenes: "You are not exactly catching us at our best!" "That much is certain."" Spock agrees. Since they cannot possibly tell her the truth, Kirk assures her that they mean the best for the whales and might offer them possibilities she might not be able to imagine. Kirk invites her for dinner. "Do you guys love Italian?" Gillian's question causes several sequels of "yes" – "no" sequences until Kirk orders Spock: "You do." "Yes." 

Seeing Dr. Nichols, the head of a glass manufacturing plant, Scotty poses as a professor from Edinburgh who is interested in production procedures and McCoy attempts to calm Scotty down when Scotty has learned that his visit was not expected and prepared for. Raging for anger the professor (Scotty) cannot believe he has come millions of miles in vain. "Thousands!" McCoy corrects. Dr. Nichols is glad when he sees Scotty calm down as he offered to take him on a tour by himself. Sulu has found access to a place where helicopters are kept. Making acquaintance with one of the pilots he is asked: "Do you fly?" "Oh, here and there." He answers. 
"How thick must your Plexigcorp be for a container of 60 feet by 10 feet to withstand the pressure of 18,000 cubic meters water?" Scotty wants to know from Dr. Nichols. "That's easy: 6 inches," Dr. Nichols says. Immediately Scotty captures his imagination when he offers a substance meeting the same demands and using 1 inch only. Gladly Nichols offers him to use the computer. The computer reacts when Scotty uses the keyboard (instead of talking to it) and Scotty punches in the matrix of transparent aluminium. Dr. Nichols is out of breath and ready to give them anything they want for it. Seriously questioning whether they might alter the future when giving him the formula McCoy hesitates, but Scotty takes it easy: "How do we know he didn't invent the thing?" 

In the park they leave Spock at the desired place, he does not come along for the Italian dinner. "Won't you change your mind?" Gillian asks him. "Is there something wrong with the one I have?" Spock wants to know. "Wait a moment! How did you know Gracy is pregnant? Nobody knows that!" "Gracy does," Spock is certain. During dinner Kirk learns that the whales will be tagged before they are released. But Gillian is sure that they hardly have any chance to survive in the hunting season. Again and again Kirk tries to make her say when the whales are released. She asks for the truth and learns that he comes from the late 23rd century to get some whales "to repopulate the species", but will not give away the frequency. Kirk again proposes to help her keep the whales alive. He tells her to come to the park whenever she needs help. Convinced she's heard the most elaborate fishing story Gillian drives away. Uhura and Chekov have got the desired power and Uhura is transported back with it because the transporter can only take one at a time. The radioactivity has affected the function of the communicator. "Now is a good time," Chekov suggests into the communicator as he hears the security forces come in closer. But the radioactivity has damaged Chekov's device: He is arrested. "You play games with me, Mister, and you are though!" the person doing the interrogation tells him. "I am? May I go now?" Chekov gladly asks and takes the phaser to stun them. This, too, is not working any more. Throwing it towards the person Chekov makes his escape. Through the ship and he makes it outside while he is pursued by various forces. Accidentally he falls down a steep wall and is seriously hurt. 

On board of the Bird of Prey Uhura blames herself: She should not have left him. But Kirk assures her that she did what was needed. In the early morning Gillian arrives at the institute and desperately discovers that the whales have been released without her having any chance to say bye – bye to them. In her despair she hurries to the park, right in time to see Sulu, flying a helicopter, bringing a big glass wall to the top of the cloaked Bird of Prey and Scotty directing the procedure. "Admiral!" she cries out, runs towards the helicopter and bumps into the stand of the cloaked vessel. Kirk beams her on board. "Oh, it's true!" she exclaims "What you have said!" She does not say much when Spock welcomes her on board – without the ribbon around his forehead. Showing her around the ship she hurries to tell Kirk that the whales are gone. Now Mrs. Uhura has found out where Chekov is: They are taking him into surgery by now. Kirk does not want to leave a man behind. He confirms with Spock. "We should get Chekov," Spock shares his opinion. "Is this the logical thing to do?" Kirk inquires. "No," Spock says, "but it is the human thing to do." 

In the hospital Gillian quickly helps them to get dressed as doctors and McCoy cannot trust his ears when he is told what they have in mind with Chekov: "Unbelievable, you want to drill holes into his head!" They lock the group of surgeons into a room and McCoy heals Chekov. Escaping through the corridors of the hospital they push the bed with Chekov in it towards an elevator while they are followed by the guards. The moment the elevator opens again they are already beamed back to the park. There Kirk convinces her to give away the frequency of the tags attached to the whales. Gillian had tried to persuade Kirk to take her along and knows: He won't give in. The moment Kirk orders to be beamed on board she puts her arms around him and is beamed on board with him. She is sure her knowledge about the whales might be needed. 

"You present the appearance of a man with a problem," McCoy tells Spock. "Your perception is correct, doctor. In order to return us to the exact moment we left the 23rd century I have used our journey back through time as a referent calculating the co – efficient of relapse time in relation to the acceleration curve." "So, what's your problem?" "Acceleration is no longer a constant." "My, then you have to take your best shot!" "Best shot?" "Yes, Spock. Your best guess." "Guessing is not in my nature, doctor." "Nobody is perfect," trusting in him the doctor leaves. Using the frequency Uhura has found the coordinates of the whales. Gillian is happy to see them on the screen – until they detect a whaling ship close by as well. From the whaling ship the whales have been sighted, too. Exactly at the same time the harpoon is shot the Bird of Prey made it between the whaling ship and the whales. The harpoon hits the vessel and falls down and the Bird of Prey uncloaks. In horror the whalers turn way. Now Scotty beams up the animals. The container holds the weight of the water and both whales. Spock tells Kirk that he calculates by including a guess. Astonished Kirk repeats: "A guess? You, Spock? - That's extraordinary!" and leaves with Gillian to have a look at the whales. "I do not understand," Spock shares with McCoy. "He means he feels safe with your guesses." "It is a compliment?" Spock realizes. "It is," McCoy confirms. "Then I will try to make the best guess I can." 

In spite of all odds they approach the moment of the time leap. Spock wants the control over the thrusters and gives the command at exactly the right moment: They come back into their time – just before the probe damages the most. In the tower it is the moment the connection with Kirk had ceased to work. The power of the Klingon ship fails too. With an emergency landing the Bird of Prey waters directly in front of Golden Gate Bridge. Kirk has to dive to open the gates for the whales for all the power has failed. All crew meets again outside the Klingon vessel holding on to the ship in the stormy weather. Passing by the whales soon begin to sing. They have not forgotten the message from Spock. The answer is received by the robe and the probe leaves again restoring all energy again on its way back. 

In the hall of the Federation where all representatives from the various planets meet for council the crew of the Enterprise come in to stand trial. "Captain Spock, you do not stand accused." The president informs him, but Spock is decided: "Mr. President, I stand with my shipmates." "As you wish." The charges and specifications are: "Conspiracy, assault on Federation officers, theft of Federation property, namely the starship Enterprise, sabotage of the USS Excelsior, wilful destruction of Federation property, specifically the before mentioned USS Enterprise, and finally disobeying direct orders of a Starfleet commander. Admiral Kirk, how do you plead?" "On behalf of all of us, Mr. President, I am authorized to plead ‘guilty'." "Because of certain mitigating circumstances all charges but one are summarily dismissed. The remaining charge (disobeying orders of a superior officer) is directed solely at Admiral Kirk." Kirk is reduced in rank to "Captain" and given the duty for which he has repeatedly proven unswerving ability: To command a starship. "Captain Kirk, You and your crew have saved this planet from its own short sightedness. We are forever in your debt." Everybody in the hall is relieved and glad about the outcome. They receive a standing ovation. Gillian too had attended the ruling and expresses her joy about the outcome. 

Spock meets his father, ambassador Sarek, and appreciates his father's efforts in this case. "It was no effort, you are my son." Sarek emphasizes. "Besides I am most impressed with your performance in this crisis." "Most kind." "As I recall I opposed your enlistment in Starfleet," Sarek continues. "It is possible this judgement was incorrect. Your associates are people of good character." "They are my friends," Spock states. "Yes, of course," Sarek agrees. "Do you have a message for your mother?" "Yes, tell her: 'I feel fine!' . . . Live long and prosper, father." "Live long and prosper, my son." The crew is taken to the new ship. Expecting the worst they are all surprised when they see their new ship: A brand - new starship called "Enterprise – 1701 A." Only Sulu, who will be serving on the Excelsior, is not among them when they start to new frontiers. "Let's see what she's got," Kirk says – surrounded by his anticipating crew.