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When Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" beamed into theaters on December 7, 1979, it was a gift to the fanbase that had grown up around "The Original Series" after NBC canceled it in 1969, and a cordial invitation to everyone else to join the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. When the $44 million film grossed a disappointing $83 million in the United States, the future of "Star Trek" was once again uncertain.

The issue with Wise's film is that it was too reverent in tone and, for newcomers, staid in comparison to the lightsabers-and-blasters derring-do of "Star Wars." Perhaps most damaging of all, it didn't naturally lead to a sequel. Where was "Star Trek" to boldly go from this tepidly received epic (which has found its vociferous defenders over the years)?

The unexpected answer was to blend Gene Roddenberry's socially conscious sci-fi saga with naval warfare yarns like Patrick O'Brian...

William Shatner is an icon not only in Star Trek but also in the world of entertainment. He's been acting professionally for around 70-odd years at this point and has made an impact everywhere he's gone. Obviously, for us, his largest impact has been on the world of Star Trek, serving as the first official captain of the series.

He brought James T. Kirk to life and through three seasons of the Original Series, two more seasons of the Animated Series, and seven movies, Shatner made Kirk and Star Trek a legitimate brand. It's not just a fun science fiction series to talk about quietly in the back rooms of classes but a genuine blockbuster franchise.

He helped pave the way for the nearly 60 years of Star Trek and now the 93-year-old Shatner has returned to the franchise he helped cement. His version of Kirk, played wonderfully by Sam Witwer,...

The 1994 film Star Trek: Generations showed us the final moments in the life of Captain James T. Kirk, as played by William Shatner. In the 2016 film Star Trek Beyond, we learned that Kirk’s great friend Spock, as played by Leonard Nimoy, had passed away, acknowledging the fact that Nimoy himself passed away in 2014. The newly released Star Trek short film 765874 – Unification, which was created by the VFX studio Otoy, catches up with Kirk in the afterlife in the moments after his Star Trek: Generations death and takes him on a trip through space and time so he can be reunited with Spock in the last moments of his life. It’s a sweet idea, and you can check it out in the embed above.

I am a fan of the Star Trek movies, but I have barely seen any of the TV shows, so I’m not well-versed enough...

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: Generations, the movie in which Star Trek: The Original Series' Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) breathed his last, Roddenberry Archive has released as short film that brings back...well....Kirk.

Yes, most of what you will see is CGI, but Shatner does provide voiceover in this magnificent eight-minute film. Executive produced by both Shatner and Susan Bay Nimoy, "Unification" also brings back Robin Curtis as Saavik and includes Sam Witwer as a young Kirk.

Using CGI as well as live-action footage, the film, created by both the Archive and their technology partner Otoy (in cooperation with Paramount), is the fourth in a line of short films released by Roddenberry Archive [via Trekmovie], but it's this one, with voiceover from Shatner himself that actually takes fans back to pivotal moments in Star Trek history. Not only do we see Kirk as we last saw him on Generations,...

Star Trek: Voyager got the movie fans wanted and financed. Produced by David Zappone's 455 Films, To The Journey: Looking Back At Star Trek: Voyager premiered at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on November 7, 2024, and at Symphony Space in New York City on November 11. To The Journey screened for backers of the retrospective documentary's Indiegogo campaign, which raised over $1.2 million, making it the most successful Indiegogo fundraiser of all time.

The flagship series of the United Paramount Network (Upn), Star Trek: Voyager ran for seven seasons from 1995-2001. To The Journey will be released in 2025 to mark Voyager's 25th anniversary. Unlike Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager did not transition into feature films. However, Voyager delivered several two-part episodes throughout its seven seasons, which were TV movies in their own right. To The Journey's bi-coastal premieres was a chance for Voyager's most loyal fans to see it on the big screen.

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Fun trivia: "Star Trek" didn't have a full-blooded Vulcan character in its main cast until the introduction of Tuvok (Tim Russ) on "Star Trek: Voyager" in 1995. Until that point, most of the central Vulcan characters were partially non-Vulcan. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), of course, was half-Vulcan and half-human, with a Vulcan father (played by Mark Lenard in the original series) and a human mother (played by Jane Wyatt). Spock was raised on Vulcan, however, and had devoted himself to the Vulcan ethos of emotionlessness and logic. 

Saavik (Kirstie Alley) from 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one might find, was also not fully Vulcan, although only deep-cut Trekkies might know about her true heritage. Saavik, for the uninitiated, was a Starfleet cadet who was serving on board the U.S.S. Enterprise as Spock's protégé. "Star Trek II" opened...

While the 1991 sci-fi political thriller "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" was still being developed at Paramount, the half-Vulcan-half-Romulan officer Saavik was originally going to play a sizeable role. Saavik, Trekkies can tell you, first appeared in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," and was played by Kirstie Alley in one of her earliest acting roles. Saavik was introduced as a protégé of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and displayed a lot of befuddlement over the emotional lives of the humans she was to work with. Saavik returned for "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" in 1984, but Alley was replaced by actress Robin Curtis, playing the part in a more stern and emotionless fashion. Curtis also appeared briefly at the start of "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."

Saavik was originally going to appear in "Star Trek VI" as well, but "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry objected to her role in...

One of the biggest criticisms you can make about the Star Trek films is that it didn't really do much, if anything, to establish new characters. At least, establish them in meaningful ways. It's not something that's unique to any one version of the franchise. Arguably the character who has had the longest staying power is Carol Marcus and that's only because she appeared in two separate films, in two separate franchises (Ie: timelines).

She wasn't featured in most movies, but she did jump through eras, something that hardly any of the characters have done. We're supposed to get Sybok at some point in Strange New Worlds' near future but as of right now, he's nothing more than a silhouette.

Yet, it didn't have to be this way. The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek's second film offering, really did a good job creating the baseline for Saavok, played at the time by Kirstie Alley.

Bibi Besch played Dr. Carol Marcus in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but she didn't reprise Carol in any subsequent Star Trek: The Original Series movie. Directed by Nicholas Meyer, Star Trek II was released in 1982 and brought several new aspects to Star Trek. Along with the death of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Star Trek II introduced the newly 50-year-old Admiral James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) lost love, Carol, and their son, David Marcus (Merritt Butrick). While David's story came to a sad end in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Carol didn't come back at all.

Dr. Carol Marcus is the inventor of Project Genesis and the Genesis Device, a technology she developed alongside David. Project Genesis was intended to address the problems of hunger and overpopulation in the United Federation of Planets. Genesis was a terraforming technology that could transform a dead planetary body into...

Kirstie Alley had a different approach to Lt. Saavik when she starred in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. She brought emotions to the character, even crying at Spock's funeral. Star Trek fans weren't necessarily fans of her showing those emotions, and that all changed when Robin Curtis took over the role for Alley in Star Trek III: The Search's for Spock.

According to Curtis, who appeared on the SciFi Diner podcast [via Slashfilm], her portrayal of the Vulcan lieutenant was based upon direction from the movie's director, Leonard Nimoy. She admitted she wasn't a Star Trek fan and knew nothing about Vulcans. But Nimoy wasn't concerned and simply told her he'd "take her every step of the way."

"When people comment on the subtle differences or perhaps some of the more obvious differences between the two portrayals, I have to remind them I think it's very much a...

In Leonard Nimoy's 1984 film "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," the Vulcan officer Saavik (Robin Curtis) was tasked with exploring and mapping the Genesis planet, a brand-new world that had been instantaneously formed by the Genesis Device, a terraforming widget introduced in the previous movie. The Genesis planet, she found, was evolving at too rapid a pace, rotating through seasons at an hourly rate. It was hot and muggy one hour, then snowy the next. By the end of the movie, the Genesis world will prove to be unstable, crumbling from within. It was too good to be true.

The deterioration is only one of several tragedies that occur throughout the film. During a rescue operation, Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) has to destroy the U.S.S. Enterprise, and his son David (Merritt Butrick) is murdered by Klingons. Saavik, being an emotionless Vulcan, witnesses these tragedies with a stone face.

Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) isn't the real reason why the United Federation of Planets abandoned the Genesis Device in Star Trek. Project Genesis and the Genesis Device were introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The result of the terraforming technology, the Genesis Planet, exploded in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Genesis was responsible for the resurrection of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in Star Trek III, but while Khan's villainy led to Spock's death, to begin with, the genetically engineered tyrant ultimately is only part of why Project Genesis was a failure.

Project Genesis is the brainchild of Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) and David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), her son with Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner). The Genesis Device was revolutionary technology that could terraform a dead planet into one capable of supporting human life. Carol and David meant for Genesis to address the problems...

Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) was missing one important detail when he took revenge for the death of his son in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Written by Star Trek producer Harve Bennett and the first feature film directed by Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek III is a direct sequel to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Released on June 1, 1984, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock celebrates its 40th anniversary of Admiral Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise risking their Starfleet careers to rescue Spock (Leonard Nimoy).

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock featured Klingons as the main villains after the warrior race's look was revamped in their brief appearance in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. In Star Trek III, Klingons led by Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) sought the secret of Project Genesis, the terraforming technology invented by Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) and...

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, the first feature film directed by Leonard Nimoy, is Star Trek's most underrated movie. Released on June 1, 1984, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock celebrates its 40th anniversary. Written by Star Trek producer Harve Bennett, Star Trek III is a direct sequel to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, directed by Nicholas Meyer. Star Trek III is also the middle act in what has unofficially been dubbed 'The Genesis Trilogy,' which is completed by Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, also directed by Leonard Nimoy.

In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise put their Starfleet careers on the line to rescue Spock (Leonard Nimoy), who was resurrected by the live-giving energies of the Genesis Planet. Kirk was charged by Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard), with reuniting Spock with his katra,...

The only major film role actress Robin Curtis had before 1984's "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" was playing a minor role in John Irvin's 1981 horror film "Ghost Story." By a weird coincidence, "Ghost Story" also featured actress Alice Krige, who would play a prominent role in 1996's "Star Trek: First Contact." Curtis also appeared in an episode of "Knight Rider" in 1983, and in the salacious TV movies "In Love With an Older Woman" (can a 29-year-old possibly love a 43-year-old?) and "First Affair" (Oh no! I'm in love with my professor!). 

So by "The Search for Spock," Curtis was already used to being on set and acting in high-profile studio productions. "Star Trek," however, was the largest project she had worked on yet. She played the role of Saavik, taking over for Kirstie Alley in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Saavik is a Vulcan, and...

Leonard Nimoy's 1984 film "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" is one of the most significant -- and tragic -- films in the "Star Trek" franchise. Recall that Spock (Nimoy) died at the end of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," and that his body was launched onto the surface of the newly-created Genesis planet.

In "The Search for Spock," however, circumstances led Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) to believe that Spock could be resurrected. For one, Spock shunted a copy of his consciousness into the brain of Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) shortly before his death. Also, the Genesis world, given its propensity for hyper-fast evolution, managed to create an infant clone of Spock's body, a fact discovered by Saavik (Robin Curtis) and Kirk's son David (Merritt Butrick). Kirk feels that if he can retrieve the living Spock body and use an oblique Vulcan ritual to reunite Spock's consciousness with it,...

Lieutenant Saavik's tears for Spock in Star Trek II were due to her deleted half-Romulan heritage. In Star Trek III, Robin Curtis played a cooler, more logical Saavik under Leonard Nimoy's guidance. Kirstie Alley's Saavik was more emotional, showing traces of her deleted Romulan ancestry.

Why does the Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley) cry over the death of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan? Directed by Nicholas Meyer, the second film starring the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series introduced Lt. Saavik as the protg of Spock. Saavik serves on the bridge of the USS Enterprise during the conflict that resulted when Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) steals the planet-creating Genesis Device.

Lieutenant Saavik learned a great deal from Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but she taught the Starfleet legend a thing or two as well.

The character of Saavik was first introduced in Nicholas Meyer's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" as a protégé of the soon-to-retire Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Saavik, being a young cadet, was still baffled and annoyed by working with humans, an issue she was able to discuss with Spock on a few occasions. In "Khan," Saavik was played by Kirstie Alley, but was replaced by Robin Curtis for "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." Both actors were perfectly capable in the role and provided the appropriate level of cold, Vulcan logic.

Saavik, despite being a Vulcan, had to face multiple dramatic events throughout the three movies. Most notably, in "Star Trek III," Saavik had to be present when a twisted Klingon warrior assassinated David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), the son of Admiral Kirk (William Shatner). She was the one who had to,...

Leonard Nimoy directed Robin Curtis to play Lt. Saavik as a traditional Vulcan, different from Kirstie Alley's emotional portrayal. Curtis worked closely with Nimoy to bring out Saavik's Vulcan side. Star Trek: Picard season 3 gave an update that Saavik was promoted to Captain of the USS Titan.

Robin Curtis says that her version of Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock was less emotional than Kirstie Alley's because of director Leonard Nimoy. Kirstie Alley originated the role of Lt. Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which was directed by Nicholas Meyer. Saavik was a protg of Captain Spock's (Leonard Nimoy), and she served on the USS Enterprise under Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) during the conflict that resulted when Khan stole the planet-creating Genesis Device,

When Star Trek III: The Search for Spock's production wouldn't meet Kirstie Alley's fee to return,...

Saavik's role in Star Trek III was crucial in saving Spock's life from pon farr and the Genesis Planet's effects. The teamwork of Kirk, McCoy, and Saavik was essential in fully restoring Spock in The Search for Spock. Without Saavik, Spock wouldn't have survived pon farr or made it off the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III.

Spock (Leonard Nimoy) was resurrected by the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, but the Vulcan's miraculous comeback would have been short-lived were it not for Lieutenant Saavik (Robin Curtis). Star Trek III was the directorial debut of Leonard Nimoy, which reversed the heroic death of Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Star Trek III is also the debut of Robin Curtis as Saavik aftrer Kirstie Alley did not return to play Spock's Vulcan protg.

After Spock sacrificed himself to save the USS Enterprise in...

Star Trek and Babylon 5 had multiple crossovers of actors like Walter Koenig, Tracy Scoggins, and Majel Barrett Roddenberry. Despite accusations of plagiarism, DS9 and B5 shared similar serialized space station themes with unique stories and characters. Actors like Bill Mumy, Jeffrey Combs, and Robin Curtis appeared in both Star Trek and Babylon 5, showcasing a collaborative spirit in sci-fi.

Despite the apparent rivalry between them, multiple actors from Star Trek have crossed over into Babylon 5, and vice versa. Created by J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5 premiered in 1994, and ran for five seasons. A much-loved series from the 1990s heyday of science fiction drama on network television, Babylon 5 was never quite as big as their contemporary Star Trek TV shows, but B5 had major crossover appeal for fans, not least among the various Trek alumni connected with the show. For example, Star Trek: The Original Series writers D.C. Fontana,...

Robin Curtis compares working with William Shatner and Patrick Stewart, noting Shatner's distance from the cast in Star Trek III. Curtis describes Patrick Stewart's engagement and quick adaptation to complex dialogue on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She reflects on her limited small talk with Shatner but acknowledges it's not a complaint.

Star Trek actor Robin Curtis compares what it's like working on set with William Shatner and Patrick Stewart. Curtis is the second actor to play Lt. Saavik; she took over the role originated by Kirstie Alley in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Curtis reprised Saavik in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Curtis then played Tallera in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Gambit" two-parter, placing Robin on the short list of Star Trek actors who have worked opposite both Starship Enterprise Captains, James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard.

Robin Curtis was a guest on...

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock was released in 1984 and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Star Trek franchise. The film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they search for the missing Spock, who was left stranded on a planet after the events of the previous film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The film featured the return of many beloved characters from the original series, including Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Scotty (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Sulu (George Takei). Walter Koenig also reprised his role as Chekov, while Robin Curtis took over the role of Lt. Saavik from Kirstie Alley. In addition to the returning cast members, the film introduced a new character, David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), the son of Admiral James T. Kirk and the fianc of Lt.

Nicholas Meyer's 1982 sci-fi flick "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" was the first major acting gig for Kirstie Alley. Up to that point, Alley had only appeared on the sci-fi sitcom "Quark" as well as a few game shows like "Match Game." Alley wasn't even wholly devoted to acting at that stage, treating it more like a side-hustle than a career. It wouldn't be until she started auditioning for "Star Trek II" that she decided to focus on acting exclusively.

The circumstances surrounding Alley's audition are rather tragic, sadly. In the middle of the process, her mom was killed in a car accident and her father was left seriously injured. She stayed next to her father's bedside and Paramount, rather surprisingly, let her take all the time she needed. She spoke to her comatose father every day, telling him all about how she wanted to be an actor now,...

In Simon Pegg’s immortal comedy series Spaced, his character Tim declares: “Every odd-numbered Star Trek movie is shit.” This is, of course, hilarious today, because Pegg was in two odd-numbered Trek films, and even co-wrote the 13th movie, 2016’s Star Trek Beyond. But, the fandom myth of the odd-numbered Star Trek “curse” almost certainly begins with 1984’s Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Released in movie theaters on June 1, 1984, the third Star Trek feature film was really the second part of what would become a trilogy of films, concluding with The Voyage Home in 1986. But, more than that, The Search for Spock was a pivotal moment in which the more mature aesthetic of Star Trek truly came into its own. Despite the unkind things said about The Search for Spock over the years, the truth is, the movie is perhaps more representative of the franchise as a whole...

Exclusive poster art commemorates the 40th anniversary of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Star Trek III gets a new 4K Uhd + Blu-ray SteelBook release on May 27; film to hit UK theaters on June 14. The Search for Spock is the first film directed by Leonard Nimoy and is worth a rewatch.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock gets new, exclusive poster art to commemorate the film's 40th anniversary. Released on June 1, 1984, Star Trek III was the first feature film directed by Leonard Nimoy, who also reprised the role of Spock. Star Trek III is the middle chapter of the unofficial "Genesis Trilogy" of the Star Trek: The Original Series movies, which sees Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the former crew of the USS Enterprise risk their Starfleet careers to bring the beloved Vulcan back from the doomed Genesis Planet.

Paramount UK unveiled a new exclusive poster...

Kirstie Alley left Star Trek due to a salary dispute with Paramount, resulting in her iconic character being recast for future films. Leonard Nimoy was impressed with Alley's portrayal of Lt. Saavik, but her agent's salary demands led to her departure from the franchise. Despite not returning to the role, Kirstie Alley's character Lt. Saavik achieved beloved status and was honored in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

There are conflicting accounts of why Kirstie Alley didn't return as Lieutenant Saavik in the third Star Trek: The Original Series movie, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was Alley's movie debut and Saavik was a major role opposite William Shatner's Admiral James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy's Captain Spock. In fact, Saavik was the first Vulcan female Starfleet character in Star Trek. However, Robin Curtis replaced Alley as Saavik in Star Trek III,...

"Star Trek III: The Search For Spock" is a memorable entry into the "Trek" canon for several reasons. The 1984 movie hesitantly followed up franchise high point "The Wrath of Kahn," introduced new Federation starship designs, and resurrected everyone's favorite half-human, half-Vulcan officer, played by Leonard Nimoy. "The Search For Spock" is a story for Spock lovers, and though it doesn't quite match the thrilling emotional and narrative highs of its predecessors, it still feels like "Star Trek" boldly going where it never has before. Unfortunately, though, there's one thing "Star Trek III" is missing: Kirstie Alley's Vulcan junior Lieutenant Saavik.

Saavik does appear in "The Search For Spock," but future "Cheers" star Alley is missing, replaced by actor Robin Curtis. Curtis does a fine job as Saavik and would go on to reprise the role in the next "Star Trek" film as well, but the recast is jarring for close watchers of the saga.

Virtual Trek Con 5 is an online convention that brings the Star Trek convention experience to fans on YouTube for free in February. The event features several days of events, games, live panels, and the 3rd annual LLAPy Awards, the only Star Trek awards show voted on by fans. The convention includes appearances from major Star Trek names such as Jonathan Frakes, Walter Koenig, Nana Visitor, and Denise Crosby, among others.

Virtual Trek Con 5, Star Trek's biggest online convention from the minds behind The 7th Rule podcast, is back in February with huge events and Star Trek guest stars. Star Trek conventions take place all over the world each year, with the biggest being August's annual Creation convention in Las Vegas, dubbed Stlv: Trek 2 Vegas this year. However, The 7th Rule's producers and co-hosts Cirroc Lofton of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Ryan T. Husk, with Malissa Longo and their team,...

Clockwise from bottom left: Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa (Miramax), Ed Asner in Elf (New Line Cinema), and Edmund Gwenn in Miracle On 34th Street (20th Century Flox)Graphic: The A.V. Club

Tis the season to talk movie Santas. With Christmas upon us, we decided to dig deep into...

In Nicholas Meyer's 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," the usual crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-a was joined by a new member of the senior staff, Lieutenant Valeris (Kim Cattrall). Valeris, Trekkies will be able to tell you, was initially meant to be the character of Saavik, played by Kirstie Alley in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and by Robin Curtis in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." According to a DVD commentary track provided by longtime "Star Trek" designer Mike Okuda, Saavik was changed into a new character when show creator Gene Roddenberry objected to the character's unexpected turn to villainy. Valeris proves to be in league with some of the villains of "Star Trek VI," you see, and Roddenberry couldn't abide a turncoat. 

Additionally, Cattrall didn't like the idea of being the third actress to play the same role.

Lieutenant Saavik, played by Kirstie Alley and later Robin Curtis, was the first major female Starfleet Vulcan character in Star Trek. Saavik was mentored by Spock and served as the navigator on the USS Enterprise. After her last canonical appearance in Star Trek IV, Saavik's character was expanded upon in tie-in novels and comics, and she eventually became the captain of the USS Titan in Star Trek: Picard.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan introduced Lieutenant Saavik, the first major female Starfleet Vulcan character in Star Trek. Saavik was originally played by Kirstie Alley, but Robin Curtis took over the role in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. In The Wrath of Khan, Saavik was assigned as the navigator on the USS Enterprise under the command of Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner). She had been mentored by Spock (Leonard Nimoy...

The "Star Trek" franchise was nearing a crossroads in 1986. 20 years after the premiere of The Original Series on NBC, moviegoers were showing up in significant numbers to follow the big-screen exploits of Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise. But while 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and 1984's "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" were hits for Paramount (they both grossed in the $78 million range domestically), they were not blockbusters. So when stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy asked for salary bumps, the studio had some tough decisions to make.

Paramount almost received an unexpected windfall when their under-contract box office juggernaut, Eddie Murphy, asked to be in the fourth "Star Trek" movie. Murphy had just starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," the highest-grossing movie of 1984, and, as a hardcore Trekker, wanted to be a part of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi universe. The studio was thrilled,...

Kirstie Alley's salary dispute resulted in her replacement as Lt. Saavik in Star Trek III and IV, with conflicting stories about the basis of the dispute. Robin Curtis turned down the role of K'Ehleyr, Worf's lover in Tng, due to prior commitments, and Suzie Plakson was cast instead. Robin Curtis later played Vulcan villain Tallera in Tng's "Gambit," opposing alien influence on Vulcan culture. It is unclear what happened to the Isolationists after the episode.

K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson), the lover of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) was originally offered to Robin Curtis, who replaced Kirstie Alley as Lt. Saavik in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. A dispute over pay meant that Kirstie Alley didn't reprise the role of Saavik for Star Trek 3, although there are conflicting stories about the basis of that dispute. Alley believed that she was offered a lower...

Gene Roddenberry objected to the initial idea of turning Lt. Saavik into a traitor in Star Trek VI, and he was right. Saavik was a beloved character and it wouldn't have been fitting for her to commit treason. Lt. Valeris was created as a new character for Star Trek VI to replace Saavik. This decision allowed the story to unfold properly without compromising Saavik's established character. Money was also a factor in the decision to create Valeris. Kirstie Alley, who played Saavik in Star Trek II, was the highest-paid actress on television at the time and Star Trek couldn't afford her. Kim Cattrall was cast as Valeris and she was excited to join Star Trek as a new character.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was right to object to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country's initial idea to turn Lt. Saavik (Kirstie Alley/Robin Curtis) into a traitor, which...

Lieutenant T'Lyn from Star Trek: Lower Decks is older than Lieutenant Spock but younger than Subcommander T'Pol from previous Star Trek series. Vulcans have a longer lifespan than humans but can develop a neurological disease called Bendii Syndrome. T'Lyn's age in Star Trek: Lower Decks aligns with T'Pol's age in Star Trek: Enterprise, making them similar in age compared to Spock.

Star Trek: Lower Decks' new Vulcan, Lieutenant T'Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz), is of comparable age to Star Trek: Enterprise's Subcommander T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) and she is older than Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck). T'Lyn was introduced in Lower Decks season 2 as a Lower Decker serving on the Vulcan ship Sh'vhal. When T'Lyn saved her ship during a conflict between Klingons, Pakleds, and the USS Cerritos, she was transferred to Starfleet and stationed on the Cerritos as a provisional Ensign. However, T'Lyn was quickly promoted to Lieutenant,...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4

Lt. T'Lyn in Star Trek: Lower Decks addresses and fixes issues with the depictions of female Vulcans in previous Star Trek shows, providing a refreshing and capable portrayal. T'Lyn's attractiveness as a female Vulcan is not emphasized, and she is solely regarded as a competent Starfleet Officer, avoiding questionable storylines and the male gaze. T'Lyn brings back the humor and dry wit of Vulcans, following in the footsteps of iconic characters like Mr. Spock, making her a valuable addition to the Lower Decks cast.

Star Trek: Lower Decks' newest Vulcan, Lieutenant T'Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz), addresses and fixes decades-old issues with the depictions of female Vulcans in Star Trek: Enterprise and Star Trek: The Original Series. T'Lyn was introduced as a Lower Decker aboard a Vulcan ship in Lower Decks season 2, episode 9, "wej Duj," and she joined Starfleet's USS Cerritos as a provisional...

Star Trek movies failed to give significant roles to Tos' female characters, such as Uhura, Chapel, and Rand. Uhura remained a supporting character with limited screen time, while Chapel and Rand only had brief cameos. The new female characters introduced in the movies were disposable and did not have lasting impact or appearances in future films.

Some of the first six Star Trek movies starring the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series are great, but even they failed Tos' female characters. After years in syndication maintained the TV series' popularity, Star Trek made the leap to the big screen in 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Over the next 12 years, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the crew of the USS Enterprise would reunite a half-dozen times before riding off into the sunset in 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

There was never...

‘Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan’ (Photo © 2002 by Paramount Pictures)

Created by the late Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek has been around in one form or another since the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series (Tos) debuted on NBC on Sept. 8, 1966.

Tos lasted three seasons and 79 episodes. However, it found a new life in syndication. With the success of 1977’s Star Wars and 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind (during the nascent days of the summer blockbuster), long-time Trekkies were hoping to see their beloved characters on the big screen, which they did in 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Today, Trek is a pop culture juggernaut. It has to its name 13 feature films, eight TV series, three animated series, and numerous novels, comics, action figures, and other merchandise. Pretty impressive. Not to mention pretty intimidating if you want to go where no one has gone before for the first time.

Star Trek's quest to explore strange new worlds can sometimes be a dangerous one, and several characters have met tragic and cruel deaths throughout the franchise's history. The ships and space stations of Star Trek often act as the last line of defense against the galaxy's most fearsome foes. Though they usually succeed in protecting the Earth, not every character always makes it out of the fight alive. While Star Trek: The Original Series became known for killing off many red-shirt-wearing security officers, the later shows took a less cavalier approach to death.

Some Star Trek deaths seem to come out of nowhere, a gut punch to the viewer and the other characters, while others take their time, creeping up until they are all but inevitable. Either way, Star Trek knows how to make viewers care about its characters, and losing a beloved character is never easy. While many...

Starfleet is clearly a family business as many Star Trek Captains have been followed into service by their sons and daughters. While Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) was the exception in his immediate family, Captain James T Kirk (William Shatner) and his brother, Lt. George Samuel Kirk (Dan Jeannotte) are the sons of former Starfleet officer George Kirk. Not every child of a Starfleet officer follows their parents into space, however. For example, Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) abandoned a career in Starfleet to become a member of the time and space transcending Travelers.

The career trajectories or family backgrounds of each child often gave Star Trek some of its most compelling family dramas. The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Bloodlines" introduced Jean-Luc Picard's forgotten son, Jason Vigo (Ken Olandt), who was something of an intergalactic conman. Despite Jason being part of an elaborate scheme by one of Jean-Luc...

Star Trek's Genesis Device was a revolutionary and dangerous technology introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and a second version of Genesis appeared in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Created by Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) and her son, David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) at space station Regula I in 2285, Genesis was intended to solve problems involving overpopulation and food supply in the United Federation of Planets, but it was turned into a weapon by Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán).

The Genesis Device was the MacGuffin of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and its influence was felt in the succeeding films, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage. Genesis was the first technology that turned into a deadly weapon in the Star Trek movies; the thelaron weapon used by Praetor Shinzon (Tom Hardy) in Star Trek: Nemesis and the swarm...

Not every Vulcan in Star Trek is as heroic and virtuous as Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and there are a half dozen of the pointy-eared aliens who can be called downright evil. Vulcans are normally the staunchest allies of humans in the United Federation of Planets. It was with the help of the Vulcans that Mankind rose from the 21st-century ashes of World War III and built an intergalactic alliance of planets within the next two hundred years. In Star Trek: Discovery's 32nd century, Vulcans and Romulans share the planet Ni'Var and remain loyal friends with the humans of the Federation.

Some of Star Trek's Vulcan heroes include Spock, T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) in Star Trek: Enterprise, and Tuvok (Tim Russ) in Star Trek: Voyager. Vulcans traditionally embrace logic and reject emotion, but the truth is that some Vulcans can also be power kegs after a lifetime of repression. In other cases,...

Star Trek has found great success in recasting many of its iconic characters with different actors. Due to real-world issues such as actor availability, contract negotiations, and advanced age, various characters have been recast across the various Star Trek movies and TV shows. For example, a salary dispute led to Kirstie Alley's Saavik from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan being recast with Robin Curtis for Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. Other supporting or minor characters had been recast, such as casting James Cromwell to play the Star Trek: The Original Series character Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact.

It wasn't until J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek movie, however, that the franchise proved it was possible to recast the original crew from Star Trek: The Original Series, which seemed previously blasphemous to longtime Trekkers. The poor reception to Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002 led Paramount...

Can Saavik from the Star Trek: The Original Series movies appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Recent retcons explaining the legacy of Star Trek: Picard season 3's USS Titan-a have renewed interest in Saavik, who was portrayed by Kirstie Alley in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Robin Curtis in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. It brings up whether there's potential to see Saavik in Strange New Worlds.

Lt. Saavik was the protégé of Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in The Wrath of Khan. Saavik failed the Kobayashi Maru test at the start of the film, but she was part of the violent and tragic conflict Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise engaged in with Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán). Saavik then joined the USS Grissom and joined Kirk's son, David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), in exploring the Genesis planet,...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 2 - "Disengage"A fantastic Easter egg in Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 2, "Disengage," honors the Vulcan Lt. Saavik (Kirstie Alley/Robin Curtis), from the Star Trek: The Original Series films. In Picard season 3's second episode, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Captain Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) learn that Dr. Beverly Crusher has another son named Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers). But there's little time for further explanation as Crusher's ship, the SS Eleos, comes under attack from the Shrike, the fearsome vessel of Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer).

Lt. Saavik was introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as the Vulcan protégé of Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Saavik quickly proved to be a popular new addition to the Star Trek movies, but Alley didn't return for the sequel, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Saavik was recast with Robin Curtis,...

This Star Trek: Picard article contains spoilers.

Part of what makes Star Trek: Picard season 3 so compelling for old-school Tng fans is the endless love these episodes have for the ‘90s era of Trek. But the references and easter eggs actually go way beyond just The Next Generation. In fact, what makes this season so interesting when it comes to the deep cuts is the fact that some references extend way beyond the Star Trek universe, and into other fandoms and franchises.

So, with that in mind, here are all the best easter eggs we caught for Picard season 3, episode 2, “Disengage.”

The Shrike Hiding in the Star Trek Logo Introduction

Since Strange New Worlds, the new shows have opened with a Star Trek logo, complete with whichever ship is the “star” of the particular program. But there are sometimes small easter eggs lurking in these intros. For example, in the Lower Decks intro,...

Vulcan Starfleet Officer Saavik (Kirstie Alley/Robin Curtis) from the Star Trek: The Original Series films just received a major canonical update prior to Star Trek: Picard season 3. Saavik was introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan as a Lieutenant mentored by Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy). She got a quick and intense education when the USS Enterprise was forced into a battle with Admiral James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban).

What happened to Lt. Saavik after her brief and final appearance in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home has been an unanswered question for 37 years but the official @startreklogs Instagram entry about the USS Titan in Star Trek: Picard season 3 unexpectedly dropped a huge revelation about Saavik's Starfleet career.

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After a brief farewell to the Tos crew at...

Prior to Star Trek: Picard season 3's premiere, the official @startreklogs Instagram page released character and ship profiles that provide major updates to Star Trek: The Next Generation's characters, and even a few famous starships. Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) reunites his old USS Enterprise-d and E crew to meet a new threat named Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer). A few of the familiar faces from Tng make their long-awaited canonical returns in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

The @startreklogs Instagram page unveiled character profiles for nine of Star Trek: Picard season 3's main characters as well as the starships USS Enterprise, USS Titan, and La Sirena.

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Notably, @startreklogs has proven to be a canonical source of information. During Star Trek: Prodigy, the Admiral's logs by Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) delivered important and often new background information about related episodes.

A new Star Trek variant cover confirms Spock's most meaningful romantic relationship. Idw Publishing has released a first look at the variant covers for April’s Star Trek family of titles, and one - for Star Trek: Defiant #2 - depicts Spock standing next to pictures of some of the deepest relationships he ever had - one of which is Lieutenant Saavik. Saavik played an important role in Spock’s life, and they would later marry in some non-canon licensed media - and this new cover seems to confirm this development is in continuity.

The cover, drawn by Jake Bartok, was unveiled on Idw’s Twitter account. The cover features an elderly Spock, looking pensively at something off camera. Next to him are images of some of the deepest, most meaningful relationships he had throughout his life. Included are Star Trek: Discovery’s Michael Burnham (his half-sister), as well as Captains Kirk and Pike,...