STAR TREK 111 - THE SEARCH FOR SPOK

US, 1984, 105 minutes, Colour.
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest? Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols.
Directed by Leonard Nimoy.

This film follows the success of the spectacular, if rather heavy Star Trek: the movie and its more engaging successor Star Trek 11 - the Wrath of Khan. In that film, Spok seemed to die -and there arose the immediate concern by the public and the commercial concern of the studios to achieve some kind of resurrection.

Not only does Spok resurrect, Leonard Nimoy directed this third Star Trek movie. It is strong on colour photography and special effects. It also reunites the regular cast of the Enterprise - while the stories seem ageless, the cast does not. William Shatner is as intrepid as ever (losing his ship, his son, his career). As a bonus Christopher Lloyd snarls as the villain, James B. Sikking (of Hill Street Blues and many films) is Captain Styles and Judith Anderson is T'Lar the leader of the priestesses who are able to effect the resurrection of Spok.

The story is standard spacecraft, entertaining in its way. The focus is on Spok and the teasing indications of his past and the hopes for his resurrection - which is achieved.

1. The popularity of Star Trek on television and in the movies of the 80's? the popularity of space exploration? the space adventures, the exploration of meanings?

2. The importance of the colour photography, Panavision, technical and special effects? the atmosphere of space? space travel and exploration? the different planets? the Enterprise and its technology? rival ships? rival empires? the focus on Spok and special effects? the child and the growing Spok? the ceremony for his resuscitation? the musical score?

3. The Title and the focus on Spok? the concern about his death? the possibility of his survival? resurrection? his significance in himself? the concern of his father? the school in which he was able to remain in existence in McCoy? his resuscitation and gradual realisation of who he was, his friends?

4. The focus on the Enterprise and Captain Kirk? the impact of the defeat of Kahn, the death of Spok? the creation of the Genesis planet? the battered Enterprise on earth? the de-commissioning of the ship? its being scrapped? The encounter with Ambassador Srek? the information about Spok implanting his soul in Dr. McCoy? David Marcus and Saavik on the Genesis planet? the discovery of Spok's coffin? the maturing child? the Genesis explosion? Kirk and his helping McCoy? out of the
detention centre? stealing the Enterprise? the journey towards Genesis? the clash with Kruge, the taking of David, Saavik and Spok? David's death? Kirk tricking the Klingons and the self-destruction of the Enterprise? the return to Vulcan? the return of Spok's soul? the reuniting with Kirk? the valiant adventures of the intrepid Captain?

5. Audience response to the regulars of the Enterprise crew: Dr. McCoy? and his being inhabited by Spok, his erratic behaviour, being detained, being freed? Scottie and his place on the ship ? the rest of the crew?

6. The villains - Kruge and his behaviour, make-up and costume, the decor of his planet? the vengeance of the Klingons? the cruelty in the capturing of the hostages, the death of David?

7. The Genesis experiment, the planet, its instability? David and Savik's responsibility? Their being captured?

8. The ceremony for the resuscitation of Spock? Judith Anderson as Talah? Serious, humorous?

9. The reason for the popularity of the Star Trek films? Audience familiarity with the crew and cast, identification with them? The theme of space exploration, experimentation? Symbols for the search for meaning for the future?