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Second Battle of Deep Space 9

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The Second Battle of Deep Space 9 was the opening engagement of the Dominion War between the United Federation of Planets and Klingon Empire against the combined forces of the Dominion and Cardassian Union under the nominal command of Gul Dukat , were able to capture Federation starbase Deep Space 9 .

Fought in 2373 , the assault was launched by the Dominion and Cardassian Union to prevent the mining of the Bajoran wormhole , which would effectively sever supply lines from the Gamma Quadrant . Two days after Captain Benjamin Sisko rejected Weyoun 's ultimatum to remove the minefield , a large fleet of Jem'Hadar and Cardassian warships launched an assault on the station, intending to capture it before the USS Defiant could complete the minefield.

Although the Dominion successfully captured the station from the Federation and drove Federation- Klingon forces from Bajoran space , the losses they incurred were severe; fifty ships were destroyed in the battle, and the Dominion was unable to prevent the activation of the minefield.

• 2 Provocation
• 3 The Battle
• 4 Aftermath

Prelude [ ]

Following their annexation of the Cardassian Union around Stardate 50560, the Dominion began fortifying their foothold in the Alpha Quadrant with weekly convoys of warships and troops through the wormhole . As time went on, Cardassian space became a veritable fortress, teeming with Jem'Hadar soldiers and their Vorta overseers. ( DS9 : " By Inferno's Light ")

Although a technical state of war did not exist, and neither side had fully committed to immediate combat, numerous skirmishes took place along the border during this period. Aside from the Dominion's attempt to destroy the Bajoran system using a trilithium bomb , the Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians attacked and destroyed numerous Federation and Klingon patrol ships in a sustained campaign across the border sectors. Casualties of these attacks included the USS Tian An Men and the IKS B'Moth . ( DS9 : " Soldiers of the Empire ", " In the Cards ")

In addition to the military advances, the Dominion made major inroads into the Alpha Quadrant politically as well, signing nonaggression pacts with several regional powers, including the Miradorn and the Tholian Assembly , and offering similar pacts to Bajor and other independent worlds in the area. The Dominion's greatest diplomatic achievement, however, was the signing of a nonaggression pact with the Romulan Star Empire , the third major power in the region. The Dominion's goal seemed clear: to isolate the Federation politically and militarily. Its classic strategy of divide-and-conquer seemed to be succeeding admirably. Only the Klingon Empire stood with the Federation against the Dominion. With peaceful means failing to slow the Dominion's advance, Benjamin Sisko observed, " …a war may be our only hope. " ( DS9 : " In the Cards ", " Call to Arms ")

Provocation [ ]

The Defiant lays the minefield

With its strategic position rapidly deteriorating, the Federation resolved to prevent the Dominion from sending further reinforcements into the Alpha Quadrant by mining the entrance to the Bajoran wormhole. Maintenance engineer Rom suggested using self-replicating mines equipped with cloaking devices for the blockade; not only would such a minefield be undetectable to approaching ships, but it would also be virtually indestructible, as each mine destroyed would be replaced by another mine in the vicinity. Chief Miles O'Brien and Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax quickly developed a working model, and the Defiant began laying down the minefield.

This action could be seen as nothing less than a major provocation, however, and the Dominion's primary representative Weyoun arrived at Deep Space 9 and promptly demanded that the mining of the wormhole be halted immediately. Captain Sisko flatly refused.

An intricate dance of lies and intimations began: Weyoun claimed that the Cardassians, having suffered terrible damage during the Klingon-Cardassian War , required massive assistance in rebuilding their infrastructure and defenses following the Klingon invasion. Sisko played along, claiming to have had no idea of the Cardassians' dire humanitarian situation. The two representatives arranged a deal, in which the Federation would remove the minefield, and the Dominion would restrict further convoys to nonmilitary personnel and materials. However, both sides recognized this repartee as nothing more than a ruse to buy time and lull the other side into a false sense of security – Weyoun to prepare the Dominion fleet for the attack, and Sisko to complete the minefield.

With war imminent, Sisko, speaking both as a Starfleet captain and the Emissary of the Prophets , advised that the Bajoran government sign the nonaggression pact offered to them by the Dominion, thus ensuring that the planet and its people were kept out of the now-inevitable conflict. The pact was signed, and First Minister Shakaar Edon ordered the evacuation of all Bajoran personnel from the station. ( DS9 : " Call to Arms ")

The Battle [ ]

The docking ring under attack

Intent on preventing its lifeline to the Gamma Quadrant from being blocked, the Dominion and Cardassian Union launched a massive assault fleet towards Deep Space 9, with Gul Dukat himself in command. For reasons not yet publicly known, the Federation had not reinforced its position at Deep Space 9, leaving only the USS Defiant and the IKS Rotarran to supplement the station's defenses. Anticipating the enemy attack, Sisko ordered the Rotarran to patrol the border and provide advance warning when the Dominion fleet approached.

Captain Sisko confidently rejected Dukat's offer to surrender, and both sides prepared for the onslaught. Dukat ordered five Jem'Hadar attack wings to intercept the Defiant , while his remaining ships targeted the station.

As the Dominion and Cardassian fleets opened fire, Weyoun and Dukat were unpleasantly surprised to find Deep Space 9's shields holding up under the barrage – Federation deflector shields had previously been impotent in defending against the Jem'Hadar's phased polaron beam weaponry. Dukat ordered more ships to open fire on the station.

Meanwhile, the Defiant herself was coming under fire as she was laying the minefield. The Rotarran provided interference and covering fire, giving the Defiant enough time to complete and activate the minefield, sealing off the wormhole.

The Rotarran and the Defiant depart Deep Space 9

Using his knowledge as the station's former commanding officer, Dukat was able to cut main power to Deep Space 9's shields by directing all Dominion and Cardassian firepower into Section 17 of the outer docking ring . With the wormhole now blocked, and the station becoming an impossible position to hold, Captain Sisko ordered all Starfleet personnel to evacuate Deep Space 9. As Dukat ordered his reserve units to enter the battle, the station's Starfleet crew boarded the Defiant and the Rotarran , taking all sensitive equipment with them and leaving the station in the hands of the Bajoran Militia .

As the evacuation neared completion, Sisko addressed the remaining station residents on the Promenade , promising, " I will not rest until I stand with you again, here, in this place where I belong. " Listen  file info

Once the Defiant and the Rotarran had safely departed the station, Major Kira Nerys , now the Bajorans' representative to the Dominion, activated Program Sisko 197 . The program completely sabotaged the station's computer and power systems, leaving the station a nearly lifeless hulk. The Dominion and Cardassian troops boarded the station without resistance, officially reclaiming Terok Nor , the station they had abandoned in orbit of Bajor five years before. ( DS9 : " Call to Arms ")

Aftermath [ ]

Dominion and Cardassian forces board Deep Space 9

Dukat and the Dominion captured Deep Space 9 from the Federation, but the more than fifty Dominion ships destroyed were a major price to be paid for that victory. The minefield operated independently from the station and proved resistant to all initial attempts to dismantle it. Likewise, the sabotage of the station itself meant that in the short term it would serve little function other than as a command and supply outpost behind the front lines.

In addition, while the Dominion and Cardassian Union had thrown its full force towards capturing the station, a combined Starfleet-Klingon task force had crossed the border into Cardassian territory and destroyed the shipyards at Torros III , which in the eyes of Starfleet Command outweighed the loss of DS9. ( DS9 : " Call to Arms ")

10 Best Battles In Star Trek's History

Roddenberry may have wanted a Utopian future, but that doesn't mean it didn't kick ass.

For an organisation that makes such a song and dance about "exploration" and "discovery", Starfleet rarely shy away from an honest fight. Whether you put that down to space just being a dangerous place to make a living or just humanity's inescapable love of a good dust-up is your business, but it means that Star Trek's never been more than a few episodes away from some interstellar straighteners.

Plus, and let's be honest here friends, space battles are cool.

While restrictions of the time meant that Star Trek's early outings needed to limit these effects-heavy encounters to one ship and it's glowing lasers, the tension of being stuck inside a combustible steel tin, with nothing more than an exploding bulkhead to protect you from the infinite nothingness of space, always made it great TV.

But with the digital capacity to make the battles outside as thrilling as the stories inside, Star Trek has led the way for decades in bringing space warfare to both the big and small screen. From contests between two bitter foes, to entire fleets crashing into one another, these 10 stand as the franchise, and arguably the genre's, finest moments.

10. The Battle Of The Bassen Rift - Star Trek: Nemesis

Critically panned to the point it became a Generation's Final Journey™, Star Trek: Nemesis doesn't tend to get too much love for anything these days. But through a kinder lens caused by nothing pushing this continuity forward for 19 years, there are a few bright spots.

Data and Picard's relationship transcends the themes of the TV show, Tom Hardy provides a far-better-than-its-given-credit-for performance as Shinzon, and the climactic battle sequence ranks comfortably as one of Star Trek's most epic. The Scitimar, probably the most fearsome ship we've seen in Star Trek with more than 4 angles, vs the Enterprise-E and two well-meaning but fairly useless Romulan Warbirds.

The bulk of the movie's effects budget is pumped into this fragmented but bumper conflict, with over 20 minutes of screentime elapsing between the first shots being fired and the Enterprise finally ramming itself into the enemy hull. For scope alone, as well as the constant twists in the tide of the conflict, it's an under-rated moment in an otherwise underwhelming movie.

WhatCulture's Managing Editor and Chief Reporter | Previously seen in Vice, Esquire, FourFourTwo, Sabotage Times, Loaded, The Set Pieces, and Mundial Magazine

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Published May 25, 2023

10 Favorite James T. Kirk Fight Scenes

There's no singular fighting style as unique as that of the captain of the Enterprise.

StarTrek.com

Is there anyone across the vast tapestry of the Star Trek mythos with a fighting style as unique as that of James Tiberius Kirk ?

I don’t believe there is. As captain of the fabled U.S.S. Enterprise , Kirk engaged in his share of fisticuffs, besting opponents— well, most of the time, anyway — with a slick combination of moves and guile that remains unmatched. I’m hard-pressed to think of anyone I’d rather have watching my back as we take on Klingons, alien gladiators, genetically-engineered supermen, and even, on occasion, his own first officer and best friend.

In unabashed celebration of James Kirk’s singular fighting style, I present to you 10 of my favorite examples of “ Kirk Fu .”

“ Where No Man Has Gone Before ”

Kirk wastes no time throwing down right here in his very first filmed adventure as captain of the Enterprise . For this initial outing, he takes on his friend, Gary Mitchell, who’s been imbued with godlike powers. Despite this complication, Kirk wades in with both fists, punching and chopping and spinning his opponent all over the desolate surface of Delta Vega before delivering the knockout blow with a well-aimed phaser rifle strike and a handy chunk of nearby hillside. It’s this episode that also gives birth to the tradition of Kirk’s uniform tunic getting ripped to expose his manly chesticles.

“ Shore Leave ”

On an idyllic, seemingly uninhabited planet, Kirk and his people run into knights on horseback, samurai warriors, Japanese warplanes, and even an old flame or two. Kirk also encounters his academy nemesis, Finnegan, who’s more than happy to pick up where they left off as cadets. Following one of the longest fights across any of the series, it’s Finnegan who helps Kirk to solve the mystery of this odd planet and those who want nothing more than to make every visitor’s dream and fantasy come true. And hey! There’s more of that torn-shirt action, too. If we’re not careful, this might become a trend.

It’s a battle for the ages as Kirk squares off against the commander of a Gorn vessel after they’re both transported to a barren planetoid by mysterious beings who call themselves “The Metrons.” Though the captain gives his best drop kicks and double fist-punches, none of his attacks have any effect, but Kirk’s not just a man of action; he has other mad skills! Using just the raw materials littering the landscape around him, he constructs a crude bamboo cannon and shoots a wad of diamonds into the Gorn captain’s massive reptilian chest. Yep, that’s going to leave a mark. Does Kirk close in to deliver the death blow? What...you mean you haven’t seen this episode? WHY NOT??

“ Space Seed ”

20th Century superman Khan Noonien Singh has no problem demonstrating his improved intellect and extra-enhanced physique against Kirk when the two face off in the Enterprise ’s engine room. Khan might have the strength of five men, but nobody mixes it up like Jimmy T. Despite being out-muscled six ways from Sunday, Kirk holds his own against the genetically-engineered brute and manages some sweet moves. That’s right, fans — drop kicks and the famed double fist-punch are brought to bear yet again before the good captain emerges triumphant. As for Khan? I wonder whatever happened to him...

“ Amok Time ”

After Spock succumbs to the ancient Vulcan mating drive known as Pon Farr, he invites Kirk and McCoy to accompany him to his home planet to observe the ceremony, which will see him wed to his childhood betrothal partner, T’Pring. As if that’s not weird enough, T’Pring decides she needs to spice up the whole marriage thing, challenging Spock’s status as her husband-to-be and selecting Kirk as her champion to battle Spock to the death! What we end up getting is a fight so awesome that it needs its own special theme music; a funky tune that sets the bar for every subsequent Star Trek hand-to-hand squabble to this day. You can hear it right now as you’re reading this, can’t you? Things get even hairier when Spock ( gasp !) kills Kirk! Or, does he? The suspense is killing me!

“ Journey to Babel ”

A shipload of ambassadors on their way to a conference where half of them are going to yell at the other half, and one of them might just be an assassin? The party crasher has already killed one person, and soon he sets his sights on none other than Captain Kirk himself! This leads to a vicious struggle in one of the Enterprise corridors with Kirk facing off against a feisty Andorian. Everything is a potential weapon in this skirmish, even the walls, from which Kirk pushes and kicks off as he puts the moves to his spirited opponent. Nothing’s going to keep him from winning this battle, not even a knife between the ribs! That’s why he’s the captain.

“ The Gamesters of Triskelion ”

It seems the word’s out about how humans in general and Kirk in particular make for pretty awesome fighters. After a weird transporter interruption sends him along with Uhura and Chekov to a remote planet, Kirk and his people find themselves unwilling conscripts for a mysterious alien race’s gladiator school. This gives Kirk several opportunities to demonstrate his fighting prowess, including an epic final showdown against three opponents for all the marbles and the lives of his crew. Two hundred quatloos on the newcomer!

“ The Omega Glory ”

If there’s anyone who can give Kirk a run for his money in a good, old-fashioned slugfest, it has to be another Starfleet captain, right? That’s exactly what happens when Kirk confronts Ronald Tracey, commander of the U.S.S. Exeter , who’s found himself in the middle of some serious Prime Directive violating as he seeks to unravel the mystery of why the planet’s native inhabitants have such prolonged life spans. Along the way, Tracey’s managed to kill several thousand of the indigenous population, and it’s long past time for Kirk to bring him down. The two captains end up in not one but two fights to the death, the second one pretty much just for the amusement of the locals. Kirk wins of course (because he’s awesome), but all of that simply pales in comparison to a Shatnerian delivery of the U.S. Constitution’s preamble. E Plebnista, yo.

“ The Savage Curtain ”

Kirk, Spock, Abraham Lincoln, and Surak walk into a bar. Okay, not really, but you have to think that would be pretty sweet, right? Anyway, when the Enterprise orbits a planet of molten lava called Excalbia, Kirk and Spock beam down to a lava-free area and are confronted by something that’s taken on the appearance of Lincoln and Surak, a.k.a. “The Greatest Vulcan Who Ever Lived.”

Together, this fearsome foursome is tasked by the planet’s local guy in charge with showing him how the Forces of Good differ from Those of Evil. A battle royale ensues, pitting Kirk and his team against some of history’s most dastardly bad guys — the Klingon Kahless, Genghis Khan, Zora (who?), and Colonel Green (huh?)! The final confrontation is a mix of makeshift spears, crude knives, and full on scrapping in the dirt, including one of Kirk’s better open field tackles as he puts the beat down on Colonel Green (who comes off as quite the punk), all while Yarnek the Excalbian looks on. Kind of creepy, don’t you think?

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

It took three movies for Kirk to bring the Fu to the silver screen, with renegade Klingon Commander Kruge serving as his punching bag du jour. Despite all the years which have passed since his glory days during the five-year mission, Kirk shows us that he still knows how to rumble, fueled as he is by the anger that Kruge is responsible for the death of his son, David Marcus. As the bizarre Genesis planet disintegrates around them, Kirk and Kruge are locked in a mano-a-Klingono tussle, which ends up with Kruge hanging off the side of a cliff, ready to plunge to his doom save for his death grip on Kirk’s leg. After rebuffing Kirk’s attempts to save him, Kruge meets his end after Kirk...say it with me, “Has Had! Enough Of! Him!”

Okay, that’s my 10. As always is the case with these columns of mine, this isn’t intended to be a “best of” list, so who’s got their own list of favorites?

This article was originally published on June 29, 2013.

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Dayton Ward (he/him) is a New York Times bestselling author or co-author of numerous novels and short stories including a whole bunch of stuff set in the Star Trek universe, and often collaborating with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore. As he’s still a big ol' geek at heart, Dayton is known to wax nostalgic about all manner of Star Trek topics over on his own blog, The Fog of Ward .

Best Scenes in Star Trek History, Ranked

Star Trek has produced countless classic moments in the six decades it's been on the air. Here are 10 of the best, from every corner of the franchise.

The Star Trek franchise is one of the oldest and strongest in pop culture, with roots stretching back to the 1960s. New series have run more or less continuously since 2017, and fresh projects point to a very bright future for the venerable space opera. Each new version of the show has brought in new fans and produced too many memorable moments to count.

Reducing something so huge to ten scenes is an exercise in futility. However, a rough "canon" of high points has formed, and while the specifics vary, fans tend to agree on a general list. Ten of the most prominent appear below, each of them helping to define and expand the Star Trek universe.

RELATED: The 15 Lowest Rated TV Shows Ever, According to Rotten Tomatoes

10 The Enterprise Saves the Horta

The original series, "the devil in the dark".

"The Devil in the Dark" is one of The Original Series ' high points. The crew investigates a mining colony being stalked by a monstrous creature, only to learn that the creature is far different from what they suspected. Kirk and the gang prevail not by killing the monster but by communicating with it and brokering peace.

The climax shows The Original Series ' three leads at their best. Spock enacts a mind meld at great personal risk, while Dr. McCoy figures out a way to heal the alien of its injuries. Kirk gets to play peacemaker rather than cowboy, giving William Shatner some of his strongest monologs of the series. And it's wrapped up in an elegant little moral about not fearing what we don't understand.

9 Meet the Lower Decks Crew

Star trek: lower decks, "second contact".

From the beginning, Star Trek: Lower Decks made a sharp departure from the franchise as usual: an animated, self-referential comedy series about Starfleet's humblest crew members. It rapidly became a fan favorite thanks to its unerring sense of Star Trek 's absurdity, coupled with a surprisingly heartfelt approach to its characters.

It all kicked off with the opening scene of the premiere, as Ensign Brad Boimler records a log of the less-than-glamorous duties of the USS Cerritos. He's interrupted by a visibly inebriated Beckett Mariner, who razzes him about the recording before accidentally slicing into his leg with a Klingon bat'leth. Star Trek clearly would never be the same.

RELATED: Every Star Trek Series, Ranked By IMDb

8 Discovery Leaps Into the Future

Star trek: discovery, "such sweet sorrow, part 2".

Star Trek Discovery spent its first two seasons threading an impressive needle, as it established new details about the Federation before the events of The Original Series . It proved intoxicating and bold -- complete with a new previously unknown sibling for Mr. Spock -- but it couldn't last. Sooner or later, canon was going to bite it.

It cut that Gordian knot with grace and beauty in the Season 2 finale. Michael Burnham and the Discovery sacrificed themselves in order to destroy the rogue AI Control with the hope of emerging intact centuries in the future. The finale scene showed several vessels -- including Christopher Pike's Enterprise -- bear witness to their heroics before Season 3 opened a whole new era for The Final Frontier.

7 'Risk Is Our Business'

The original series, "return to tomorrow".

Star Trek often casts stage actors for its crew. The tradition started with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. It resulted in some of the best speeches in The Original Series , most famously in Season 2, Episode 20, "Return to Tomorrow," as the officers debated the pros and cons of assisting a mysterious alien species.

Kirk spelled out not only the benefits of helping the aliens but the whole ethos of Starfleet itself: to seek a better understanding of the universe and advance the collective knowledge of all. That came with risk, but as he hammered home with absolute conviction, "Risk is our business." Shatner nailed it and gave Star Trek an outstanding statement of principles in the bargain.

6 Spock Returns from the Dead

Star trek iii: the search for spock.

Having already delivered a death scene for the ages in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan , the franchise then endeavored to bring him back just one movie later. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock earns high praise simply for pulling off the resurrection without cheapening his sacrifice. It also proved Leonard Nimoy's bona fides as a director as well as an actor, beginning a long tradition of Star Trek cast members behind the camera.

The high point came in the finale, as the reborn Spock struggled to remember his friends who had sacrificed so much for him. His exchange with Kirk summed their feelings for each other perfectly, and Nimoy's brilliant moment of realization -- recognizing everyone for the first time -- affirmed the singular comradery of the franchise's collected OGs.

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5 Picard Joins the Poker Game

Star trek: the next generation, "all good things…".

One of The Next Generation 's most whimsical notions quietly morphed into something far more important. The officers of the Enterprise-D played a weekly poker game , starting in Season 2, Episode 9, "The Measure of a Man." The series periodically returned to it -- and ended both The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard with the crew playing -- and it became a stand-in for any Star Trek crew simply going about their lives.

The emotional crescendo arrived at the conclusion of The Next Generation Season 7, Episode 26, "All Good Things..." After all the crew had been through -- in the episode and the series -- Captain Picard finally joined them for a game. "I should have done this a long time ago," he mused before dealing his first hand, affirming their mutual bonds as the ship sailed on through the stars.

4 Sisko Sells His Soul

Star trek: deep space nine, "in the pale moonlight".

In one of the franchise's darkest episodes, Captain Sisko faced the necessity of bringing the neutral Romulan Empire into the war against The Dominion: a war the Federation would lose without them. To gain it, he conspired with Garak to doctor phony evidence of a Dominion plot. He became complicit in murder when Garak knocked off the two people who could reveal the plot, ensuring that the Romulans joined the fight.

The episode took place in flashback as Sisko slowly revealed all the terrible things he'd done. And in a slam-bang final monologue from Avery Brooks, he confessed that he could live with it for the sake of the countless trillions he spared from death and tyranny. "The needs of the many" has never been more chillingly realized.

3 Michael Burnham Takes Command

Discovery, "that hope is you, part 2".

No other Star Trek captain took so long and torturous a route to the big chair as Michael Burnham. Beginning the series as a wrongly convicted felon, she battled for three full seasons before finally taking command of the Discovery . The moment arrived with exquisite timing.

Season 3 launched the Discovery into the 32nd Century, with the Federation shattered. Having restored Starfleet's mandate, Burnham assumed command aglow with joy. Her signature phrase -- "Let's fly!" -- put a cherry on top of the triumphant emotional high point of the entire series.

RELATED: 10 Best Television Universes, Ranked

2 Locutus of Borg

The next generation, "the best of both worlds, part 1".

Star Trek had never used a cliffhanger before Season 3, Episode 26, "The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1." It arrived out of nowhere and left Star Trek fans thunderstruck. The Borg returned and claimed Jean-Luc Picard as one of their own, forcing Riker to possibly kill his own captain in order to save the Earth from assimilation.

The episode closed just as he commanded the Enterprise-D to open fire. It forced the fan base to wait three months to find out what happened. At the same time, it established the Borg as a truly terrifying threat, leaving the audience legitimately wondering whether Picard -- or the Federation -- would survive.

1 Spock's Death

Star trek ii: the wrath of khan.

It's impossible to overestimate the impact of The Wrath of Khan on the franchise. It freed the characters from the endless cycle of reruns, allowing their characters to grow older and face the consequences. It culminated in the death of Star Trek 's most beloved character sacrificing himself to save the Enterprise before saying goodbye to his closest friend.

The scene lured Nimoy back to a role he was eager to distance himself from at the time. It also gave him a new lease on life, as he returned to direct the next two films and reaffirmed his commitment to the character. But his final scene in Khan remains the indelible high point of the whole franchise and one of the most memorable onscreen deaths of all time.

Screen Rant

The 15 best moments in star trek movie history.

Despite all the controversy surrounding the latest foray  into the final frontier, despite the mixed feelings  that old school Trekkies hold towards the reboot films, it's official:  Star Trek Beyond is excellent . It's managed to impress die hard fans of the series, film critics, and casual moviegoers alike on its way to a respectable (if unspectacular) opening weekend at the box office.

As we all geek out over Beyond , it’s time to remember all the great moments from the rich Star Trek film library (which you can get read a full rundown of HERE ). Many of these moments have become etched in film history and showcase dazzling special effects, inspired acting, and expert direction.

To be fair with Star Trek Beyond , as much fun as it is , it will take some repeat viewing to determine if any moment from the latest Star Trek film is worth including on this list but for now, take a look at our take on the 15 Best Moments In Star Trek Movie History .

15. Two Spocks Meet

In the J.J. Abrams 2009 reboot of the series, the two  Trek universes were connected with the inclusion of the original Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy. It was a smart way to pass the torch to the reimagined characters, and it gave us a final adventure with the original Spock , since he was pivotal to the film’s plot.

However, the perfect passing of this torch came in the film’s conclusion, when the original Spock finally met the new take on the pointy-eared bastard, played by Zachary Quinto. It allowed us the opportunity to see two different, yet similar acting interpretations of the famous Vulcan first officer side by side. At the same time, this meeting gave the original Spock a sense of closure and a new purpose in life to find a new home for his people. As for the new Spock, he was left seeing the possibilities of what lay ahead in his life and career.

14. The Enterprise Nearly Crashes in Star Trek Into Darkness

The poor Enterprise always takes a beating in these Star Trek films, especially in the reboots . Just look at how the ship gets ripped apart in Beyond ! Most of the scenes in the films are heart-stopping highlights with incredible special effects, but the best one took place in  Into Darkness .

Near Earth’s orbit, the U.S.S. Enterprise was outgunned by the U.S.S. Vengeance , a massive warship commanded by a fanatical Starfleet admiral -- and later, neo-Khan. To be frank, it took a hell of beating from the warship and it actually started plummeting down to Earth. The Enterprise suffered catastrophic failure and was dead in the water (or rather, air). Setting aside the shaky science of how this happens, the chaos onboard the dying vessel as Kirk and Scotty valiantly tried to save it had audiences on the edge of their seats, and those visuals of a smoking  Enterprise plunging into the clouds were truly breathtaking, thanks to J.J. Abrams’ intense directorial style. In the end, we all blew a collective sigh of relief when the ship re-emerged from the clouds to sail another day.

13.  Star Trek’s Big Screen Fisticuffs

The Star Trek films are usually exciting and echo the original series with pounding hand-to-hand fight scenes between our heroes and the films’ villains. No phasers, no starships -- just muscle, brute strength, and fighting skills. The most recent examples can be seen in Star Trek Beyond as Kirk brawls with  Krall , or whenever series newcomer Jayla takes on the bad guys. However, two battles that stand above the rest are featured in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock and in Star Trek Into Darkness .

In the former, Kirk confronted Kruge on the dying planet Genesis (the latter was the Klingon commander who had Kirk’s son killed). Naturally, the good captain  is personally invested in this particular brawl . The fight itself was perfectly framed by the unstable and exploding environment around them. It seemed as if they were fighting in the pits of hell itself.

In Star Trek Into Darkness , the usually stoic Spock was driven to capture Khan after his best buddy Kirk had just died. In a rare moment, Spock lost his cool when he caught up to Khan and unleashed his full Vulcan fury. The genetically enhanced villain more than held his own though, and the two each dealt each other beatings to remember .

12.  Chang Quotes Shakespeare

Trek 's tradition of stacking its scripts with quotes from literary giants such as Melville, Tennyson and of course, Shakespeare have helped set it apart from standard sci-fi fare over the years. "The Immortal Bard" is even quoted by Spock as he lays injured in Star Trek Beyond . But who can fault the screenwriters? Shakespeare's dialogue is so rich and suitable for Star Trek . While some iconic characters like Khan have delivered Shakespearean lines with much gusto, one particular character reveled in quoting the Bard of Avon.

That was Klingon General Chang , who was itching to fight Kirk in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country . Chang lived for delivering Shakespeare's lines, which he claimed were best heard in the original Klingon. That might have been a comical line, but coming from the cunning and devilish Chang, it was pretty disturbing. With that said, Chang's best Shakespearean quoting came in the film's climax as he has his ship attack the Enterprise . His borrowing of lines from Julius Caesar about letting loose "the dogs of war" fit the mood...as was his final line, "to be or not to be," this time from Hamlet , when he realized that he was going to die.

11. Kirk Meets Picard

Although Star Trek Generations has more than its fair share of problems, one of its truest bright spots involved the monumental meeting between Star Trek’s  two greatest captains. Even though James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard live in different time periods, the two met when Picard entered the Nexus, an interdimensional realm where time doesn’t exist. Picard found out that Kirk was been stranded there and sought him out for help. After some banter over breakfast , Kirk decided to help Picard save his crew and stop the film’s villain, Soran.

Having the two meet was the centerpiece of the film, and it probably could have had more oomph to it. The team-up against Soran could have been more exciting, and more pointedly, Kirk should have had a more befitting death scene. But none of that takes away the very first time we saw these two sci-fi legends meeting onscreen. It was the culmination of every Star Trek fan’s hope ever since The Next Generation  made its debut.

10. Kirk and Scotty Inspect the Refitted Enterprise

Make all the complaints you want about Star Trek: The Motion Picture , they’re all valid. But the very first Star Trek film does have its merits, like its spectacular (for the time) special effects. The clear beneficiary for this virtue is the  refitted U.S.S. Enterprise . The starship's best moment in the film came when it was seen for the first glimpsed, as Admiral Kirk inspected it.

Before Kirk boarded the Enterprise , Scotty took him on an impromptu inspection of the gallant vessel as it received its finishing touches in drydock, orbiting the Earth. Thanks to a rich and magnificent score by the late, great Jerry Goldsmith and meticulous special effects, the Enterprise was a sight to behold. For starving fans who had been itching to see the famous ship get its moment on the big screen, it was a rapturous moment. The scene may have went on too long, but in this case, the indulgence in the special effects was justified.

9. George Kirk's Sacrifice as the Kelvin Encounters the Narada

Before 2009's Star Trek , the franchise was tired and out of ideas. It had been running on fumes for several years before it was put to rest and allowed to recharge. This break was exactly what the franchise needed and it announced it was back in the public consciousness in a bold, in-your-face manner with the opening scenes of Star Trek, when the Starfleet vessel the U.S.S. Kelvin investigated an anomaly. From the moment that the U.S.S. Kelvin first appeared on screen in the reboot of Star Trek , there was a feeling that this version of the beloved franchise would be a very different beast.

The anomaly revealed the Narada, a Romulan ship from the future that quickly decimated the Starfleet vessal. With the Kelvin’s captain dead, it was up to George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth before he rocketed to fame as Thor ) to evacuate the crew, including his newborn son, the future Enterpris e captain , and buy them time. The desperate battle was chaotic and had a dangerous, realistic feel about it. Meanwhile, Hemsworth was so effective as a starship captain that some even say he overshadowed his son later on in the film. We'll find out if this holds true when he returns in the next Star Trek film . But love or hate the reboot, it cannot be denied that it reinvigorated the franchise, and it all started with an unforgettable opening that brought the series screaming into the 21st century.

8. The Borg Battle Near Earth

Ever since the Borg first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation , fans have been clamoring for the evil and nearly unstoppable cybernetic race to make their big-screen debut. So anticipation was high when it was revealed they would be the main adversary in Star Trek: First Contact . One thing that many demanded to see was a no-holds barred, effects-heavy space battle with the ominous Borg cube, and this film delivered that in spades.

This occurred early in the film, and the battle set up the film’s main plot of having Picard and his Enterprise time travel to the 21 st century to save Earth from the Borg. Before the main story commenced, we were treated to a spectacular battle between an enormous Borg cube and a Starfleet armada. Many of the ships defending Earth had new and innovative designs which allowed Starfleet to put up a worthwhile fight against the superior Borg force. When the Enterprise E joined the fight and Picard helped rally the other ships to destroy the cube, there was a feeling of triumph and relief. It seemed that it was finally possible to take on the Borg and win.

7. Picard's Rant In Star Trek: First Contact

The Jean-Luc Picard seen in  The Next Generation films was distinctly different than the cerebral and collected statesman from the TV show. This Picard was a man of action, of fiery passion. This was best shown in Star Trek: First Contact . Picard was traumatized from having been assimilated into the Borg Collective in the TV show. Naturally, when they returned in the film, Picard went after them with a vengeance.

However, it was soon clear that Picard was obsessive, even fanatical about defeating the Borg. This behavior was putting his crew at deadly risk, but it took Lily Sloane, a tough, rescued civilian, to confront him. When this happens, Picard launched into an impromptu rant about how they had to take a stand against the Borg and how he would make them pay for what they did to him. Patrick Stewart showcased some powerful acting as we saw a raw, angry side of Picard, one that's left a lasting impression.

6. The Enterprise A Is Revealed

The original Enterprise met its fiery end in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock . As painful as it was for Kirk and his small crew to witness such a sight, it was way worse for the fans who loved the iconic starship. Seeing that beautifully designed vessal explode and burn up in the atmosphere of Genesis was quite the bummer.

However, the crew was rewarded for their actions in the next film with a new Starfleet vessel, the question was, would it be the Excelsior , the next generation in starships? Nope. As the crew approached the Excelsior , raising expectations that it would be their ship, the camera instead passed over the Excelsior to reveal a brand new Enterprise . The Enterprise A to be exact. That was one of the most thrilling moments in Star Trek film history because it respected the legacy of the ship and ensured that the name Enterprise would not fade into history.

5. The Epic Battles Between The Reliant and Enterprise

After the criticisms that the first Star Trek film was dull, the filmmakers behind the sequel,  The Wrath of Khan, went out of their way to ensure that this new film would deliver excitement in truckloads. This was accomplished by including epic spaceship battles between the Enterprise and the Reliant , the Starfleet vessel commandeered by Khan and his people.

The first encounter between the starships was well set up, with generous doses of suspense. We knew the Reliant was in the hands of the bad guys, but the Enterprise crew didn’t, and so were caught off guard when the smaller ship fired on the Enterprise . The opening salvo left the Enterprise with ugly scars, as the crew suffered a great many casualties. By the time Scotty walked into the burning bridge holding a dying cadet, it was obvious that this wasn’t going to be any old sci-fi adventure.

The final battle between the ships took place inside a colorful nebula that blinded their sensors. This forced them into a tense cat-and-mouse game that set the standard in Star Trek spaceship battles -- and still holds weight today.

4. Any Scene With The Original Khan

Ricardo Montalban's Khan is one of the greatest villains of all time. Left stranded with his genetically enhanced people on a barren planet by Kirk during the original series, Khan's hatred for Kirk grew over the years. By the time the two men confront each other (ironically, they never physically interact with one another in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ), all bets are off. Despite his dastardly nature, Khan was quite charismatic and passionate. Much of Khan's appeal is due to Montalban's magnetic and regal demeanor, so it's not a surprise that he is regarded so highly.

Part of his appeal is with his eloquent line delivery. Whether it's original dialogue such as "Revenge is a dish best served cold," or intense Shakespearean quotes like "From hell's heart I stab at thee!" every scene featuring Khan is a delight to watch over and over again. Montalban so owned the role that poor Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't compare when he took over the role in Star Trek Into Darkness, though his Khan is also imposing.

3. Kirk and Spock Say Goodbye To Each Other

When Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan premiered, Spock's fate was a mystery to fans. When he was killed off, it was an emotional gut punch that still resonates with fans today. Much of that is due to the wonderful script and the heartfelt acting by stars  William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy , honed by years of working together. They perfectly conveyed the feeling of friendship and loss in that pivotal scene.

With the Enterprise in danger, it was up to Spock to go into the ship's warp core and repair it, but he received a lethal dose of radiation in doing so. By the time Kirk reached his friend, Spock was dying behind safety glass. In their last moments together , a shocked and grief-stricken Kirk watched helplessly as Spock uttered some of the film’s greatest lines and bid his longtime friend farewell. This was a powerful moment in Star Trek history, and even Spock’s resurrection in the next film does not lessen the impact of this scene.

2. The Original Enterprise Crew's Farewell

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was promoted as the last hurrah for the original Star Trek cast. While the film was blast to watch, the ending of it was especially poignant, not just for the characters, but for anyone watching it. As it turned out, it would be the last time we would ever see the original cast together playing their legendary roles.

In the film’s final moments, after Kirk and the Enterprise crew save the day (again), they learn that the Enterprise was set to be decommissioned. In response, Spock, in his typically stoic manner, said for Starfleet to “go to hell”, a line which brings smiles to Trek fans' faces to this day. But it was Kirk’s final words that really resonated long after. He orders the Enterprise to head to the “'first star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning.'” Plus, in his final log report/voiceover, Kirk reported that they were passing the baton to a new generation as the Enterprise flew towards a star. This was undeniably the best and most appropriate way to close the chapter for the legendary crew.

1. The Enterprise Crew’s Adventures In the 20th Century

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is so beloved because of its offbeat nature. No villains, no spaceship battles, no technobabble. Just a classic fish-out-of-water story that gave all of the Enterprise crew their due spotlights, which emphasized the camaraderie that made them so beloved. It has many amusing moments of them trying to fit into the 20 th century. Some include Scotty talking to an ancient (to us anyway) computer, Spock applying a Vulcan nerve pinch to an obnoxious punk rocker, Kirk having a dinner date in an Italian restaurant, or Kirk’s horrified reaction to seeing Spock swimming with whales in an aquarium. Pure gold.

The best of these moments has to be when they first arrive in late 20 th century San Francisco . The film’s mood brightens up remarkably, with bright sunny scenes and a bouncy urban soundtrack as the crew walked through the streets. They looked outlandish in their futuristic clothing, and their befuddled reaction to what they experienced was priceless. The best scene has to be Kirk being cursed at by an irate car driver who nearly hit him as he crossed the street. In response, Kirk defiantly yelled back “ Well a double dumbass on you! ” Thirty years later, and that scene hasn’t lost its comedic punch.

Bonus: Sabotage!

The latest entry in the film franchise, Star Trek Beyond, is already getting rave reviews for its sense of adventure, fun, and for being more in line with classic Star Trek than the last few outings. The film is filled to the brim with several fantastic moments, many of which will be talked about for years to come. They include the witty banter between the characters, the attack on the Enterprise, the jaw-dropping intro of the Yorktown station, and Krall's surprising backstory.

But one scene that just knocks it out of the park is during the film's climax. Anyone not wanting to be spoiled should stop reading! Kirk and his crew salvaged the derelict Federation starship the U.S.S. Franklin in a last-ditch attempt to stop Krall and his forces from destroying the Yorktown. The solution to stopping the swarm-like enemy ships: broadcasting "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys to interrupt the ships' signal, disrupting their seemingly unstoppable swarm patterns. Seeing all the enemy ships being destroyed in a cascading firewall was a fist-pumping joy to watch. Once again our heroes defiantly beat the odds in an explosive and energetic manner, with some classic Spock and McCoy exchanges as a bonus.

Did your favorite Trek moment make the cut? Make your opinion known by ;eaving your thoughts in the comments.

Star Trek Beyond is now playing in theaters.

Scenes Cut from Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Several scenes shot for Star Trek: The Motion Picture never made it into the theatrical release of the film.

Uhura’s loyalty

After Kirk leaves the bridge for his confrontation with Decker, there is a brief scene involving Uhura, Sulu and an alien ensign played by Billy Van Zandt. When Van Zandt’s character questions Kirk’s takeover, Uhura says, “Our chances of coming back from this mission in one piece may have just doubled.”

The scene is restored in the Special Longer Version from 1983 (not to be confused with the 2001 Director’s Edition ).

Scenes with Ilia

When Uhura first hears that Lieutenant Ilia is Deltan, she expresses surprise, leading Kirk to respond that the Deltans are so good at their job that “there are no finer navigators in Starfleet, commander.”

Ilia was the source of other comments, some of which are included in the Special Longer Version .

Sulu, upon being told by Decker to “take Lieutenant Ilia in hand,” acts like a schoolboy attempting to show Ilia the navigation console (with which she is quite familiar). This was meant to demonstrate the effect Deltan women have on human men.

When Decker questions his Deltan friend, she responds by assuring him that she “would never take advantage of a sexually immature species.” This exchange is present in the 1983 version.

McCoy beams aboard

Restored in The Director’s Edition is McCoy’s full entrance, including an unnamed yeoman’s observation that “he insisted we go first, sir. Said something about first seeing how it scrambled our molecules.”

The original plan was to beam McCoy up while carrying a riding crop, indicating that he had been snatched by some Federation transporter without a moment’s notice.

Just after McCoy’s line about how engineers love to change things, in an unrestored cut, Kirk gazes after the retreating doctor, goes to the wall intercom and announces, “All decks, this is the captain. Prepare for immediate departure.” Had this scene remained as it was, it would have reduced the risk of McCoy’s line being cut, as it accidentally was in many prints of the film.

Also present in the longer version is Ilia’s concern after Kirk summons Decker to his cabin. As Sulu introduces new figures into his console, he must gently remind Ilia to listen to him. After he finishes speaking, Ilia again stares at the door, which leads neatly into the scene in Kirk’s quarters.

McCoy-Spock tension

Some cuts were made to improve McCoy’s disposition. For example, after Spock comes aboard the Enterprise and is welcomed by Kirk, McCoy observes, “Never look a gift Vulcan in the ears, Jim.”

Spock must have known what attitude to expect from his old friend because, before the exchange in the officers’ lounge, he asks Kirk, “Sir, I would appreciate Dr McCoy absenting himself from this interview.” Remaining at the conversation, McCoy causes Spock to show a certain irritation, at which point McCoy seriously observes, “If you achieve perfect logic, Spock, you’ll pay a price. It’s given your planet ten thousand years of peace but no poetry’s been written since then, no music.” This comment causes Spock to turn menacingly toward McCoy, until Kirk calls a halt to the situation.

V’Ger’s probe

We learn more about Ilia in a sequence restored in The Director’s Edition .

After Chekov is injured by V’Ger’s energy blast, Ilia is able to provide instant relief by touching him. Arriving on the scene with a medical technician, Dr Chapel and Ilia exchange friendly glances.

Another casuality of V’Ger’s invading energy probes was not so lucky. When the blinding light probe materializes on the bridge, two security men advance on it with phasers drawn. Before Chekov can warn them not to fire, the first man does. In retaliation, the probe envelopes him in a purple glow. The man vanishes, causing the second guard to holster his weapon. This sequence has never been revealed.

After Spock’s spacewalk, the Vulcan describes what he has learned, calling V’Ger “a human machine.” McCoy comments, “We’re living machines too: protein mechanisms,” and when Kirk observes that V’Ger is trying to find its creator, McCoy asks, “Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? All us machines?”

The comparison between man and machine would lead to a scene in engineering, where Decker is taking the Ilia probe on a tour. They listen to a message from Kirk:

This is the captain speaking. It appears that the alien ship, V’Ger, is not a manned vessel. It is a living entity, a machine life form. We are attempting to ascertain its intentions. All personnel will maintain yellow alert status.

Scotty is hostile to “Ilia” throughout this sequence, at one point saying, “Lassie, if I were functioning logically right not, I’d be showing you the inside of our metal scrape compactor.”

Self-destruct

In a scene that was restored in both the 1983 and 2001 version, Kirk orders Scotty to implement a “self-destruct”.

In a discussion with a female engineer, Scotty reveals that a matter/antimatter explosion would destroy V’Ger along with the Enterprise .

In a sequence partially restored to the longer version, Spock sheds tears for V’Ger. Still missing, though, is Spock’s regret that although he has found part of what he was looking for, V’Ger “has not… and now, because of what we are planning, will not.” It is this statement that causes Kirk to cancel the self-destruct, telling Scotty, “We’re holding off. There may be a chance” (to save Earth, V’Ger and the Enteprise ).

Three endings

Kirk’s original statement at the end, when reporting the “missing status” of Decker and Ilia, included mention of “Security Officer Phillips,” who was vaporized in the sequence discussed earlier.

There were three versions of the movie’s ending. First, the one that’s in the film. Second, one in which Spock has the final line: “A most logical choice, captain,” responding to Kirk’s course heading “Out there… that way.” Third is a take in which Spock jokes about his need to remain on the Enterprise in order to protect the ship from its erratic, human crew.

15 comments

Interesting read, and more proof positive that when films were released theatrically back in the day, there were numerous edits floating around (intentionally or not). For example, the version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture I saw in the theater contained the scene with Uhuru remarking about their chances doubling, as well as the scene with the security officer being zapped into V’Ger’s data banks. I don’t recall seeing any of the other scenes you describe, however.

I once saw the cut with the security guard being killed and the destruct sequence scene on TV in the early 80s as a young child. I’d always thought I’d imagined it, the scenes were missing from subsequent versions. It was always a cold, clinical movie with hostile interpersonal exchanges throughout – these edited scenes provided a warm respite and it was a shame they were edited out.

Sorry, but you didn’t see the security guard scene. I was never assembled into any cut.

I clearly remember seeing the guard being zapped by V’Ger when I saw The Motion Picture at the theater back in 1979

I don’t. I made seven trips to theaters to see The Motion Picture , from its first day of release to the last, and I never saw any of the scenes discussed above in any of the prints I saw.

I saw it about ten times during its initial ’79 release, at various theaters. It didn’t have this footage.

It would be great to see this footage restored in some future DVD release. I remembering reading that the Director’s Cut likely did not include additional unseen footage, because that inclusion would entail additional payment to actors. Hard to believe somebody saw the security guard scene, but that’s entirely possible considering the last-minute rush to get 800+ plus prints out to theaters in 1979. Great site!

I remember seeing the guard scene at the movies back in ’79.

The special effects of the guard being digitized by V’Ger’s first probe were never completed, so the scene was never part of the assembled movie. However, the scene is definitely in the novelization and the comic book adaptation, and was described by Walter Koenig in his paperback book, Chekov’s Enterprise . Similarly, the scene with the alien ensign being reprimanded by Uhura was not seen by viewers until the ABC TV premiere of The Motion Picture . That additional footage was also in the Special Longer Version home vide release and was retained for the Director’s Edition DVD.

I saw it in theaters during original run, and I seem to remember the transporter accident lasting longer, and being far more terrible and agonizing.

The transporter accident has always been the same. The novelization has a much more graphic description of the scene.

Anyone who posts that they “remember” the security guard vaporization scene from the ’79 theatrical run is either trolling, lying, or just has a bad memory. That scene was not completed in post-production and was never included in any release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture , theatrical or subsequent.

I watched the VHS version as a kid, and I swear I remember something about Ilia making a comment about other species being less sexually mature or something like that. I watched the Paramount+ version last night and it appears that section was cut, thus it leaves the viewer to read between the lines a bit more to understand the Deltan mystique.

Your recollection is correct. It’s part of what I’ve labeled “Scenes with Ilia”. I don’t have Paramount+, but the deleted scenes are included in the iTunes Extras of the Apple TV version.

Yes, that segment is part of the Special Longer Version (ABC’s original TV broadcast and then to home video – i.e., VHS and video disc). The SLV has never made it to DVD, but all the trims from that are in Bonus Features of the 2001 Director’s Edition DVD. The DE is currently undergoing work to recreate the DE in 4K for Paramount+ for premiere in 2022.

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