We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Scene 4 Summary

  • We cut to a space station in orbit.
  • In the Star Trek universe, people can teleport across vast distances using a transporter, which is a large machine housed in a room. We watch one perform its magic inside the station.
  • And who's coming in? Good old "Admiral" Kirk (we guess he was promoted). He's met by Scotty, who was the chief engineering officer on the original Star Trek series.
  • There seem to be a lot of issues with the Enterprise, which is set to be relaunched in twelve hours.
  • Kirk knows that this is a problem, but he discreetly tells Scotty that the killer alien cloud is only three days from Earth. The Enterprise is the only ship close enough to stop it.
  • The room they're standing in separates from the space station and begins floating away. To Scotty's surprise, Kirk announces that Starfleet has again given him control of the Enterprise.
  • Their pod seems to be floating towards a large structure. Both men look with amazement as it finally comes into view: it's the Enterprise being worked on in a space dock.
  • And you can bet your butt we hear a variation of the main theme as we slowly caress the curves of the Enterprise. And boy do we mean slowly.
  • They dock with the ship. Kirk surveys the hustle and bustle with a great deal of pride.
  • Next stop: the bridge. Kirk is so excited that he takes a moment of silence during the elevator ride.
  • The bridge is not in the pristine shape we last saw it in. There's a commotion of activity as people prepare the ship for its early launch.
  • Finally, Kirk emerges. He's not looking too pleased, but he feels better when he sees a familiar face: Uhura, the Enterprise's communication officer on the originals series.
  • Everyone gathers around. We see Chekov and Sulu, both from the original series.
  • Kirk asks where Captain Decker is, and Sulu explains that he's in the engineering department. He has no idea Kirk has stolen his job.
  • He finds Decker working with Scotty and lets loose the "good news": Decker can stay on as an executive officer, but Kirk is taking the lead.
  • Decker seems ticked. Kirk tries to apologize, calling him by his first name, Will. These two seem to know each other.
  • Suddenly, there's a small explosion: a problem with the transporter. And someone is in the process of using it. Kirk and Scotty run to the transporter room.
  • They find a strange sight there: strange, screaming, demonic imps wriggling in the teleporter beams. Or at least that's the best description we can muster.
  • This, apparently, is how you die from a transporter malfunction. It's pretty gruesome. Oh yeah, and that was Commander Sonak, the science officer, in there. See ya, Sonak.
  • Still shaken, Kirk runs into Decker. He tells him what happened to Sonak and requests that the new science officer be Vulcan.
  • There are "none available," says Decker snarkily. Kirk, ever ready to fight fire with fire, announces that Decker will be pulling double duty as science officer from now on. Cold.