I could go on and on about the greatest captain in Starfleet history. I could tell you about his courage in the face of danger or his heroism at the most desperate hour. But that would just be repeating everything you’ve already seen or read. Instead I’m going to share what Captain James T Kirk means to me.
In third grade, there was an assignment: What do you want to be when you grow up? My answer: Captain of the Enterprise. I was eight and I wasn’t kidding. I wanted to face a problem, solve it, get the girl, and laugh about it with my friends when it was over. I wanted to be the one everyone relied on and trusted with their lives. I wanted to know all the right answers and I wanted to search the universe for more questions to solve.
How could I accomplish this task of becoming captain of the Enterprise? Even at 8, I knew there were no Starfleet and no starships to serve on. There was only a 60s TV show and a few paperbacks. So instead, I practiced Kirk’s tumble roll in my basement and command tactics on the playground. While we played, I imagined being captain and leading my landing party with the TOS soundtrack playing in my head.
As I grew older I was ridiculed for my passion and devotion to my idol. I was a geek and admonished accordingly. In my dreams, I was Captain but in reality I was a loner and alone. There was no crew, starship, or Federation to back me. There was only me. I took a lotta craaaap for that. Through it all, I still respected and honored my devotion and who I was. I never wavered or tried to fit in at the cost of turning my back on all things geek.
Captain Kirk taught me that. No matter the odds against you, follow your heart and do what you feel is right. In the first episode of the original series ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’ Kirk is faced with killing his friend (Gary Mitchell who has become a god) or saving his ship. Throughout the episode he defends his friend even though he knows Mitchell has changed. Kirk cannot listen to his logical first officer who says to kill Mitchell before its too late. In the end, Kirk realizes he has jeopardized his ship and faces Mitchell alone.
You can question Kirk’s decisions. But you cannot question his passion. Whenever a crewman dies, he feels it. When he sees a society under subjugation, he needs to do something about it. Kirk is the first to put his life in danger or rip his shirt. He is also capable of self-reflection. In the episode ‘Errand of Mercy’ the Organians (a race evolved beyond corporeal state) stop a war between the Federation and Klingon. Kirk’s prejudice toward the Klingons and Organians is apparent throughout yet at the end he states, “I’m embarrassed, Mr. Spock. I was furious with the Organians for stopping a war I did not want.” Kirk is able to admit his faults.
I try to live my life with the same passion. I won’t always make the right decisions but at least I try to do what is right. When someone points out my flaws, I try to correct them.
That being said, it is no surprise how strong I defend the character of James Kirk. Perhaps I take it too personally. I’ll work on that.