James T. Kirk [to Bones]
Physician, heal thyself.
Is that all you've got to say? What about my performance?
James T. Kirk I'm not a drama critic.
Most-quoted character in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982): in 22 of its 39 quotes
Most scenes with: Leonard McCoy (6), Spock (5), Saavik (5)
Scenes with James T. Kirk
22 scenes James T. Kirk James T. Kirk James T. Kirk A no-win situation is the possibility every commander may face. Has that never occurred to you?
No, sir, it has not.
James T. Kirk How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life, wouldn't you say?
As I indicated, Admiral, that thought had not occurred to me.
James T. Kirk Well, now you have something new to think about. Carry on.
James T. Kirk [to Spock]
Aren't you dead?
James T. Kirk [Kirk reads from 'A Tale of Two Cities']
"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."
You proceed from a false assumption. I am a Vulcan. I have no ego to bruise.
James T. Kirk You're about to remind me that logic alone dictates your actions?
I would not remind you of that which you know so well. If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best, destiny. Anything else is a waste of material.
James T. Kirk I would not presume to debate you.
That is wise. In any case, were I to invoke logic, logic dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
James T. Kirk Or the one.
You're my superior officer. You are also my friend. I have been, and always shall be yours.
James T. Kirk Galloping around the cosmos is a game for the young, Doctor
I don't understand...
James T. Kirk You must know why things work on a Starship...
Each ship is programmed with its own prefix code...
James T. Kirk To prevent an enemy from doing what we are attempting... using our console to order Reliant to lower her shields.
Assuming he hasn't changed the combination. He's quite intelligent.
15 seconds, Admiral.
James T. Kirk Khan, how do we know you'll keep your word?
Oh, I've given you no word to keep, Admiral. In my judgement, you simply have no alternative.
James T. Kirk I see your point. Standby to receive our transmission. [sotto voice] Mr. Sulu, lock phasers on target and await my command.
Hikaru Sulu
Phasers locked.
Time's up, Admiral.
James T. Kirk Here it comes, Khan. [To Spock] Now, Mr. Spock.
James T. Kirk We're alive only because I knew something about these ships that he [Khan] didn't.
[This line in a deleted scene was restored for the Director's Edition, an extended cut of the film.]
Go? Where are we going?
James T. Kirk Where they went.
Suppose they went nowhere?
James T. Kirk Then this will be your big chance to get away from it all.
James T. Kirk Khan, you bloodsucker! You're going to have to do your own dirty work now, do you hear me? Do you?!
Kirk! Kirk, you're still alive, my old friend.
James T. Kirk Still! Old! Friend! You've managed to kill just about everybody else, but like a poor marksman you keep missing the target!
Perhaps I no longer need to try, Admiral. [Beams up Genesis Device]
Oh, no!
They can't take it.
James T. Kirk Khan. Khan, you've got Genesis. But you don't have me! You're going to kill me, Khan, you're going to have to come down here. You're going to have to come down here.
I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on... hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, in the center of a dead planet. Buried alive... buried alive.
James T. Kirk [shouts]
KHHHHAAAAAAAAN! [echoes] KHHHHAAAAAAAAN!
James T. Kirk What's on your mind, Lieutenant?
The Kobyashi Maru.
James T. Kirk Are you asking me if we're playing out that scenario now?
On the test, sir, would you tell me what you did? I would really like to know.
Lieutenant, you are looking at the only Starfleet cadet to ever beat the no-win senario. [points to Kirk]
How?
James T. Kirk I reprogrammed the simulator so that it was possible to rescue the ship.
What?
He cheated.
James T. Kirk I changed the conditions of the test; got a commendation for original thinking. I don't like to lose.
Then you've never faced that situation... faced death.
James T. Kirk I don't believe in the no-win senario. [pulls out communicator] Kirk to Spock, it's two hours, are you ready?
[over communicator]
Right on schedule, Admiral. Just give us your co-ordinates and we'll beam you aboard.
James T. Kirk All right. [to Saavik] I don't like to lose.
By the Book?
James T. Kirk By the Book. Regulation 46A: "If communications are being monitored during battle..."
"... no uncoded messages on an open frequency". (To Spock) You lied.
I exaggerated.
James T. Kirk Time.
Three minutes, thirty seconds.
James T. Kirk Distance from Reliant
Four thousand kilometers.
Sulu
We're not going to make it, are we...
[Kirk looks at David Marcus; David shakes his head.]
No! You'll flood the whole compartment!
James T. Kirk He'll die!
Montgomery Scott
Sir! He's dead already.
It's too late.
James T. Kirk Spock!
Ship... out of danger?
James T. Kirk Yes.
Don't grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh...
James T. Kirk The needs of the few...
Or the one. I never took the Kobayashi Maru test... until now. What do you think of my solution?
James T. Kirk Spock...
I... I have been... and always shall be... your friend. [holds up his hand in the Vulcan salute] Live long... and prosper.
James T. Kirk We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. But it should be noted that this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world; a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human.
James T. Kirk I should be on the bridge.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
James T. Kirk I poured myself a drink. Would you like it?
Lieutenant Saavik was right. You never have faced death.
James T. Kirk No, not like this. I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death... and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing.
You knew enough to tell Saavik that how we face death is at least as important as how we face life.
James T. Kirk Just words.
But good words. That's where ideas begin. Maybe you should listen to them. I was wrong about you... and I'm sorry.
James T. Kirk Is that what you came here to say?
Mainly. And also that I'm... proud. Very proud to be your son.
James T. Kirk [voiceover]
Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha V to pick up the crew of U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. "There are always possibilities," Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed life from death, I must return to this place again.
He's really not dead... as long as we remember him.
James T. Kirk [paraphrases 'A Tale of Two Cities']
"It's a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before. A far better resting place I go to, than I have ever known."
: Is that a poem?
James T. Kirk No. Something Spock was trying to tell me on my birthday.
You okay, Jim? How do you feel?
James T. Kirk Young. [voice cracking] I feel young.
This is not about age. And you know it. It's about you flying a god-damn computer console when you want to be out there hopping galaxies!
James T. Kirk Spare me your emotions and poetry, please. We all have our assigned duties.
Bull! You're hiding! Hiding behind rules and regulations.
Kirk Who am I hiding from?
From yourself, Admiral.
Kirk Don't mince words, Bones. What do you really think?
Jim, I'm your doctor and I'm your friend. Get back your command. Get it back before you turn into part of this collection.
James T. Kirk Khan!
You still remember, Admiral. I cannot help but be touched. I, of course, remember you.
Kirk What is the meaning of this attack? And where's the crew of the Reliant?
Surely I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I deprived your ship of power and when I swing around, I mean to deprive you of your life. But I wanted you to know first who it was who had beaten you.
Please tell me what you're feeling.
James T. Kirk There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years. He's trying to kill me. You show me a son that'd be happy to help him. My son. My life that could have been but wasn't. What am I feeling? Old, worn out.
James T. Kirk This is Admiral Kirk. We tried it once your way, Khan. Are you game for a rematch? Khan, I'm laughing at the superior intellect!
Full impulse power.
Joachim
No, sir! You have Genesis! You can have whatever you—
Full power, damn you!
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