When Star Trek first premiered in September of 1966, viewers were introduced to William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk, commander of the starship Enterprise. Viewers learned that Starfleet is a benevolent organization, and Kirk its diplomat--at least until diplomacy ran out. So, let's take a look at three times Captain Kirk let his fists do the talking during season 1 of TOS.
1. Kirk vs. Finnegan ("Shore Leave")
When Dr. McCoy, Mr. Sulu and a landing party beam down to a planet in the Omicron Delta system to see if it's suitable for shore leave, they discover that whatever or whoever is on their minds comes to be, from an old police special gun for Sulu to a Don Juan who has no idea what "personal space" means for Yeoman Barrows.
When Kirk finally beams down to the supposedly uninhabited planet, he brings up his academy days to Bones, especially the upperclassman Finnegan, who tormented Kirk with practical jokes and bullying. Suddenly, out of thin air it seems, Finnegan appears moments later and promptly knocks Jim to the ground with a right cross!
Jim breaks away from their initial tussle when Yeoman Barrows starts to scream but encounters Finnegan again later for a true knock down, drag out fistfight, which, of course, is what Kirk always wanted to do. Uniforms get torn, branches get broken across Kirk's back, and Finnegan plants his foot right between Kirk's thighs and then throws dirt and sand into his eyes. What a dirty fighter!
When Kirk finally defeats Finnegan with his own right cross, Mr. Spock explains what he believes the planet is and why Finnegan appeared. Kirk is satisfied, and the planet's caretaker finally reveals himself soon after. Did the real Finnegan ever become a starship captain? Can you imagine? "Sir, Klingon ships approaching!" Finnegan, in the distance: "WOOO HEE HEE!"
2. Kirk vs. the Gorn ("Arena")
When beings who call themselves the Metrons send Kirk and an unknown foe into a hand-to-hand battle to the death, the captain finds himself facing a Gorn, a large green reptilian creature with sharp fangs, and shiny silver eyes, like painted golf balls--merciless, unforgiving. It's terrifying, and despite the Gorn's slow movements, it has the relentlessness of an '80s slasher killer.
Kirk starts recording what he thinks are his final moments as he tries to run and hide, and he mentions his "revulsion of reptiles," despite the Gorn being both sentient and intelligent, and perhaps that's what frightens Kirk the most during the first part of their battle--the idea that Reptiles of Unusual Size do exist and there's one on the hunt for him.
After Kirk tries a few Wile E. Coyote moves on the Gorn, such as tossing a boulder down onto his foe, the starship captain inevitably gets his right leg crushed by other boulders after he triggers a Gorn trap.
This is where the tension in this situation truly starts to build, and watching an injured Kirk trying to assemble his homemade cannon as the Gorn stalks him makes you realize that out in nature and defensless, humans aren't at the top of the food chain. Fortunately, Kirk's cannon works and disables the Gorn, causing the Metrons to finally appear after the captain emerges victorious. Naturally, Kirk spares his opponent, which gives the Metrons hope for humanity.
3. Kirk vs Khan ("Space Seed")
While every Trek fan knows the background of Khan Noonian Singh, genetically engineered superhuman and former dictator who first appeared in this episode, what they might not realize is that the epic battle in the Enterprise's engineering room between him and Captain Kirk lasts less than five minutes. Despite this, it's one of the most intense hand-to-hand brawls Kirk's ever been faced with, as Khan has the strength of five men and fights with the ferocity of an angry tiger.
Kirk changes his fighting strategy with Khan, considering his opponent's strength. He uses kicks, tight, close punches, and even tries to strangle Khan with his thighs at one point! He attacks and retreats until he can perform the final beatdown with a length of pipe he finds in the engineering console during the fight. Khan is down but not out because he and Kirk will meet again for the Ceti Alpha V title 15 years later.
Which of Captain Kirk's season 1 fights are your favorite? Do you agree with our list? Be sure to visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages to share your thoughts and comments. And join us next time for Kirk's best fights from season 2 of Star Trek: The Original Series.