It’s a question that’s been debated for nearly 60 years: What’s the saddest moment in all of Star Trek? Everyone has an opinion and, in the spirit of IDIC -- Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations -- we’ll say that there is no wrong answer. But we at Redshirts Always Die, or more specifically, I, here at my desk, have an opinion.
Let’s explore some of the options. We cried when Kirk came upon a dying Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The line, “I have been, and always shall be, your friend,” still reduces me to mush. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy sold it so well, paying off what was then nearly two decades of the bromance between the characters. Jean-Luc Picard and Q sharing a hug in “Farewell,” the Star Trek: Picard season 2 finale, also rewards years of a different kind of bromance. Data’s death in Picard’s season 1 finale certainly elicited more tears than the character’s demise in Star Trek: Nemesis. Picard looking back on all he lost at the end of TNG’s “The Inner Light” still gets the tear ducts working overtime.
I welled up when Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ended with the TOS cast literally signing off -- writing their autographs -- as the credits rolled. I cried as well when Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home honored the crew of the Challenger space shuttle and when TNG paid tribute to Gene Roddenberry upon his death in 1991, with a simple title card at the beginning of “Unification, Part 1” -- which featured Sarek’s passing and Leonard Nimoy’s guest shot as Spock -- that read, “Gene Roddenberry 1921-1991.” We also all probably blamed the peeling of onions for our reactions to the service for Tasha Yar in “Skin of Evil,” the Enterprise in spacedock in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Major Kira’s reaction to Marritza’s death in Deep Space Nine’s “Duet.”
The list goes on and on: Sisko saying goodbye to his family and friends in the DS9 series finale. Odo and Kira saying farewell touched me, too, as did Benny Russell losing it in “Far Beyond the Stars.” When the Enterprise fall from the sky in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Tuvok dancing for Neelix near the end of Voyager. Or when Lal died on TNG. Dr. M’Benga finally letting his daughter go on Strange New Worlds. Numerous moments from DS9’s “The Visitor.” Tuvix dying. Or how about hearing Majel Barrett-Roddenberry again as the voice of the Enterprise-D computer at a pivotal moment in “Vox,” the penultimate episode of Picard and then again in the series finale?
All strong options. But, for my money, it’s Edith Keeler dying in The Original Series episode “The City on the Edge of Forever.” It’s basically one minute of an emotional roller coaster, with stellar performances by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and, as Keeler, Joan Collins. Keeler mentions Dr. McCoy to Kirk, who excitedly calls for Spock, and the three men gleefully reunite. That’s followed by a truck striking Keeler, with Kirk stopping McCoy from saving her. Pain registers on Kirk’s face in the moment and right after it as well. McCoy, who is shocked, angry, and grief-stricken, asks, “Do you know what you just did?” Kirk steps away, but Spock answers, “He knows, doctor. He knows.” More than 58 years later, the scene remains as brutal, touching, and, within the context of Star Trek’s science-fiction storytelling, as important as ever.