Jim Kirk, Cheater

[bredalot]

Or, Why the Kobayashi Maru Did No One Any Favors

I was reading this excellent Star Trek (Reboot) fic, about Kirk and Vulcan and the crappy (and good, and imaginary) stuff in his past, and it got me thinking about the movie in general. It’s something that we come to with a complete set of preconceived notions, achieved through cultural osmosis if

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[ext_899376]

I agree that he cheats and that he shows remarkable tenacity (and how much do I love "not-giving-a-shit-ity?") But I don't think that's Kirk's greatest quality, or what is primarily driving him during the Kobayashi Maru. Kirk has a passion to save lives, no matter the cost or the odds, whether human, alien, good, evil. He will not accept the premise that you have to resign yourself to everyone dying -- in his eyes, there HAS to be a way, something he can find or do, to save everyone. He will never go gently into that good night.

This was actually one of my quibbles with the new movie (which I otherwise adore.) The moment at the end where he seems not only okay, but gloating about the death of the Romulans. That doesn't fit his character.