J.J. Abrams was faced with a seemingly insurmountable task when he agreed to helm Star Trek, a reboot of the original series that recast all the beloved characters. Given how attached fans had grown to the actors from the original series, Star Trek had to make the case for why showing these characters’ origin stories was worthwhile. Star Trek was able to deepen some of the interpersonal relationships that were left ambiguous on the original show, with Zachary Quinto’s Spock getting more time to explore his mixed heritage. Among the most surprising additions was a romance between Spock and Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldaña), whose first name was revealed after years of speculation by fans.
Romance hadn’t necessarily been a significant aspect of the original Star Trek series; while William Shatner’s version of James T. Kirk was depicted as being a womanizer, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) did not have any significant romantic relationships. In fact, the groundbreaking interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) was the result of alien telekinesis and not genuine attraction. Star Trek was able to give Uhura more agency, as it showed how she worked hard to gain the attention of Spock so that she could gain a position on the Enterprise. Although Abrams is a filmmaker who has been accused of valuing action over characterization, the relationship between Spock and Uhura is among the most tender moments in the history of the science fiction franchise.
‘Star Trek’ Successfully Added a New Romance to the Franchise
Star Trek is able to shed more insight on both characters’ backgrounds, revealing that they both faced significant challenges to earn a position of power in Starfleet. Spock has been bullied his entire life for being only half-Vulcan and has considered adopting a Vulcan tradition of purging himself of emotion; these feelings have only been exacerbated by the destruction of his planet at the hands of the villainous Nero (Eric Bana). In order to ensure that the timeline is not disrupted, Kirk (Chris Pine) emotionally overwhelms Spock in order to take control of the Captain’s chair. While Uhura has shown compassion for both of her crewmembers, she is able to soothe Spock in a moment of weakness; he reveals her first name is “Nyoto,” which had been a secret to Kirk the entire time. The intimate moment occurs right before Kirk and Spock decide to board the Romulan ship, which gives them both the opportunity to avenge the deaths of their respective families.
While bigotry was always a theme within the original series, Star Trek explores the backlash that Spock and Uhura faced when trying to advance within Starfleet. Spock is not wholly accepted by the Vulcans for having a human mother but is seen as dogmatic and obsessive by the rest of the crew. Given Uhura’s ability to sense others’ feelings and show compassion, she is able to understand the deep trauma that Spock is facing, particularly as he contemplates the genocide of his people. Uhura may have looked to impress Spock for the sake of getting preferential treatment in her assignments, but seeing what he has gone through allows her to understand the weight that has been on his shoulders. The kiss they share is a sign that both characters have grown to accept the sacrifices that they must make in order to save Earth from suffering the same fate as Vulcan; since the “Kelvin” timeline is distinct from the continuity of the original show, there is more suspense in the unknown nature of the future.
Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldaña Are the Heart of the Kelvin Timeline
The chemistry between Quinto and Saldaña is critical to the success of the Kelvin films, as they are able to make both characters more empathetic. Saldaña shows a protective, reasonable side of Uhura, who is often forced to hold the middle ground between Kirk and Spock. While Spock is often antagonistic towards Kirk and some of the other crew members, Quinto shows how his insecurities come from how overwhelmed he feels by the notion of having a true family; given that he lost his home planet, Spock now looks to the crew of the Enterprise as the people he feels the closest to. Admitting his love for Uhura isn’t only a sign that Spock has grown proud of his team, but also that he has reckoned with his human lineage. By saving Earth, Spock is able to protect the only home he has left.
The chemistry between Spock and Uhura helped develop a new trend within the franchise that allowed it to successfully relaunch. While it was certainly in conversation with the previous iterations, Star Trek created a more entertaining, crowdpleasing chapter in the franchise, and became a massive blockbuster hit that helped draw new fans to the series. Some fans took issue with how derivative Star Trek Into Darkness was of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but seeing Uhura urge Spock not to take revenge was a welcome new addition; similarly, Star Trek Beyond added one of its best jokes revolving around Spock’s present for Uhura. While the romance between Spock and Uhura may have seemed like a shocking revelation in 2009, it has now become an inextricable aspect of Star Trek history.
Star Trek
- Release Date
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May 8, 2009
- Runtime
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127 Minutes
- Writers
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Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Gene Roddenberry
