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Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) wears his heart on his sleeve, but it is not often we see him display the emotional depth that otherwise lacks in the ever-expansive universe of Star Trek. While journeying through the galaxy, the USS Enterprise has encountered numerous challenges, from malicious aliens to mysterious diseases. At the helm of the Starship, Captain Kirk has always showcased his leadership skills that aspire for the greater good. Even if it costs him dearly.
In Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1, episode 28 titled ‘The City on the Edge of Forever’, Captain Kirk must choose his moral responsibility over his love and make one of the more heartbreaking decisions. In the storyline, Kirk falls in love with social worker Edith Keeler (played by Joan Collins), only for it to end tragically. Kirk’s short-lived romance in the Depression era is not just about love, but it has more to do with the complexities of the person behind the Captain’s uniform.
The storyline puts the characters in the most humane setting, going through the basic emotions that the audience can relate to. While we see Mr. Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) being the logical self, Kirk is torn between staying hopeful for his love and choosing his duty above all. As an audience, you empathize with the pain and agony that Kirk goes through. And even after almost 58 years since the episode first aired, The City on the Edge of Forever, remains as one of the more depressing storylines from Star Trek.
Captain Kirk falls in love with a woman who must die
Onboard the USS Enterprise, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley) gets accidentally injected by a huge dose of cordrazine. The drug makes McCoy go mad. He ends up beaming himself onto a planet. Captain Kirk and a few crew members follow him.
They encounter an ancient ring portal that can transfer people to any place and time. McCoy jumps through the portal before anyone can stop him. The crew is suddenly no longer able to contact the Ship. The object, referred to as Guardian, explains that McCoy has altered the timeline, and the only way to fix it is to get McCoy back. Kirk and Spock pass through it themselves.
They arrive in the 1930s in New York, when the world is on the edge of the Great Depression. At a soup kitchen, they meet Edith Keeler. Edith is a social worker who advocates for progress. Her vision for the world impresses Kirk. She helps Kirk and Spock get a job and a place to stay as the two wait for McCoy to show up.
Kirk is fascinated by Edith. They enjoy simple conversations and moments together as their relationship continues to blossom.
Spock is trying to learn history when he comes upon the news that Edith is supposed to die in a traffic accident, but after McCoy’s arrival, she is saved, and the timeline is altered. She would go on to have an impact on American politics with her pacifist ideology, delaying the stop of the Na*i movement in Germany, who were developing the first atomic bomb.
Spock tells Kirk that if Edith lives, it could result in the death of millions. Kirk, who confesses his love, is caught between the choices he must make. But Spock only sees the logic in this and tells him unemotionally that Edith must die.
Meanwhile, McCoy arrives on Earth at the same time. He meets Edith, who helps him recover. When Kirk learns this, he crosses the street to share the information with Spock, and McCoy comes out. The three unite on the sidewalk briefly.
Seeing them together, Edith crosses the street and is killed by a truck. Kirk wants to save her, but stops last minute and grabs McCoy, who was also about to go to her. McCoy is shocked by Kirk’s gesture, but Spock tells him that their Captain is aware of what happened. They manage to restore the timeline.
Back on the planet with his crew, Kirk appears gloomy and vulnerable as he deals with the loss. He avoids any conversation, except for instructing the team to leave the planet immediately.
Kirk’s decision weighs heavily on him. He chooses his duty above leading a quaint life with his love. The personal sacrifice elevates his character and establishes the man who would become one of the legendary captains in Starfleet history.
Star Trek: The Original Series was created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966. Despite the show's cancellation after three seasons due to low ratings, Star Trek went on to attract global fans because of syndication. The Star Trek universe went on to spread its wings across comics, animated series, films, and spin-off television shows.
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