Just saw Star Trek: Into Darkness and, dare I say it, it was one of the best, if not THE best, Trek movie out there. If you don't know me, I'm a huge Trekkie (and yes, it's Trekkie because Roddenberry said so… none of that Trekker nonsense) and have seen every single Star Trek episode possible: TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, heck even The Animated Series.
I went into this film expecting easter eggs and I came out with quite a bit. Do NOT read ahead if you don't want spoilers. Because this blog will be filled with MANY. I'm not going to "review" the flick like I did with Iron Man 3. I merely just hope to drown you in the many easter eggs that I found. Just like the last flick… if you found anything I didn't, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Here we go!
The People
Besides all the main actors on the show, there were a couple big roles in this movie and throw-away lines that referenced famous characters in Star Trek. We'll start off with the obvious.
Carol Marcus
Basically Kirk's "love interest" (or maybe McCoy's… hmmm?) in this film, in actuality, Carol Marcus was a one-time lover of Captain Kirk in the classic Trek. She made an appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as an old flame. She and Kirk actually had a son, David Marcus, who would play a semi-important role in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Basically, she was more there for the looks and accent in this film (which she didn't really have in the last movie). I'm sure she'll stick around as Kirk's love for the next film. You never know… maybe they'll be another David on the way.
Janet Wallace
Okay, this was definitely a throw-away gag in the movie. Apparently, Carol Marcus's mom is Janet Wallace in the new Trek continuity. That's a little odd. Mainly because Janet Wallace was a love interest of James Kirk in The Original Series. Like mother like daughter? She was a scientist, too, and only appeared in The Deadly Years. Something to note, however. I read a long time ago that she was originally supposed to be the scientist in charge of the Genesis Device in Star Trek II. Of course, this was later switched to Carol Marcus. So maybe that's a reference to this, as well?
Nurse Chapel
Awe, I loved this line. Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Gene Roddenberry's wife) was the nurse who served alongside McCoy aboard the USS Enterprise. She never liked Kirk, but she did have sort of a "relationship" with Spock. It was really only in her mind, though. Anyway, I smiled when Marcus mentioned Chapel. What a great reference.
Henry Mudd
What? Where did this name get thrown in the movie? Okay, this is sort of a stretch, but just hang with me. Remember that weird little ship that Kirk and his crew took down to Qo'noS? And the clothes they wore? In the movie, they were referenced as being taken due to the "Mudd Incident." In the recent IDW comics, Kirk met up with a female version of Henry Mudd. But who is Henry Mudd? Well, he was a devious scoundrel seen a couple times in The Original Series. Not only is this a cool continuity reference to the Star Trek comics, but also a cool reference to TOS.
Khan Noonien Singh
Well, this was sort-of-but-not-really expected in this film. Would J.J. Abrams really dare to resurrect one of Kirk's greatest enemies? Apparently so. First seen in the episode Space Seed, Khan was a genetically-altered surviver of WWIII found adrift on the Botany Bay. Kirk brought him aboard and resurrected him. Khan and his crew tried to take over the Enterprise. He and his crew were stranded. He reappeared in the second Trek movie to cause mischief. That's it all in short. Anyway, he was a great enemy in those appearances as well as this film. Great to see him back. It was AWESOME.
Species
Gorn
Woah, these guys are ugly, right? Dr. McCoy mentioned in this movie that he gave a c-section to a female Gorn before the events of the film. That could relate to the Star Trek game just released, where Kirk and Spock fight the Gorn. In reality, the Gorn are a bunch of lizard-like aliens that Kirk famously fought in an old episode. Nice to hear them mentioned.
Klingons
Not only were they mentioned, they were shown!! Definitely given a visual makeover, the Klingons acted and fought like how they used to. Gosh, it was wonderful seeing them use bat'leths in battle. This scene in the movie was probably my favorite. Seriously, it was wonderful to see them again.
Tribbles
These things sure are a bunch of work, huh? Gosh, there is always some sort of *puts sunglasses on* Trouble with Tribbles… isn't there? These guys made their first appearance with the Klingons in TOS. Not only are they a mortal enemy of the Klingons, but they're cuddly to boot. They made a cameo in the first Abrams Trek, and it was good to see them again in this one. You could say they played a big role.
Places
Qo'noS
Well, obviously this is a place. The Klingon homeworld has made an appearance quite a few times throughout the years in various Trek shows. It was interesting to see a dilapidated section of the planet, as well as the new Birds of Prey… but am I the only one that prefers the older ones? Anyway, awesome reference. Oh, and they showed Qu'Nos' moon, too. Praxis. It was destroyed in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Looks like someone made a continuity goof here, because it's already shown destroyed in this movie, when it really should be about 30 years later. Awe well. Can't get everything right.
Ketha Province
Speaking of Qo'Nos and that destroyed city, remember where the city was located? Well, if you can read, it was located in the Ketha Province. This throw-away line relates to the location where Chancellor Martok of the Klingon Empire, a prominent figure in Deep Space 9, was born. Nice reference!
Things
Section 31
Speaking of Deep Space 9, do I have any fellow viewers out there? If you watch this series, then you definitely know what Section 31 is. The secret intelligence arm of Starfleet was the LAST thing I expected to see show up in Into Darkness, but it was awesome to see the reference. Looks like they're up to no good even this early into the Federation's creation.
Daystrom Institute
First seen in the classic The Ultimate Computer, the Daystrom Institute was one of the many arms of the Federation of United Planets. It was referenced in the latest Star Trek movie. Maybe Richard Daystrom will soon make an appearance?
Kobayashi Maru
Okay, I know that this simulator had a big role in Abrams' first Trek. BUT, it was referenced again in this movie! Definitely hard to catch, but what happened to the Enterprise in this movie was the exact same thing that happened during the Kobayashi Maru test during Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Enterprise was stranded on the edge of Klingon space, its warp core blew, and it (almost) got destroyed. Nice of J.J. to reference the old simulator (and Trek II) in a clandestine way.
72 Torpedoes
I already sort of knew that Khan would be in this movie, but when Kirk mentioned to Khan that there were 72 torpedoes loaded in the Enterprise, I already knew what was going to happen. You see, Khan had exactly 72 men serving aboard with him during his tenure on the Botany Bay. This was a big hint to classic Trek fans. Who else caught this?
Phoenix
Anyone see the model of the first human warp-enabled ship located on Admiral Marcus' desk? First seen in Star Trek: First Contact, Cochran's ship made an appearance in the latest movie. Guess Abrams couldn't change the fact that Picard and his crew went back in time to help begin human's leap into space, huh?
NX-01 Enterprise
Yay! Archer's Enterprise appeared as a model along with the Phoenix. Again, Abrams couldn't undo the canonicity of all of Star Trek: Enterprise because it took place before his films. That also means that the USS Defiant of TOS and the events of the Tholian web also have to take place, too, still. Try getting by that, Abrams!
Events
"The Needs of the Many…"
"Outweigh the needs of the few." Spock mentioned this early on in Into Darkness. This pivotal line was actually spoken by Spock right before he died in Star Trek II. I definitely let out an audible yelp when I heard this. Sorry theatregoers…
"I Am and Always Shall Be…"
"Your friend." Spock said this, again, at the end of the second Trek film. However, in this film, Kirk was the one who said it. He didn't exactly say it like this, however. It was more of a reference. I forgot the exact wording, but it was something like "best friends forever." Something silly like that. Yet still so awesome.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Okay, I've been mentioning this film throughout this blog post (for good reason). However, the end events of this film were definitely in line with Into Darkness, albeit completely flipped around. In Star Trek II, Khan almost destroyed the Enterprise. To save it, Spock went in to fix the warp core. He absorbed too much radiation. He sat down against a glass door and put his hand out. Kirk put his hand against the glass. They exchanged words. Spock died. In Into Darkness, this exact same thing happened with the roles reversed. Great reference… But the best reference of all…
KHANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Spoken like a boss by Kirk (in Star Trek II) and by Spock (Into Darkness). Nothing else needs to be said about this.
Actors
Noel Clarke
MICKEY! Yay, Doctor Who fans rejoice. Noel Clarke has joined the cast of Star Trek as a Section 31 operative. His role was small, but it was great to see him do something other than being droll.
Leonard Nimoy
"Spock-Prime" was in this film for all of two minutes. And he HEAVILY referenced the whole of Star Trek II and Space Seed. It was great to see this legend back in the film. Thanks for being in it again, Leonard!
Nolan North
Huh? Who is this guy? Well, if you've played any video game EVER, he's either the lead role or something close to it. Apparently, J.J. Abrams saw his son playing Uncharted and wanted North to be in the film. North plays an officer on Admiral Marcus' ship. Did you astute viewers catch him on the bridge?
--------------------------
So, those are all of the easter eggs I found. Hope you all enjoyed!
-Christian :)
I went into this film expecting easter eggs and I came out with quite a bit. Do NOT read ahead if you don't want spoilers. Because this blog will be filled with MANY. I'm not going to "review" the flick like I did with Iron Man 3. I merely just hope to drown you in the many easter eggs that I found. Just like the last flick… if you found anything I didn't, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Here we go!
The People
Besides all the main actors on the show, there were a couple big roles in this movie and throw-away lines that referenced famous characters in Star Trek. We'll start off with the obvious.
Carol Marcus
Basically Kirk's "love interest" (or maybe McCoy's… hmmm?) in this film, in actuality, Carol Marcus was a one-time lover of Captain Kirk in the classic Trek. She made an appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as an old flame. She and Kirk actually had a son, David Marcus, who would play a semi-important role in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Basically, she was more there for the looks and accent in this film (which she didn't really have in the last movie). I'm sure she'll stick around as Kirk's love for the next film. You never know… maybe they'll be another David on the way.
Janet Wallace
Okay, this was definitely a throw-away gag in the movie. Apparently, Carol Marcus's mom is Janet Wallace in the new Trek continuity. That's a little odd. Mainly because Janet Wallace was a love interest of James Kirk in The Original Series. Like mother like daughter? She was a scientist, too, and only appeared in The Deadly Years. Something to note, however. I read a long time ago that she was originally supposed to be the scientist in charge of the Genesis Device in Star Trek II. Of course, this was later switched to Carol Marcus. So maybe that's a reference to this, as well?
Nurse Chapel
Awe, I loved this line. Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Gene Roddenberry's wife) was the nurse who served alongside McCoy aboard the USS Enterprise. She never liked Kirk, but she did have sort of a "relationship" with Spock. It was really only in her mind, though. Anyway, I smiled when Marcus mentioned Chapel. What a great reference.
Henry Mudd
What? Where did this name get thrown in the movie? Okay, this is sort of a stretch, but just hang with me. Remember that weird little ship that Kirk and his crew took down to Qo'noS? And the clothes they wore? In the movie, they were referenced as being taken due to the "Mudd Incident." In the recent IDW comics, Kirk met up with a female version of Henry Mudd. But who is Henry Mudd? Well, he was a devious scoundrel seen a couple times in The Original Series. Not only is this a cool continuity reference to the Star Trek comics, but also a cool reference to TOS.
Khan Noonien Singh
Well, this was sort-of-but-not-really expected in this film. Would J.J. Abrams really dare to resurrect one of Kirk's greatest enemies? Apparently so. First seen in the episode Space Seed, Khan was a genetically-altered surviver of WWIII found adrift on the Botany Bay. Kirk brought him aboard and resurrected him. Khan and his crew tried to take over the Enterprise. He and his crew were stranded. He reappeared in the second Trek movie to cause mischief. That's it all in short. Anyway, he was a great enemy in those appearances as well as this film. Great to see him back. It was AWESOME.
Species
Gorn
Woah, these guys are ugly, right? Dr. McCoy mentioned in this movie that he gave a c-section to a female Gorn before the events of the film. That could relate to the Star Trek game just released, where Kirk and Spock fight the Gorn. In reality, the Gorn are a bunch of lizard-like aliens that Kirk famously fought in an old episode. Nice to hear them mentioned.
Klingons
Not only were they mentioned, they were shown!! Definitely given a visual makeover, the Klingons acted and fought like how they used to. Gosh, it was wonderful seeing them use bat'leths in battle. This scene in the movie was probably my favorite. Seriously, it was wonderful to see them again.
Tribbles
These things sure are a bunch of work, huh? Gosh, there is always some sort of *puts sunglasses on* Trouble with Tribbles… isn't there? These guys made their first appearance with the Klingons in TOS. Not only are they a mortal enemy of the Klingons, but they're cuddly to boot. They made a cameo in the first Abrams Trek, and it was good to see them again in this one. You could say they played a big role.
Places
Qo'noS
Well, obviously this is a place. The Klingon homeworld has made an appearance quite a few times throughout the years in various Trek shows. It was interesting to see a dilapidated section of the planet, as well as the new Birds of Prey… but am I the only one that prefers the older ones? Anyway, awesome reference. Oh, and they showed Qu'Nos' moon, too. Praxis. It was destroyed in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Looks like someone made a continuity goof here, because it's already shown destroyed in this movie, when it really should be about 30 years later. Awe well. Can't get everything right.
Ketha Province
Speaking of Qo'Nos and that destroyed city, remember where the city was located? Well, if you can read, it was located in the Ketha Province. This throw-away line relates to the location where Chancellor Martok of the Klingon Empire, a prominent figure in Deep Space 9, was born. Nice reference!
Things
Section 31
Speaking of Deep Space 9, do I have any fellow viewers out there? If you watch this series, then you definitely know what Section 31 is. The secret intelligence arm of Starfleet was the LAST thing I expected to see show up in Into Darkness, but it was awesome to see the reference. Looks like they're up to no good even this early into the Federation's creation.
Daystrom Institute
First seen in the classic The Ultimate Computer, the Daystrom Institute was one of the many arms of the Federation of United Planets. It was referenced in the latest Star Trek movie. Maybe Richard Daystrom will soon make an appearance?
Kobayashi Maru
Okay, I know that this simulator had a big role in Abrams' first Trek. BUT, it was referenced again in this movie! Definitely hard to catch, but what happened to the Enterprise in this movie was the exact same thing that happened during the Kobayashi Maru test during Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Enterprise was stranded on the edge of Klingon space, its warp core blew, and it (almost) got destroyed. Nice of J.J. to reference the old simulator (and Trek II) in a clandestine way.
72 Torpedoes
I already sort of knew that Khan would be in this movie, but when Kirk mentioned to Khan that there were 72 torpedoes loaded in the Enterprise, I already knew what was going to happen. You see, Khan had exactly 72 men serving aboard with him during his tenure on the Botany Bay. This was a big hint to classic Trek fans. Who else caught this?
Phoenix
Anyone see the model of the first human warp-enabled ship located on Admiral Marcus' desk? First seen in Star Trek: First Contact, Cochran's ship made an appearance in the latest movie. Guess Abrams couldn't change the fact that Picard and his crew went back in time to help begin human's leap into space, huh?
NX-01 Enterprise
Yay! Archer's Enterprise appeared as a model along with the Phoenix. Again, Abrams couldn't undo the canonicity of all of Star Trek: Enterprise because it took place before his films. That also means that the USS Defiant of TOS and the events of the Tholian web also have to take place, too, still. Try getting by that, Abrams!
Events
"The Needs of the Many…"
"Outweigh the needs of the few." Spock mentioned this early on in Into Darkness. This pivotal line was actually spoken by Spock right before he died in Star Trek II. I definitely let out an audible yelp when I heard this. Sorry theatregoers…
"I Am and Always Shall Be…"
"Your friend." Spock said this, again, at the end of the second Trek film. However, in this film, Kirk was the one who said it. He didn't exactly say it like this, however. It was more of a reference. I forgot the exact wording, but it was something like "best friends forever." Something silly like that. Yet still so awesome.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Okay, I've been mentioning this film throughout this blog post (for good reason). However, the end events of this film were definitely in line with Into Darkness, albeit completely flipped around. In Star Trek II, Khan almost destroyed the Enterprise. To save it, Spock went in to fix the warp core. He absorbed too much radiation. He sat down against a glass door and put his hand out. Kirk put his hand against the glass. They exchanged words. Spock died. In Into Darkness, this exact same thing happened with the roles reversed. Great reference… But the best reference of all…
KHANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Spoken like a boss by Kirk (in Star Trek II) and by Spock (Into Darkness). Nothing else needs to be said about this.
Actors
Noel Clarke
MICKEY! Yay, Doctor Who fans rejoice. Noel Clarke has joined the cast of Star Trek as a Section 31 operative. His role was small, but it was great to see him do something other than being droll.
Leonard Nimoy
"Spock-Prime" was in this film for all of two minutes. And he HEAVILY referenced the whole of Star Trek II and Space Seed. It was great to see this legend back in the film. Thanks for being in it again, Leonard!
Nolan North
Huh? Who is this guy? Well, if you've played any video game EVER, he's either the lead role or something close to it. Apparently, J.J. Abrams saw his son playing Uncharted and wanted North to be in the film. North plays an officer on Admiral Marcus' ship. Did you astute viewers catch him on the bridge?
--------------------------
So, those are all of the easter eggs I found. Hope you all enjoyed!
-Christian :)