Paramount
The character Saavik first made her appearance in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” directed by Nicholas Meyer. As a young cadet and protégé of the soon-to-retire Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Saavik often found herself perplexed and frustrated by her interactions with humans, a topic she frequently discussed with Spock. Initially portrayed by Kirstie Alley in “Khan,” the role of Saavik was taken over by Robin Curtis in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” and “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” Both actresses skillfully embodied the character, delivering the necessary level of emotionless, Vulcan logic.
Despite her Vulcan nature, Saavik confronted numerous dramatic incidents across the three films. One of the most significant moments occurred in “Star Trek III,” when a deranged Klingon warrior murdered David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), Admiral Kirk’s (William Shatner) son. Saavik had the unfortunate task of informing Kirk of his son’s death amidst a hostage crisis.
In May 2024, Curtis shared her experiences of playing Saavik with StarTrek.com. Taking over the role from another actor was challenging enough, but she also had to navigate some of the most harrowing scenes in “Star Trek” history. Despite receiving some invaluable advice from Leonard Nimoy – that Vulcans carry the wisdom of millennia in their gaze – Curtis still grappled with how a Vulcan would react to having a phaser pointed at her or witnessing a colleague’s death.
The death of David
Paramount
If you’re not familiar with the plot of “The Search for Spock,” it revolves around the aftermath of the Genesis Device, a creation introduced in “The Wrath of Khan.” This device, invented by Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch), could instantly terraform a planet with a unique type of radiation. Following the detonation of the device at the end of “Khan,” a new planet was formed from the dust in a nebula.
In “Star Trek III,” Saavik and David Marcus explore this newly formed planet, only to discover its instability. The planet’s weather patterns are erratic, and evolution is rapidly accelerating, with new life forms appearing within minutes. Spock’s body, left on the planet, is seen by Saavik being reborn as a baby and maturing into an adult in just a few hours.
Recognizing the destructive potential of the Genesis Device, a malevolent Klingon named Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) invades the Genesis planet, taking Saavik and David hostage to extract information. Not hesitating to use violence, Kruge ends up killing David. At the time, Kirk is aboard the Enterprise in orbit, so the tragic news is delivered to him by Saavik.
Reflecting on the scene where she informs Kirk of his son’s death, Curtis confessed it was a challenging acting moment. How could she maintain her Vulcan composure during such an emotionally charged scene? “That [moment] filled me with anxiety and dread,” she confessed. “How could I possibly say that with the Vulcan demeanor?”
Despite her apprehensions, Curtis delivered a commendable performance, successfully maintaining her Vulcan demeanor throughout the movie.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
