LIST #1

KIRK’S MOST MEMORABLE KISSES

WHILE CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK’S MOST LASTING RELATIONSHIP WAS THE ONE WITH HIS SHIP, HE ENJOYED ROMANTIC ENTANGLEMENTS WITH BEAUTIFUL WOMEN ACROSS THE QUADRANTS. SOMETIMES THE WOMEN HE KISSED WERE FLIRTATIOUS AND SOMETIMES THEY WERE DANGEROUS, BUT THEY ALWAYS PROPELLED HIM AT WARP SPEED BACK TO HIS ONE TRUE LOVE: THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE.

Edith Keeler Chasing a maddened Dr. McCoy into Earth’s past brought Kirk and Spock into contact with social worker Edith Keeler. Kirk fell deeply in love and Edith kissed him when he saved her from stumbling down the stairs. What he could not save her from was history; if she didn’t die as she was supposed to, the Nazis would win World War II. Kirk had to keep himself and a restored McCoy from saving her when she was hit by a truck.

TOS “THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER”

Lenore Karidian Kirk’s first kiss with the actress was forestalled when they discovered the body of his old friend, Dr. Thomas Leighton, while the Enterprise conveyed her acting troupe to their next destination. The troupe also included Lenore’s father, the suspected criminal Kodos the Executioner. Kirk romanced Lenore, hoping to uncover the truth behind her father’s identity. Sadly, Lenore knew of her father’s past and was killing anyone who may suspect, making their actual kiss almost fatal.

TOS “THE CONSCIENCE OF THE KING”

Marlena Moreau While trapped in a “mirror” universe where the Federation was an evil empire, Kirk encountered the seductive Lt. Marlena Moreau, who shared the alternate Captain Kirk’s lust for power. When she threatened to leave the ship, Kirk kissed her passionately and changed her mind. Back in his own universe, Kirk was surprised again to see that his universe’s version of Lieutenant Moreau now served aboard his ship.

TOS “MIRROR MIRROR”

Yeoman Rand Though their professional relationship was always tinged with an attraction (during one crisis on the bridge, she even held hands with Kirk), their only kiss was not consensual. A savage duplicate of Kirk created in a transporter accident tried to force himself on Rand. She got away, and after the duplicate was gone, Rand and Kirk managed to repair their relationship.

TOS “THE ENEMY WITHIN”

Areel Shaw Though Kirk’s former lover had not seen him in “four years, seven months, and an odd number of days,” Lieutenant Areel Shaw had mixed feelings about meeting with Kirk again. She was now the prosecuting officer in the court-martial against him. Ultimately, Kirk was proven innocent and Shaw thought “it would cause a complete breakdown of discipline if a lowly lieutenant kissed a starship captain on the bridge of his ship” before they decided to take that risk.

TOS “COURT-MARTIAL”

Shahna Kirk was kidnapped by the mysterious Providers of the planet Triskelion to fight in their combat games. At first, the captain’s stern, green-haired drill thrall, Shahna, seemed uninterested in anything but combat. That changed after he spared Shahna’s life in the games and earned his freedom. Kirk was unable to take her with him, but he kissed Shahna farewell, leaving her to “learn and watch the lights in the sky.”

TOS “THE GAMESTERS OF TRISKELION”

Andrea The android Andrea, built by Dr. Roger Korby, first kissed Kirk, then slapped him when Dr. Korby wanted to prove she had no emotion. However, when Kirk and Andrea kissed again, she began to feel confused and emotional—perhaps proving she had been built too well. When she professed her love for Dr. Korby (now an android himself) he destroyed them both, overwhelmed by the loss of his humanity and the emergence of hers.

TOS “WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?”

Lieutenant Uhura Perhaps the most famous of Kirk’s kisses was most notable for its real-world significance. Captured by the telekinetic Platonians and forced to entertain their captors, Kirk and Uhura were made to kiss. This was the first time a scripted interracial kiss had been seen on television and was considered daring for a network show during the 1960s.

TOS “PLATO’S STEPCHILDREN”

Other memorable kisses include Miramanee in “The Paradise Syndrome,” Elaan in “Elaan of Troyius,” and Drusilla in “Bread and Circuses.”