Star Trek (TV Series)

The Conscience of the King (1966)

William Shatner: Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk

Photos 

Quotes 

• Anton Karidian : I am an actor. I play many parts.

  Captain James T. Kirk : You're an actor now. What were you twenty years ago?

  Anton Karidian : Younger, Captain. Much younger.

• Mr. Spock : How did you know this lady was coming aboard?

  Captain James T. Kirk : I'm the Captain.

• Captain James T. Kirk : I had hoped to meet your father here tonight, personally.

  Lenore Karidian : I'm sorry, Captain Kirk. He has a rigid rule about that. He never sees anyone personally, and he never attends parties.

  Captain James T. Kirk : An actor turning away his admirers? Very unusual.

• Lenore Karidian : And this ship... All this power, surging and throbbing yet under control. Are you like that, Captain? All this power at your command, yet the decisions that you have to make...

  Captain James T. Kirk : Come from a very human source.

• Anton Karidian : If you're so sure that I'm Kodos, why not kill me now? Let bloody vengeance take its final course! And see what difference it makes to this universe of yours.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Those are beautiful words, well-acted. Change nothing.

  Anton Karidian : I suppose not. They're merely tools, like this ship of yours.

• Captain James T. Kirk : [accusingly]  There are no previous records for Anton Karidian prior to twenty years ago.

  Anton Karidian : [wearily]  The blood thins. The body fails. And one is finally grateful for a failing memory. I no longer treasure life, not even my own. I am tired! The past... is a blank. Did you get everything you wanted, Captain Kirk?

  Captain James T. Kirk : If I had gotten everything I wanted... you might not walk out of this room alive.

• Lenore Karidian : You are like your ship - powerful and not human. There is no mercy in you.

  Captain James T. Kirk : If he is Kodos, then I've shown him more mercy than he deserves. If he isn't, then we'll let you off at Benecia, and no harm done.

  Lenore Karidian : Captain Kirk, who are you to say no harm was done?

  Captain James T. Kirk : Who do I have to be?

• Captain James T. Kirk : Lt. Kevin Riley in communications - I wish to have him transferred down to the Engineering decks.

  Mr. Spock : He came up from Engineering, Captain.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Well, I'm sending him back.

  Mr. Spock : Any explanation? He's a fine, young officer. He's bound to consider this transfer a disciplinary action.

  Captain James T. Kirk : I don't wish to discuss it, Mr. Spock. Please follow my orders.

• Dr. McCoy : What if you decide that he is Kodos? What then? Do you play God, carry his head through the corridors in triumph? That won't bring back the dead, Jim

  Captain James T. Kirk : No. But they may rest easier.

• Lenore Karidian : Has the machine changed them? Made them just people instead of women?

  Captain James T. Kirk : Worlds may change, galaxies disintegrate, but a woman... always remains a woman.

  Lenore Karidian : All this, and power too. Caesar of stars. Cleopatra... to worship him.

• Captain James T. Kirk : The play is over. It's been over for twenty years

  Anton Karidian : I was a soldier in a cause. There were things to be done, terrible things.

• Captain James T. Kirk : You've got me backed into a corner. The men would never forgive me if I deprived them of your performance and your presence.

• Lenore Karidian : So, the captain of the Enterprise... Interesting.

  Captain James T. Kirk : So, Lady Macbeth... Interesting. What's your next move?