While The Motion Picture did its job of resurrecting Star Trek on the big screen, it was the second outing of Kirk and crew that really propelled the franchise forward. Nicholas Meyer, a director who was not a Trekkie, somehow “got” the very core of Star Trek and put together once of the most amazing stories ever filmed. But the road from initial idea to final cut was a lot less straightforward than the flowing narrative might suggest. In this episode ofThe Ready Room we are joined by Star Trek historian Larry Nemecek and Sociology professor John Tenuto to explore the genesis of Star Trek II, the creative choices that led to the film we know, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes information that has never been shared anywhere before. Tenuto has researched more deeply into the Nicholas Meyer archives and the life of Ricardo Montalban than perhaps anyone else in the world. In the process he uncovered the minutiae of “Space Seed” and The Wrath Khan as well as connections that indicate that Khan is indeed the villain of Star Trek Into Darkness.  

In news we cover new information about the Star Trek console game release date, William Shatner’s plans for a TNG documentary, three bonus features planned for the Enterprise Season One Blu-ray set, new images from Star Trek Into Darkness, J.J. Abrams making a terminally ill fan’s final dream come true, Benedict Cumberbatch and Chris Pine on the cover of EMPIRE, and some of the first details of this summer’s edition of the Star Trek Geek Tours. Plus, we mark the 20th anniversary of Deep Space Nine by remembering the day that “Emissary” premiered.

Originally published as The Ready Room 80: Taking Out the Khan Baby.