Change One Thing: Star Trek XII: Into Darkness. in Whey and Sonic Screwdrivers.

Leave Kirk dead.

I was really worried about this film. I actually didn’t get wind of the spoiler before going in. I sadly got wind of the spoiler in the 2009 film. (Vulcan being destroyed.) Still pissed about that one. (Did see the movie four times in theatres anyway. Good times.)

I saw Into Darkness in theatres once and only once. Because in that moment near the end when they quote Wrath of Khan line-for-line, I felt “Are they actually going to go for it?” In a good way.

They had a real opportunity to try something different. Take the same premises and take it in an original direction.

Having nu-Spock get angry and start punching is just… Lazy writing.

Yes, bring Umberto Flowerpatch to justice. But what would the best side of Spock do? I already used the word: JUSTICE. And due to some Starfleet mumbo-jumbo, they decide they’re too dangerous to be in a prison. So, they’re marooned on a certain CETI ALPHA FIVE.

The movie ends with Spock talking with Bones. They remark that Kirk finally passed his Kobayashi Maru without cheating. All you’d need is a soft quiet moment where a single tear comes down Spock’s face. No anakin I AM FEELING FEELINGS. Look at the emotional moments between Bones and Spock in Star Trek Beyond. You can be emotional without overacting or being ham-fisted.

Now, consider how Pine has joined the family of busy guys named Chris. You DON’T need him. Killing him would further establish that this is a different timeline where anything can happen. Next movie could even have flashbacks of PineKirk. Easy on his acting schedule.

Don’t forget we felt feels for Boromir in Two Towers and Return of the King, despite him dying in Fellowship.

Next movie can have a subtext of Spock feeling uneasy in the Captain’s chair. Quietly lamenting that he never sought the Captain’s chair, echoing what Mirror Spock said to Prime Kirk. Missions? Great Star Trek is about the characters. Even have Uhura remark of what an oaf young PineKirk was to hit on her. Heck, all the lamenting will make the audience appreciate just how LUCKY PrimeKirk was to survive all his antics.

And if there was a fourth or fifth film, you bet your bottom dollar they’d pay Umberto Flowerpatch to return somehow. Hello. The crew know who he is. HE KILLED KIRK.

And then with the death of Anton Yelchin (nuChekov), the senior staff would become even more tight-knit. Even opens them up to new primary cast members.

You’d pay money to see crew of the Enterprise VS Khan and the crew of the SS Botany Bay: ROUND TWO.

I think .... that covers it.

PS: LEAVE ADMIRAL PIKE ALIVE. Love Bruce Greenwood’s performance as Captain/Admiral Christopher Pike.