I watched "Measure of a Man" not long ago, and while it was indeed very good, the weird, toxic, bitter relationship between Picard and his JAG ex really made me nostalgic for one of my favorite Kirk/lady of the week relationships—Kirk and Areel Shaw in "Court Martial."
Kirk himself is the one on trial in "Court Martial," and Areel is the prosecuting attorney rather than the judge. They're exes in their early 30s who broke up in the past for unknown reasons, but are still fond of each other, respectful, and retain an amicable, pleasant relationship years after their break-up. Both of them handle the strain of Areel's professional obligations with maturity and grace, but not impossibly idealized invulnerability. Areel recommends a good defense lawyer for Kirk and regrets the role the situation places them in, but she also doesn't sabotage her case against him and is good at what she does.
The thing that really makes this a favorite "Kirkmance" for me, beyond all this, is that it's very obvious that both of them still care a lot about each other and remain deeply attracted to each other. Neither of them have anything to gain by this. They're both too intelligent and sensible to consider re-kindling their old romance; it fell apart for a reason, despite the lingering affection/attraction, and for pragmatic reasons, sex isn't on the table.
But both early and late in the episode, Kirk and Areel seem to enjoy the flirtation for what it is: not calculated or desperate, not useful, not some fridge horror dub-con scenario, not a high-romance disaster waiting to happen, not even a prelude to a one-night stand, just a fun and affectionate acknowledgment that the chemistry remains strong and they still love each other in a way. There's something genuine and tender and unforced about their flirtation and mutually agreed-upon good-bye kiss that is just so conspicuously different from the tactical Kirkmances. I think it's really lovely, actually:
In which we explore the flaws of Captain Kir ... Oh nevermind. He was framed. Sorry.
Jokes aside, I liked this episode! It was tense because for a second there I really thought Kirk made a mistake. The "little girl" crying for her father was a little cheap (and weird when she changed her mind before learning the truth, but ok), but in general, this shot at procedural meets sci-fi worked out.
It was nice to see Spock's and McCoy's loyalty, and how chess was the solution (this time you were right about that Mr. Spock!).
The infallible machine against humanity keeps coming back but this time it was particularly charming, with the emphasis on books: imagine that, relying on books in the far future. I guess the argument wasn't really much needed, since Kirk wasn't actually guilty, but it's nice to have it there.
Also I would like to have you notice that this is probably the first time Kirk kisses a woman of his own accord and for pleasure only (Ruth doesn't count, she was an animatronic). Areel Shaw is pretty badass, probably the best woman we've had so far: the best in her field? Yes. Horny? Incredibly. Desperate? Not at all! She comes to the end of the episode with dignity (losing was part of the plan), I think I can't say that of any other girl we've seen so far, finally a female character (other than Uhura) that I really liked!
8/10. A brilliant one-off crime procedural squeezed into the world of Star Trek. There are many things to note about this episode, but the MVP was unquestionably the structure. If this episode had begun with the events that led to the court martial - Finney’s dislike of Kirk, the red alert, the supposed accidental death for which Kirk was responsible - there would be no doubt that Finney had something to do with the charges against Kirk. Even without it, I myself suspected Jame, Finney’s daughter, was the culprit, though that would have been a bit too much like ‘The Conscience of the King’. The episode actually forces the audience to consider whether Kirk made a fatal mistake on the bridge, a momentary lapse in judgement that we all make several times a day, the kind of normal human failing that a starship captain is simply not permitted to have. Only Spock and McCoy’s steadfast belief in Kirk allows the truth to surface: that Finney is a disgruntled colleague and subordinate of Kirk’s, a man who was never able to come to terms with the fact that he himself made a mistake - one that almost cost hundreds of people their lives. The episode really clarifies how intense a job captaincy is and how much responsibility it imparts, while making plain how much of Kirk’s strength is not in his physicality or even his position, but his character. Only once does Kirk waver in his righteous attitude, but it’s only a moment, and then he’s right back to being his articulate, decisive self. Any more self-doubt and those around him would suspect him more, but Kirk doesn’t even come close. He knows himself, and he knows how to take responsibility for the good and the bad.
The court scenes were interesting, if dated; I particularly enjoyed the amount of times hardcopy tapes were transferred into the computer, and how the Saul Goodman-esque lawyer had stacks of books around instead of gadgetry. The prosecuting attorney, Areel, was a great character, especially since it was the only female role in the episode. It meant there was a romance between her and Kirk, because, of course, but she was still unrepentant in her task of ruining Kirk, and I respect the hell out of that. Commodore Stone was also a fascinating addition, being a member of Starfleet brass, a coalition we so rarely get to see. I loved the way he tried to nudge and then threaten Kirk towards pleading guilty, solely to make his own job easier, and to allow his records of heroic officers to remain untarnished. It was a hauntingly familiar glimpse of the way many law institutions are run nowadays and in the past; the system will always protect its own before it will protect the people, even in a supposedly idyllic future. Stone was relying on the assumption that Kirk was as corrupt as the rest of them (corrupt is a strong word, but the kind of paper-shuffling Stone was suggesting was a slippery slope to breaking serious laws), an assumption that he quickly learned was misplaced. Kirk’s a lot of things. He’s no damn coward.
Favourite quote: “It is impossible for Captain Kirk to act out of panic or malice. It is not in his nature.” - Spock. // In which Spock waxes about his captain and compares his innate goodness to forces like gravity. This episode was a love letter to Kirk as a character, but it also showed a great deal about his impact on his crew: Spock and McCoy never doubt him for a second. Finney learned the hard way how a true leader operates, when all he had to do was ask around.
“Flattery will get you anywhere.” Women of Star Trek blog entry #11 “Court Martial” Areel Shaw
Hello, readers! Happy Thanksgiving! If you need a break from your relatives, head to the nearest closet and get your phone out because I’ve got another blog entry just for you!
Today we’ll be covering another great episode from season 1: Court Martial. The court drama episode, in which Kirk is (falsely) accused of murdering a disgruntled officer.
When people come to me saying, “ugh, you like the Original Series? It’s so sexist, how can you watch it?” I simply counter by pointing out a character like Areel Shaw, saying, “remember historical context.” Then they shut up.
How many lawyers, in 1967, were women? I’m not going to google it, because I know that number was pretty damn low. That’s why it’s so cool seeing TOS showing a woman as a lawyer. We might take it for granted now, but back then it must have been remarkable.
We first see Areel in the bar/officers lounge of the starbase. She’s wearing some psychedelic dress and walking into the bar just as Kirk is leaving. He doesn’t see her, but she looks in his direction as though she’s trying to identify him. McCoy sees this and approaches her.
MCCOY: If you have any doubt, that was indeed Captain James Kirk of the Enterprise.
SHAW: Yes, I know. Are you a friend of his?
MCCOY: In these trying times, one of the few. Doctor Leonard McCoy. And you?
SHAW: Areel Shaw. And I'm a friend, too. An old one.
So we are led to believe from this short interaction that Areel is yet another former love interest of Kirk’s. Nothing particularly interesting there. Moving on to the next scene, again in the lounge, Kirk meets up with Areel (who is wearing the same crazy dress) and they have some drinks. Kirk is clearly happy to see her, having a casual, confident attitude despite everything that’s happening. Here is their conversation, with my commentary :
KIRK: Areel. Doctor McCoy said you were here. I should have felt it in the air, like static electricity.
SHAW: Flattery will get you everywhere.
KIRK; It's been, how long has it been?
SHAW: Four years, seven months, and an odd number of days. Not that I'm counting.
So clearly these two used to be a thing. From their behavior we can infer that they hold no hard feelings since parting ways, but we get no further details. My guess is they were both Starfleet officers stationed together somewhere or on a certain ship, but their respective career ambitions drove them in different directions, and so they left on those terms. They look back on their time together with fondness, not pain or awkwardness. Let’s continue:
KIRK: You look marvellous. You haven't changed a bit.
SHAW: But things have changed for you, haven't they?
KIRK: Oh, you've heard about that, have you?
SHAW: I'm a lawyer in the Judge Advocate's office, remember?
KIRK: I remember. Let's forget it. We have a lot of lost time to make up for.
SHAW: You're taking it very lightly.
KIRK: The confidence of an innocent man.
So we learn for the first time who Areel is: a Starfleet lawyer. (She is the only one we encounter in TOS, making her unique). She is very aware of the hot water Kirk is in right now and is deeply concerned. Kirk tries to wave it off but she presses:
SHAW: Jim, this could ruin you. Will you take some advice?
KIRK: I never could talk you into anything. All right. Fire away.
SHAW: The prosecution will build its case on the basis of Kirk versus the computer. Now if your attorney tries to defend on that basis, you won't have a chance.
KIRK: What other choice is there?
SHAW: That's up to your attorney, and that's why he's got to be a good one.
KIRK: You, perhaps?
SHAW: No, I'm busy.
KIRK: Well, a girl with your ability should be able to handle two cases at once.
SHAW: Jim, be serious. You're not an ordinary human. You're a Starship Captain, and you've stepped into scandal. If there's any way they can do it, they'll slap you down hard and permanently for the good of the service.
I love how Kirk immediately asks her to be his defensive attorney, and is confident she can manage several cases simultaneously, like a lawyer boss. But she turns down the offer anyway, recommending a Mr. Cogley instead. After this she becomes more awkward, and turns to go as if she forgot the stove was on in her apartment, but Kirk stops her:
SHAW:. Jim, I've got to go.
KIRK: Areel, you still haven't told me how you know so much about what the prosecution's going to do.
SHAW: Because, Jim Kirk, my dear old love, I am the prosecution, and I have to do my very best to have you slapped down hard. Broken out of the service, in disgrace.
She starts to cry, and leaves quickly while Kirk just stares into space in disappointment and surprise.
Now, I don’t know much about law (I’m a blogger, not a lawyer) but I think there’s this thing called conflict of interest. I really don’t get why Areel was assigned to this case. Unless she was the only lawyer that Starfleet’s prosecution had available, wouldn’t they know that she would have some conflict? I mean, the court judges ask Kirk if he consents to her as the prosecution during the trial, and he agrees, for some reason, but they don’t seem to ask the same question of her. Additionally, Areel tells Kirk about the prosecution’s argument against him. Isn’t he not supposed to know that? I suppose you could be sneaky and point out that she tells him about the prosecution’s strategy before telling him that it’s actually hers, but still, she did tell him, and gave him the best lawyer she knew to defend him. It just seems really weird to me.
Anyway, despite this, Areel lives up to her statement. She does appear to do her “very best” to argue that Kirk is guilty. She acts very professionally, to the point that if we didn’t have the previous scenes telling us that she and Kirk were once romantically involved, we would have no clue they had some previous connection. We know how hard this is for her, though, what she’s feeling under that tough mask. Her emotional strength is admirable.
The only time during the trial we see the slightest crack is right before she requests the Ship’s record playback, the damning price of evidence against Kirk. She looks to him for a brief moment, with a face that seems to say, “I am so sorry.” And then it’s gone, and the prosecutor brings forward the nail in the coffin.
Luckily, through more investigation the truth is revealed that Kirk was framed and no one actually died. Areel happily states that she has no further objections and the court martial ends.
With the trial over and the ship repaired, the Enterprise is ready to depart onto its next mission. Areel visits the bridge one more time in the last scene of the episode.
SHAW: How long will it be this time before I see you again?
KIRK: At the risk of sounding like a mystic, that depends on the stars.
SHAW: Sam Cogley asked me to give you something special. It's not a first edition, just a book. Sam says that makes it special.
(And thus began Kirk’s fascination with old books - my personal HC)
SHAW: Do you think it would cause a complete breakdown of discipline if a lowly lieutenant kissed a Starship Captain on the bridge of his ship?
KIRK: Let's try. (a gentle but lingering kiss) See? No change. Discipline goes on.
SHAW: And so must the Enterprise. Goodbye, Jim.
KIRK: Goodbye, Areel. Better luck next time.
SHAW: I had pretty good luck this time. I lost, didn't l?
(She leaves, blowing him a final kiss.)
So what do we take away from all this?
Areel Shaw, like Kirk, is ambitious, hard-working, determined, and dedicated to her career. As this trial indicated, she is able to maintain her cool even under the most strenuous conditions (i.e. acting as prosecutor when the defendant is her ex), and she’s tough as nails in the courtroom. Although her choice of fashion is a tad bit questionable, she’s quite the lady!
Well, that’s all I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed it!
