Original artwork, not a still
Khan, I'm laughing at the superior intellect.
— Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan · 1982
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is Kirk at his most dangerous, using words as a weapon: a plain insult from a man who knows the other captain's pride is his weak spot. Fans love it because Khan, a genetically engineered genius, is beaten by his own anger, and the line is now the Trek-fan response to any smug boasting from someone who thinks he is the cleverest person in the room.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanShow the scene
In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Khan has stolen the Genesis device and means to maroon Admiral Kirk on a dead planetoid. Kirk and Spock's coded rendezvous arrangement tricks him, and Kirk flies the Enterprise into the Mutara Nebula, where shields fail and targeting is unreliable. Over the radio Kirk reminds Khan that they tried it his way before, asks if he wants a rematch, and taunts him with the line. Khan, enraged, orders full impulse power and follows the Enterprise into the nebula, where Spock notes his inexperience in three-dimensional combat.
Sources (2)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, WikipediaPlotReference checked
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, WikiquoteKirk and Khan exchangeReference checked
Context reviewed
