Star Trek The Original Series
Episode: Space Seed
Season 1, Episode 22

Coming up on it fast, sir.
Are you certain of your sensor readings?
Definitely a space vessel of some type.
Origin?
Unknown. It could hardly be an Earth ship.
There have been no flights into this sector for years.
I'm picking up a signal, sir.
[Beeping]
Captain, that's the old Morse code call signal.
Thank you.
C-Q..C-Q..
We're reading it, Lieutenant.
I thought you said
it couldn't possibly be an Earth vessel.
I fail to understand
why it gives you pleasure to see me proven wrong.
An emotional Earth weakness of mine.
There it is.
An old Earth vessel,
similar to the DY 500 class.
Much older--
DY 100 class, to be exact.
Captain...
the last such vessel was built centuries ago,
back in the 1990s.
Then it's a derelict,
its signal left on automatic.
Or an old Earth ship being used by aliens.
Weapons status.
Deflector shields on maximum,
phasers manned, sir.
Bio-scanners report.
[McCoy] Life science bio-scanners are picking up heart beats.
Can't be human, though. They're too faint and average--
only four beats per minute.
Sensors indicate functioning equipment on that vessel.
All decks go to full alert.
[Alarm]
Space-- the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission--
to explore strange new worlds...
to seek out new life and new civilizations...
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Captain 's Log. Stardate 3141.9--
A full hour has elapsed since interception
of the strange vessel.
Our presence along side
is still being completely ignored.
Although our sensors continue to show signs
of equipment and life aboard,
there has been no indication of danger to us.
Weapons department-- maintain battle stations.
All other decks-- standby alert.
All decks acknowledging, sir.
Continuing to pick up
some form of heart action over there--
very faint, very slow.
Seems to be coming
from about 60 or 70 bodies.
Alien bodies?
Could be.
There's no sign of breathing
or other forms of respiration.
Hull surface is pitted with meteor scars.
However, scanners make out a name-- S.S. Botany Bay.
You can check the registry.
No such vessel listed.
Records of that period are fragmentary, however.
The mid-1990s was the era of your last so-called
world war.
The Eugenics Wars.
Of course--your attempt to improve the race through selective breeding.
Now wait a minute.
Not our attempt, Mr. Spock--
a group of ambitious scientists'.
I'm sure you know the type--
devoted to logic, completely unemotional--
Doctor, I would be pleased--
All right, gentlemen, as you were.
Rig for tractor beam. Lock onto that vessel.
Rigging, sir.
The bridge is yours, Mr. Spock.
Care to join the landing party?
Well, if you're actually giving me a choice--
I'm not.
Oh, I'll need somebody familiar
with the late 20th century Earth.
Here's a chance for that historian
to do something for a change.
What's her name... uh, McIvers?
Lieutenant McGivers.
Attention-- the following personnel
report to transporter room--
Engineering Officer Scott, Lieutenant McGivers.
Acknowledge.
McGivers. On my way.
Well, it looks like that ship is expecting us.
We read heat coming on,
complete oxygen atmosphere.
Very interesting. You ready, Bones?
No.
I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine,
not to have my atoms scattered across space
by this gadget.
You're an old-fashioned boy, McCoy. Where's that historian?
Come on, Lieutenant, uh...
McGivers, sir.
Energize.
Scotty?
Definitely Earth-type mechanisms, sir.
20th century vessel-- old-type atomic power,
bulky, solid...
I think they used to call them transistor units.
I'd love to tear this baby apart.
Captain, it's a sleeper ship.
Suspended animation.
Uh-huh. I've seen old photographs of this.
Necessary because of the time involved in space travel
until about the year 2018.
It took years just to travel
from one planet to another.
Is it possible they're still alive...
after centuries of travel?
It's theoretically possible.
I've never heard of it being tested
for this long a period.
What a handsome group of people.
Jim, I have a new reading.
The lights must have triggered some mechanism.
Captain, look here.
Scotty?
Beats me what's happening.
We've triggered something, all right.
The heart beat's increasing--
Now passing eight beats per minute--
And there are some signs of respiration beginning.
This one was probably programmed
to be triggered first.
Could he be the leader?
The leader. Lieutenant?
Yes, sir.
The leader was often set to revive first.
This would allow him to decide
whether the conditions warranted revival of the others.
Heart beat now approaching 40 per minute.
The respiration pattern is firming up.
From the northern India area, I'd guess.
Probably a Sikh.
They were the most fantastic warriors.
Heart beat now 52 and increasing.
The others?
No change, and they're mixed types--
Western, mid-European,
Latin, Oriental.
A man from the 20th century coming alive.
Maybe.
Heart beat dropping.
Circuit shorting.
Probably some dust.
Heartbeat now 30, dropping fast.
There's a heart flutter. He's dying.
Do something, Captain.
Can we?
Take an hour to figure out.
What happens if we get him out?
He'll die in seconds if we don't.
How...long?
How long...have you been sleeping?
Two centuries we estimate.
Landing party to Enterprise.
Come in.
Go ahead, boarding party.
We read you.
Lock in on McCoy's beam.
He's transporting back
with a casualty we discovered here.
Magnificent.
Captain 's Log, supplemental--
Along side the S.S. Botany Bay for 10 hours now.
A boarding party of engineering and medical specialists
are now completing their examination
of the mysterious vessel.
Attempts to revive other sleepers
await our success or failure
with the casualty already beamed over.
Dr. McCoy is frankly amazed
at his physical and recuperative power.
Kirk to boarding party.
Scott here.
Scotty, any records, log books of any kind?
Negative. They were in suspended animation when the ship took off.
How many alive?
12 units have malfunctioned,
Leaving 72 still operating.
30 of those are women.
Kirk out.
72 alive...
a group of people dating back into the 1990s.
A discovery of some importance, Mr. Spock.
There are a great many unanswered questions about those years.
A strange, violent period in your history.
I find no record what so ever of an S.S. Botany Bay.
Captain, the DY100 class vessel
was designed for interplanetary travel only.
With simple nuclear-powered engines,
star travel was considered impractical at that time.
It was 10,000-to-1 against their making it to another star system.
And why no record of the trip?
Botany Bay...
That was the name of a penal colony
on the shores of Australia, wasn't it?
If they took that name for their vessel...
If you're suggesting
this was a penal deportation vessel,
you've arrived at a totally illogical conclusion.
Oh?
Your Earth was on the verge of a dark ages.
Whole populations were being bombed out of existence.
Criminals could have been dealt with far more efficiently
than wasting one of their most advanced spaceships.
Yes. So much for my theory.
I'm still waiting to hear yours.
Even a theory requires some facts, Captain.
So far...
I have none.
And that irritates you, Mr. Spock.
Irritation?
Yeah.
I am not capable of that emotion.
My apologies, Mr. Spock.
You suspect some danger in them?
Insufficient facts always invite danger, Captain.
Well, I'd better get some facts.
Rig for towing.
Aye, aye, sir.
Make course for Starbase 12.
Aye, sir.
That will be all.
Bones?
He'll live.
My compliments.
No, I'm good, but not that good.
There's something inside this man
that refuses to accept death.
Now, look at that--
Even as he is now,
his heart valve action
has twice the power of ours,
Lung efficiency 50% better.
An improved breed of human.
That's what the Eugenics War was all about.
I'd estimate he could lift us both with one arm.
Be interesting to see if his brain matches his body.
Doctor, will he live?
It appears he will, Lieutenant.
I'd like to talk to you.
If I were to rate your performance today--
I know, sir. I'm sorry.
Lieutenant, at any one time,
the safety of this entire vessel
might depend upon a single crewman,
and the fact that you find a man
strangely compelling to you personally--
Not personally, Captain. Professionally.
My profession is historian,
and to find a specimen from the past alive--
I mean, the sheer delight of examining his mind.
And men were more adventure some then...
bolder, more colorful?
Yes, sir, I think they were.
Good.
If I can have honesty,
it's easier to overlook mistakes.
That's all.
Yes, sir.
A pity you wasted your life on command, Jim.
You'd have made a fair psychologist.
Fair?
Sick bay to Lab.
Anything new on those bios?
They all came out fine, Doctor.
Good. McCoy out.
Well, either choke me or cut my throat.
Make up your mind.
English.
I thought I dreamed hearing it.
Where am I?
You're--
You're in bed,
holding a knife at your doctor's throat.
Answer my question.
It would be most effective
if you would cut the carotid artery
Just under the left ear.
I like a brave man.
I was simply trying to avoid an argument.
You're aboard the United Spaceship Enterprise.
Your vessel is in tow.
I remember a voice...
Did I hear it say I had been sleeping for two centuries?
That is correct.
Where is your captain?
I have many questions.
Bridge.
I have a patient here with many questions, Captain.
On my way.
James Kirk, commanding the starship Enterprise.
I see.
And your name?
I have a few questions first.
What is your heading?
Our heading is Starbase 12,
a planet in the Gamma 400 star system--
our command base in this sector.
Is that of any use to you?
And, um...
my people?
72 ofyour life-support canisters
are still functioning.
You will revive them.
As soon as we reach Starbase 12.
I see.
And now...
Khan is my name.
Khan--nothing else?
Khan.
What was the exact date of your lift off?
We know it was sometime in the early 1990s.
I find myself growing fatigued, Doctor.
May we continue this... questioning
at some other time?
The facts I need will take very little time.
For example, the nature of your expedition--
Jim...
Later might be better.
Captain,
I wonder if I could have something to read during my convalescence.
I was once an engineer of sorts.
I would be most interested in studying
the technical manuals on your vessel.
Yes, I understand.
You have 200 years of catching up to do.
Precisely.
They're available to any patient on the viewing screen.
Dr. McCoy will show you how to tie into the library tapes.
Thank you, Captain.
You are very cooperative.
This Khan is not what I expected
of a 20th century man.
I note he's making considerable use of our technical library.
Common courtesy, Mr. Spock.
He'll spend the rest of his days in our time.
It's only decent to help him catch up.
Would you estimate him to be a product
of selective breeding?
There is that possibility, Captain.
His age would be correct.
In 1993, a group of these young supermen
did seize power simultaneously in over 40 nations.
Well, they were hardly supermen. They were aggressive, arrogant.
They began to battle among themselves.
Because the scientists overlooked one fact--
Superior ability breeds superior ambition.
Interesting, if true.
They created a group of Alexanders, Napoleons.
I have collected some names and made some counts.
By my estimate, there were some 80 or 90
of these young supermen unaccounted for
when they were finally defeated.
That fact isn't in the history texts.
Would you reveal to war-weary populations
that some 80 Napoleons might still be alive?
Ship's historian, Lieutenant--
Marla McGivers.
Yes.
I am told you participated in my rebirth.
In a small way.
I've been reading up on starships,
but they have one luxury
not mentioned in the manuals.
I don't understand.
A beautiful woman.
My name is Khan.
Please sit and entertain me.
I'd like some historical information about your ship,
its purpose and--
Why do you wear your hair
in such an uncomplimentary fashion?
It's comfortable.
But it's not attractive.
There...
soft...
natural...
simple.
Mr. Khan, I'm here on business.
You find no pleasure here?
My interest is scientific. Men of--
That is, the world of the past--
I'm sure you understand to actually talk
to a man of your century--
There...
simple...
soft...
Please remember.
Perhaps some other time,
when you feel more like talking about the past.
I'm glad you came.
Please do it again.
Very impressive.
Are we expecting a fleet admiral for dinner?
Lieutenant McGivers' idea to welcome Khan to our century.
Just how strongly is she attracted to him?
Well, there aren't any regulations against romance, Jim.
My curiosity is official, not personal, Bones.
Well, he has a magnetism,
almost electric-- you felt it--
and it could over power McGivers
with her preoccupation with the past.
Thank you.
I hoped, uh, you might guide me
to our dinner engagement.
Very good.
Fine technique.
It's a gladiator named Flavius. He once---
And you've rearranged your hair for me.
Excellent.
All bold men from the past.
Richard, Leif Ericson, Napoleon.
A hobby of yours, such men?
I am honored.
Thank you.
But I caution you.
Such men dare take what they want.
Forgive my curiosity, Mr. Khan,
but my officers are anxious
to know more about your extraordinary journey.
And how you managed
to keep it out of the history books.
Adventure, Captain. Adventure.
There was little else left on Earth.
There was the war to end tyranny.
Many considered that a noble effort.
Tyranny, sir?
Or an attempt to unify humanity?
Unify, sir?
Like a team of animals under one whip?
I know something of those years, remember.
It was a time of great dreams,
of great aspiration.
Under dozens of petty dictator ships.
One man would have ruled eventually,
as Rome under Caesar.
Think of its accomplishments.
Then your sympathies were with--
You are an excellent tactician, Captain.
You let your second-in-command attack
while you sit and watch for weakness.
You have a tendency to express ideas in military terms,
Mr. Khan.
This is a social occasion.
It has been said
that social occasions are only warfare concealed.
Many prefer it more honest,
more open.
You fled. Were you afraid?
I've never been afraid.
You left at the very time mankind needed courage.
We offered the world order!
We?
Excellent. Excellent.
But if you will excuse me, gentlemen and ladies,
I grow fatigued again.
With your permission, Captain,
I will return to my quarters.
[Door Buzzes]
I wanted to apologize.
They had no right to treat you that way.
Quite understandable,
since I'm something of a mystery to them.
You're no mystery to me.
I know exactly who you are.
Do you?
Mm-hmm.
Leif Ericson,
Richard the Lion-Hearted, Napoleon.
I don't know if you'll like living in our time.
Then I'll have to remold it to my liking.
Please don't.
Go.
Or stay.
But do it because it is what you wish to do.
Well?
I'll stay a little longer.
How many minutes do you graciously offer?
I only meant--
This grows tiresome.
You must now ask to stay.
I'd like to stay.
Please.
Open your heart.
Will you open your heart?
Yes.
I intend to take this ship.
Do you agree?
Oh, please don't ask me--
I need your help.
You won't harm anyone?
Now you question me?
No.
Will you assist me?
Oh, please, Khan, don't ask me--
Leave me then.
Go, I say.
No.
I promise.
I'll do anything you ask.
Name-- Khan, as we know him today.
Name-- Khan Noonien Singh.
From 1992 through 1996,
absolute ruler of more than a quarter of your world,
from Asia through the Middle East.
The last of the tyrants to be overthrown.
I must confess, gentlemen.
I've always held a sneaking admiration
for this one.
He was the best of the tyrants
and the most dangerous.
They were supermen in a sense.
Stronger, braver,
certainly more ambitious, more daring.
Gentlemen, this romanticism
about a ruthless dictator is--
Mr. Spock, we humans have a streak of barbarism in us.
Appalling, but there, nevertheless.
There were no massacres under his rule.
And as little freedom.
No wars until he was attacked.
Gentlemen.
Mr. Spock, you misunderstand us.
We can be against him and admire him
all at the same time.
Illogical.
Totally.
This is the captain.
Put a 24-hour security on Mr. Khan's quarters,
effective immediately.
Ahh.
I'm sorry, Captain.
I was, um,
Lost in thought.
My door--
Locked from outside, a guard posted.
Unusual treatment for Khan Noonien Singh.
Excellent.
You identified me with your computer system, I imagine.
I'd like those answers now.
First...
the purpose of your star flight.
A new life,
a chance to build a world...
other things I doubt you would understand.
Why?
Because I'm not a product of controlled genetics?
Captain, although your abilities intrigue me,
you are quite honestly inferior.
Mentally, physically.
In fact, I am surprised
how little improvement there has been in human evolution.
Oh, there has been technical advancement,
but, uh,
how little man himself has changed.
Yes, it appears we will do well
in your century, Captain.
Do you have any other questions?
Thank you.
They've all been answered.
Move away.
Otto.
Joaquin.
The trip is over.
The battle begins again.
Only this time it's not a world we win.
It's a universe.
Kati.
On course, sir.
Warp factor two.
Maintain.
[Beep Beep]
Bridge.
Captain, Security here.
Khan's escaped.
Sound security alert.
Security alert, Captain.
Communication channels are jammed, Captain.
Turbo elevators inoperative.
Jammed, Captain.
Atmospheric controls cut off.
Useless. They're on override in Engineering.
Engineering.
Scotty. This is the bridge.
Captain!
What's going on?
He's not able to answer you
at the moment, Captain.
Yourship is mine.
I have shut off the life support system
to your bridge,
jammed up your exit routes.
I am willing to negotiate.
Flood all decks with neural gas.
Impossible.
Intruder control systems inoperative.
Mr. Khan was very thorough
in his study of our tech manuals.
Contact Starbase 12.
All channels are totally jammed, Captain.
Brilliant.
Every contingency anticipated.
Your air should be getting quite thin by now.
Do you surrender the bridge?
Negative.
Academic, Captain.
Refuse, and every person on the bridge will suffocate.
Stardate-- 3142.8.
They have my ship,
discarding their own worthless vessel.
Only moments of air left on the bridge now.
Commendations recommended for Lieutenant Uhura,
Technicians First Class Thule and Harrison...
Lieutenant Spinelli...
and, of course, Mr. Spock.
I take full responsibility...
I take full--
Nothing ever changes,
except man.
Your technical accomplishments?
Improve a mechanical device
and you may double productivity.
But improve man...
and you gain a thousand fold.
I am such a man.
Join me.
I'll treat you well.
I need your training to operate a vessel this complex.
Where is Captain Kirk?
I see now I made one serious error.
You are the communications officer?
Engage the viewing screen, please.
No!
I should have realized
that suffocating together on the bridge
would create heroic camaraderie among you.
But it is quite a different thing
to watch it happening to someone else.
Engage the viewing screen.
I'm sure you recognize
your medical decompression chamber here,
Doctor...
and the meaning of that indicator.
Your captain will die.
If you join me, Mr. Spock,
I will save his life.
My vessel was useless.
I need you and yours to select a colony planet,
one with a population
willing to be led by us.
To be conquered by you.
A starship would make that most simple, wouldn't it?
Each of you in turn will go in there...
die while the others watch.
Khan.
There's no reason I must watch this, is there?
But I hoped you would be stronger.
If any one of you joins me,
any one...
I'll let him live.
It's so useless!
[Beep Beep]
We've lost the channel.
How do I regain picture?
It does not matter.
The captain is dead.
Take Mr. Spock next.
Khan said to watch him very closely.
He may decide to cooperate.
Captain, I saved your life.
Now please don't kill him.
Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased.
I'm a little pleased myself. Situation?
Khan is holding our staff in the briefing room.
His men have control of the ship.
Our only chance is the intruder control circuit.
Although it's cut off.
There's a relay junction down the corridor.
Gas all decks but this one.
Armory, this is Khan.
Report.
Rodriguez.
Ling.
McPherson.
Anyone, report status.
Where's Khan?
He got out Just as the gas--
[Beep]
Kirk here.
Anesthesia gas in all sections except Engineering.
Someone just closed that line.
Captain, acknowledge.
Unable to flood Engineering section.
This is Scott.
Captain 's headed for the Engineering section.
I'll followin case--
Negative. We must retake the vessel
while the anesthesia lasts.
Meet me in the armory.
I'm blowing it clear first. Spock out.
[Beep Beep]
If I understood your manuals,
that's an overload in progress.
Your ship flares up like an exploding sun
within minutes.
I have five times your strength.
You're no match for me.
Captain 's Log. Stardate 3143.3.
Control of the Enterprise has been regained.
I wish my next decisions were no more difficult.
Khan and his people--
What a waste
to put them in a reorientation center.
And what do I do about McGivers?
Record tapes engaged and ready, Captain.
[Ding Ding]
This hearing is now in session.
Under the authority vested in me
by Starfleet Command...
I declare all charges and specifications in this matter
have been dropped.
Jim. Agreed you have the authority--
Mr. Spock, our heading
takes us near the Ceti Alpha star system.
Quite correct, Captain.
Planet number five there is habitable,
although a bit savage, somewhat inhospitable.
No more than Australia's Botany Bay colony was at the beginning.
Those men went on to tame a continent, Mr. Khan.
Can you tame a world?
Have you ever read Milton, Captain?
Yes.
I understand.
Lieutenant Marla McGivers.
Given a choice
of court-martial or accompanying them there...
It will be difficult.
A struggle at first,
even to stay alive, to find food.
I'll go with him, sir.
A superior woman.
I will take her.
And I've gotten something else I wanted--
a world to win,
an empire to build.
This hearing is closed.
It's a shame for a good Scotsman to admit it,
but I'm not up on Milton.
The statement Lucifer made when he fell into the pit.
"It is better to rule in hell
than serve in heaven."
Huh.
It would be interesting, Captain,
to return to that world in a hundred years
and to learn
what crop has sprung from the seed
you planted today.
Yes, Mr. Spock,
it would indeed.