Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Synopsis

Warning!
Do not read this synopsis if you have not seen the movie.  
It contains spoilers!


Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

Movie Opened: June 9, 1989
Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes

This movie take place about three weeks after the events of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, when the new Enterprise is undergoing repairs after a shakedown cruise.

STARDATE: 8454.1

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are enjoying shore leave on Earth at Yosemite National Park when suddenly their vacation is interrupted by an emergency call to duty by Starfleet Command. Kirk and his friends learn that the Klingon General Korrd, Romulan Caithlin Dar and Federation counsel St. John Talbot are being held hostage on the planet Nimbus III, the planet of galactic peace. The new U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-A, which is having quirks due to it still undergoing repairs, warps to investigate the situation.

Meanwhile, on a nearby Klingon Bird-of-Prey, it's young commander, Captain Klaa, learns of the mission of Captain Kirk and sees an opportunity for advancement in the Klingon ranks. In an effort to intercept the U.S.S. Enterprise, he orders the ship to Nimbus III.

It is soon discovered that the hostages on Nimbus III, located at Paradise City, are being held by a band of scruffy colonists led by a renegade Vulcan with unusual telepathic powers, named Sybok.

The U.S.S. Enterprise is the first to arrive at Nimbus III. Kirk sends a shuttlecraft and leads a landing party to Paradise City. After a fierce ground battle between the landing party and the colonists, the hostages are found. But the team learns that the hostage situation was just an elaborate ruse to obtain the Enterprise. Sybok believes that his destiny, the discovery of The Ultimate Knowledge, has finally been fulfilled, but he needs a starship for transportation. With his telepathic abilities, Sybok was able to obtain many followers, including the hostages themselves.

Sybok forces the shuttlecraft to take his people to the U.S.S. Enterprise. En route, the shuttlecraft manages to evade an encounter with Klaa's Bird-of-Prey. Sybok then has to physically fight with Kirk for control of the Enterprise. Strangely, Spock has the opportunity to kill Sybok, yet he doesn't. Kirk and the rest of the crew are thrown in the starship's brig. Forced to explain his actions, Spock reveals that Sybok is his half-brother, exiled from Vulcan for choosing emotion over logic.

With the starship now under Sybok's control, the Enterprise sets course for the center of the galaxy, to the mythical planet of Sha-Ka-Ree, which is bound by an energy field -- the Great Barrier.

Scotty finally helps Kirk, Spock and McCoy escape from the brig. After a dangerous ascent to the upper area of the ship via a turboshaft, the trio attempt to send an urgent distress message to Starfleet. Unbeknownst to them, the message is instead intercepted by Vixis, Klaa's first officer. Klaa then orders the Bird-of-Prey to proceed into the barrier as well.

In an effort to gain valuable followers, Sybok uses his powers to reveal to McCoy and Spock their inner-most pain, then helps each "heal." Kirk, however, refuses to allow the Vulcan to use his telepathic powers against him, stating that his pain is part of what makes us who we are. Sybok explains that beyond the Great Barrier, on the planet of Sha-Ka-Ree, god will be waiting for them. Kirk in convinced Sybok is insane.

Sybok and the captured crew are successful in penetrating the barrier, and find a small blue planet...Sha-Ka-Ree. Sybok gives control of the ship back to Kirk. Kirk decides to investigate the planet. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Sybok take a shuttlecraft to the planet's surface, where they explore and apparently find nothing. Suddenly, the sky darkens and pinnacles of rock form around them.

In a blinding flash of light, an entity appears, questioning Sybok about the U.S.S. Enterprise. The entity then asks if the starship could carry its power beyond the barrier. Kirk then asks why a "god" would need something like a starship, he is stricken down with bolts of energy. Sybok realizes the entity is merely masquerading as the god of Sha-Ka-Ree. The entity states that it has been imprisoned on the planet for ages, and demands that the Enterprise come closer to the planet so that it can "join" with the starship. The entity states that if they don't comply, they will all be destroyed. Afraid that the entity might be let loose in the galaxy, Sybok tries to use his telepathic powers against the entity. The two grapple in a fierce struggle. Kirk orders a photon torpedo be fired at their position. Sybok is killed during his struggle with the entity and the subsequent torpedo strike.

With the entity temporarily weakened, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy escape to the shuttlecraft. Unfortunately, the entity reintegrates itself and disables the shuttlecraft. Kirk is advised by Scotty via his communicator that the U.S.S. Enterprise transporter only has enough power to bring up two crewmen at a time, so Kirk sends McCoy and Spock. With Kirk left all alone on the planet's surface, the enraged being suddenly appears and tries to destroy the Captain.

Captain Klaa's ship arrives and uncloaks to fire on the U.S.S. Enterprise. Spock demands that General Korrd pull rank and order Captain Klaa assist in rescuing Kirk.

Kirk is almost killed by the being, but the Klingon warbird appears.  It fires upon the being and beams up Kirk.  Onboard the Klingon warbird, Klaa apologizes toKirk, saying the attack was not authorized by the Klingon government.  Kirk also sees that Spock was the gunner that stopped the being.

With Kirk saved, there is a reception on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. Kirk, Spock and McCoy wonder if god really is out there. Kirk muses that perhaps god is in the heart of man. Spock contemplates upon losing his brother. Kirk states that he once lost a brother, but he was lucky... he got him back. Upon realizing Kirk is referring to Spock, the trio think about how they actually are more than friends... they are truly a family.

Having saved the galaxy yet again, the three officers return to their vacation at Yosemite.


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