I’ve watched this movie a number of times, most recently the other night when I saw only the second half or so. You’ll recall the scene where they have just escaped the prison, but are still on the asteroid. As they take a rest from hiking across the ice, Kirk challenges the shapeshifter, whose name I can’t recall, and eventually a fight erupts. By the time they are discovered by the Klingon search party, shortly thereafter, the shapeshifter has assumed the shape of Capt. Kirk. In all the confusion that follows, one of the two Kirks is shot by the Klingons, but I’ve never quite understood how it’s established that the true Kirk was the one who remained standing.
Was it not established and we’re just meant to assume that it was?
This was just blind luck by Kirk. The Klingon Warden didn’t care which one got blasted. However, Kirk’s behavior immediately after confirms his identity.
Also the shape shifter had those weird golden-colored eyes no matter what shape it was assuming. I didn’t pick that up until about the 20th time viewing the movie!
