Does anyone know what the references to a Cobiashi Maroo(sp?) in some of the first 6 Star Trek movies are?
Like the man says; don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out of it alive – Bugs Bunny
The Kobayashi Maru test (not sure of the spelling either) is a simulation scenario used in Starfleet Academy. It simulates an impossible mission, a no-win situation, and is really a test of character for Starfleet cadets. (The cadet commands the KM near the Romulan border and has to rescue a ship stranded in the neutral zone. But the KM is invariably attacked and destroyed by Romulans.) You can see the test in action at the beginning of (I think) ST 3.
In ST 2 (or 3), we learn that Kirk was the only cadet in history to perform successfully in the KM test. He had actually re-programmed the simulation and received an award for this ‘inventive’ (IMHO, rather lame) solution.
At the end of ST 2, Spock saves the Enterprise and her crew by repairing the warp engine that is about to explode. However, he is fatally contaminated in the process. In dying, he says to Kirk something like: “I never took the Kobayashi Maru test. How do you like my solution?”
Since then, the KM test is occasionally referred to in various ST movies and series as an archetype of impossible missions.
That’s all there is about the KM scenario, AFAIK. If you knew all that and are asking if there ever was a ‘real’ Kobayashi Maru: I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so.
You have everything right about the KM scenario except that it is the Klingon border instead of the Romulans.
Although you didn’t ask, there is a Star Trek novel titled the “Kobayashi Maru”. It is one of the few Star Trek novels I ever enjoyed (I don’t tend to read them anymore) and I actually kept it when I traded in all the rest. Anyway, it talks about how Kirk, Scotty, Sulu and Chekov all did the scenario.
You sure, bernard? I really thought it was the Romulans, but I won’t swear to it. Still, you have the book, and one would hope the writers were consistent.
I just found out that all the scenes I quoted are in ST 2, “The Wrath of Khan” (which is one of the best; the good ones are those with even numbers). So if you want to check, Enore, that’s the one to rent. (Although the KM thing is referred to in ST 3, and ST 2 isn’t really complete without ST 3 and 4 anyway.)
I also found out that there’s a computer game named “Starfleet Academy” that seems to include the KM scenario.
It’s definitely the Klingon neutral zone. Also, the KM is the stranded ship, not the rescuing ship. In the beginning of ST2, which is where we see Lt. Cmdr. Saavik (Kirstie Alley) taking the test, there is a fuzzy transmission that includes “This is the Kobayashi Maru…”
I have the Starfleet Academy game, and the scenario is this: You get the garbled transmission, and you either decide to go help (you start a klingon war, losing the game) or you don’t help (leaving the Kobyashi Maru to be destroyed by Klingons, losing the game), however, to win you must cheat like Kirk did, appearently they like that…
Also, I’ve seen all the movies and I don’t remember Spock saying anything about the Kobyashi Maru before he dies. Just - “I have been, and always shall be, your friend. Live long and prosper.” I’ll check, there’s also a flashback-like scene at the beginning of ST-III.
Ooops - of course the KM is the stranded ship. What a lapse on my part. In ST 2, it is actually the Enterprise that must come to the rescue and is destroyed, but I don’t think this is a necessary element of the simulation.
Sanibel, I’m sure of that one. But it may not be in ST 3 because the flashback is shortened.
In ST2, Spock definitely says to Kirk (through the “glass”):
“I never took the Kobayashi Maru test until now. What do you think of my solution?”
I must agree with the others. It is seen in the beginning of ST 2 testing Saavik.
The KM is the stranded ship and is the name of the test.
Spock does tell Jim that he never took the test and what does Jim think of his solution. I am pretty sure it is not in ST 3, becuase all they are worried about is his statements to Bones.
Jeffery