TV - Movies
The Spock Scene
Nicholas Meyer
Regrets Shooting
By JEFF SCHECTMAN
After directing the acclaimed “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” in 1982, Nicholas Meyer once again took the helm for 1991’s “Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country.” As the last film to feature the OG crew, it had plenty of highlights, but there is also one disturbing scene that didn't bother Meyer until years later.
Near the climax of "The Undiscovered Country," Spock is desperate to get crucial information out of a tight-lipped Valeris, so he performs an invasive Vulcan mind-meld on her which causes her to scream in agony. This scene is definitely unsettling to watch through a modern lens, and Meyer has recently said that he feels disturbed by how much it looks like waterboarding.
However controversial this scene may be, it makes more sense in context: without that key information, Kirk and Spock would’ve failed to prevent a catastrophic occurrence that could’ve ultimately affected millions of lives. Meyer should sleep well knowing that Spock remains one of the most beloved characters in all of science fiction, despite his actions that fateful day.