Of course, this early plot sets up the big themes of the movie, with Project Genesis creating life from lifelessness. Working with Carol Marcus and his own son helps Kirk feel young again, and he finds meaning in Spock’s sacrifice…specifically, the meaning that everyone has a chance to defy age every day by growing and embracing change.
Speaking of Spock’s sacrifice, William Shatner’s acting is amazing here, and for as good as Nimoy’s largely physical acting is, the reason this scene is such a major tear-jerker is that Shatner embodies the deep, aching pangs of someone losing the best friend he ever had.
