There's got to be a way out.
- This new brig is escape-proof. - How do you know?
The designers tested it using the most intelligent person they could find.
- He failed to escape. - Did this person have pointed ears?
And an unerring capacity for getting his shipmates into trouble?
He did have pointed ears.
- Following new course. Warp 7. - Arrival in 6.7 hours at present speed.
Now that we're underway, I'll announce my intentions to the rest of the ship.
Brave crew of the starship Enterprise, consider the questions of existence.
Questions that man has asked since he first gazed at the stars and dreamed.
My Vulcan ancestors were ruled by their emotions.
They felt with their hearts.
They made love with their hearts. They believed with their hearts.
And they believed in a place where these questions would be answered.
Modern dogma tells us this place is a myth.
A fantasy concocted by pagans.
It is no fantasy.
I tell you... it exists.
My brothers, we have been chosen -
- to undertake the greatest adventure of all time.
The discovery of Sha Ka Ree.
Is it possible he's found Sha Ka Ree, the reason he left Vulcan?
Our destination is the planet Sha Ka Ree.
It lies beyond the Great Barrier...
... at the center of the galaxy.
- The center of the galaxy? - Where it is fabled to exist.
The center of the galaxy can't be reached by any ship.
Sybok possessed the keenest intellect I've ever known.
When I get the ship back, and Sybok is in here, -
- you can debate Sha Ka Ree until you're green in the face.
You're either with me or you're not.
- I am here, Captain. - That's a little vague, Spock.
What's that noise?
It's a primitive form of communication known as Morse code.
You're right. I'm out of practice. That's an S.
- T... - A...
N... D... End of word.
- Stand. - New word.
B... A...
C... K...
- Back. - Stand back!
What are you standing around for? This is a jailbreak.
These three are strong. This will be quite a challenge.
We've got to find them.
- We can't trust anyone. - We can send a distress signal.
There is an emergency sending apparatus in the observation room.
You might be able to reach it by means of turbo-shaft 3.
- It's a long and dangerous climb. - Some of us get off on that.
Get the transporter working and contact a rescue ship.
- Which way to the turbo-shaft? - Down that tunnel and turn right.
- You can't miss it. - Mr. Scott, you're amazing.
I know this ship like the back of my hand.
- We'll get a good workout. - Yeah, or a heart attack.
Get Mr. Scott to sick bay.
This is going to take me forever.
Where's Spock?
I believe I've found a faster way.
- Bones? - I'll wait for the next car.
We're not splitting up.
- We're too heavy. - It must be the marsh melons.
- Spock, the booster rockets. - I can't control their power.
Fire the rockets.
Captain, please come back down.
Hit the brakes.
- I overshot the mark by one level. - Nobody's perfect.
Spock.
Emergency channel open.
To anyone within range, this is Captain James T Kirk.
If you read me, acknowledge.
Acknowledge.
This is Starfleet Command, we read you. Over.
A hostile force has taken control of our vessel.
Our coordinates are 000.2. Request emergency assistance.
Understood Enterprise, we are dispatching a rescue ship immediately.
- I trust your message was received. - You can't expect us to stand by.
What you fear is the unknown.
The people of your planet once believed their world was flat.
Columbus proved it was round.
They said the sound barrier could never be broken. It was broken.
They said warp speed could not be achieved.
The Great Barrier is the ultimate expression of this universal fear.
It is an extension of personal fear.
Captain Kirk, I so much want your understanding.
I want your respect. Are you afraid to hear me out?
- I'm afraid of nothing. - Wait outside.
I'm sure you have many questions.
Here, amidst the stars of our own galaxy, -
- we shall seek the answers together.
Easy, Scotty. You're back with us.
I dreamt that a madman had taken over the Enterprise.
- He's not a madman. - He's not?
Sybok has put us in touch with feelings we've always been afraid to express.
- I have to get to the transporter. - Scotty!
- There's so much I want to tell you. - Wait till I'm a wee bit stronger.
I don't think I could take it in my present condition... or yours.
Sha Ka Ree. The Source.
Heaven.
Eden. Call it what you will.
The Klingons call it Qui Tu.
The Romulans, Vorta Vor. In Andorian it is unpronounceable.
Still, every culture shares this common dream.
A place from which creation sprang. For us it will soon be reality.
My only reality is that I'm a prisoner on my own ship.
What is this power you have to control the minds of my crew?
I don't control minds... I free them.
How?
By making you face your pain and draw strength from it.
Once that's done, fear cannot stop you.
It sounds like brainwashing to me.
Your pain is the deepest of all.
I can feel it, can't you?
Leonard.
This is some kind of trick.
Leonard.
Father? My God! Don't do this to me.
Leonard.
I'm here. I'm with you, Dad.
The pain. Stop the pain.
I've done everything I can do. You've got to hang on.
I can't stand the pain.
Help me.
All my knowledge and I can't save him.
You've done all you can. The support system will keep him alive.
- You call this alive? - Son...
- Release me. - I can't do that, Dad.
But how can I watch him suffer like this?
You're a doctor.
I'm his son.
Why did you do it?
To preserve his dignity.
- That wasn't the worst of it, was it? - No!
Share it.
Not long after, they found a cure. A goddamn cure.
- If you didn't kill him, he'd have lived. - I released him!
- You did what you thought was right. - Yes! No!
Release this pain!
This pain has poisoned your soul for a long time.
Now you've taken the first step.
The other steps we'll take together.
Each man's pain is unique.
I hide no pain.
- I know you better than that. - Do you?
- Spock, don't. - It's all right, Captain.
Proceed.
- What is this? - I believe we are witnessing my birth.
Sarek, your son.
So human.
Spock?
- What have you done to my friends? - Nothing. This is who they are.
- Didn't you know that? - No, I didn't.
- Now learn something about yourself. - No, I refuse.
- Jim, try to be open about this. - About what?
How I made wrong choices in my life? Turning left instead of right?
I don't need Sybok to take me on a tour of my weaknesses.
To be brainwashed by a conman!
- This conman took away my pain. - With the wave of a magic wand?
The things we carry with us make us who we are.
If we lose them, we lose ourselves.
I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain.
Captain, you remain here. Spock, Dr. McCoy, come with me.
- Spock? - I cannot go with you.
- Why not? - I belong here.
- I don't understand. - Sybok...
You are my brother, but you do not know me.
I am not the outcast boy you left behind many years ago.
I found myself and my place, and I know who I am.
I cannot go with you.
You'd better count me out, too.
- Then I'll see you on the other side. - Wait!
We'll never make it through the Great Barrier.
If we do, will that convince you that my vision was true?
It was given to me by God. He waits for us on the other side.
You are mad.
Am I?
We'll see.
They say no ship can survive this.
They're wrong. Danger is an illusion.
We have no instrument readings.
- Mr. Sulu, full ahead. - Full ahead, aye.
- Is it possible? - Fascinating.
Are we dreaming?
If we are, then life is a dream.
Instruments are back on line.
Incredible.
There is a power source emanating from the planet like nothing I've seen.
- Sha Ka Ree. - Qui Tu.
Vorta Vor.
Eden.
- About the ship... - The ship needs its captain.
- No special conditions? - No conditions.
- I could turn us around. - No, you too must know.
Well, if we're going to do it, we're going to do it by the book.
Standard orbital approach. Alert the shuttlecraft to stand by.
Sybok, Spock, McCoy, come with me. The rest of you remain on board.
Until I determine what we're dealing with.
Don't just stand there, God's a busy man.
I am no longer in control of the craft.
All right, we'll play it your way.
It's amazing. The land. The sky.
Just as I knew it would be.
- You have to see this. - I don't have time.
The Captain told me to get the transporter working.
We have traveled far.
By starship.
Enterprise, this is Kirk.
We have...
Sybok.
Perhaps...
Brave souls, welcome.
Is this the voice of God?
One voice, many faces.
Does this better suit your expectations?
- Qual se tu? - It is I.
Your journey could not have been an easy one.
It was not. We had to breach the Barrier.
Magnificent. You are the first to find me.
- We sought only your infinite wisdom. - How did you breach the Barrier?
- With a starship. - This starship...
Could it carry my wisdom beyond the Barrier?
- It could, yes. - Then I shall make use of it.
- It will be your chariot. - Excuse me...
- I will reach every corner of creation. - I'd like to ask a question.
- What does God need with a starship? - Bring the ship closer.
What does God need with a starship?
- What are you doing? - Asking a question.
- Who is this creature? - Don't you know? Aren't you God?
- He has his doubts. - You doubt me?
- I seek proof. - You don't ask the Almighty for his ID.
Then here is the proof you seek.
- Why is God angry? - Why have you done this?
- He doubts me. - You have not answered his question.
What does God need with a starship?
Do you doubt me?
I doubt any god who inflicts pain for his own pleasure.
Stop! The god of Sha Ka Ree would not do this.
Sha Ka Ree? A vision you created.
An eternity I've been imprisoned in this place.
The ship. I must have the ship.
Now... give me what I want.
Sybok...
This is not the god of Sha Ka Ree, or any other god.
I don't understand. Reveal yourself to me.
What's wrong? Don't you like this face?
I have so many, but this one suits you best.
No, it's not possible.
Bring me the ship or I will destroy you.
- The ship. - Bring it closer...
...so that I might join with it.
Do it, or watch these puny things -
- die horribly.
- What have I done? - Enterprise, listen carefully.
This is my doing. This is my arrogance. My vanity.
- Sybok, we must find a way... - No, save yourselves.
Forgive me, brother.
I couldn't help but notice your pain.
It runs deep. Share it with me.
- Enterprise, are you ready? - Torpedo armed.
- We're firing on your position. - Send it down now!
Run!
Sybok...
Let's get out of here.
Sulu, I've lost them.
Spock, get us out of here.
Thrusters are inoperative.
Mr. Scott, please tell me the transporter is working.
I might be able to beam up two of you.
- Beam up Spock and Dr. McCoy now. - Just a damn minute!
Bring up the Captain.
- We can't just leave Jim down there. - Get a grip on yourself. Status report.
The Klingon captain wishes to name his terms.
This is Captain Klaa of the Klingon Empire.
Do not attempt to arm your weapons or I will destroy you.
You are alive for a single reason: The renegade James T. Kirk.
Hand him over and I will spare your lives.
- I'm ready to beam him aboard. - Captain Kirk is not among us.
- You lie. - Vulcans are incapable of lying.
- Captain Kirk is on the planet below. - Then give me his coordinates.
- I am in need of your assistance. - My assistance?
- You are his superior officer. - I am a foolish old man.
Damn you, sir. You will try.
Klingon commander, someone wishes to speak with you.
So it's me you want, you bastards.
What are you waiting for?
Release him.
My junior officer has something he wants to say to you.
I... apologize.
The attack upon your vessel was not authorized by my government.
Now, may I present our new gunner.
- Spock! - Welcome aboard, Captain.
I thought I was going to die.
Not possible, you were never alone.
Please, Captain, not in front of the Klingons.
Would you care for a wee nip of Scotch whiskey?
I never thought I'd be drinking with a Klingon.
- What are you two conspiring about? - About the progress we've made.
She has wonderful muscles.
Cosmic thoughts, gentlemen?
We were speculating... Is God really out there?
Maybe he's not out there.
Maybe he's right here in the human heart.
- Spock? - I was thinking of Sybok.
- I have lost a brother. - Yes.
I lost a brother, once.
I was lucky. I got him back.
I thought you said men like us don't have families.
I was wrong.
Are you just going to pluck that thing, or are you going to play something?
Row, row, row your boat
gently down the stream
merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
life is but a dream...