Kirk has a widespread reputation as a womanizer accompanied by the image of him putting the moves on and kissing a parade of lovely women whether human, alien or android.
But is this perception really valid? During my revisit of TOS I'm noticing that Kirk really isn't much of a dog when it comes to women. Yes, he flirts and occasionally uses his natural charm toward some purpose, but in any situation where he has had apparently genuine feelings for the woman he has actually been a gentlemen. And there have also been a number of times when it has been the woman pursuing him.
The real corker is the idea of Kirk gettin' it on with an exotic green alien female and yet the one time he encounters such in TOS he has zero interest in her and she's a nutcase chasing him with intention to kill him.
The term womanizer can have varying levels of meaning. It can mean a man who pursues women simply for the sake of casual sex. I don't doubt that Kirk has done this at some point as many men have done particularly when younger since it is often taken as measure of one's masculinity. I certainly don't think Kirk is portrayed anywhere near the same level as James Bond. A womanizer can also be someone who pursues sex with women in a lecherous manner and I really don't think that applies to Kirk.
In my revisit of TOS this is what I saw.
“Mudd’s Women” – Kirk shows no real interest in Eve McHuron, but rather it’s she who throws herself at him. And he doesn’t really respond.
“What Are Little Girls Made Of?” – Kirk certainly has no feelings for Andrea and is simply trying to see if he can distract and confuse the android.
“Dagger Of The Mind” – Kirk’s behaviour with Helen Noel is out of character and context primarily because Adams uses the neural neutralizer to mess with Kirk’s head.
“Miri” – Kirk is charming and kind to Miri which she takes as genuine interest. And that sort of thing can (does) easily happen in the real world.
“The Conscience Of The King” – Kirk initially feigns interest in Lenore, but it’s difficult to say whether he develops any real feelings for her or it’s more simply guilt for having used her.
“Court Martial” – Kirk and Areel Shaw have a history and apparently still hold genuine affection for each other. There’s no apparent lingering bitterness here.
“Shore Leave” – The replicated Ruth allows Kirk to revisit an earlier time in his life much like the holodeck would do for those in TNG.
“A Taste Of Armageddon” – It’s quite apparent Kirk has zero interest in Mea other than trying to keep her alive.
“The City On The Edge Of Forever” – Kirk’s attraction to Edith Keeler makes more sense in terms of finding a measure of comfort in a bizarre and difficult situation. It has happened often when men and women turn to one another in times of stress. But you have to wonder if he would have been drawn so strongly to her under more normal circumstances.
“Catspaw” – Kirk evidently has zero genuine interest in Sylvia and uses his charm and her apparent interest in him to distract her.
“Mirror, Mirror” – Kirk has no real interest in the mirror Marlena beyond impersonating his mirror counterpoint to buy time in order for him and his crew to get home. As far as the prime universe Marlena is concerned well that’s an open question.
“The Deadly Years” – I doubt Kirk was really interested in resuming a serious relationship with Janet Wallace. Again it seems more her going after him. But afterwards perhaps a little mutually agreeable nooky with a non crew member?
“Bread And Circuses” – He was probably expecting inevitable death and there was Drusilla with orders to please him in his final hours. What would you do?
“A Private Little War” – Kirk has no interest in Nona until she drugs him.
“The Gamesters Of Triskelion” – The future looks bleak for Kirk, Uhura and Chekov and Kirk may feel some genuine sympathy and empathy with Shaana, but I don’t think he had genuine romantic feelings for her.
“By Any Other Name” – As he has done two or three times before he uses his male charms to distract and confuse Kalinda.
“Return To Tomorrow” – Kirk has no interest in Anne Mulhall, but rather it’s Sargon and Thalassa acting out their feelings.
“Elaan Of Troyius” – Again Kirk has no interest in Elan until she drugs him.
“The Paradise Syndrome” – Kirk is an amnesiac finding himself in an unknown and confusing situation and there is the comforting presence of Miramanee.
“Is There In Truth No Beauty?” – Kirk’s overtures to Miranda Jones are more to distract her attention than genuine romantic interest even though it’s apparent he finds her appealing. With his ship at risk the woman takes a distant second place.
“The Empath” – No evident interest in Gem beyond normal concern for her welfare.
“Plato’s Stepchildren” – Kirk’s kiss with Uhura is forced by Parmen’s telekenetic will rather than born of genuine romantic interest.
“Wink Of An Eye” – Deela throws herself at Kirk and he eventually plays along to fool her.
“Whom Gods Destroy” – Marta is certifiably crazy and Kirk certainly has no interest in her.
“The Mark Of Gideon” – Kirk is manipulated into a bizarre situation and Odonna’s seeming innocence and vulnerability elicits a measure of fondness and protectiveness in Kirk, but apparently no deep feelings.
“Requiem For Methuselah” – Again Kirk is manipulated to some extent, but his immediate response to Rayna does seem too strong and quick to be credible, particularly with his crew in jeopardy. I can only assume there could be some other manipulative force at work and/or Rayna also puts out some damned powerful pheromones.
“Turnabout Intruder” – Janice Lester is a freaking bitter loon who could never forgive Kirk choosing his career over her. He evidently holds some fondness for her but no lasting romantic feelings.
Kirk is evidently a career officer and his relationships are inevitably affected by that. Yet I certainly don't think Kirk is cad. And looking back I think his most genuine and most normal relationship was with Areel Shaw. They obviously have a history, they both are realistic and grown-up about it and there appear to be no lingering resentments and they also apparently retain a good measure of affection for each other.
Thoughts anyone?
But is this perception really valid? During my revisit of TOS I'm noticing that Kirk really isn't much of a dog when it comes to women. Yes, he flirts and occasionally uses his natural charm toward some purpose, but in any situation where he has had apparently genuine feelings for the woman he has actually been a gentlemen. And there have also been a number of times when it has been the woman pursuing him.
The real corker is the idea of Kirk gettin' it on with an exotic green alien female and yet the one time he encounters such in TOS he has zero interest in her and she's a nutcase chasing him with intention to kill him.
The term womanizer can have varying levels of meaning. It can mean a man who pursues women simply for the sake of casual sex. I don't doubt that Kirk has done this at some point as many men have done particularly when younger since it is often taken as measure of one's masculinity. I certainly don't think Kirk is portrayed anywhere near the same level as James Bond. A womanizer can also be someone who pursues sex with women in a lecherous manner and I really don't think that applies to Kirk.
In my revisit of TOS this is what I saw.
“Mudd’s Women” – Kirk shows no real interest in Eve McHuron, but rather it’s she who throws herself at him. And he doesn’t really respond.
“What Are Little Girls Made Of?” – Kirk certainly has no feelings for Andrea and is simply trying to see if he can distract and confuse the android.
“Dagger Of The Mind” – Kirk’s behaviour with Helen Noel is out of character and context primarily because Adams uses the neural neutralizer to mess with Kirk’s head.
“Miri” – Kirk is charming and kind to Miri which she takes as genuine interest. And that sort of thing can (does) easily happen in the real world.
“The Conscience Of The King” – Kirk initially feigns interest in Lenore, but it’s difficult to say whether he develops any real feelings for her or it’s more simply guilt for having used her.
“Court Martial” – Kirk and Areel Shaw have a history and apparently still hold genuine affection for each other. There’s no apparent lingering bitterness here.
“Shore Leave” – The replicated Ruth allows Kirk to revisit an earlier time in his life much like the holodeck would do for those in TNG.
“A Taste Of Armageddon” – It’s quite apparent Kirk has zero interest in Mea other than trying to keep her alive.
“The City On The Edge Of Forever” – Kirk’s attraction to Edith Keeler makes more sense in terms of finding a measure of comfort in a bizarre and difficult situation. It has happened often when men and women turn to one another in times of stress. But you have to wonder if he would have been drawn so strongly to her under more normal circumstances.
“Catspaw” – Kirk evidently has zero genuine interest in Sylvia and uses his charm and her apparent interest in him to distract her.
“Mirror, Mirror” – Kirk has no real interest in the mirror Marlena beyond impersonating his mirror counterpoint to buy time in order for him and his crew to get home. As far as the prime universe Marlena is concerned well that’s an open question.
“The Deadly Years” – I doubt Kirk was really interested in resuming a serious relationship with Janet Wallace. Again it seems more her going after him. But afterwards perhaps a little mutually agreeable nooky with a non crew member?
“Bread And Circuses” – He was probably expecting inevitable death and there was Drusilla with orders to please him in his final hours. What would you do?
“A Private Little War” – Kirk has no interest in Nona until she drugs him.
“The Gamesters Of Triskelion” – The future looks bleak for Kirk, Uhura and Chekov and Kirk may feel some genuine sympathy and empathy with Shaana, but I don’t think he had genuine romantic feelings for her.
“By Any Other Name” – As he has done two or three times before he uses his male charms to distract and confuse Kalinda.
“Return To Tomorrow” – Kirk has no interest in Anne Mulhall, but rather it’s Sargon and Thalassa acting out their feelings.
“Elaan Of Troyius” – Again Kirk has no interest in Elan until she drugs him.
“The Paradise Syndrome” – Kirk is an amnesiac finding himself in an unknown and confusing situation and there is the comforting presence of Miramanee.
“Is There In Truth No Beauty?” – Kirk’s overtures to Miranda Jones are more to distract her attention than genuine romantic interest even though it’s apparent he finds her appealing. With his ship at risk the woman takes a distant second place.
“The Empath” – No evident interest in Gem beyond normal concern for her welfare.
“Plato’s Stepchildren” – Kirk’s kiss with Uhura is forced by Parmen’s telekenetic will rather than born of genuine romantic interest.
“Wink Of An Eye” – Deela throws herself at Kirk and he eventually plays along to fool her.
“Whom Gods Destroy” – Marta is certifiably crazy and Kirk certainly has no interest in her.
“The Mark Of Gideon” – Kirk is manipulated into a bizarre situation and Odonna’s seeming innocence and vulnerability elicits a measure of fondness and protectiveness in Kirk, but apparently no deep feelings.
“Requiem For Methuselah” – Again Kirk is manipulated to some extent, but his immediate response to Rayna does seem too strong and quick to be credible, particularly with his crew in jeopardy. I can only assume there could be some other manipulative force at work and/or Rayna also puts out some damned powerful pheromones.
“Turnabout Intruder” – Janice Lester is a freaking bitter loon who could never forgive Kirk choosing his career over her. He evidently holds some fondness for her but no lasting romantic feelings.
Kirk is evidently a career officer and his relationships are inevitably affected by that. Yet I certainly don't think Kirk is cad. And looking back I think his most genuine and most normal relationship was with Areel Shaw. They obviously have a history, they both are realistic and grown-up about it and there appear to be no lingering resentments and they also apparently retain a good measure of affection for each other.
Thoughts anyone?
Last edited:
.
