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William Shatner said Captain Kirk was a ''hero with faults''
Even Captain Kirk had his flaws.
William Shatner played the role of Captain Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series from 1966 to 1969. He would climb aboard The Enterprise and guide us and his co-stars through many hair-raising and fast-paced missions in space.
Although Shatner was the best choice to play Captain Kirk, his character wasn't perfect. Captain Kirk was known for his willingness to confront threats head on, often putting himself in harm's way just to ensure a successful mission.
Captain Kirk made mistakes, but he always found a way to manage it all by the time the short journey was complete.
Whether it was sitting in a room full of Tribbles, defeating Star Trek's scariest villains or helping with a general malfunction, we knew everyone was in good hands if Captain Kirk was in the driver's seat.
According to a 1967 interview with Fort Lauderdale News, Shatner said Kirk's ability to be human is what connected him with viewers all across the country.
"That's what makes Kirk interesting," Shatner said. "He's a hero with faults."
"But then the whole show is interesting because it's good entertainment," Shatner continued. "Fifteen years ago science fiction wouldn't have gone over. The general public wouldn't have believed it. Today it's different. Modern Americans know something like Star Trek may be possible because we're feeling the race for space on our pocketbooks. And when that happens, you believe."
Shatner said he naturally enjoyed the series and added that he was "well-employed and well paid," while on Star Trek. Part of Shatner was in Captain Kirk, and those are the parts that made the Captain just like us.
According to the interview, Shatner wasn't worried about typecasting because of his role in the series. He said everyone needed a leading man, and that's what he was. Captain Kirk could lead anyone anywhere.
"Now there are those with guts but no talent and talented people with no guts," Shatner said. "Then there are some with both."
Which category do you think William Shatner belonged in?
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