Who Were Captain Kirk’s Best Love Interests on Original ‘Star Trek’? Vote for Your Favorite!
Helming the USS Enterprise was a job that demanded commitment, dedication and a powerful focus on the task at hand — which is why Captain James T. Kirk’s (famously played by the seemingly-immortal William Shatner) iconic presence on the original Star Trek television series makes him one of television’s great characters. However, his greatest attribute of all may have been his undeniable ability to charm women all over the galaxy (the kids today call it “rizz”).
While none of Captain Kirk’s “out of this world” relationships on the original series stood the test of time (after all, long distance relationships rarely work when one of the participants is constantly travelling to new planets), they definitely maintain a special place in the heart of Trekkies far and wide — but which one was your favorite?
Read on to learn a bit more about each of them, and vote in our poll:
Janice Lester (Sandra Smith)
Some relationships end with arguments, but very few end with full-on bodily possessions. After first meeting earlier in the series, Captain Kirk and Dr. Janice Lester reconnect in season 3’s “Turnabout Intruder,” as an embittered Lester takes over Kirk’s body (sending his mind to her own body in the process) after being passed over for a command position in Starfleet. While illuminating the ever-present sexism that still dominated society in those days, the episode also doomed any chance for the star-crossed lovers to pursue a future together.
With appearances in everything from Bonanza to Hawaii Five-O, Sandra Smith has given TV viewers many opportunities to remember her. However, Star Trek may have given her the biggest claim to fame of her career, as “Turnabout Intruder’s” mind-switching storyline allowed her to become the only actor besides William Shatner to ever play the role of Captain Kirk on the originals series. Pretty cool, right?
Edith Keeler (Joan Collins)
©Paramount. Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Sometimes, a relationship is doomed by timing — or, in this case, time travel. Captain Kirk met Sister Edith Keeler during a time-traveling mission that took him, along with Mr. Spock, to 1930’s New York City. While the two quickly fell in love, they were destined to fail — not only because of the time leap, but because Keeler was tragically predestined to be killed in a car accident later that year, a fate that Kirk could not change without risking the safety of all space and time thereafter.
Known the world over for her iconic starring role on the legendary 1980’s primetime series Dynasty, Joan Collins was already a hot property when she came aboard Star Trek to play the short-lived role of Edith Keeler. While gaining plenty of attention for her on-camera stardom over the years, Joan became equally famous for her jet-setting lifestyle and five marriages.
Rayna Kapec (Louise Sorel)
Created by an immortal named Flint, Rayna Kapec was an android who was rapidly evolving towards possibly developing human feelings. Of course, this was more than enough for Captain Kirk to fall madly in love with her (it?), but alas, an everlasting romance was not to be. As Kirk and Flint found themselves going toe-to-toe over Rayna’s affections, she became overwhelmed by emotion and short-circuited out of their lives forever.
Beyond Star Trek, Louise Sorel may be best known for her roles on daytime soap operas like Santa Barbara and Days of Our Lives. Perhaps due to the pair’s amazing chemistry, she and Shatner ended up working together several more times — first on an episode of Shatner’s series Barbary Coast, then in the 1976 TV movie Perilous Voyage, and in 1982’s Airplane II: The Sequel.
Miranmanee (Sabrina Scharf)
Everett Collection
During an extended bout with amnesia in 2268, Captain Kirk found himself living under the name “Kirok” on the planet known as Amerind. After saving the life of a young boy who nearly drowned, Kirk … er, “Kirok”… met Miranmanee, a beautiful high priestess. Of course, the two quickly started a romance, got married, and were even expecting their first child when they ended up running afoul of Amerind’s leadership for failing to prevent an asteroid from striking the planet. While Dr. McCoy intervened to save his Captain’s life, Miranmanee’s injuries proved fatal — another sad memory in Kirk’s book of love.
Believe it or not, appearing on Star Trek was just one of many unique chapters in the life of actress Sabrina Scharf. From marrying her Algebra teacher when she was only 15 years old (only to get it annulled three years later) to playing Sarah in 1969’s Easy Rider, Scharf’s personal and professional life has been nothing short of colorful, and her iconic portrayal of Miranmanee ensures that her work will be remembered forever.
Classic TV Shows of the ’50s & ’60s
September 2020
Test your knowledge, from Bonanza and Gunsmoke to I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek and more fun TV of the 1950s and 1960s.
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