It’s been almost a year since the universally praised Star Trek reboot came out in theaters, but it’s only been recently that I’ve realized what an unbelievable premise the ending gives us: Jim Kirk, a rookie fresh out of the Academy, is given permanent command of Starfleet’s flagship.
Don’t get me wrong; this is still a fantastic movie. If anything, JJ Abrams gets infinite kudos for making this story remotely believable. But no matter how many field promotions were given, and no matter how heroic or effective he was in a crisis, nobody’s first assignment after graduating would be captain. He was even being investigated for academic fraud at the time! They gave us an amazingly clever start to the series, but in their rush to put Kirk in charge, they gave us a story that simply doesn’t hold water.
Good thing the movie was strong enough to survive such a leap in logic. Can’t wait for the sequel.
Gently Hew Stone 