Cinebinge : Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Yeah so y'all were basically right about the tone of the film. After the previous films being so dark and serious they wanted to have some fun with this one so the writers figured let's do a "save the whales" plot with time travel and make it funny. And I am forever grateful for them taking this movie in the direction they did with this fish out of water story having our heroes in 1980s San Francisco having no idea what they're doing. Leonard Nimoy did a fantastic job directing this one and I got to give props to the writers for the screenplay, you know they had to be laughing while trying to come up with this plot.

Robert Durant

2025-06-30 03:24:11 +0000 UTC

If you still want answers about the probe there was a great follow up novel written by Margaret Wander Bonanno https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217751.Probe

Seirsan

2025-06-28 22:02:19 +0000 UTC

Yay! Arguably my favourite Star Trek flick. This was my introduction to the franchise when my parents took me to see it in the theatre. Then TNG began on TV the next year and I've been hooked ever since 1987. We even got the movie Spaceballs that year! Good times in space back then lol

Den Radar Ryan

2025-06-21 05:14:23 +0000 UTC

Great reaction guys!!! Keep up the good work. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Can’t wait for some TNG. Let’s get it!!!!

Jason Parker

2025-06-20 07:33:41 +0000 UTC

The punk on the bus is the film's associate producer, Kirk Thatcher. I believe the production company refused to pay the license for an established punk band, and instead offered to use something entirely unfitting for the bus scene (like Duran Duran), so Kirk rounded up a couple of stage crew and wrote and recorded the song in less than an hour. The result is one of the most unforgettable scenes in the franchise, one which you should recall again once you start watching Picard season 2.

Deadly Ramon

2025-06-19 11:27:15 +0000 UTC

This is my favorite Star Trek movie. It is often more of a comedy, and I'd considered it more lighthearted for the last several decades, but upon watching it (virtually) with you I realized that it still has some dark moments, not the least of which is the killing of numerous Starfleet crewmembers all of whom appear to have comported themselves with honor and altruism. The previous two Star Trek films had several such scenes. Seems like working for the Federation is pretty risky.

Deadly Ramon

2025-06-19 11:22:52 +0000 UTC

Just looked it up, adjusted for inflation: Motion Picture is top, with two of the reboots following, Voyage Home is fourth. Also, forgot to mention how much I loved the Crocodile Dundee but from the future vibe, so funny seeing them try to "blend in" on the street of San Francisco.

MacGuffinStuff

2025-06-19 02:14:57 +0000 UTC

This is the first Star Trek anything that I'd ever seen, I was an 80s kid and I loved it, so I'm biased, but it's still my favorite of all the films, both for the nostalgia and because it's definitely the funniest, and I still love the message, leave the fuckin whales alone lol Yeah that's the Monterey Bay Aquarium, its clearly not big enough to house humpbacks but I believe it did house wounded orcas for a time before releasing them. I've been there twice, once I was a kid, and again with a girlfriend, we drove up north to the Winchester Mystery House (cool,.she said she saw a ghost, a man pushing a wheelbarrow and I still think she just saw a man pushing a wheelbarrow lol), very fun, then the Aquarium, then that beautiful drive down the coast, highly recommend. I'm wondering how successful this movie was and if that box office success contributed to TNG being made. Oh man I'm excited, saw the Instagram post that you guys started it already 😁

MacGuffinStuff

2025-06-19 02:10:30 +0000 UTC

Countdown to First Contact: 173 weeks

Pearl Jam

2025-06-19 01:49:17 +0000 UTC

one of my favorite star trek novels

Seirsan

2025-06-19 01:26:02 +0000 UTC

Im so happy this reaction to Star Trek 4 now exists in the universe so I can watch along with u guys over and over again ! And since it was mentioned in the recording , Star Trek First Contact is mine and I’m sure a lot of people’s fave trek film and I can’t for the day we get to that !! 🥳🥳❤️

Ciarra Jade

2025-06-19 00:25:24 +0000 UTC

Yeah guys, as I mentioned in one of the youtube cuts, nothing at all wrong with watching them in the order you are doing it, but there's also no in universe reason to do so. All 6 of the original cast Star Trek movies happen a good 100 years before the TNG series kicks off. So absolutely nothing in the early TNG seasons (which are a little shaky until "Yesterday's Enterprise") has any bearing on or changes anything in the Star Trek V and VI movies. All the Star Trek media of that era in chronological order would be: Enterprise series +100 years TOS +12years Star Trek I - VI +100 years TNG Deep Space IX / TNG movies Voyager

Cc Decc

2025-06-19 00:18:03 +0000 UTC

Just noticed today in the news Scientists have actually created Transparent aluminum, look it up lol.

Jayson Phillips

2025-06-19 00:05:27 +0000 UTC

There is an aircraft carrier named the Enterprise that is used in film production. They wanted to film on that, but it was being used for top gun at the same time so they just made a sign for another ship that was available

Jonathan

2025-06-18 23:41:27 +0000 UTC

There is a noted World War between 1986 and Star Trek. That's why they don't know who invented Transparent Aluminum. Like much of 20th/21st century culture, that information was lost with time and destruction. At least, that's how I've always understood it.

StonyD

2025-06-18 23:21:33 +0000 UTC

I feel like the only people who had more fun than the audience were the actors.

Simone's Coconut Squire

2025-06-18 23:17:46 +0000 UTC

Been there many times... lived in San Jose for quite some time years ago. 🐳 🐡 🐠 🐟 🐬

Major Peril

2025-06-18 23:03:14 +0000 UTC

Im sure someone has already said this but humpback whales are doing great right now. around 120000 to 150000 individuals, from 450 individuals in the 1970s.

michael denny

2025-06-18 22:57:22 +0000 UTC

Re: The Cetacean institute isn't real, but that building is, it's the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (Both the exterior and the pool the whales are in). As to what happened with the probe: In my head cannon the probe is actually a ship full of whales coming back to check on their colony.

Simone's Coconut Squire

2025-06-18 22:30:15 +0000 UTC

There's a book that was released explaining all of this. It's called "Probe". I won't spoil anything by explaining.

Texas J

2025-06-18 22:12:39 +0000 UTC

I was few years younger, but have a similar memory. All of us in class staring at the TV. It was a small-ish school so they had 3 different classes and their teachers in a room. I think it's my first memory of seeing adults not know what to do. One teacher immediately bolted to turn it off. They were all pale and gathered in a corner whispering frantically about what to do. Wasn't til I got home and mom explained it all that knew what really happened.

droodly

2025-06-18 22:03:20 +0000 UTC

You are all actually probably more familiar with their work than you realize. Their signature joke was George Burns ending their show by telling his wife Gracie Allen "Say goodnight, Gracie" and she would reply "Goodnight Gracie". This joke has been riffed on many times since.

Simone's Coconut Squire

2025-06-18 22:01:14 +0000 UTC

They're classed as beta canon, along with all other licensed media like comic books, games and audio etc. It's the Star Trek equivalent of Star Wars Expanded Universe. Alpha canon is what appears on TV shows or movies. That always takes priority, but it's all considered canon to some degree if it's an official publication. You can even look it all up on two websites. Memory Alpha and Memory Beta, but beware of spoilers.

Lincynity

2025-06-18 21:59:29 +0000 UTC

It's a small thing, but for the record, Sulu didn't steal the helicopter. As part of the deal for the transparent aluminum, the plant manager gave them the plexiglass and use of the huey to transport it.

Michael Kemmet

2025-06-18 21:20:41 +0000 UTC

The tall building is real. It's called the TransAmerica tower. And the painting of Kirk on the poster always looked to me like someone started doing Chekov then realized they were painting the wrong person and did their best to correct.

Simone's Coconut Squire

2025-06-18 21:10:48 +0000 UTC

I like to think Admiral Cartwright (Brock Peter’s character) had a grandson who moved to New Orleans when he was older to open a Creole restaurant. 😏

Todd “Canuck” Schmuck

2025-06-18 21:01:23 +0000 UTC

Hey, thanks for the translation, George! Something new after watching this so many times!

Joe Concepts

2025-06-18 20:56:22 +0000 UTC

Regarding the dedication to the Challenger and its crew, who else here was in school and was watching when the space shuttle was destroyed? It happened on January 28, 1986, and I was 11 years old and in the 6th grade. Of course, because teacher-turned astronaut Christa McAuliffe was on the flight after joining the NASA Teacher in Space Project, just about every schoolkid in the US who could was watching. At the time of her death, she had 2 children of her own aged 6 and 9. I don’t remember many details of the day overall, but I have a very distinct recollection of us all sitting in our classroom with the big CRT TV on its stand. The ship exploded, the teacher turned off the TV and that was pretty much it. I don’t really think anyone was prepared to explain what had just happened. I’m not even sure if most of the kids even understood what had happened, that all the astronauts had died. We just knew it was an accident, and I don't recall any further discussions of it in the days after. I imagine that the parents just dealt with it at home, but I don’t remember. The actor portraying Spock’s human mother, Amanda Grayson, was played by Jane Wyatt who previously played the same character in the 1967 TOS episode “Journey to Babel” and this movie is her last appearance in the role. I really like how alien and strange the probe appears. There isn’t even any obvious sign of propulsion. Where did the video of the destruction of the Enterprise seen during the hearing come from?? Mark Leonard gives such a wonderful portrayal of a Vulcan. Fortunately, we will see him in the role again. San Francisco and Starfleet Headquarters was seen at the beginning of Star Trek The Motion Picture. During the sequence where power is being lost on earth, an Indian actor playing a starship captain who talks about trying to deploy a solar sail can be seen in the background on the video screen. He is played by professional tennis champion and later actor Vijay Amritraj, and he will show up in the James Bond movie “Octopussy.” It’s too bad that Saavic only had a small role here, but I guess there was just no room for her to join the main cast. Note that one of the people at Starfleet headquarters talks about how “Leningrad” has lost power. Leningrad was renamed (back) to “St Petersburg” in 1991, following the fall of the Soviet Union, so it’s a funny anachronism here. Jane Wiedlin, of the band “The Go-Go's” was also seen briefly on the video wall and she was also in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” as Joan of Arc and the telegram girl in “Clue.” For those who are unfamiliar with The Go-Go's: you can see her playing rhythm guitar in the video for “We Got the Beat” on the right side of the stage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f55KlPe81Yw Just as a simulated whale song would be useless, as Spock mentioned, I imagine a recording of a real whale song would be just as useless as there is no way to know what it was saying, nor could you use it to properly respond to queries from the probe. The animatronic whales what were used in most of this movie were so realistic that some animal rights groups protested the movie not knowing they were props. The footage of the whales out at sea were of course real animals. George, you might be surprised at how many people don’t understand that whales (or other cetaceans) are mammals and not fish. The real aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was indeed nuclear-powered and was the first such ever naval vessel with such a power plant. She was in service from 1962 to 2012 and is a unique design and the only ship of her class. 5 others like her were planned but never built. She was portrayed in the movie by the non-nuclear-powered USS Ranger (CV-61) as Enterprise was at sea. In any case, there is no way the US Navy would allow a film crew to get near the nuclear power plant. But the scenes on the ship were indeed filmed on Ranger and featured some of her crew and other real Navy and Marine service members. Enterprise is currently being scrapped as the costs of preservation and display of a modern aircraft carrier are simply too high and no nuclear-powered vessel will ever be used as museums as the power plant needs to be removed and that would destroy a great deal of the ship in doing so. In fact, the only nuclear-powered naval vessel the public can visit is the museum ship USS Nautilus (SSN-571) and the engineering spaces are still off-limits. The nuclear-powered civilian cargo ship NS Savannah is also sometimes open for tours. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Nautilus_(SSN-571) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS_Savannah George, the phrase “all the tea in China” (or “not for all the tea in China”) has been around since at least 1818: https://wordhistories.net/2023/11/23/all-tea-china/ Money has been mentioned in earlier Star Trek. In fact, McCoy was trying to hire a ship in the last movie and offered to pay the alien in question. The “Cetacean Institute” is fictional but filmed at Monterey Bay Aquarium which does not have and never has featured whales on display. Simone, Sulu didn’t steal the helicopter. It belonged to “Plexcorp” and presumably McCoy and Scotty arranged to borrow it when they gifted the formula for the transparent aluminum. You can see it on the property of Plexcorp when Sulu, Scotty and McCoy arrive. I am very glad there was no overt explanation of the probe and where it came from. I mean, what could the explanation possibly be? It came from planet Oceania 7 which is populated by a civilization of whales? No exposition would ever be as interesting as what you can just imagine. Some things are best left unexplained. Anyway, this was a lot of fun to revisit and I'm happy you guys enjoyed it so much. I haven't seen it for 10 years or more.

REDR58

2025-06-18 20:52:54 +0000 UTC

As George says at one point, this is indeed a Star Trek comedy. It's the only one of the movies that is, but I feel like a good number of TOS episodes were also comedies. Trek kind of stopped doing comedy episodes for a very long time after TOS.

Steve Boshear

2025-06-18 20:52:34 +0000 UTC

The whales are named for George Burns and Gracie Allen, married comedians who began in 20th century vaudeville theaters and later had a popular radio show in the 1940s and TV series in the 1950s. George was the straight man and Gracie played zany and dumb. Gracie retired in 1958 because of cardiac disease, and died in 1964. George had begun a film career in the 1930s, and in his senior years, between touring and standup gigs in Las Vegas, resumed playing supporting roles in movies and TV, winning an Oscar for playing God in the 1977 comedy "Oh, God!" opposite singer/actor John Denver and TOS and Mel Brooks film alum Teri Garr--at age 80 he was the oldest competitive Oscar recipient to that date, a record broken several times since. After an injury at age 98 he was forced to retire, and passed away in 1996 at the age of 100. My favorite bit is when Kirk is talking about swearing and mentions Jacqueline Susann, author of raunchy best-selling novel and later movie "Valley of the Dolls", and Harold Robbins, author of numerous raunchy potboiler novels that sold over 750,000,000 copies, and later were made into movies. And Spock responds "Ahh, the greats." It pleases me that in the 23rd century Vulcans read about Neely and Helen's cat fight and watch Patty Duke snatch off Susan Hayward's wig in the movie version.

WUStLBear82

2025-06-18 20:51:52 +0000 UTC

George and Gracie refers to a popular duo from a 50s show "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" LDS is Latter Day Saints I saw this in the theater when I was 16. To this day I still say "double dumbass on you!!"

Vwlss Nvwls

2025-06-18 20:46:13 +0000 UTC

Yeah, I remember George Burns because he lived to about 100. Gracie, less so, since she passed much earlier before I was born. I only knew they had a show in the 50’s and before on radio, but knew about the famous farewell tag. Basically… George: “Say Goodnight Gracie” Gracie: “Goodnight Gracie” Baa Dum Tish 🥁 🤪

Todd “Canuck” Schmuck

2025-06-18 20:44:46 +0000 UTC

While I’m tempted to say that we’re supposed to believe it’s still them in the rules of the fictional universe, even if real life would definitely be just a copy…but then I remember there are episodes where they create 2 copies of a person from the transporter…😬😰 If I lived in the universe, I’d start second guessing after I heard about that story. 😳

Todd “Canuck” Schmuck

2025-06-18 20:27:57 +0000 UTC

For more fun 80s sci-fi: Flight of the Navigator, Short Circuit, Starman

Odd Thomas

2025-06-18 19:57:22 +0000 UTC

Very interesting but I am SO glad that was not in the movie.

REDR58

2025-06-18 19:40:31 +0000 UTC

Well, 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?

Techie (JSC)

2025-06-18 19:40:14 +0000 UTC

I've been looking forward to this, such a nice reprieve from the heaviness of II and III. George Burns and Gracie Allen were a very popular comedy couple of the black-and-white TV era. You may be more familar with Burns; he lived to be 100 and appeared/was referenced in many things (eg. The Simpsons - "Oh well, at least we have his little brother George")

CappyZed

2025-06-18 19:39:23 +0000 UTC

Regarding not having information about the past. Between now and Star Trek times there is a world war, so presumably a lot could have been lost due to that.

Gavin Kinsey

2025-06-18 19:30:13 +0000 UTC

Nearly no Star Trek novels are canon. But a good one to expand on the probe is actually the novilization of the movie if you can get your hands on it, I strongly recommend it!

Sven Ketelhut

2025-06-18 19:23:19 +0000 UTC

Good observation on the newly assigned ship as NCC-1701-A, from here onward known as Enterprise-A! The Motion Picture's Enterprise is called Enterprise-Refit from the original TOS Enterprise

Techie (JSC)

2025-06-18 19:17:00 +0000 UTC

Seeing Simone have such a great time made my day! This movie is definitely a happy place for me.

Michael Bauer

2025-06-18 19:05:41 +0000 UTC

Kirk Thatcher reprises his role in an episode of Picard, but i forget which one

rictus grin

2025-06-18 18:35:58 +0000 UTC

This one was so much fun in the theaters when it came out. I think this movie is when I realized I really don't care about the story so much as I just love the characters and how they interact. And I feel the comedy is very much like the Trouble with Tribbles episode, or any number of small moments in TOS where there was comedy between the characters, especially Spock and Bones.

KnittingHaven

2025-06-18 18:35:00 +0000 UTC

I found an excerpt online from the novelization with the exchange between the whales and the probe: [Probe] Why did you remain silent for so long? They [The whales] tried to explain, but it reacted in surprise and disbelief. Where were you? it asked. We were not here, they replied, but now we have returned. We cannot explain, traveler, because we do not yet understand all that has happened to us. By "us," the traveler understood them to mean themselves as individuals and all their kind for millions of years in the past. By their song it recognized them as youths. Who are you? it asked. Where are the others? Where are the elders?' They are gone, the whales sang, with sadness. They have passed into the deep, they have vanished upon white shores. We alone survive. Your song is simple, the traveler said, chiding. It was not above petulance. Where are the tales you have invented in all this time, and where are the stories of your families? They are lost, replied the whale song. All lost. We must begin again. We must evolve our civilization again. We have no other answer. The traveler hesitated. It wondered if perhaps it should sterilize the planet anyway despite the presence of the untaught singing youths. But if it began a new evolution here, the planet would be silent at least as long as it would take the traveler to circumscribe the galaxy. The traveler would have to endure the pain of the world's silence. Organic evolution required so much time. Besides, the traveler possessed very little cruelty. It could consider destroying the young singers, but the conception caused great distress. It abandoned the idea. Very well, it said. I shall anticipate young stories. Fare thee well. The traveler fell silent. The whales bid it farewell. The traveler collected its energy. It ended its interference with the patterns of the blue-white planet. It ceased to power the violent storms ravaging the surface. It sought its usual course, oriented itself properly, and sailed on a tail of flame into the brilliant blackness of the galaxy.

Brandon

2025-06-18 18:24:49 +0000 UTC

Yes, I never had any problem with not knowing the whole story of the probe, just someone somewhere has been talking to earth's humpback whales for thousands of years, sent a probe when they went radio silent to find out what happened, and knew nothing and cared nothing about humans.

KnittingHaven

2025-06-18 18:23:26 +0000 UTC

I think their tv show was more in the 50s. Either way, they were still pretty well known and recognizable in the 80s, especially with George Burns still starring in movies in the 70s and 80s.

KnittingHaven

2025-06-18 18:18:13 +0000 UTC

I probably missed it but I can cast the uncovered version now and all is right with the universe again in time for Star Trek 4!!! Best day ever!!!!! Love you guys.

Mike Cummins

2025-06-18 18:11:47 +0000 UTC

I had a cousin who was constantly lagging when you needed to get somewhere and when you told him to hurry it up, his response was always, “One damn minute, admiral.”

Stephanie Bedworth

2025-06-18 17:55:34 +0000 UTC

you both need to wearing robes before chanting "The Greater Good" ;)

rictus grin

2025-06-18 17:53:45 +0000 UTC

The hell you say?

Mastervodo

2025-06-18 17:42:53 +0000 UTC

Oh wait, Nuke the Whales is a poster and George just called it out right behind him. Guess I commented too soon haha. This was all a test.

Steve Boshear

2025-06-18 17:35:44 +0000 UTC

Couple of points on this movie. Star Trek (mostly the shows but some movies) have parallel the story to some modern allegory and issues. Whaling was a pretty big issue I recall during that time. Also, I heard that this movie was selected to be shown in the former USSR.

Techie (JSC)

2025-06-18 17:22:09 +0000 UTC

It was cool to see Michael Okuda's name in the credits. I didn't think he worked on this film. I thought he started on TNG. He's the guy who came up with the LCARS control system look on TNG. All the control panels are thanks to him. His wife, Denise, is a nurse, and was also a medical consultant on the show. Michael co-created the technical manual (on my bookshelf!), which is full of interesting thoughts, breakdowns, and drawings.

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 17:17:14 +0000 UTC

4 and 6 are perfection.

Odd Thomas

2025-06-18 17:16:35 +0000 UTC

Actually, there were comedic TOS episodes. "A Piece of the Action," "Trouble with Tribbles." Not many, but at least those 2..

Tom Occhipinti

2025-06-18 17:02:51 +0000 UTC

Simone: "I hope there's a novel that expands on the probe" Me: "that's my cue" If I may recommend 2 novels that work as sequels to this movie. Probe by Margaret Wander Bonano: In this one the Enterprise encounters the Probe again in space, without whales and tracks it down to a planet with evidence of intelligent cetacean life. It does give some insight to the origin of the Probe. Lost To Eternity by Greg Cox: This one takes place in three different time eras. The Movie era, The Original Series era and 2024 in which a podcaster is researching the disappearance of Dr Gillian Taylor and has follow ups with the people who witnessed the events of the movie like the garbage men, the joggers, the grandson of the kidney lady, etcetera and it all ties together with the other eras. This one is really really good...

Monica Alarcon

2025-06-18 16:55:29 +0000 UTC

They recently successfully created transparent aluminum!

Alexander C Chalk

2025-06-18 16:50:25 +0000 UTC

Disappointed that George wasn't wearing his "Nuke the Whales" shirt for this one. For those of us who remember the 80's, it's hard to overstate how obsessed some cultural forces were with saving the whales. There were posters everywhere. This movie was a parable.

Steve Boshear

2025-06-18 16:47:29 +0000 UTC

How about a link to Captain Kangaroo? 😄 https://youtu.be/UHx0EoveT90?feature=shared

REDR58

2025-06-18 16:36:41 +0000 UTC

The 80's is the era of action comedies. Loved this movie on VHS when released back in the day, still awesome. Been waiting all this time for you to get here. There were still killing a shit tonne of whales in the 70's and 80's. I fully understand your decision on release order - but I wish you would stick to this crew movies, then time travel to the 2009 reboot timeline for its three while the original is fresh in your minds. Thanks for sticking with the original Star Trek.

Rupert Purcat

2025-06-18 16:23:10 +0000 UTC

George: "This is definitely the most bizarre Star Trek movie." Star Trek V: "Hold my Romulan Ale."

Spacedone

2025-06-18 16:16:01 +0000 UTC

Even in completely different shows! Happens also in "Space: Above and Beyond".

Mike FromOz

2025-06-18 15:50:26 +0000 UTC

Gotta nuke somethin'.

Mike FromOz

2025-06-18 15:48:49 +0000 UTC

Can I send George a tip? You've undertaken a huge project. -tips my hat-

Diplo's Sandwich

2025-06-18 15:46:09 +0000 UTC

George and Gracie are referring to the fourties comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen.

Herby Ragan

2025-06-18 15:39:27 +0000 UTC

Regarding Simone's question at 92 mins.: I would definitely NOT take a transporter. Because there is this theory, that these don't "transport" you to the destination in energy form, but rather crate a copy of you. The question is: is the energy beamed down still you and your conscience or a copy of all what made you you? This way transporters would be death machines killing people over and over again and creating new copies which don't know they're copies. But the original me would definitely be dead. So nope! :D

Nikodem

2025-06-18 15:28:14 +0000 UTC

Love this movie and I really enjoyed your reaction here and also if you are really interested you can find the dialogue from what the whales and the probe said to each other at the end of the movie online, I'm not sure if some people feel like it ruins the movie to know but I, for one if real, think it would not have ruined anything to have subtitles for what they said to each other but I cant speak to that end about everyone. I also am not 100% sure if what I found is completely accurate but for me it does satisfy the nerd that I am so I thought I would mention it here.

Eric Traylor

2025-06-18 15:25:41 +0000 UTC

I'm so happy right now!! 😊

Monica Alarcon

2025-06-18 15:15:48 +0000 UTC

It's definitely my favorite ST movie

snthd

2025-06-18 15:14:58 +0000 UTC

I'm sorry, but the Plexicorp manager in the 80s would absolutely have thought that Scoty was Captain Kangaroo. Do a Google Images search. He ran a kids show for 29 years, from 1955 to 1984. He started in black and white, but Gen-X remembers him in that red coat, looking almost exactly like Scotty in his red coat in this film. He was a big deal back then. He went on Mr. Rogers. He's where Slim Goodbody first appeared. If you don't know Slim, he was a very thin man in a tight body suit with all the internal organs painted all over it, who had his own show, went on a bunch of kids programs, and taught things like health and nutrition. I also found out yesterday, looking up the mall I grew up with in south Jersey, that Captain Kangaroo was there at its grand opening back in 1973. He must have booked grand openings back then, too. ("By Grapthar's hammer...")

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 15:01:12 +0000 UTC

Only thing canon is what appears on TV or the movies. ST universe is not in our universe. And as Spock points out in the movie they can't just play a recording of humpbacks because they would be answering in gibberish.

D Jammers

2025-06-18 14:52:18 +0000 UTC

Behold, still the most all around beloved Trek film and the very reason The Next Generation exists and the franchise continues to this day

JD Nevesytrof

2025-06-18 14:44:21 +0000 UTC

You probably figured this out already, but George and Gracie were a beloved duo back in the day. Their sitcom was extremely popular all through the 50s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_George_Burns_and_Gracie_Allen_Show You can skim a few minutes to get a sense of it (it feels very old fashioned now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o_Mxo_uhH8 George Burns was in movies and doing comedy into his 90s, and died at 100 years old. He was one of those faces and voices everyone knew. He starred in "Oh, God!" (1977) and "Oh God! You Devil" (1984), which I remember being very funny, but haven't seen them since the 80s, when I was a kid.

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 14:38:38 +0000 UTC

So I know that the Wrath of Khan is the "best" Star Trek movie, objectively-speaking, but this has gotta be the most joyful Star Trek movie. I'm glad you had a good time with it! Can't wait for TNG Season 2 in 13 weeks! 🤣

dc

2025-06-18 14:37:59 +0000 UTC

RLM called it a space sausage I believe

Ca$hWednesday

2025-06-18 14:34:28 +0000 UTC

I can confirm that when this movie came out, all my friends were constantly finding ways to add "nuclear wessels" into our conversations.

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 14:31:07 +0000 UTC

I haven't read it, but there is a Star Trek novel following up on the probe's background called (appropriately) "Probe" from 1992.

Anonymous Groucho

2025-06-18 14:30:43 +0000 UTC

Well double dumbass on you! 😆

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 14:29:17 +0000 UTC

From the web: Humpback whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Thanks to global conservation efforts including the Endangered Species Act, the current population has rebounded to nearly 80,000 Humpback whales up from a low-point of 10,000 to 15,000. Star Trek saved the whales! Now there are plenty for George to nuke!

Gary Fixler

2025-06-18 14:28:28 +0000 UTC

This had 2 people from relatively recent (one more than the other) movie reactions is it. Brock Peters from To Kill A Mocking Bird and Catherine Hicks from Child's Play..

Matt O'Keefe

2025-06-18 14:28:00 +0000 UTC

Too bad the idea of having Eddie Murphy possibly costaring in this was not mentioned in the trivia and him not being able to do it because he was filming Beverly Hills Cop 2 at the time.

Matt O'Keefe

2025-06-18 14:23:30 +0000 UTC

George and Gracie are named after George Burns and Gracie Allen, a famous husband and wife comedy team. They had a popular TV variety show in the 50's and 60's.

Darin Foat

2025-06-18 14:19:59 +0000 UTC

The sharp pointy building is the Transamerica Pyramid. It used to be the tallest building in San Francisco until a few years back when the Salesforce building took over as the tallest building in the bay area. They’re both also lit up with neon and screens now to cyberpunk the fuck out of our skyline. don’t kow if you’ll get to this fact, but The Bus Punk is Kirk Thatcher who worked at ILM on Return of the Jedi and this film and is now the head of the Jim Henson creature shop. This is not the division that makes muppets but rather made the Ninja Turtles in the 90s and lots of aliens and monsters over the decades. Super cool guy. Total sweet heart.

djKENTO

2025-06-18 14:18:25 +0000 UTC

You both missed one of the funniest lines in the movie. Go back to when the scientist jumps on Kirk to get teleported into the ship and listen to Spock's first line after they arrive on the bridge.

JayF

2025-06-18 13:57:05 +0000 UTC

Star Trek I is the only film that has a plot that feels like an extended episode of ToS. I think Star Trek IV comes close with the premise, but the execution feels like a Hollywood blockbuster designed to get as many butts in the seats as possible. Still, I say it's one of the best Trek films. I know people who lose their mind over the fact that an engineer like Scotty should have been able to recognize old computer hardware... like they're actually offended by it. I was never bothered. I don't think there was any nostalgia for retro-tech in the 80's when they made this. Star Trek V... personally I can take it or leave it. I'm slightly bummed that we'll be waiting so long for VI, though. But I can watch it any time I want. 😅

Brandon

2025-06-18 13:55:15 +0000 UTC

"Nobody pays attention to you unless you swear every other word". Well! Now we know how our Cinebuddies hit 200k subs! Thanks Simone!

Mastervodo

2025-06-18 13:52:14 +0000 UTC

The probe is probably one of my favourite Trek "antagonists". It's completely alien in the best possible way. It's not knowingly malicious, we never find out who sent it, or where it comes from. It's giant, but it's only a probe. It just comes to Earth, not realizing the destruction it is causing along the way, then once it completes its mission, it just leaves nonchalantly.

Ca$hWednesday

2025-06-18 13:40:49 +0000 UTC

I have always assumed that just playing back recordings of whales would have the same results as simulating their language. The probe is asking a specific question and we would be answering it with a random statement like those humans are hunting us again!

Jeffrey Conway

2025-06-18 13:13:17 +0000 UTC

This will require alcohol... It's a fun film, but also a bit cringe since us Norwegians are the bad guys lol.

HansD

2025-06-18 13:01:22 +0000 UTC

Angry Video Game Nerd once called the probe in Star Trek IV, a log of poo with a disco ball hanging off of it. 😂 now I can never unsee that.

The Unknown Cinephile

2025-06-18 12:51:31 +0000 UTC

And thus begins the long, proud history of the USS Saratoga getting the shit knocked out of it.

Matthew Abbott

2025-06-18 12:48:14 +0000 UTC

ha!

George Simone

2025-06-18 12:32:22 +0000 UTC

Yet another movie where someone steals Christopher Lloyd’s ride and takes it back in time.

Matthew Abbott

2025-06-18 12:26:17 +0000 UTC

Regarding the new edits... It saves me using both screens and syncing. I was fine with that, but this is easier. I appreciate the struggle. lol.

Amos T Fairchild

2025-06-18 12:14:48 +0000 UTC

Hey Everybody! And welcome to....... Noooookleeeeer Wessles!

Mastervodo

2025-06-18 12:09:18 +0000 UTC

one of the silliest Star Trek movies. not that its not good, but its definitely, definitely the goofiest. full on comedy

robodong

2025-06-18 12:01:34 +0000 UTC

Been eagerly looking forward to this one! My favorite of these. Sure, Khan is the "best" one. But this one always held a special place with me. Not sure why. Love it!

Jay Davis

2025-06-18 12:00:23 +0000 UTC

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - Patreon Version

Comments

If you still want answers about the probe there was a great follow up novel written by Margaret Wander Bonanno https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217751.Probe

Yay! Arguably my favourite Star Trek flick. This was my introduction to the franchise when my parents took me to see it in the theatre. Then TNG began on TV the next year and I've been hooked ever since 1987. We even got the movie Spaceballs that year! Good times in space back then lol

Great reaction guys!!! Keep up the good work. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Can’t wait for some TNG. Let’s get it!!!!

Just looked it up, adjusted for inflation: Motion Picture is top, with two of the reboots following, Voyage Home is fourth. Also, forgot to mention how much I loved the Crocodile Dundee but from the future vibe, so funny seeing them try to "blend in" on the street of San Francisco.

Countdown to First Contact: 173 weeks

one of my favorite star trek novels

Just noticed today in the news Scientists have actually created Transparent aluminum, look it up lol.

There is an aircraft carrier named the Enterprise that is used in film production. They wanted to film on that, but it was being used for top gun at the same time so they just made a sign for another ship that was available

There is a noted World War between 1986 and Star Trek. That's why they don't know who invented Transparent Aluminum. Like much of 20th/21st century culture, that information was lost with time and destruction. At least, that's how I've always understood it.

I feel like the only people who had more fun than the audience were the actors.

Been there many times... lived in San Jose for quite some time years ago. 🐳 🐡 🐠 🐟 🐬

Im sure someone has already said this but humpback whales are doing great right now. around 120000 to 150000 individuals, from 450 individuals in the 1970s.

Re: The Cetacean institute isn't real, but that building is, it's the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (Both the exterior and the pool the whales are in). As to what happened with the probe: In my head cannon the probe is actually a ship full of whales coming back to check on their colony.

There's a book that was released explaining all of this. It's called "Probe". I won't spoil anything by explaining.

You are all actually probably more familiar with their work than you realize. Their signature joke was George Burns ending their show by telling his wife Gracie Allen "Say goodnight, Gracie" and she would reply "Goodnight Gracie". This joke has been riffed on many times since.

It's a small thing, but for the record, Sulu didn't steal the helicopter. As part of the deal for the transparent aluminum, the plant manager gave them the plexiglass and use of the huey to transport it.

The tall building is real. It's called the TransAmerica tower. And the painting of Kirk on the poster always looked to me like someone started doing Chekov then realized they were painting the wrong person and did their best to correct.

I like to think Admiral Cartwright (Brock Peter’s character) had a grandson who moved to New Orleans when he was older to open a Creole restaurant. 😏

Hey, thanks for the translation, George! Something new after watching this so many times!

As George says at one point, this is indeed a Star Trek comedy. It's the only one of the movies that is, but I feel like a good number of TOS episodes were also comedies. Trek kind of stopped doing comedy episodes for a very long time after TOS.

George and Gracie refers to a popular duo from a 50s show "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" LDS is Latter Day Saints I saw this in the theater when I was 16. To this day I still say "double dumbass on you!!"

For more fun 80s sci-fi: Flight of the Navigator, Short Circuit, Starman

Very interesting but I am SO glad that was not in the movie.

Well, 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?

Regarding not having information about the past. Between now and Star Trek times there is a world war, so presumably a lot could have been lost due to that.

Nearly no Star Trek novels are canon. But a good one to expand on the probe is actually the novilization of the movie if you can get your hands on it, I strongly recommend it!

Good observation on the newly assigned ship as NCC-1701-A, from here onward known as Enterprise-A! The Motion Picture's Enterprise is called Enterprise-Refit from the original TOS Enterprise

Seeing Simone have such a great time made my day! This movie is definitely a happy place for me.

Kirk Thatcher reprises his role in an episode of Picard, but i forget which one

Yes, I never had any problem with not knowing the whole story of the probe, just someone somewhere has been talking to earth's humpback whales for thousands of years, sent a probe when they went radio silent to find out what happened, and knew nothing and cared nothing about humans.

I think their tv show was more in the 50s. Either way, they were still pretty well known and recognizable in the 80s, especially with George Burns still starring in movies in the 70s and 80s.

I probably missed it but I can cast the uncovered version now and all is right with the universe again in time for Star Trek 4!!! Best day ever!!!!! Love you guys.

I had a cousin who was constantly lagging when you needed to get somewhere and when you told him to hurry it up, his response was always, “One damn minute, admiral.”

you both need to wearing robes before chanting "The Greater Good" ;)

The hell you say?

Oh wait, Nuke the Whales is a poster and George just called it out right behind him. Guess I commented too soon haha. This was all a test.

Couple of points on this movie. Star Trek (mostly the shows but some movies) have parallel the story to some modern allegory and issues. Whaling was a pretty big issue I recall during that time. Also, I heard that this movie was selected to be shown in the former USSR.

4 and 6 are perfection.

Actually, there were comedic TOS episodes. "A Piece of the Action," "Trouble with Tribbles." Not many, but at least those 2..

They recently successfully created transparent aluminum!

Disappointed that George wasn't wearing his "Nuke the Whales" shirt for this one. For those of us who remember the 80's, it's hard to overstate how obsessed some cultural forces were with saving the whales. There were posters everywhere. This movie was a parable.

How about a link to Captain Kangaroo? 😄 https://youtu.be/UHx0EoveT90?feature=shared

George: "This is definitely the most bizarre Star Trek movie." Star Trek V: "Hold my Romulan Ale."

Even in completely different shows! Happens also in "Space: Above and Beyond".

Gotta nuke somethin'.

Can I send George a tip? You've undertaken a huge project. -tips my hat-

George and Gracie are referring to the fourties comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen.

I'm so happy right now!! 😊

It's definitely my favorite ST movie

Only thing canon is what appears on TV or the movies. ST universe is not in our universe. And as Spock points out in the movie they can't just play a recording of humpbacks because they would be answering in gibberish.

Behold, still the most all around beloved Trek film and the very reason The Next Generation exists and the franchise continues to this day

So I know that the Wrath of Khan is the "best" Star Trek movie, objectively-speaking, but this has gotta be the most joyful Star Trek movie. I'm glad you had a good time with it! Can't wait for TNG Season 2 in 13 weeks! 🤣

RLM called it a space sausage I believe

I can confirm that when this movie came out, all my friends were constantly finding ways to add "nuclear wessels" into our conversations.

I haven't read it, but there is a Star Trek novel following up on the probe's background called (appropriately) "Probe" from 1992.

Well double dumbass on you! 😆

This had 2 people from relatively recent (one more than the other) movie reactions is it. Brock Peters from To Kill A Mocking Bird and Catherine Hicks from Child's Play..

Too bad the idea of having Eddie Murphy possibly costaring in this was not mentioned in the trivia and him not being able to do it because he was filming Beverly Hills Cop 2 at the time.

George and Gracie are named after George Burns and Gracie Allen, a famous husband and wife comedy team. They had a popular TV variety show in the 50's and 60's.

You both missed one of the funniest lines in the movie. Go back to when the scientist jumps on Kirk to get teleported into the ship and listen to Spock's first line after they arrive on the bridge.

"Nobody pays attention to you unless you swear every other word". Well! Now we know how our Cinebuddies hit 200k subs! Thanks Simone!

I have always assumed that just playing back recordings of whales would have the same results as simulating their language. The probe is asking a specific question and we would be answering it with a random statement like those humans are hunting us again!

This will require alcohol... It's a fun film, but also a bit cringe since us Norwegians are the bad guys lol.

Angry Video Game Nerd once called the probe in Star Trek IV, a log of poo with a disco ball hanging off of it. 😂 now I can never unsee that.

And thus begins the long, proud history of the USS Saratoga getting the shit knocked out of it.

ha!

Yet another movie where someone steals Christopher Lloyd’s ride and takes it back in time.

Regarding the new edits... It saves me using both screens and syncing. I was fine with that, but this is easier. I appreciate the struggle. lol.

Hey Everybody! And welcome to....... Noooookleeeeer Wessles!

one of the silliest Star Trek movies. not that its not good, but its definitely, definitely the goofiest. full on comedy

Been eagerly looking forward to this one! My favorite of these. Sure, Khan is the "best" one. But this one always held a special place with me. Not sure why. Love it!

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