When Captain James T. Kirk encountered a Gorn on Cestus III, he initially reacted with revulsion, a common Human response to reptiles. Yet, he acknowledged the Gorn as an intelligent, advanced individual, and a starship captain like himself. He saw the Gorn as a formidable adversary. Despite their conflict, Kirk comprehended the Gorn's viewpoint of defending their territory during the Cestus III incident. He ultimately defeated the Gorn captain, but chose to spare his life.