Space Seed ( episode ) The " Enterprise " discovers an ancient spaceship carrying genetically enhanced supermen from late 20th century Earth and their enigmatic warlord leader : Khan Noonien Singh . Summary . Teaser . In 2267 , the encounters a spacecraft floating in deep space , sending out a signal in Morse code . Captain Kirk recognizes it as being similar to the DY - 500 class , but Spock points it out as being the much older DY - 100 , built back in the 1990s . Spock identifies the vessel from its outer hull markings as the , but finds no registry of the ship in the computer library ; however , he points out that records of the era from which the ship was launched are fragmentary , as the 1990s was the era of the Eugenics Wars , a " strange and violent period in your history " as Spock puts it . Faint life sign s are detected on board , and Kirk has the ship go to red alert as it closes in on the mysterious vessel to investigate . Act One . The " Botany Bay " takes no action as the " Enterprise " approaches it , the only sign of life being the faint life readings . Now certain the ship is a derelict , Kirk orders Scott and Doctor McCoy to join an engineering party to board the ship and investigate the life readings . Kirk also requests the services of the ship ' s historian , Lieutenant Marla McGivers . In the transporter room , Scott takes note of the life support system s coming back on , as if the ship is expecting them to transport over . " " Very interesting , " " Kirk notes . The landing party materializes on board the " Botany Bay " , and Scott confirms that the vessel is Terran in origin , using old style atomic power and computers with transistor unit s . He tells Kirk that he would " " love to tear this baby apart . " " McGivers speculates that the ship is a sleeper ship , designed for long periods of interplanetary travel due to the limits of space travel technology in that era until the year 2018 . One of the life units is then activated , and Kirk asks McGivers if this could be the leader ; the lieutenant does not reply immediately , seemingly smitten with the appearance of the man , but eventually answers that it ' s likely , as the leader would be awakened first to determine if circumstances warranted the reviving of the others . She also speculates that the man could be Sikh , from the northern region of India , noting that they were the most fantastic warriors . Scott then reports that there are 84 people held in suspended animation , all of varied ethnic origins . The life support unit malfunctions , likely due to the accumulation of dust , and its occupant ' s life readings begin dropping . As McGivers begs Kirk to save him , he breaks the glass on the stasis unit to release him . Taking shaky breaths as he regains consciousness , the man asks in a hoarse whisper how long he had been asleep ; Kirk estimates the time at two centuries . Kirk flips his communicator open to request that McCoy and the man be beamed aboard the " Enterprise " immediately for further medical attention . " " Magnificent , " " McGivers states . Act Two . McCoy is conducting a medical analysis on the unidentified man at sickbay on the " Enterprise " . McCoy is amazed at the physical and recuperative power of the man . Aboard the " Botany Bay " , Scott notes that twelve of the life units had failed , leaving 72 alive from the 1990s . Spock can find no record in the vessel in any of the computer libraries . Kirk suspects that since " Botany Bay " was the name of an Australian penal colony , this might have been a way to deport criminals . Spock refutes this , as it would be a seeming waste of Earth ' s then - most advanced spacecraft , but has no other explanation of his own , lacking sufficient facts . Spock also notes the extremely low probability that a vessel of this type could have survived for so long , and managed to leave Earth ' s solar system . Kirk orders Lieutenant Spinelli to have the " Botany Bay " put under tow , and to set course to Starbase 12 . In sickbay , Kirk arrives to speak to the man . McCoy notes his superior bodily strength and efficiency of his lung s , hinting at his Augment origin . McCoy estimates that the man could lift both he and Kirk with one arm . He tells Kirk that it would be interesting to see if the man ' s brain matches his body . McGivers arrives , while Kirk chides her on her performance on the landing party . She admits to finding the man fascinating , in a purely professional way , as her position aboard the " Enterprise " is historian . Kirk thanks her for admitting this , noting " " If I can have honesty , it ' s easier to overlook mistakes , " " then dismisses her . Later , the man awakes from his slumber and goes through some exercises of Hatha yoga ; then , hearing Dr . McCoy at work , the man notes a scalpel among a collection of antique medical instruments on the wall . He takes it , and moves back to his bed , feigning sleep . McCoy arrives to check his vital signs , and the man reaches towards McCoy ' s throat , threatening him with the scalpel . McCoy sarcastically , and in an admirable display of calm , tells him to make up his mind to choke him or cut his throat , adding that it would be best if he would cut the carotid artery , just under the left ear . The man says he admires such bravery , and lets McCoy take back the scalpel . McCoy simply and calmly tells him that he was just trying to avoid an argument . The man demands to speak to the captain of the vessel , and McCoy calls Kirk , saying he is a man with " many questions . " Kirk arrives , identifies himself as the captain , and asks the man his name . The man avoids the question , and asks what the ship ' s heading is . Kirk answers that it is Starbase 12 , a planet in the Gamma 400 star system , the " Enterprise " s command base in that sector . The man identifies himself simply as " Khan " . Kirk attempts to question Khan further , but he declines to elaborate on his history , claiming he is fatigued . He says that he was once an engineer of sorts , and would very much like to study the ship ' s technical manual s . Kirk and McCoy then show him how to use the computer s to access such information . He is later visited by McGivers , asking her to " sit and entertain " him , rearranging her hairstyle to something more " attractive " . In the officer ' s mess , the crew prepares a full - dress banquet , and McCoy wonders if the " Enterprise " is hosting a fleet admiral ; Kirk replies it was McGivers ' idea to welcome Khan to their century . Dressed for the occasion , Khan meets with McGivers in her quarters , decorated with portraits of great conquerors of the past , including Leif Ericson , Alexander the Great , and Napoleon Bonaparte , as well as an unfinished portrait of Khan in the 20th century . Khan tells her he is honored , but cautions her " such men dare take what they want " , before passionately kissing her , which she apparently doesn ' t mind . At the banquet , Khan explains the nature of his journey from Earth , going in search of " adventure " , believing there was nothing left on Earth . Spock comments on the Eugenics Wars as a conflict to end tyranny , while Khan replies that it was an effort to unite Humanity , calling his era " a time of great dreams , great aspirations " ; while there were dozens of petty dictatorships , Khan declares one would have ruled eventually , like Rome under Caesar , " " think of its accomplishments ! " " , he intones . Kirk bluntly asks why Khan fled , asking if he was afraid , goading Khan to declare , " " We offered the world " order " ! " " to which Kirk responds by asking " we ? " , noting Khan ' s reference to a master race . Khan congratulates Kirk on his discovery of Khan ' s intent , then says he says he is " fatigued " again , and returns to his quarters . McGivers appears at Khan ' s quarters , and apologizes for how he was treated at the dinner ; Khan comments their reaction is understandable , given that he is something of a " mystery " to them . McGivers confesses that she knows exactly who he is , and wonders if he is going to like living in her century , to which Khan replies that he will have to remold it to his liking . Showing the darker side of his nature , Khan tells McGivers he intends to take control of the " Enterprise " and demands her help , bullying her into submitting to his desire ; unwilling to lose him , she promises to do anything he asks . Act Three . In the briefing room , Kirk , Spock , McCoy , and Scott consult the historical records and determine that their guest is Khan Noonien Singh , one of the genetically - engineered tyrants of the Eugenics Wars , and the last to be overthrown . From 1992 to 1996 , he was absolute ruler of one quarter of the Earth , from Asia to the Middle East . Scott admits he ' s always held a " sneaking admiration for this one " , with Kirk and McCoy adding that his rule lacked the usual massacres and internal wars endemic to tyrants ; Spock counters that he also severely curtailed freedoms , and is alarmed at the romantic tone of the Humans towards a ruthless dictator . Kirk replies that they can be against him and admire him all at the same time . " " Illogical , " " Spock says . " " Totally , " " Kirk responds . The captain then orders security to place a 24 - hour guard on Khan ' s quarters , effective immediately . Later , Kirk visits Khan in his quarters , who is wearing a and " lost in thought " , commenting on his door being locked from outside with a guard posted . Kirk admits it was " unusual treatment " for who he is , and wishes to know the truth about his departure from Earth . Khan replies that he and his followers sought a new life and a chance to build a new world , plus " other things " he did not believe Kirk , who he considered mentally and physically inferior , would understand ; he comments on how little mankind has changed despite its technical advancements , and that he and his people would do well in this century . After Kirk leaves , Khan breaks out of his quarters and brutally knocks out the guard outside , taking his phaser , while McGivers holds transporter chief Kyle at phaser point , beaming Khan over to the " Botany Bay " to revive his people . Security alerts Kirk that Khan has escaped ; shortly afterwards , communications become jammed , the turbolift s disabled , and life support on the bridge cut off . Kirk calls engineering to find out why , and is answered by Khan , who controls engineering with his followers and has cut off life support , demanding that Kirk surrender the ship to him , or die of suffocation . Act Four . The bridge crew suffocates to the point of passing out . Kirk and Spock are the last to fall unconscious ; before passing out , Kirk , making a log entry , states he takes full responsibility for Khan taking over his ship . When the crew awakens , they are being held at phaser point by Khan ' s men in the briefing room while Khan holds Kirk captive in McCoy ' s decompression chamber , and the rest of the bridge crew in the briefing room . Khan threatens to kill the captain if Kirk ' s crew doesn ' t join with him , offering to make all Humans superhuman like himself , telling them that this is much better than improving machines . When none of them will follow him , Khan becomes infuriated at the uselessness of their resistance . During this , the channel to the decompression chamber is suddenly cut . Joaquin , one of Khan ' s henchmen , asks Uhura how he can regain picture . When she says nothing , he prepares to slap her across the face . Khan stops him with a gesture , telling the crew that Kirk is dead and Spock be taken in to die next . McGivers then excuses herself , unable to watch the torture of Kirk and the brutal way Joaquin treats Uhura . She then comes to Kirk ' s aid by knocking out the guard who is watching Kirk in the chamber with a hypospray . She removes Kirk from the decompression chamber and after freeing Kirk , she urges him not to hurt Khan . Spock and an augment enter just then . Kirk hides and confronts Khan ' s man but he is incapacitated by Spock using a Vulcan nerve pinch . In the briefing room , Khan realizes something is wrong when he cannot contact his men , specifically , Rodriguez , Ling , and McPherson . Kirk and Spock then succeed in flooding the ship with knockout gas , but Khan is able to avoid the gas by escaping to engineering and cutting it off , rigging the ship to blow up with an overload . Kirk rushes to stop Khan with a phaser , but Khan ambushes the captain and crushes the phaser with his bare hands . The two men come to blows in engineering , with Kirk eventually defeating the genetically engineered man by knocking him out with a makeshift club , and saving the " Enterprise " from destruction . Later , at a formal hearing , Kirk drops all charges against Khan and his people , considering it a " waste " to put Khan in a penal colony , and gives him the offer of taming the uninhabited world of Ceti Alpha V an offer which Khan accepts referencing a quote from Milton ' s " Paradise Lost " that " it is better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven . " Marla McGivers is given the option of court martial or accompanying Khan and his people . Khan warns her it will be difficult at first to survive , to find food , and Marla chooses to join Khan and his people . As soon as Khan and his people leave , Kirk and Spock express an interest in returning to Ceti Alpha V in a hundred years to learn " what crop will sprout from the seed they planted " . Indeed this wasn ' t the last time the crew of the " Enterprise " would see of the genetically superior tyrant as a disastrous occurred merely 18 years later . Memorable quotes . " " I fail to understand why it always gives you pleasure to see me proven wrong . " " " " An emotional Earth weakness of mine . " " " " Your attempt to improve the race through selective breeding . " " " " Oh , now wait a minute . Not ' our ' attempt , Mr . Spock . A group of ambitious scientists ' . I ' m sure you know the type . Devoted to logic , completely unemotional . . . " " " " Care to join the landing party , doctor ? " " " " Well , if you ' re actually giving me a choice . . . " " < br > " " I ' m not . " " " " I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine , not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by this gadget . " " " " Insufficient facts always invites danger , captain . " " " " Well either choke me or cut my throat ! Make up your mind ! " " " " Where am I ? " " " " You ' re in . . . " " ( Khan squeezes McCoy ' s neck ) " " You ' re in bed , holding a knife at your doctor ' s throat . " " " " Answer my question . " " " " It would be most effective if you would cut the carotid artery just under the left ear . " " " " Khan is my name . " " " " Khan , nothing more ? " " " " Khan . " " " " Superior ability breeds superior ambition . " " " " Would you reveal to war - weary populations that some eighty Napoleons might still be alive ? " " " " Such men dare take what they want . " " " " Tyranny , sir ? Or an attempt to unify Humanity ? " " " " Unify , sir ? Like a team of animals under one whip ? " " " " You have a tendency to express ideas in military terms , Mister Khan . This is a social occasion . " " " " It has been said that social occasions are only warfare concealed . " " " " You fled . Why ? Were you afraid ? " " " " I ' ve never been afraid . " " " " But you left at the very time mankind needed courage . " " " " We offered the world " order " ! " " " " Go or stay , but do it because it is what you wish to do . " " " " He was the best of the tyrants and the most dangerous . " " " " There were no massacres under his rule . . . " " " " And as little freedom ! " " " " No wars until he was attacked . . . " " " " . . . Gentlemen ! ? " " " " We can be against him and admire him all at the same time . " " " " Illogical . " " " " Totally . " " " " It appears " we " will do well in your century , captain . " " " " The trip is over . The battle begins again . Only this time it ' s not a world we win . It ' s a universe . " " " " Your air should be getting quite thin by now . Do you surrender the bridge ? " " " " Negative . " " " " Academic , captain . Refuse and every person on the bridge will suffocate . " " " " Nothing ever changes , except man . Your technical accomplishments ? Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity but improve man and you gain a thousand fold . I am such a man . " " " " My vessel was useless . I need you and yours to select a colony planet , one with a population willing to be led by us . " " " " To be " conquered " by you . . . a starship would make that most simple , wouldn ' t it ? " " " " Each of you in turn will go in there ! Die while the others watch ! " " " " It does not matter , the captain is dead . Take Mr . Spock next . " " " " If I understood your manuals , that ' s an overload in progress . Your ship flares up like an exploding sun within MINUTES ! " " " " I have five times your strength . You ' re no match for me ! " " " " Those men went on to tame a continent , Mister Khan . Can you tame a world ? " " " " I will take her . And I ' ve gotten something else I wanted . A world to win , an empire to build . " " " " It is better to rule in hell than serve in heaven . " " " " It would be interesting , captain , to return to that world in a hundred years and to learn what crop has sprung from the seed you planted today . " " Links and references . References . 20th century ; 1990s ; 1992 ; 1996 ; 2018 ; air ; Alexander the Great ; " Ambitious scientists " ; anesthesia gas ; armory ; asphyxiation ; atmosphere ; atmospheric control s ; Australia ; barbarism ; bioscanner s ; " Bones " ; Botany Bay ; ; bust ; CQ ; Ceti Alpha V ; Ceti Alpha system ; ; carotid artery ; commendation s ; continent ; convalescence ; choke ; crop ; dark ages ; ; DY - 500 ; decompression chamber ; deportation ; dictatorship ; dust ; ear ; Earth ; engineer ; English language ; ; Eugenics Wars ; European ; evolution ; exploding sun ; Flavius ; fleet admiral ; Gamma 400 system ; hair ; heart flutter ; heart valve ; Heaven ; hearing ; heating ; Hell ; historian ; history book ; hobby ; India ; intruder control circuit ; knife ; Latin ; library tape ; life support canister ; liftoff ; Ling ; log book ; logic ; Lucifer ; lung ; lung efficiency ; massacre ; marooning ; McPherson ; ; military terms ; Morse code ; Mutara sector ; ; neural gas ; nuclear power ; Oriental ; oxygen ; " Paradise Lost " ; patient ; penal colony ; penal deportation vessel ; photograph ; productivity ; psychologist ; reorientation center ; respiration ; registry ; Richard the Lion Heart ; Rodriguez ; romanticism ; Scotsman ; Sector 25712 ; seed ; selective breeding ; short circuit ; Sikh ; sleeper ship ; spray bottle ; Starbase 12 ; starship ; Starbase 12 planet ; strangulation ; suffocation ; supermen ; suspended animation ; tactician ; technical library ; technical manual ; Technician First Class ; throat ; transistor unit s ; tyrant ; Vulcan neck pinch ; war ; warrior ; Weapons Department ; whip