Director J.J. Abrams and co-writer Damon Lindelof have finally responded to the controversial Stark Trek Into Darkness scene of Dr. Carol Marcus (Alice Eve) stripping to her underwear. The scene had Dr. Carol asking Kirk to “turn around” as she was changing but yet the young Captain sneaked a peek and ogled Carol in her underwear as she changed out of her uniform.
Star Trek Into Darkness wasn’t received as warmly by audiences as Star Trek 2009 but Carol Marcus’ underwear flash sparked a particular furor for being a gratuitous example of the male gaze. Director J. J. Abrams addressed the controversy during the 2013 appearance on Conan and he went on to explain that, “The intent was, it’s Kirk. He was always this sort of womanizing character.” Abrams also went on to defend Carol in her underwear by noting that even Kirk had a love scene where the Captain was also in his underwear. He blamed his own editing saying, “I don’t think I quite edited [Carol’s] scene in the right way,” but the director admitted, “Some people did feel like it was exploiting her. And while she is lovely, I can also see their point of view.”
Damon Lindelof also responded to the controversy on Twitter and he as well tried to deflect the Carol Marcus underwear controversy stating Kirk appeared in his underwear too.
He went on to say, “copped to the fact that we should have done a better job of not being gratuitous in our representation of a barely clothed actress. I do not want to make light of something that some construe as misogynistic… I hear you, I take responsibility and will be more mindful in the future.”
Despite this, the fans still think it was half-hearted from both Abrams and Lindelof. The movie was released in 2013 but throughout the decade, the #MeToo moment forced Hollywood to hold those in power who have abused and victimized women.
Star Trek: The Original Series was sexually charged and Gene Roddenberry’s show frequently showcased scantily-clad women, both human and alien. William Shatner’s Captain Kirk also often appeared shirtless, so Star Trek Into Darkness was keeping the source material’s canonical traditions. But times were changing when Star Trek Into Darkness’ controversy happened and the fans felt Carol Marcus stripping to her underwear to be stared at by Kirk. And thankfully Abrams and Damon have agreed.
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