Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Year: 1986

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

AdventureSci-FiComedy

When a mysterious alien probe disrupts Earth's oceans and threatens the planet's survival, Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew are sent back in time to 20th-century California. Their mission: to capture humpback whales, now extinct, and use their songs to communicate with the probe and reverse the devastation. Faced with a desperate race against time, the crew must navigate the challenges of the past while confronting the consequences of an interstellar crisis.

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Timeline – Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Trace every key event in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Arrival of the Probe

In the year 2286, an immense cylindrical probe begins its journey through space toward Earth. Upon reaching its destination, it emits an unintelligible signal that disrupts global power and causes violent storms around the planet.

2286 Earth
2

Starfleet's Distress Call

As a reaction to the probe's harmful effects, Starfleet Command issues a distress signal warning all starships to avoid Earth. The increasingly dire situation escalates the urgency for a solution to the colossal threat posed by the probe.

Starfleet Command
3

Exile on Vulcan

On the planet Vulcan, the former crew of the USS Enterprise finds themselves living in exile after events that transpired in the previous mission. The team, still recovering from losses, prepares to commandeer a Klingon Bird of Prey to return to Earth.

Vulcan
4

The Bounty

The crew captures a Klingon Bird of Prey vessel, affectionately named the Bounty. This ship becomes their means to execute a daring plan to travel back in time to save Earth from the probe's devastation.

5

Time Travel Planning

After realizing the probe mimics the songs of extinct humpback whales, Spock devises a plan to use a slingshot maneuver around the Sun. This time travel mission aims to retrieve a whale to communicate with the probe effectively.

6

Journey to 1986

The crew successfully executes the time travel maneuver, landing in the year 1986. Upon arrival, they quickly discover the Bounty is nearly powerless, requiring immediate action to restore its capabilities.

1986 San Francisco
7

Dividing Tasks in San Francisco

To execute their plan efficiently, the crew splits into teams. Kirk and Spock search for humpback whales, while Scotty, McCoy, and Sulu focus on constructing a tank for transporting the whales.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
8

Encountering Dr. Gillian Taylor

While searching for whales, Kirk and Spock find a pair being cared for by Dr. Gillian Taylor at a museum in Sausalito. They discover the whales are almost ready to be released into the wild, prompting immediate action to secure them.

Sausalito
9

Mind Meld and Romance

Spock conducts a mind meld with one of the whales, discovering it is pregnant, creating urgency around their mission. Simultaneously, Kirk charms Dr. Taylor during dinner, gaining her trust but facing skepticism about their intentions.

Sausalito
10

Acquiring Materials for the Tank

Scotty, McCoy, and Sulu trade the formula for transparent aluminum to acquire the necessary materials for building their whale tank. This clever exchange showcases their resourcefulness in adapting to their situation.

11

The Nuclear Power Machine

Uhura and Chekov successfully locate the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise, acquiring the energy needed to recharge the Bounty. However, complications arise when Chekov faces danger during their mission to escape.

Enterprise
12

Rescue and Release

After learning that the whales were prematurely released, Dr. Taylor turns to Kirk for help. They rescue Chekov and manage to transport the dolphins onto the Bounty as they prepare for their journey back in time.

San Francisco
13

Return to Their Time

Navigating back through time, the crew faces a critical moment as the Bounty encounters a power failure while approaching Earth. The team struggles to restore power to complete their mission and communicate with the probe.

San Francisco Bay
14

Responding to the Probe

Once safe in the water, the whales respond to the probe’s signal, leading it to cease its barrage against Earth. This crucial moment brings an end to the catastrophic storms threatening the planet.

San Francisco Bay
15

Kirk's New Command

Exonerated of all charges but reprimanded for insubordination, Kirk is demoted back to Captain. With his rank reinstated, he takes command of the newly constructed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) and sets out for new adventures.

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 at 18:07

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

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