Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986

In the year 2286, an immense cylindrical probe travels through the cosmos, emitting an unintelligible signal while disabling the power of any ships in its vicinity. As it settles into orbit around Earth, its persistent signal disrupts the global power grid and triggers violent planetary storms, leading to a catastrophic cloud cover that blocks out the sun. In response, Starfleet Command issues a distress signal and warns starships to steer clear of Earth.

On the distant planet Vulcan, the former crew members of the USS Enterprise find themselves living in exile following the events of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Together with Spock (Leonard Nimoy), who is still in the process of recuperating from his resurrection, the team – minus Saavik, who remains on Vulcan – commandeers a captured Klingon Bird of Prey vessel, now dubbed the Bounty after its historic namesake, and sets course for Earth to confront the trial awaiting them.

Upon receiving the distress calls from Starfleet, Spock realizes that the probe’s signal mimics the songs of long-extinct humpback whales, and that it won’t cease its barrage until it is answered by these creatures. Thus begins the crew’s daring plan to travel back in time utilizing a slingshot maneuver around the Sun, in hopes of bringing a whale back to safeguard the future.

Their journey lands them in 1986, but they discover that the Bounty is almost devoid of power. Concealing their ship within the serene landscape of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park using its cloaking technology, the crew divides their efforts: Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner](/actor/william-shatner)) and Spock search for the humpback whales, while Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) work together to build a tank to transport the whales they need. Meanwhile, Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) embark on a mission to locate a nuclear reactor capable of restoring their ship’s power.

As Kirk and Spock search, they discover a pair of whales under the care of Dr. Gillian Taylor (Catherine Hicks) at a museum in Sausalito. They learn that the whales are on the verge of being released into the wild. Spock performs a mind meld with one of the whales, discovering that it is pregnant. Despite Taylor’s initial skepticism regarding Kirk and Spock’s intentions, Kirk’s charm wins her over during a dinner date. Nonetheless, she remains reluctant to provide valuable information regarding the whales’ tracking frequency.

Concurrently, Scott, McCoy, and Sulu make a trade, offering the formula for transparent aluminum in exchange for the materials required to construct their whale tank. Meanwhile, Uhura and Chekov find a nuclear-powered vessel, the aircraft carrier Enterprise, and successfully acquire the energy necessary but encounter trouble as they are discovered onboard. While Uhura is beamed back safely, Chekov suffers injuries during a desperate escape attempt.

As the plot unfolds, Taylor learns that the whales have been released prematurely and seeks Kirk’s help. Together with McCoy, they rescue Chekov and return to the now-recharged Bounty. Successfully transporting the whales aboard, they embark on their journey back to their own time. However, as they approach Earth, their ship is struck by power failure and plunges into San Francisco Bay. Upon release, the whales respond to the probe’s signal, causing it to retreat and end the turmoil it had inflicted on Earth.

Despite being exonerated of all charges, Kirk finds himself facing a reprimand for insubordination, leading to his demotion from Admiral back to Captain. With his new rank reinstated, he takes command of a new starship, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A), as the crew sets off on an uncharted mission, ready to embrace new adventures that lie ahead.