Mark Levy | Saavik “Star Trek II: Wrath of Kahn”
“We first meet Cadet Lt. Saavik taking the infamous Kobayashi Maru test at the start of Star Trek II Wrath of Khan. A film I watched so often as a kid I could recite every word.
When Saavik fails the test, she is puzzled by its purpose, complaining that "...there was no way to win". As Spock's protege she begins the film much like Spock before her, questioning James T Kirk's disregard for Starfleet regulations and repeatedly quoting them to him. But she is quick to appreciate Kirk's methods, even inventing her own regulations to join in on the action and investigate Regula I. Her mixed heritage of Vulcan and Romulan gives a great twist on the emotionless Vulcan and by the end of the film, at Spock's funeral, Saavik finally understands the lessons learnt by the Kobayashi Maru as she sheds a tear for her mentor.
I would love to have seen Kirsty Alley reprise her role for Star Trek III, but Robin Curtis did a great job of deepening the character. Saavik was also originally going to be the main villain in Undiscovered Country and to appear in an episode of Next Generation. Unfortunately these never came to pass, which is such a shame as it would have been great to see more of this great character.”
— Mark Levy
Mark’s Bio:
On a rainy Sunday in 1985, with my brand new Commodore Amiga and a copy of Deluxe Paint, I spent the entire day painstakingly drawing, pixel by pixel a portrait of Spock, copied from the cover of the Star Trek III novelisation. I have always been obsessed with films and drawing in equal measure.
I trained traditionally in oils on canvas and I spent a few years freelancing as an illustrator before entering the Amusement Industry. I design and artwork penny pushers and various other amusements machines. I have also continued to freelance, creating illustration and poster design for film and gaming.
Although I don’t have to draw each pixel separately, I have returned to working digitally either on the laptop, or more recently, the iPad.
And you may still catch me on a Sunday afternoon drawing a portrait or two.