So I've been in a bit of a Star Trek mood lately, and right now I'm watching the movie
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country before bed. Having noticed a few things I'd never noticed before, I feel like I should publish them on the internet somewhere!
Firstly, I have the utmost respect and love for the people who make the tiny details of Star Trek possible.
Mike Okuda in particular, who designed all of the major Starfleet computer screen layouts. And a little random background in case your curious, Star Trek VI is the sixth Star Trek movie that came out a little after Star Trek: The Next Generation aired. It is the last film to focus solely on the original crew, and is set aboard the USS
Enterprise-A (the second of six Federation Starships named Enterprise.) So, onto my observations!
 |
"...I can never forgive them for killing my boy."
(Kirk's son David was introduced in Star Trek II, only to be killed by the Klingons in Star Trek III.) |
First thing is the computer panel next to his bed, the scene opens on him recording a
Captain's Log. The panel, which is just a backlit gel sheet does not have any video components, so thought had to go into either A.) Not showing the panel after he stops recording or B.) before hand, the panel would be out of shot by design when he stops recording.
In the above shot note the model of
Kirk's original Enterprise, and on the wall
there be whales!
Next he puts something away in a closet, you can see at least
3 other 2280s-design Starfleet uniforms, and also his "Away Mission Jacket" from
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Yay, continuity!
 |
| The Jacket can be seen in the closet, striped collar and "solar system" round shoulder patch. |
Apparently after the events of
Star Trek IV (where Kirk time traveled back to 1986 to bring Humpback whales to the 23rd century...it made sense in context), Kirk became quite the Whale afficianado. Among
his historical art of naval vessels is one of some Killer Whales. And in
the above "behind the scenes" picture, he's also got a plaque of some
whales.
Quote of the Day: "If there is to be a brave new world, our generation is going to have the hardest time living in it." -
Chancellor Gorkon of the Klingon Empire, to Captain Kirk. Chancellor (ie: President) Gorkon was designed to be seen as the Klingon Abraham Lincoln; as leader of THE warrior race, his goal was to end 70 years of hostility between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. His sentiment reminds me of how older people view gay marriage, and different respect for diversity and racial and cultural differences.
Firstly, I have the utmost respect and love for the people who make the tiny details of Star Trek possible. Mike Okuda in particular, who designed all of the major Starfleet computer screen layouts. And a little random background in case your curious, Star Trek VI is the sixth Star Trek movie that came out a little after Star Trek: The Next Generation aired. It is the last film to focus solely on the original crew, and is set aboard the USS Enterprise-A (the second of six Federation Starships named Enterprise.) So, onto my observations!
Apparently after the events of Star Trek IV (where Kirk time traveled back to 1986 to bring Humpback whales to the 23rd century...it made sense in context), Kirk became quite the Whale afficianado. Among
his historical art of naval vessels is one of some Killer Whales. And in
the above "behind the scenes" picture, he's also got a plaque of some
whales. 
Comments
Some quick points:
1) The films show Kirk/Spock's quarters as very nautical. Whether more like a sailing ship in ST 01-05. Or like a WW2 submarine in STVI.
2) IIRC, Adm. Kirk's quarters were reused for Worf and Data in ST:TNG.
3) Kirk's quarters in ST VI appears to be a redress of the ST TMP junior officer quarters. That's why the room is so small. See ST:TMP screenshots where Ilea comes out of the shower. But a better idea comes from Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise.
4) I see Kirk's quarters in ST VI as a tribute to his earlier films and the original series. Check out how the ST VI desk is reminiscent of his ST TOS quarters with computer and monitor are built directly into his desk).
5) Gorkon is a combination of Gorbachav + Lincoln is what N. Meyer explained. (Notice the Lincolnesque beard).