The Enterprise encounters what they at first think is an old, derelict ship that had been set adrift in deep space. The reason they assume this is because it’s an old DY-100 class Earth vessel, which were last constructed back in the 1990s, during what was known as the Eugenics Wars. A group of scientists who strove to improve the human race created a group of human supermen and women who almost took over the planet. They were finally defeated during a devastating world war. Sensors aboard the Enterprise pick up several dozen life forms, but they can’t be human, since their heartbeats and respiration are so low.

Kirk decides to beam aboard the ship, known as the Botany Bay, with McCoy, Scotty and a young historian named Marla McGivers. Once aboard the ship, Kirk and company discover that the ship’s crew are indeed human after all---they’re all in suspended animation. The Botany Bay is what’s known as a sleeper ship. Systems aboard the Botany Bay start to come to life with the presence of Kirk and the landing party. One of the sleepers, a man from Northern India whim McGivers figures to be the leader, starts to awaken. When he’s brought over to the Enterprise, the man from the twentieth century proves to be very cagey, only giving Khan as his name. When Kirk tries to ask him questions, Khan deftly dodges then by feigning weariness.

It’s not long before Kirk and company finally discover who this Khan really is: Khan Noonien Singh, a tyrannical leader who ruled a quarter of the earth’s surface during the 1990s. And with the help of McGivers, who has fallen in love with Khan to the point of giving him whatever he wants, Khan plans to rule not just the Earth this time out, but the whole universe. Space Seed is truly one of the classic episodes of the original Star Trek series. Ricardo Montalban was a magnetic and powerful presence as Khan--so much so, that you could easily understand why Harve Bennett chose this episode to build the Star Trek movie sequel upon, because the story--as well as Khan himself--practically demanded a follow up. Like the Wrath Of Khan, Space Seed also holds up very well over the years, as the tense battle of wills between Kirk and Khan over control of the Enterprise--and ultimately the rest of the universe--is still very enthralling to watch.