In Turnabout Intruder we met Dr. Janice Lester. What kind of a doctor is she? She's a scientist. To be specific, she's a scientist's scientist. She was the leader of a scientific expedition on Camus 2.
Lester and Kirk apparently had been romantically involved (Yeah, RIGHT) for a year while they were both at Starfleet Academy, but obviously it didn't work out, partially because she was jealous of Kirk's success, and partially JUST BECAUSE. She bitterly resented the fact that she was not able to attain command of a starship, and for some weird reason she seemed to think it was appropriate to punish Kirk for that, even though it was not his fault. And he let her, at least for a while...
Kirk (to Lester): "I never stopped you from going on with your space work."
Lester (to Kirk): "Your world of starship captains doesn't admit women. It isn't fair."
Kirk (sincerely): "No, it isn't. And you punished and tortured me because of it."
Lester (softly): "I loved you."
Oh-KAY. Apparently Kirk and Lester had a rather kinky relationship. Moving on...
Dr. Lester had the completely wacky idea that the only thing that had kept her from becoming a starship captain was that she was the wrong sex. The fact that she was unsuited for such a high stress profession because she was a mentally unstable psycho apparently had never occurred to her.
While digging among the Camus 2 ruins, she discovered a life-energy transfer machine. She next killed nearly all of her colleagues on the planet, and then used the device to switch bodies with Captain Kirk, with the help of her loyal henchman Dr. Coleman, a surgeon.
Lester's relationship with Dr. Arthur Coleman is also a rather interesting one...
Dr. Lester is an immoral, mentally ill woman with delusional ideas and ambitions. Once she is in Kirk's body, she proceeds to completely screw up impersonating him, and proves to be a terrible captain in general.
Even when Kirk was burdened with her ovaries and hormones, he was more of a captain that she could ever hope to be!
Nevertheless, you do have to give her credit. She got the drop on Kirk, and she inspired fierce loyalty and love in her slavish goon Dr. Coleman, who was even willing to kill for her. She also apparently attained the position of leader of the scientific expedition legitimately, so she certainly did have a lot on the ball in many ways. Also, thanks to her, Kirk goes on record as being against sexism. Best of all, thanks to her, we are given proof that it takes more than male genitals to be a great starship captain!
So, everybody, tip your hats to Dr. Janice Lester, one of the most significant villains of Star Trek.
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