Why does Harrison show different reactions to phaser fire?

Why does Harrison show different reactions to phaser fire? - Positive teenagers making gestures at camera

In leaving a comment on the Vulcan nerve pinch question, it occurred to me that there was (Surprise surprise) a fairly big inconsistency regarding Khan and phaser fire.

When assaulting the bridge of the USS Vengeance, Khan is stunned and felled instantly. While the effects were short lived, he was stunned and out.

However, when participating in the aerial fight on the floating barge, Uhura stuns Khan several times with phaser fire. While it does stop him from moving forward, it does not produce unconsciousness.

Was there a difference in the phasers being used between the two scenes, or is this a plot inconsistency?



Best Answer

TL;DR

There is no difference in the phasers, but in the situations. The one time Khan gets hit by surprise, the other time he sees the attack coming.

Long answer

When Kirk storms the bridge of the USS Vengeance together with Khan and Scotty, they take take out the whole crew except for the Commander. Kirk then gives Scotty a sign by nodding at him, after which Scotty fires a phaser burst at the unsuspecting Khan, taking him completely by surprise.

enter image description hereKhan is out cold. Is he really, though?

That is exactly what Kirk and Scotty planned prior to the attack:

KIRK: The minute we get to the bridge, drop him.
SCOTTY: What? Stun him? Khan? I thought he was helping us!
KIRK: I am pretty sure we are helping him.

Khan is not prepared for this surprise attack from the people who he thought to be working with him.

I believe that is the main difference to the other incident you mention, the fight on the floating barge:

While Uhura teleports in behind Khan, he still becomes aware of her presence in time to turn around and engage her.

enter image description here

He sees her pointing the phaser at him and is able to physically and mentally prepare for the attack. This is enough for the genetically improved Khan to withstand multiple phaser shots without being knocked down. It still has a severe effect on him and allows Spock to finally overpower him.

(Screenshots and Transcript taken directly from the movie)




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More answers regarding why does Harrison show different reactions to phaser fire?

Answer 2

There was no difference. Khan played possum while he figured out Kirk's plan or the best course of action. As a genius chess master type, he had figured Kirk isn't a complete idiot, and knew being double crossed was a possibility. He faked being stunned and waited until the right moment to turn Marcus's head into a crushed soda can.

During the Spock fight, there was no more reason to fake it. If he did, he would be allowing them to capture him.

That, and his physical, super human strength is higher than the typical stun setting of the phaser would be set for. Like in real life, some people can just shrug off normal tazers.

Answer 3

Besides the element of surprise, I think adrenaline has a lot to do with it. Not only was he in a knock-down drag-out fight with Spock at the time he shrugs off the phaser shots, he was also possessed with wrath.

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