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4* The film has perhaps the only one that happens before the film even starts: it was released soon after the ''Challenger'' disaster, and the producers took it upon themselves to put the following at the beginning of the print: "The cast and crew of Star Trek wish to dedicate this film to the men and women of the spaceship ''Challenger'' whose courageous spirit shall live to the 23rd century and beyond...."
5* The conversation between Spock and his mother Amanda is wonderful:
6-->'''Amanda''': Spock, does the good of the many outweigh the good of the one?\
7'''Spock''': I would accept that as an axiom.\
8'''Amanda''': Then you stand here alive because of a mistake. Made by your flawed, feeling, human friends. They have sacrificed their futures because they believed that the good of the one--you--was more important to them.\
9'''Spock''': ...humans make ''illogical'' decisions.\
10'''Amanda''': [''fond smile''] They do indeed.
11* When Chekov informs Kirk he and Uhura have found the "nuclear wessel", Chekov notes "Admiral, it is the ''Enterprise''.", which almost takes Kirk aback, that no matter what time or place they're in, the ''Enterprise'' will be there to help him.
12** Even more touching if you consider that, from the time-travelers' perspective, the ''Enterprise'' they knew and loved had been destroyed three months ago. Encountering its aircraft-carrier predecessor would've been a comforting reminder that the name, at least, would surely continue to be used for centuries to come.
13* While he's using it as a cover story to explain their mission to Gillian, the fact that repopulation is one of Kirk's goals means this is a definite 2 birds, 1 stone situation as far as he's concerned.
14* The scene in the hospital where [=McCoy=] gives the sick old lady on dialysis some 23rd century medicine... and a few scenes later, she's ''grown a new set of kidneys.'' If you look closely, you can see the woman waving to [=McCoy=] and he smiles back.
15** In the novelization [=McCoy=] sees her and is able to pause long enough for the woman to tell him thank you.
16** Also, when they're running to escape the hospital, they knock over a man on crutches. Bones stays for a moment to make sure he's okay before going to the elevator for beam-out. Temporal Prime Directive be damned, he's a doctor and his Hippocratic Oath will ALWAYS trump the Prime Directive.
17* Kirk slipping into FirstNameBasis with Chekov while rushing him out of the hospital.
18--> "[pushing his head back down] Not now, Pavel."
19* This exchange between our main trio:
20-->'''Spock''': Mister Scott cannot give me exact figures, Admiral. ...So I will make a guess.
21-->'''Kirk''': A guess? You, Spock? That's extraordinary!
22-->'''Spock''': I don't think he understands.
23-->'''[=McCoy=]''': No, Spock. He means that he feels safer about your 'guesses' than most other people's facts.
24-->'''Spock''': Then you're saying ...it is a compliment.
25-->'''[=McCoy=]''': It is.
26-->'''Spock''': Ah. Then I will try to make the best guess I can.
27** This is a call back to an earlier scene where Spock is troubled about not having exact figures, and Bones suggests for him to guess. When Spock flatly says that it's not in his nature to guess, Bones smiles and tells Spock that "Nobody's Perfect" which Spock apparently takes to heart.
28** More heartwarming is [=McCoy=]'s personality, possibly as a result of carrying Spock's katra. Listen to his voice here and in subsequent productions. He seems much more patient with Spock, his logic, and his literal-mindedness.
29* The scene where Kirk and the others talk about rescuing Chekov. They ask Spock what he thinks, and he agrees that they must save Chekov. Kirk asks, "Is that the logical thing to do, Spock?" Spock answers, "No, but it is the human thing to do." At that moment, Kirk and everyone else knew that Spock was truly back.
30* "Admiral! There be ''whales'' here!"
31* The waterfight at the end. Particularly when Kirk picks Spock up and throws him bodily into the water.
32** Keep your eye on Spock in the scenes leading up to that. Is he... ''smiling''? [[NotSoStoic He might be]], but he'll never tell!
33* The scene where the ''Enterprise'' crew are put on trial:
34-->'''President:''' Captain Spock. You do not stand accused.
35-->'''Spock:''' Mr. President, I stand with my shipmates.
36* [[WellDoneSonGuy Sarek]] HATED the idea of Spock joining Starfleet. But after all that, he pulls him aside at the end and admits he was in error.
37** Really, the entire conversation is heartwarming in at least three different ways. Sarek shows his love for Spock, both unconditionally and with direct approval for his life choices; Kirk and the crew earn the respect of the reserved Vulcan (validating the entire intercultural-cooperation idea of the show, really); and Spock acknowledges his deep friendship with them. All with the typical reserve and formality of Vulcans, yet immensely powerful thanks to the performances of Mark Lenard and Creator/LeonardNimoy. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjVUhUDs0h0 Video!]]
38--->'''Sarek''': I am returning to Vulcan within the hour; I would like to take my leave of you.
39--->'''Spock''': It was most kind of you to make this effort.
40--->'''Sarek''': It was no effort. You are my son. Besides, I am most impressed with your performance in this...crisis.
41--->'''Spock''': Most kind.
42--->'''Sarek''': As I recall, I opposed your enlistment in Starfleet. It is possible that judgement was incorrect. Your associates are people of good character.
43--->'''Spock''': [''matter-of-factly''] They are my friends.
44--->'''Sarek''': Yes, of course.
45** And despite being a Vulcan, Sarek has a slight but noticeable smile on his face. Amanda was right - he ''is'' proud of his son.
46** It's capped with Spock finally asserting his humanity and closing the [[BookEnds bookend]] from the beginning of the movie, when he tells his father to tell his mother, "I feel fine."
47** Sarek's confidence that the Enterprise crew will pull through and fix the problem is pretty heartwarming, and further shows how much he's come to respect them as well as his son.
48*** Whenever he looks out the windows, it's not so much "How much worse will the storm get?" as it is "Kirk, quit screwing around and save the day already!"
49** For the ''Trekkie'' audience, seeing Jane Wyatt make her appearance as Spock's Mom was heartwarming itself.
50* And of course Trek's greatest Heartwarming Moment ever -- Kirk and company think they're being reassigned to the ''[[ReplacementScrappy Excelsior]]'', but just as Alexander Courage's classic fanfare plays we see... the brand new ''USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-A''! Along with the classic quote, "My friends, we've come home." Trek fans weep and cheer every time at [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvv1R-6a7q4 that scene]].
51** Making their way back to the ''Enterprise-A'' '''''is''''' the true '''voyage home'''.
52** Especially pay attention to Scotty, as Uhura puts a hand on his shoulder and he looks almost on the verge of tears.
53** But then there's the ''outtake'' of that scene, wherein there is a moment of silence and then Leonard Nimoy deadpans, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEz-E7gqO-0 Get your hand off my leg.]]"
54* HeartwarmingInHindsight: This movie helped truly kickstart cetacean protection programs. As a result, the humpback whale, the species featured in the film, has seen their numbers octuple since the movie was released. They have since been taken off the endangered species list.
55* The book includes an extra scene near the end at the Vulcan embassy with [=McCoy=] and Spock talking about their experience, and Spock reassuring [=McCoy=] that the transfer of Spock's mind back to his body is complete. Spock further tells [=McCoy=] that even though the separation is complete they will always be part of each other. The two men finally come to understanding each other, and accepting it as a good thing.
56* Gillian gets some lovely character moments in the [[AdaptationExpansion novelization]] that are glossed over in the movie. Her delighted reaction to things the crew (and by extension, your average Trek fan) take for granted like the transporter is a standout:
57-->''This time Gillian paid attention to the transporter beam. The sensation of being lifted, stirred around, and placed somewhere else entirely filled her with astonishment and joy.''

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