‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ writer Damon Lindelof apologizes for ‘gratuitous’ underwear scene

An apology? From Damon Lindelof? Apparently the “Star Trek Into Darkness” screenwriter is taking this whole alternate reality thing quite seriously!

The words “sorry” and “Lindelof” don’t often appear in the same sentence, but the famously unapologetic scribe behind sci-fi hits like “Lost,” “Prometheus,” and the “Star Trek" films is actually admitting he was wrong.

Lindelof took some flack over the weekend for comments he made in reference to actress Alice Eve’s much-talked-about (and mostly pointless) underwear scene in “Into Darkness.” The scene is played for laughs, but some people were made uncomfortable by its implications. In an interview with MTV, Lindelof said the following and rightfully landed himself in hot water.

“Why is Alice Eve in her underwear, gratuitously and unnecessarily, without any real effort made as to why in God's name she would undress in that circumstance?” Lindelof wrote in an email Q&A. “Well there's a very good answer for that. But I'm not telling you what it is. Because... uh... MYSTERY?”

After taking his lumps from fans offended by his comment, Lindelof took to Twitter yesterday to address their concerns. Though he admitted that Eve’s scene may have crossed a line, the screenwriter was quick to point out that other “Star Trek” actors have appeared in various states of undress in the films.

So it’s an apology of sorts from Lindelof (both for poor spelling and for possibly exploiting a young actress for the benefit of male moviegoers). But it’s fair to point out that although Captain Kirk actor Chris Pine may have appeared shirtless in the film, his half-dressed scene was not included in every bit of marketing for “Star Trek Into Darkness” – while Eve and her skivvies which figured heavily in trailers and TV spots for the film. Lindelof may have written the scene in which Eve stripped down, but director J. J. Abrams shot it, and Paramount used it at every opportunity.

What do you think of Lindelof's apology? Do you think Eve's scene in "Star Trek Into Darkness" was gratuitous?

"Star Trek Into Darkness" is now playing.

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