Robin Curtis as Lt. Saavik is superior to Kirstie Alley IMHO

The Vulcan Lt. Saavik returns for a relatively big role, as well as a cameo in the next one. Kirstie Alley rejected the part because they offered her less money than the previous film; so the role was given to Robin Curtis, who portrays Saavik much more Vulcan-like — i.e. better — than Alley (I never bought Alley as a Vulcan, although someone argued that she was supposed to be part-Romulan, even though that's never actually chronicled in the movies). In truth, Robin is nothing less than exceptional in this film.

She has some quality scenes, like her observation of David Marcus' dubious methods in creating the Genesis Project: “So, like your father, you change the rules." Followed by: “How many have paid the price for your impatience? How many have died? How much damage have you done? And what is yet to come?”

Curtis would return to Trek ten years later in another Vulcan role in The Next Generation two-part 1993 segment “Gambit” wherein she plays the Vulcan isolationist Tallera. It's an outstanding Next Generation story and one of my favorites from the sequel series.