If you grew up watching the original series of Star Trek in syndication or you're a fan of the movies that feature that cast, you probably have more than a few of your favorite lines running around in your head.
While Kirk, Scotty, and even Spock, in his own way, each had their own way of expressing humor, no one delivered sarcasm and verbal zingers like Dr. Leonard McCoy, brought to life by the late DeForest Kelley. From Star Trek's early days to the movies of the '80s and '90s. Did I pick a favorite moment out of your head? Let's see!
1. "I don't make house calls!" ("The Enterprise Incident" S3E02)
In an episode that at first seems a bit bizarre, Captain Kirk seems to suffer from growing paranoia and unstable moods. At one point, he orders Enterprise into Romulan space. Romulans react quickly and capture the ship and Captain Kirk as well.
When both Kirk and Spock meet with the Romulan commander in an exchange of prisoners, Spock reveals that the encroachment on Romulan space was Captain Kirk's doing and that he's been mentally unstable for some time. Kirk has a meltdown and gets dragged off (with William Shatner chewing every available bit of scenery).
McCoy is in sickbay when Uhura hails him. She tells him there's been an injury aboard the Romulan ship, to which he snaps, almost loftily, "I don't make house calls!" At this point, it's obvious he's over this situation, only to be told it's Kirk who's injured. Of course, this whole incident is just an undercover mission for Kirk, as Starfleet wanted the cloaking device technology, but it's clear from his tone that he believes himself to be the only sane one on the ship at that point!
2. "How can you be deaf with ears like that?" (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
When Dr. McCoy finds himself the carrier of Spock's katra, it urges him to return to the Genesis Planet. Despite the struggle going on inside him, Bones seeks out a less-than-reputable-looking fellow who appears to be a cross between a Ferengi and a lionfish. When Dr. McCoy reveals where he wants to go, the being shrieks, "Genesis?" as if in horror. "Yes, Genesis!" McCoy snaps. "How can you be deaf with ears like that?"
The slightly unhinged delivery of this line, paired with the incredulous stare that McCoy gives the being's ears makes this one of the all-time best moments of levity in the entire original movie franchise!
3. "Then how come you don't know row, row, row your boat?" (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
This film doesn't seem to have much going for it other than the connection between the characters and is generally considered the weakest entry out of the 6 films. The campfire scenes that bookend the film are charming, and one of them gives us a great comeback and classic banter between McCoy and Spock.
Before being called back from shore leave, where Kirk, Spock, and McCoy camp at Yosemite National Park, Spock puzzled over the lyrics of the classic campfire sing-along song, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." This irritates McCoy, who tells Kirk he liked Spock better before he died.
On the way back to Enterprise, Kirk quotes the John Masefield poem "Sea Fever." McCoy says, "Mellville?" Spock affirms, telling McCoy he's well-versed in Earth classic literature. Whip-quick, McCoy shoots back, "Then how come you don't know 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat?" Spock's mildly bemused look said it all!