The original Star Trek series gave us legendary characters that fans can relate to.
From Spock’s struggle with the duality of his own nature to McCoy’s gruffness that hid a tender heart, there are many ways fans relate to the Star Trek characters. However, when it comes to the relatability of a workplace, everyman who’s an essential part of the team yet would rather be left alone with his special interests, it’s Montgomery “Scotty” Scott that so many of us relate to.
Let’s take a look back at 3 moments that make us nod in understanding.
1. I don't get paid enough for this!
Scotty is an engineer deep in his heart. Even when he's not on duty, he's learning about engines or kicking back with a glass of scotch. While he's technically 3rd in command, it's obvious he'd rather be down in the engine room rather than in the captain's chair.
In "Friday's Child" (S2E03), Scotty is in command while Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are planetside to obtain mining rights on the planet Capella IV. A very young Ensign Chekov notes that the sensors seem to be picking up traces of another ship. Scotty, replaying with all the enthusiasm of an unpaid intern, replies, "Well, let's put it on the screen." You just know he's thinking about the technical journals he won't be getting back to any time soon!
2. Your facial expressions are speaking
We've all had that moment at work where we're told, "Do your best to get along with everyone." While this works in theory, we've all known those individuals who make our facial expressions speak volumes when we have to be in the same room with them. While Star Trek might take place several centuries in the future, Scotty's resting "Oh, God, I want to punch you" expression is more than familiar!
In "The Trouble With Tribbles" (S2E15), Scotty, Chekov, and a few other Enterprise crew members must tolerate the presence of Klingons on Space Station K-7 while they all take shore leave. He kicks back with his scotch as one of the Klingons talks smack about Captain Kirk and tells Chekov to settle down when the ensign gets angry--until that same Klingon insults the Enterprise itself. Scotty's expression just before a brawl breaks out tells you exactly what he's thinking!
3. How do you do, fellow kids
It's never easy being the oldest person in the office, especially when your coworkers talk rapid-fire about social media or the newest TikTok trend. Scotty, along with universal Boomer McCoy, must have felt this way in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, only it was past tech that confounded them!
Scotty tries to access a computer in a plexiglass engineer's office by speaking to it, obviously frustrated when it doesn't answer. Sure of himself beyond measure, Bones hands him the mouse, prompting Scotty to talk into it, giving a hearty, "Hello, computer!" When the silicone plant manager suggests that he use the keyboard, the engineer covers his embarrassment by calling the setup "Quaint." Sure, Scotty.
Montgomery Scott is our everyman, our "I really need a drink" character, and the person who just wants to be left alone with his hobbies. It's this type of relatability that keeps fans coming back to the original series and its cinematic universe when they need a break from real-world office drama.