The concept of yin-yang friendships in the Star Trek universe is nothing new. The Spock-McCoy relationship, for example, is one of the most well-known (and well-loved) polar opposite friendships in the entire franchise. This notion extends into other series of the Trek universe, so let’s take a look at a few other unlikely friendships that lend humor, warmth, and the concept of infinite diversity in infinite combinations across the timeline.
1. Odo/Quark
Few relationships in Star Trek are more complicated than the friendship between Odo the Changeling and Quark, a Ferengi who owns and manages Quark’s Bar on Deep Space Nine. Odo is the station’s constable and lawfulness and order are a way of life for him, especially when it comes to protecting those who live on or visit the station, while Quark wants nothing more than to profit, which is the very nature of his people.
While Quark and Odo are polar opposites when it comes to their values and ideals, they form a surprising friendship that strengthens as Deep Space Nine progresses. Much of their friendship, which is usually wrapped in verbal banter, lies in the respect they have for each other. Even when either of them perform acts of kindness, it’s brushed off or disguised as a non-intentional “coincidence,” and the resulting mutual acknowledgment is highly entertaining.
2. Shran/Archer
Some fans of Star Trek: Enterprise might say that Shran, an Andorian, and Captain Jonathan Archer have several personality traits in common; however, this does not instantly give them common grounds on which to form a friendship. Before the Xindi invasion, Archer was a diplomat (his attitude about Vulcans notwithstanding), and Shran was xenophobic and bound to his beliefs as a military man.
Shran and Archer form their unlikely friendship due to shared experiences, where they learn common grounds. From “The Andorian Incident” to “The Aenar,” Shran takes steps toward a friendship with Archer based on who owes whom a favor. Shran’s nature tells him he cannot be in debt to anyone, and it is this independent nature, ironically, that helps grow their friendship. It would have been extremely interesting if Shran had joined the crew of the NX-01, as was rumored after the series ended. Oh, what could have been!
3. Reginald Barclay/Geordi LaForge
This yin-yang friendship grew over the course of the Enterprise-D’s missions, and two people could not be more unlike each other than Reginald Barclay, a diagnostics engineer and Geordi LaForge, the ship's chief engineer. While they share a common career background, Barclay is often preoccupied with his own thoughts and has a difficult time adjusting once aboard Enterprise-D. Barclay’s introverted nature repels LaForge at first, but over time, the chief engineer realizes that Barclay has an exceptional mind and encourages him to interact with real people on board instead of spending all his free time in the holodeck. As mutual respect grows between the two men, a friendship blooms as well.
What other yin-yang friendships can you name in the Star Trek franchise? Visit our Facebook and X pages and let us know!