Star Trek: The Original Series still boasts a massive fandom as generation after generation of fans discover the show through their parents, other family members, and online friends.
Some enjoy the nostalgia, others the 1960s camp feel of the series. However, for many people, the relationships between the characters are what make the show so iconic, especially between Mr. Spock and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. And, from the very beginning, Captain Kirk's best friends set the stage for a battle of verbal banter that would eventually become one of the series' trademarks.
Now, check out Spock and McCoy's greatest bickering and bantering moments from TOS season 1.
1. "Mudd's Women"
When a trio of lovely ladies and their seemingly jolly transport provider board the USS Enterprise after their ship is disabled and destroyed, the testosterone levels climb higher than the peak of El Capitan. Harry Mudd and his "cargo," Ruth, Eve, and Magda, cause plenty of trouble both on the ship and on Rigel XII when Kirk tries to obtain dilithium crystals to replace those damaged in the pursuit of Harcourt "Harry" Fenton Mudd's unregistered vessel.
Once Kirk discovers the existence of the Venus drug and swaps it for "colored gelatin" (Kirk must have enjoyed Dumbo as a kid) and Enterprise gets underway, Spock tells Kirk that it was "a most annoying, emotional episode." McCoy mimes stabbing himself in the heart and then says, "Smack, right in the old heart. Oh, I'm sorry, in your case it would be about here," as he pokes himself in the side of his ribs.
Spock retorts that he's thrilled that his anatomy differs from that of the doctor, all while maintaining his emotional control. This leaves the doctor looking bemused--it's one of Spock's first verbal clap-backs, and it sets the foundation for their relationship.
2. "The Conscience of the King"
Sometimes, when Spock and McCoy banter, it's often regarding their commanding officer, Captain James T. Kirk. In this episode, when Spock believes that Kirk is acting strangely by taking members of an acting troupe aboard the Enterprise, he goes to McCoy with his beliefs. McCoy, indulging in a sip of alcohol, asks Spock if he'd like a drink. Spock replies that it doesn't affect Vulcans. McCoy drawls, "Oh . . . now I know why they were conquered." Ouch!
McCoy needles Spock about his aversion to booze a couple more times, then seems almost guilty as he asks Spock not to disapprove of his drinking. Spock crosses his arms and sighs visibly, which is so relatable for anyone who has those friends who need a drink and a nap before they can make any decisions or come to a conclusion about anything!
3. "The Galileo Seven"
When Spock finds himself in command of a landing party and a damaged shuttlecraft that crash-lands on a planet of huge, hostile creatures, he and Dr. McCoy begin firing verbal shots almost right away.
McCoy notes that the atmosphere of the planet is breathable, unless you're running a marathon. Spock, in a desert-dry tone, asks for just the facts. The Enterprise must have had one honey of a TV transmitter, as the colorized revival series of the original Dragnet wouldn't premiere on NBC until a week later.
McCoy continues to describe the atmosphere's content and then wryly adds, "I wouldn't recommend this place as a summer resort," just because he knows the extra information will needle Spock. Spock replies that McCoy's comments will be "duly noted," as his tone practically drips the driest, coolest sarcasm in the entire galaxy. This is only one example of their banter during this episode, however.
After the Galileo takes off and manages to maintain a shaky orbit around Taurus II, Scotty reminds Spock that, while on the planet, he'd said, "There were always alternatives," but Spock reflects that he might have been mistaken.
McCoy, sitting directly behind the Vulcan, drawls, "Well, at least I lived long enough to hear that." McCoy really needed what he thought was going to be the last word, didn't he? Fortunately, the Enterprise returns and beams the landing party out of the doomed shuttle just in time.
With so many epic Spock/McCoy bickering and bantering moments to choose from in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, did we include your favorite? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.