Star Trek fans who love The Original Series will tell you that there's truly nothing like it. The camp, the cheap effects that are both silly and endearing, the amazing array of guest stars, and, of course, the beloved bridge crew that feels like family. For many of us fans, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy's bantering moments are an essential part of The Original Series, so let's look back at the best from the USS Enterprise's first officer and its "old country doctor."
1. "The Trouble with Tribbles"
When furry little creatures called tribbles invade Deep Space Station K-7 and a precious load of life-sustaining grain, it's up to McCoy to discover how to stop the furballs' constant mating so they quit multiplying. Spock steps into sickbay to assist and notes that tribbles remind him of lilies of the field, as "they toil not, neither do they spin."
In short, they have no purpose. McCoy replies that tribbles are soft, furry, and make pleasant sounds. Spock banters back, "So would an ermine violin, doctor." There are a few examples of ermine violins in the fanart community, and I recommend checking those out.
McCoy makes a retort about liking the tribbles better than he likes Spock, who almost purrs, tribble-like, in response, "They do indeed having one redeeming characteristic. They do not talk too much. If you'll excuse me, sir." Knowing that's funny enough to exit on, Spock leaves McCoy there completely shut down! Vulcan shots fired.
2. "The Deadly Years"
When exposure to radiation causes Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, and Lieutenant Galway to experience rapid aging, Bones becomes even more cantankerous with each minute. He and Spock, who is also aging fast but still dignified, certainly don't put their usual bickering on hold.
As the affected crewmembers meet up in sickbay, McCoy tells Spock he's healthy, and Spock immediately disagrees. McCoy gives him a cranky gaze as Spock rattles off his symptoms, and McCoy chides back, "I did not say you weren't affected, Mr. Spock! You are perfectly healthy, that is for any normal Vulcan on the high side of a hundred."
Just before the unfortunate death of Lt. Galway, Spock tells Bones that the ship's temperature is getting almost intolerable for him and that he has his own quarters blazingly hot. McCoy, despite his aging, quips that he won't make any house calls there.
When Spock asks if McCoy has anything to lower his sensitivity, Bones blusters that he's not a magician, "just an old country doctor." Despite their situation, Spock arches a brow with the droll reply of, "Yes . . . as I always suspected." The science officer knows his friend to the core, and he wants McCoy to know it!
3. "Journey To Babel"
This is probably my favorite episode of season 2, and if I had to introduce someone to the series, it's likely the one I'd choose. The plot is clever, we meet Spock's parents, Sarek and Amanda, Thelev is unintentionally hilarious, plus McCoy and Spock snipe at each other throughout the episode about everything from Spock owning a teddy bear as a child to McCoy having the last word over everyone.
At the ambassadors' gala, we get one of the best Spock/McCoy moments when Amanda reveals her son had a pet that looked like "a fat teddy bear." McCoy's Christmas-is-here-early face and Spock's expression are both priceless! If you haven't watched The Animated Series, you're missing out on seeing a sehlat, aka, Spock's childhood "teddy bear."
This episode ends beautifully. As Spock, Sarek, and Kirk all recover in sickbay, McCoy turns into Mr. Bossy, M.D., as he tells the captain to get his butt back into bed when he tries to stand. Spock says, "I think I'll return to my station now," only for Bones to tell him he is at his station.
When Kirk hints that McCoy might be enjoying his power trip, Spock agrees with a sassy-edged, "I've never seen him look so happy." McCoy shouts for Spock to "shut up," and then he shushes Kirk before breaking the fourth wall to tell us, "Well, what do you know. I finally got the last word." This is one of the best moments of the series! Don't let anyone tell you The Office invented breaking the fourth wall because it was McCoy!
Did your favorite Spock/McCoy bickering and bantering moments make our Star Trek: The Original Series season 2 list? Share your choices and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.