3. "The Tholian Web"
Spock declares Kirk deceased and assumes the captaincy, Lt. Uhura thinks she is seeing dead people (Kirk), and Mr. Chekov remains unmatched as the Star Trek: TOS' ultimate Scream King. "The Tholian Web" is one of my favorite episodes from season 3, and it's mostly because of how the situation forces Spock and McCoy to work together without the captain as their buffer.
Their argument on the bridge is a prime example, and the placement of each only underscores the tension: Spock in the command chair, McCoy standing behind him, haggard, as the Tholians continue constructing their web on the ship's viewscreen.
Bones harangues Spock, and he commands the doctor to confine himself to sickbay to find an antidote to the effects of interspace. McCoy then forcibly turns the command chair harshly and shouts, "Spock!" It's anger, frustration, grief, guilt, and exhaustion, and, in his own way, Bones is crying out for a solution to events he can't change.
When Spock only gazes at McCoy, the doctor seems to deflate and shake his head, telling the Vulcan that interspace must be getting to him too, and that it's not Spock's fault. In my favorite line from the series, Spock replies, "I understand, doctor. I'm sure the captain would simply have said, 'Forget it, Bones.'"
It is Spock forgiving Dr. McCoy in a way he can't otherwise, and it's a truly beautiful moment that reveals the truth about their affection for one another that exists under the layers of verbal battles.
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