Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy battles are more like Mutually Assured Destruction

Photo by Gage Skidmore

Who wins the episode in terms of Kirk and Spock is very easy to settle. The Captain always wins. But when it comes to Spock and McCoy, the stand off amounts more to a policy of mutually assured destruction and rarely has a winner.

Bread and Circuses

Spock and Bones could simply avoid conflict by biting down and simply walking away, but in Bread and Circuses, they literally become a captive audience for each other. Left to their devices in lockup, they keep maximum distance until Bones feels forced to breech the uncomfortable silence.

Facing death, an olive branch sounds like a pretty good idea. “Spock, I know we've had our disagreements. Maybe they're jokes. I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes,” McCoy sends out the feelers.

But Spock won’t or cannot play and resorts to what he knows. “Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief,” the first officer demurs.

Biting his tongue, McCoy persists. “Well, what I'm trying to say is you saved my life in the arena.”

So Spock does what he knows best. “Yes, that’s quite true,” he logically reasons.

Of course, McCoy does not have anything near the same level of restraint. “I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin,” Bones explodes.

On the other hand, Spock is half human. So he retreats to his standard fallback position when trying to conceal emotion. He dryly deadpans a joke. “Oh, yes. You humans have that emotional need to express gratitude. You're welcome, I believe, is the correct response. However, Doctor, you must remember I am entirely motivated by logic. The loss of our ship's surgeon, whatever I think of his skill, would mean a reduction in the efficiency of the Enterprise and therefore…

Not a psychiatrist, the surgeon still has enough read on Spock to know when he’s deflecting. McCoy employs his version of putting the first officer on the couch and doesn’t hold back. "Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your human half peek out. That's it, isn't it? Insecurity,” McCoy interrogates.

Spock can’t help but tip his hand. He turns away, and the confused look clearly has him searching inside for answers. Still, McCoy refuses to let up. “Why, you wouldn't know what to do with a genuine, warm, decent feeling,” McCoy implores.

A little too far, Spock suddenly finds his equilibrium. “Really, Doctor,” he makes reference to their missing captain.

McCoy gets the message, but despite a slight upper hand for Spock, our combatants are left licking their wounds.

The Immunity Syndrome

So who gets to go inside the big giant amoeba a save the galaxy. McCoy holds the microbiological claim. “We could send one man in, pinpoint its vulnerable spots,” the doctor reasons.

The medical advantage doesn’t quite fly in terms of Spock’s piloting ability. “I am more capable,” Spock is succinct.

Kirk agrees, and Spock exhibits his version of not gloating. “Do not suffer so, Doctor. This is not the first time superior capability has proven more valuable than professional credentials,” Spock soothes.

Trying to save face, McCoy banters on about the science, and Spock reminds his nemesis of the time constraints. Even so, Bones lets his emotions get the better of him. “You're determined not to let me share in this, aren't you,” McCoy goes off the rails.

Spock remains on track, though. “This is not a competition, Doctor. Whether you understand it or not, grant me my own kind of dignity,” Spock demands.

Now at a loss, McCoy acknowledges but doesn’t completely submit. “Vulcan dignity? How can I grant you what I don't understand,” he shoots back

Unable to contain him enmity, Spock digs in. “Then employ one of your own superstitions. Wish me luck,” Spock retorts.

Bones can only turn his glare down in submission, but neither can admit the pain as they possibly look upon each other for the last time. The best the squabbling couple can is an unheard plea for luck from Dr. McCoy.

This hurts so much. I hope there’s a happy ending.

Please Like My Page on Facebook

Author can be reached at [email protected]