Pride and Prejudice (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Pride and Prejudice
Author(s):	Dana Austin Marsh
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Pride and Prejudice is a Kirk/Spock story by Dana Austin Marsh.

It was published in the print zine Fever #1.

Summary

"Kirk and Spock face resistance from TʼPau when they go to Vulcan to complete their bond when Spock enters pon farr."

Reactions and Reviews

1989

I feel the author should be complimented for setting up a difficult situation, then having it resolved believably, rather than simply having Kirk or Spock behave in an unrealistic manner to avoid an unpleasant situation. In other words, it was refreshing and surprising to have Kirk honestly be afraid, and to have Spock show his love for Kirk by leaving the room. This story did leave me with a couple of questions: 1) When did it take place? Kirk and Spock had a partial bond for over five years, then the events couldn't have taken place during the five year mission. Yet, no mention is made of Gol, what uniforms they were wearing, or Kirk being demoted from Admiral to Captain. Some sort of reference point would have been appreciated. 2) The reader was given reason to believe that Salet may have been lying about what was in the injection he gave to Kirk. Yet, no further mention was made as to what was in the shot. For awhile, I was expecting there to be a revelation that Kirk had been drugged. What I liked best about this story was the great feeling of love that pervaded. This was accomplished skillfully via Kirk's dialogue and actions, rather than any-often-phoney-sounding declarations of love, and without a sex scene. A very tender story.

I didn't like the author's portrayal of Kirk in this story. He was far too selfish and immature. He has absolutely no trust or respect for Vulcan culture. When Spock's Pon Farr approaches, he thinks only of himself and getting himself out of the unpleasant situation of being the receptive. As a result, Spock ends up raping a Vulcan woman. Kirk shows no concern for the fate of the Vulcan woman; neither does he really show much concern for Spock.

1991

The first story in the zine, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, by Dana Austin Marsh, starts off with a bang. It details how Kirk and Spock must return to Vulcan in order to complete the martial bond, and how a vengeful T'Pau does everything in her power to make certain a monkey wrench is thrown into the machinery. My only complaint was that I wish it had been longer - and that Kirk and Spock had arranged some type of revenge on the old biddy. All in all, an excellent story.

This story was very interesting from a conceptual standpoint. It's good to see Vulcan hostility to K/S. It supplies additional drama, and it makes sense according to what I know of Vulcan culture. I also thought that an inoculation that prevents all sexually transmitted diseases from being spread is a very interesting idea. Certainly we in the 20th century could benefit from this Vulcan discovery. The ending,however, was poorly thought out. It is difficult for me to imagine that a diplomat's son and a Starfleet Captain could discuss such a blatantly political move as Spock's resigning his Vulcan citizenship solely in personal terms. Surely they would realize that more than Spock's relationship with his family could be affected. What about the effect on Sarek's career? Surely his credibility would be damaged by Spock's precipitous action? Not only this, but Spock is regarded as a "legend" by his people. Surely Spock's resigning his Vulcan citizenship would have tremendous political impact. It could change the entire course of history on Vulcan. It boggles my mind that neither Kirk nor Spock showed any awareness of this. Perhaps a sequel could deal with the political fall out that Spock stirred up.