The Inter-Relationships of Enterprise Crew Members
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| Title: | The Inter-Relationships of Enterprise Crew Members |
| Creator: | Jenny Elson |
| Date(s): | August 1973 and November 1973 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Topic: | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Inter-Relationships of Enterprise Crew Members is a set of two 1973 essays by Jenny Elson.
It was printed in STAG #3 and #4.
In the first part Jenny Elson analyzes Kirk-Spock (how Kirk views Spock), Kirk-McCoy (how Kirk views McCoy), McCoy-Kirk (how McCoy views Kirk), and Spock-Kirk (how Spock views Kirk). This last analysis is a daring one, and it generated much discussion.
In the second part Jenny Elson analyzes Kirk-Spock, Scott-Kirk, McCoy-Scott, Scott McCoy, McCoy-Spock, and Spock-McCoy.
There is a related third essay by Elson in STAG #9 that is a characterization of Scotty.
Similar Essays
- The Inter-Relationships of Enterprise Crew Members by Jenny Elson in STAG #3 (1973)
- Pandora's Box... Again by Diane Marchant (Grup #4) (1975)
- Concerning Spock by Diane Marchant (Beyond Antares #1) (1975)
- Analysis of Nurse Christine Chapel by Diane Marchant (Beyond Antares #1) (1975)
From the Essay
To understand this relationship, one must understand Vulcan, and the attitude of the a half-breed. Spock's culture is based on stoicism, logic, peace, harmony and beauty of thought. With this perfect balance of mind and body, Vulcans can enter a good and lasting relationship... a lasting union, which is almost like a courtship. Spock sees through the ideas of a Vulcan, yet is capable of understanding Terrans, too. Kirk and he together have all the attributes of a union at its best. They are a partnership, and the Good exists between them. Kirk, Spock knows, is not aware of this. Only Spock, with his Vulcan heritage, can equate exactly what is between them, and it is something so deeply private that Spock will rarely admit to it, even to himself. So it is Spock who keeps the relationship seemingly distant, and suffers the intense loneliness this inevitable brings. On Vulcan, to a Vulcan, he could openly express what he feels, for another Vulcan would understand. But Kirk, a Terran, would not, and therefore Spock must keep to himself the knowledge deep with him; that he is actively and logically in love with James Kirk, captain of the Enterprise.
Fan Comments
1973
Spock being in love with Kirk... That's stupid and ridiculous! Let's keep the Star Trek Party clean, please! It's Science Fiction and far away places in deep space we're interested in. If I were you, I'd keep that OUT of any further newsletters you do. Homosexuality is OUT. Man was made for woman. [1]
Loved your article about the relationships of the crew-members. That Spock is in love with Kirk is a beautiful idea. Not the way he often looks at Kirk; risks his own life to save him, and, in "Amok Time", the dreadful expression on his face when he thinks that his friend is dead. [2]
I've thought of that before (Spock being in love with Kirk), but I've never had the courage to mention it until now. [3]
My daughter and I thought that Spock being in love with Kirk was a lovely idea, but be careful, people in the United States might be offended by the idea. [4]
I resist the temptation that Spock is in love with Kirk! But on the other hand, I guess it's true in a way. It disturbed me greatly at first, but I see now that you may have a point, remembering the Vulcan nature. I'm very glad to hear there's nothing physical in it. That's a relief! I must admit that I was repulsed until I looked at it from another angle. Then it didn't seem so bad. [5]
I must disagree with you about Spock and Kirk. Please give Kirk some credit for trying to understand Spock. Also, what about Spock's human half? He has got one, and it's this which gives him the capacity for understanding humans. A Vulcan is supposed to have no emotions, but what about pride? Spock is proud of being Vulcan, but not proud of being half human. Why doesn't he try to communicated with Kirk about how he feels. He just might get a surprise. Just what do you mean by saying that Spock is actively and logically in love with Kirk? There is nothing logical about love. In fact it's the most illogical of human objections and there you have a discrepancy, unless you mean that it's his human half, which would make him slightly funny.
(Queer, not ha ha) and that is not Spock. [6]
1974
A lot of people seem to have one-track minds! If you had said that Spock loved his mother, no-one would have bothered. It's about time everyone realised all the different kinds of love that can exist. [7]
You certainly caused a stir with your Kirk/Spock relationship. It's an interesting idea, and when you think of what Spock does on occasion, quite possible.[8]
What I understand by Spock being in love with Kirk is a full and complete evaluation of the Captain's character in relation to Spock himself. Spock is able to relate to Kirk, unconsciously bestowing the emotions he is unable to express to his father onto the captain. That is my opinion of the strange and beautiful relationship between Kirk and Spock. [9]
I don't think a man has to be Vulcan to love another man ... and I don't mean a sexual love. [10]
So many episodes prove this love. "No greater love has any man than he lay down his life for his friend." [11]
Why do people have to bring sex into every relationship? Haven't they heard of true devotion, friendship, and trust? Has sex become such a part of our society that we cannot think of anything without including it? [12]
References
- ^ comment by Jack in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Margaret in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Heather in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Floss in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Ann in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Lynne in "STAG" #4
- ^ comment by Chris in "STAG" #5
- ^ comment by Karen in "STAG" #5
- ^ comment by Ann in "STAG" #5
- ^ comment by Pat in "STAG" #5
- ^ comment by Kay in "STAG" #5
- ^ comment by in "STAG" #8