mr spock star trek discovery

Starfleet career

Starfleet academy.

During his time at Starfleet Academy, Spock had Onafuwa for Fundamentals of Quantum Stochastics and several other advanced courses. He was commissioned as a Starfleet officer in 2250 with the serial number S 179-276 SP and held an A7 computer expert classification. Later in life, he wrote a memoir about the challenges he faced at Starfleet Academy, titled The Many and the One . ( PIC : " The Star Gazer "; ST : " Q&A "; TOS : " The Enterprise Incident ", " Court Martial ", " The Ultimate Computer ")

In the alternate reality, Spock began programming the Kobayashi Maru scenario in 2254. The writers of the film Star Trek stated, in the movie's audio commentary , that they felt this event overlapped with the prime reality and that Kirk also met Spock at a hearing after he cheated on the test. According to the script for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan , after taking the Kobayashi Maru test for the third time, Spock said to Kirk that his solution would not have occurred to a Vulcan mentality . [2] This would have implied that Kirk and Spock knew each other since the late 2250s , and that Spock was at the Academy. As it was, this information was not in the theatrical or director's cut of the film . Furthermore, Spock was to have been depicted as a Starfleet cadet in two undeveloped productions: Star Trek: The First Adventure and a story suggested for inclusion in ENT Season 4 . (For more information, see Reappearances .)

Early postings and assignments

One of Spock's early assignments was to the USS Kongo . ( SNW : " Memento Mori ")

Serving under Christopher Pike

Arrival on the enterprise.

Spock and Lieutenant Una Chin-Riley in a turbolift shortly after his arrival.

In 2253 , Spock was assigned to the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike . When Ensign Spock was first transported aboard the Enterprise , he bonded with the ship's first officer , Lieutenant Una Chin-Riley (who preferred to be known simply as "Number One"). When they became trapped in the turbolift while on their way to the bridge, Spock asked Una many questions and the two opened up to each other. ( ST : " Q&A "; SNW : " Among the Lotus Eaters " display graphic )

By 2254 , he was promoted to lieutenant . ( TOS : " The Cage ")

Spock's promotion to lieutenant can only be extrapolated by comparing his rank in "Q&A" (ensign) with that in "The Cage" (lieutenant).

Rescuing Pike from the Talosians

Spock in 2254

Later that year, Lt. Spock was wounded in the leg when Pike's landing party was attacked on Rigel VII .

As the ship proceeded to the Vega colony for medical care, a radio wave distress call forced Pike to divert the ship to Talos IV . Still limping, Spock joined a landing party that transported to the barren surface of the planet where Talosians captured Pike.

He was the first of the ship's crew to realize the Talosians had powerful illusory abilities. Spock's final report, along with Pike's, recommended a ban on visitation to the planet. Starfleet's General Order 7 supported that judgment. ( TOS : " The Cage ", " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ")

At one point during the filming of "The Cage", Gene Roddenberry intended for Spock to appear in an installment which was to be filmed later but set before "The Cage". In that episode, Spock would have been depicted injuring his leg. Roddenberry, as a way to set the story up, asked Spock actor Leonard Nimoy to limp on-screen during "The Cage". Nimoy complied with that request but the planned episode was never filmed, leaving the reason for Spock's leg wound as somewhat of a mystery. [3] (X)

Searching for the Red Angel

Spock in 2257

Following the end of the Federation-Klingon War in 2257 , Spock took an unspecified leave of absence from Starfleet. He had accumulated a number of months during the five-year mission which, according to Pike, took a toll on the whole crew as well as Spock. Upon reviewing Spock 's personal log entries on the Enterprise , Michael Burnham learned that Spock had been having visions ever since he was a boy, and that he had had premonitions of the mysterious red bursts that the USS Discovery was likewise investigating, which Spock believed were related to his childhood visions of "the Red Angel." ( DIS : " Brother ")

Spock followed his visions to an unknown planet where he encountered the Red Angel. Through a mind meld , he discovered that it was a Human but one clad in a suit far beyond 23rd century technology. Through the meld, he received a vision of the destruction of Earth , Vulcan , Andor , and Tellar , and began experiencing time non-linearly. ( DIS : " If Memory Serves ") He decided to have himself committed to the psychiatric unit on Starbase 5 . In doing so, he requested that Starfleet not inform his family about the matter, including his father and foster sister. While there, he was observed to display acutely emotional dissociation and extreme empathy deficits. When he was told the red bursts had occurred as he had predicted, Spock broke out of the facility, disabling three of his doctors with Vulcan nerve pinches and fleeing on a shuttlecraft . ( DIS : " New Eden ", " Point of Light ", " If Memory Serves ")

Starfleet subsequently claimed that Spock had murdered his doctors and made finding him a priority. The USS Discovery and Section 31 became involved in the search. Aware he was being pursued, Spock abandoned his shuttlecraft in the Mutara sector and secretly returned to Vulcan. There, his mother hid him in a sacred crypt where katra stones shielded him from telepathic searches. Spock had become delusional and incoherent, unable to bear the experience of viewing time non-linearly, and repeated the First Doctrines of Logic and a sequence of numbers over and over. Burnham convinced Amanda to take her to Spock, but Sarek followed Burnham and convinced her that the best way to help Spock was to hand him over to Section 31. Burnham took Spock to the Section 31 ship NCIA-93 where Captain Leland promised he would help repair Spock's mind. However, Philippa Georgiou warned Burnham that Leland intended to extract Spock's memories using a process that would destroy his mind. At Georgiou's suggestion, Burnham overpowered her and took Spock from the Section 31 ship in a shuttlecraft. ( DIS : " Saints of Imperfection ", " Light and Shadows ")

Burnham realized that, since Spock's mind had regressed to childhood, the sequence of numbers he had been repeating was reversed due to his L'tak Terai . In the opposite order, the numbers represented the coordinates for Talos IV . Burnham thus set a course for that planet. There, the Talosians and Vina agreed to help heal Spock and subsequently projected illusions to the pursuing NCIA-93 to allow Burnham and Spock to escape to the USS Discovery which was commanded by his old friend Captain Christopher Pike while the USS Enterprise was down for repairs. ( DIS : " Light and Shadows ", " If Memory Serves ")

Stopping Control

Spock subsequently joined the Discovery 's ongoing mission to investigate the red bursts , discovering that Control had framed Spock for murder ( DIS : " Project Daedalus ") and helping to trap the Red Angel on Essof IV . To everyone's surprise, the Red Angel was revealed to actually be Gabrielle Burnham , Michael Burnham 's mother who was long believed to be dead. While attempting to prevent Control from wiping out all life in the galaxy after gaining full sentience, Gabrielle had discovered that Spock was the only one capable of truly perceiving her and her purpose. However, an effort to beam Gabrielle into their time permanently failed and resulted in the Red Angel suit and Gabrielle getting pulled back into the 32nd century , unable to return due to Gabrielle's time crystal being destroyed. ( DIS : " The Red Angel ", " Perpetual Infinity ")

When the decision was made to send Discovery into the future in order to prevent Control from ever getting its hands on the Sphere data, Spock decided to accompany his sister on the one-way trip. During the Battle near Xahea , Spock helped to guide Burnham's use of the second Red Angel suit from a shuttlecraft, but his engines were damaged and he couldn't return to the ship with her. With Discovery too badly damaged to risk lowering its shields to beam him onboard, Spock was forced to remain behind in 2257 . Burnham promised to send the seventh red burst to signal her brother that they had successfully made it and offered him some final words of advice. Spock told Burnham that he loved her, a sentiment that she returned, before Spock had the USS Enterprise beam him out. From the Enterprise bridge, Spock witnessed Burnham successfully lead Discovery through the wormhole to the future. ( DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow ", " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ")

Return to Starfleet

Spock in 2258

After the battle against Control , Spock returned to his position as science officer aboard the Enterprise in 2258 . He was sworn to secrecy, along with the rest of the crew of Pike's starship, to never again speak the name of his adoptive sister or the ship she served on aloud in public again. Four months after the Discovery 's departure, the seventh red burst appeared near Terralysium , confirming to Spock that his sister had made it to the future. ( DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ")

In 2259 , T'Pring, his betrothed, proposed marriage to him, which he accepted. ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

Later that year, the pirate Captain Angel , lover of Spock's half-brother Sybok, came aboard, manipulating Spock at an attempt to free Sybok from the Ankeshtan K'til Retreat he was currently confined to. Angel ultimately took control of the Enterprise and tried to blackmail T'Pring into releasing Sybok, using Spock as leverage. Spock and Christine Chapel foiled her plans by pretending to be in love with each other and temporarily ending his betrothal to T'Pring. They renewed their bonding afterwards. ( SNW : " The Serene Squall ")

When an alien consciousness from the Jonisian Nebula brought the fairy tale The Kingdom of Elysian to life on the Enterprise , Spock was used for the character of the Wizard Pollux . He didn't remember the events after the ship was returned to normal. ( SNW : " The Elysian Kingdom ")

Spock was part of a mission to the USS Peregrine , which had made a crash landing on Valeo Beta V . Inside the ship, confronted with young Gorn who had just hatched and hunted the landing party, Spock allowed himself to give into his unchecked emotions and rage to provoke and draw out the Gorn. Afterwards, he had still trouble controling his anger as well as his pain and that his mind was weak, but was assured by Christine Chapel that it was not a weakness, but him being Human. ( SNW : " All Those Who Wander ")

Meeting Leila Kalomi

On Earth briefly in 2261 , Spock met Leila Kalomi . Although she declared a love for Spock, his emotional control prevented him from reciprocating until 2267 when he was infected by the spores on Omicron Ceti III . Under the spores' influence, he became peaceful and happy but Captain James T. Kirk infuriated him, which killed the spores and returned him to normal. ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise ")

Spock's service under Pike (eleven years, four months, and five days) inspired considerable respect and loyalty from the young officer. In 2267, Spock risked his life and career for the sake of his former captain. ( TOS : " The Cage ", " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ")

Serving under James T. Kirk

Lieutenant Commander Spock in 2265

After Pike's promotion to fleet captain , Kirk assumed command of the Enterprise in 2265 , with Spock as his first officer. An early mission proved disastrous when Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell , a close friend of the new captain, developed enhanced psionic abilities when the Enterprise encountered an energy barrier at the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy .

Spock and Kirk in 2265

Spock examined the tapes of an earlier ship, the SS Valiant , that had encountered the same barrier and was destroyed. As Mitchell's powers increased, Spock believed he had become extremely dangerous and feared that he would destroy the Enterprise . He therefore advised Kirk to either strand Mitchell on the uninhabited and desolate Delta Vega to isolate him from galactic civilization or kill Mitchell before it was too late. Kirk hesitated but initially attempted the former, but the scope of Spock's concerns were eventually borne out and Kirk was forced to kill Mitchell. ( TOS : " Where No Man Has Gone Before ")

In the final revised draft of the script for "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (dated 8 July 1965 ), Spock's final line of the episode was to have featured him admitting he had "hated every minute of being logical about" the treatment of Gary Mitchell. [4] This line of dialogue, however, wasn't used.

The Enterprise repelled the first Romulan incursion of Federation space in over a century on stardate 1709.2. Spock and the bridge crew became the first Starfleet officers to make visual contact with Romulans who finally revealed their Vulcan-like appearance to Starfleet. Lieutenant Stiles briefly suspected Spock of being a Romulan agent until Spock saved his life in the course of battle. ( TOS : " Balance of Terror ")

Spock kidnapped Fleet Captain Pike and hijacked the Enterprise . Pike had been crippled and was confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak, as a result of an accident. Spock wanted to return him to Talos IV ; he wished to return Pike to the Talosians there so he could enjoy the rest of his life in an illusory reality and would not have to continue enduring his disability. After a lengthy inquiry into the matter, and in light of the Talosian-provided images, Kirk allowed Pike to beam down. Commodore Jose I. Mendez also dropped all charges against Spock. ( TOS : " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ")

While commanding an away mission aboard the Galileo on stardate 2821.5, the shuttlecraft crashed on the surface of Taurus II . Giant hostile creatures killed two crewmembers while the shuttle was stranded there. Spock, aided by Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott , eventually launched the shuttle. Knowing that it could not break free of the planet's gravity, Spock ignited the shuttlecraft's remaining fuel to use it as a flare. His gamble paid off; it alerted the Enterprise which turned around and rescued the team. ( TOS : " The Galileo Seven ")

Spock in command of the Enterprise after the Metrons abduct Kirk

After being thrown back in time to Earth of 1969 and interacting with that planet's US Air Force , Spock was able to recreate a time warp with a slingshot maneuver around the sun. ( TOS : " Tomorrow is Yesterday ")

Spock being questioned at Kirk's trial in 2267

When Kirk was court-martialed for causing the death of Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Finney , Spock proved that Finney had altered the Enterprise 's computer tapes to frame Kirk, by beating the computer at chess four times in a row, something which would ordinarily be impossible. ( TOS : " Court Martial ")

Spock confronts Landru with Kirk

Spock, along with Kirk, helped disable Landru , a computer that controlled the lives of a civilization on Beta III and allowed no free thought or creative thinking. ( TOS : " The Return of the Archons ")

Spock helped Kirk to retake the Enterprise after Khan Noonien Singh , a 20th century Augment dictator whom the Enterprise 's crew had found in stasis , commandeered the starship. He flooded the ship with gas, disabling Khan and his followers. ( TOS : " Space Seed ")

On stardate 3192.1, Spock and Kirk were taken prisoners on Eminiar VII which had been at war for over five hundred years with Vendikar . Computers fought the war virtually so that the destruction of actual warfare did not devastate the two worlds, thus preserving both civilizations. Whenever the computer registered a hit, the affected citizens reported to a disintegration chamber where they were vaporized. When the Enterprise entered orbit around Eminiar VII, it became a legitimate target for Vendikar. The war computer soon declared that a tricobalt satellite explosion had destroyed the Enterprise ; as a result, Eminiar officials expected the crew to report to the disintegration stations. They abducted Kirk and Spock to ensure compliance, but the two escaped captivity and destroyed the computers on Eminiar VII. With the threat of a real war looming over the inhabitants of both planets, Spock and Kirk negotiated a peace between Eminiar VII and Vendikar. ( TOS : " A Taste of Armageddon ")

On the mining planet Janus VI , an unknown creature was killing miners there. After locating the creature, Spock mind melded with it. He discovered that the creature was called a Horta and determined that its killing of the miners was an attempt to protect its young. The miners had been unintentionally killing the Horta's offspring by destroying silicon nodules which were really the creature's eggs. Spock negotiated a pact between the Horta and the miners: The miners would leave the eggs alone and the Horta, in turn, would help the miners locate valuable minerals. ( TOS : " The Devil in the Dark ")

Spock is forced to use a destructive measure in order to protect the Federation

Spock and Kirk later became trapped on Organia during a Klingon occupation of that planet. The Klingons wanted to use Organia as a base in their war against the Federation. The Organian council refused the Federation's help, and after the Klingons invaded and took control of Organia, Kirk and Spock had civilian identities imposed on them, with Spock being given the identity of a merchant . They then became involved in sabotage. After the Klingons captured them, the Organians set Spock and Kirk free. Just as war began to break out, the Organians revealed themselves to be powerful energy beings. They neutralized both sides weaponry and stopped the war. ( TOS : " Errand of Mercy ")

On stardate 3134.0, Spock and Kirk traveled back in time using the Guardian of Forever to retrieve Dr. Leonard McCoy who had entered the time portal and somehow changed history. Spock discovered McCoy saved the life of Edith Keeler who, in the altered timeline, led a pacifist movement that delayed the United States of America 's entry into World War II , thus allowing Adolf Hitler to win the war. Spock persuaded Kirk that allowing Keeler to die in an auto accident was only way to restore the timeline. ( TOS : " The City on the Edge of Forever ")

A neural parasite attacking Spock

Near the end of the year, a Denevan neural parasite that destroyed the colony on Deneva also attacked Spock. He submitted to an experiment that destroyed the creature inside him but also left him blind. However, the blindness was only temporary due to an inner set of eyelids that all Vulcans possessed. ( TOS : " Operation -- Annihilate! ")

Commander Spock in 2267

In late 2267 , the Enterprise encountered a probe called Nomad that had destroyed multiple star systems and their inhabitants. Spock mind-melded with the probe and discovered it was an old Earth probe originally tasked with seeking out new life. Somehow damaged in space, it had merged with an alien probe on a mission to sterilize "imperfect" biological organisms from soil. These two missions had merged into sterilizing or improving anything that was not "perfect." Using its own logic against it, Kirk destroyed the probe. ( TOS : " The Changeling ")

On stardate 3219.8, an alien cloud creature took control of a shuttlecraft carrying Spock, Kirk, and Federation diplomat Nancy Hedford , landing it on a deserted planet. There, they found Zefram Cochrane , the inventor of Earth's warp drive who was believed to have died decades ago. The cloud creature, which Cochrane called the " Companion ", had discovered him and kept him alive and young. The creature had brought the three Starfleet officers to be companions for Cochrane. When Spock tried to repair the shuttlecraft, the Companion stopped him. The situation was resolved when the Companion joined with Hedford, who was terminally ill, and cured her. Hedford/The Companion remained on the planet with Cochrane. ( TOS : " Metamorphosis ")

At some point around Spock's fourth year on the Enterprise , he was offered an assignment with Medusan Ambassador Kollos which he turned down, as he claimed that he " was unable to accept, " as his " life is here, " aboard the Enterprise . The assignment, instead, went to Miranda Jones . ( TOS : " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ")

In 2268 , Spock and other crewmembers of the Enterprise encountered Harry Mudd stranded on a planet of androids . The androids wanted the Enterprise to escape the planet and serve Humans so that they would not have to explore space. Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew eventually managed to overload the androids' central control by acting in a illogical manner, causing the chief android, Norman , to have a breakdown. ( TOS : " I, Mudd ")

While traveling to a peace conference on Babel , Spock was reunited with his parents. There was still much friction between Spock and his father. When Sarek was accused of the murder of another delegate , it was revealed that he was ill with a cardiac defect which made it unlikely that he could have committed the crime. McCoy was then tasked with performing surgery on Sarek while in a space battle with an enemy ship. It was then discovered that Orions were responsible for the murder, and Spock made himself available for a blood transfusion for his father's surgery because they shared the same rare blood type , T-negative . Recovering in sickbay , Sarek and Spock made peace with each other, even playfully teasing Amanda. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ")

On stardate 4523.3, Spock helped foil a Klingon plot to poison quadrotriticale earmarked for Sherman's Planet while at the same time trying to clear the Enterprise of a fast-breeding alien species called tribbles . ( TOS : " The Trouble with Tribbles "; DS9 : " Trials and Tribble-ations ")

Spock later visited Sigma Iotia II whose inhabitants had modeled their society on the gangster era of Earth's 1930s . An earlier starship had left behind a book about gangsters from Earth's 20th century that the imitative Iotians had used as a blueprint for their society. Spock played the part of one of the bosses of the main syndicate, "The Federation," and helped Kirk unite the two warring bosses into a form of government . ( TOS : " A Piece of the Action ")

Spock sensing the terrible deaths of an entire Vulcan crew

Spock, along with the Enterprise , encountered a space amoeba that destroyed entire star systems . The USS Intrepid , which was sent to investigate the phenomenon, was destroyed, and Spock felt the Vulcans on the ship dying. In order to gain information on the creature, Spock piloted a shuttle into the amoeba and found that it was about to reproduce by fission. He subsequently destroyed the creature with an antimatter bomb. ( TOS : " The Immunity Syndrome ")

Spock's body was later taken over by Henoch , one of three survivors of an ancient civilization that had destroyed itself. The three had become energy beings to survive and wished to build androids to house their minds. Henoch, the rival of fellow survivor Sargon , refused to relinquish Spock's body and attempted to kill Sargon. He himself was killed with the help of Spock's consciousness and Sargon's wife Thalassa . ( TOS : " Return to Tomorrow ")

Ekosian Nazis capture Spock

Spock came in contact with various other worlds in the early part of 2268. He was captured by Ekosians who had based their society on that of Nazi Germany and tortured him for information about the Enterprise . John Gill , a Federation historian , had visited Ekos and attempted to use the efficiency of Nazi Germany to bring stability to the planet. Toward the end of the encounter, it was found out that Gill was drugged by his deputy Melakon. Through the use of the mind meld, Spock helped bring Gill to almost full wakefulness. ( TOS : " Patterns of Force ")

Spock battled Kelvans who tried to take over the Enterprise in order to return to their homeworld in the Andromeda Galaxy . He helped Kirk stop Ronald Tracey , a Federation captain interfering in Omega IV 's societies by arming the Kohms against the Yangs . He battled the government of a planet where a Rome -like civilization had never fallen and gladiatorial games still took place in the planet's modern era. ( TOS : " By Any Other Name ", " The Omega Glory ", " Bread and Circuses ")

Spock's mindless body equipped with a neural stimulator after the Eymorgs stole his brain

Later the same year, Spock's brain was stolen by the Eymorgs to help power the Great Teacher that controlled their society and provided for all their needs. McCoy was able to reconnect Spock's brain to his body with the same technology used to remove it. ( TOS : " Spock's Brain ")

Spock, along with Kirk, stole a cloaking device from the Romulans. As part of the plan to retrieve the device, he pretended to kill Kirk in self-defense and romanced the craft's commander in order to gain her trust. He initially intended only to carry out his mission but experienced actual feelings for the beautiful and brilliant commander. After Kirk returned to the Romulans' craft disguised as a Romulan and stole the device, Spock stalled the Romulans long enough for the device to be installed in the Enterprise . The ship escaped with the cloaking device and the Romulan commander on board, who made a pact with Spock to keep their mutual feelings for the other a secret. ( TOS : " The Enterprise Incident ")

Spock later saved Kirk and a tribe of transplanted Native Americans when he helped save their planet Amerind from an asteroid by activating a deflector beam. ( TOS : " The Paradise Syndrome ") He allowed Kollos to take over his body so that he could guide the Enterprise back into the galaxy after a mad Larry Marvick had driven it into an uncharted region. The Medeusans were a highly intelligent species but their bodies were grotesque in form – so much so that gazing upon a Medeusan would cause instant insanity in humanoids. However, it was said that telepathically viewing a Medeusan's mind, as Spock did, was quite a beautiful experience. ( TOS : " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ")

Spock helped save an landing party from the Melkotians who had, as punishment for trespassing, forced them to relive the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral in a recreation of Tombstone , Arizona . ( TOS : " Spectre of the Gun ") He also helped redirect Yonada from colliding with Daran V . ( TOS : " For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky ")

Spock took command of the Enterprise when a spatial interphase trapped Kirk between universes. Despite a Tholian attack from Commander Loskene , Spock and the Enterprise crew managed to retrieve Kirk and escaped from the Tholians' energy web. ( TOS : " The Tholian Web ")

A race of psychokinetics later captured Spock, Kirk, and McCoy. The aliens forced them to take part in dangerous games and unwanted love affairs. ( TOS : " Plato's Stepchildren ")

After hyper-accelerated aliens took over the Enterprise and hyper-accelerated Kirk to take as a hostage, Spock managed to receive a warning from Kirk and became hyper-accelerated himself but carried an antidote with him. He and Kirk stopped the aliens and retook the ship. ( TOS : " Wink of an Eye ")

Spock was part of a landing party that aliens were using to test the worthiness of an empathic race. A supernova was going to destroy their planetary system, and the aliens wanted to see if their race should be saved. After the aliens tortured Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, the empath Gem healed them. Impressed by this, the aliens saved her planet. ( TOS : " The Empath ")

Spock attempting to differentiate between two almost identical Kirks in 2269

In early 2269 , Spock and Kirk took a new medicine that could cure mental illness to a Federation mental facility. However, under the leadership of former Starfleet captain Garth of Izar , inmates had taken over the facility. Garth captured Spock and Kirk, putting their lives in danger. Spock escaped and found Kirk but Garth, who had developed shapeshifting powers, had assumed Kirk's identity. Spock determined the real Kirk from the impostor and subdued Garth, thus giving him medication that helped his mental illness. ( TOS : " Whom Gods Destroy ")

In the same year, Spock was part of a landing party that found a Human named Flint . He found masterpiece paintings and original classical music. Flint admitted that he had been Johannes Brahms and Leonardo da Vinci on Earth , and that he was an immortal being. ( TOS : " Requiem for Methuselah ")

Spock with Droxine

Spock helped Kirk negotiate a peace treaty between two societies on Ardana . He also became attracted to Droxine , the daughter of Plasus , the ruler of Ardana; he referred to her as a work of art and even discussed pon farr with her. However, nothing ever came out of the relationship. ( TOS : " The Cloud Minders ")

The Excalbians forced Spock and Kirk into a battle between good and evil to study Human concepts. The aliens created images of people who possessed "good" qualities, such as Abraham Lincoln and Surak , against "bad" people such as Colonel Phillip Green and Kahless . ( TOS : " The Savage Curtain ")

Spock, Kirk, and McCoy entered a time portal, and were stuck in different past eras of Sarpeidon which was about to be destroyed by an exploding sun. Spock and McCoy traveled into the planet's ice age where they met Zarabeth , who had been sent there as punishment. Even though McCoy was dying from the cold, Spock wished to remain with the woman with whom he had fallen in love since, in this time period, he had emotions. Eventually, he discovered the portal door and saved McCoy. ( TOS : " All Our Yesterdays ")

After Janice Lester transferred her consciousness into Kirk's body and his consciousness into her body, she attempted to kill Kirk and assume his captaincy. However, Spock managed to expose her and helped to re-transfer Kirk's consciousness into his body. ( TOS : " Turnabout Intruder ")

Spock (left) along with McCoy, rapidly aged on planet

Spock with Klingons from the IKS Klothos

Spock joined a landing party that beamed down to inspect the second planet of the Taurean system . There, he became affected by the glandular secretion of the female members of Theela's species who inhabited there, who were known for controlling the male mind. This drained Spock of his "life force," causing him to age at a rate of ten years per day. Spock escaped the females of the planet and contacted the Enterprise . An all-female security detachment led by Lieutenant Nyota Uhura eventually recovered him and the landing party. By using their molecular pattern stored in the transporter system, Spock and the others were returned to their previous ages. ( TAS : " The Lorelei Signal ")

Spock Two performing a mind meld on Spock

On a mission to Phylos , Spock was captured by Stavos Keniclius who planned to clone him and make an army of Spock clones to enforce an era of peace throughout the galaxy. His first clone, Spock Two , possessed all of the original's memories, abilities, and sense of logic. However, the cloning process left the original Spock near death. Since Spock Two possessed his progenitor's sense of logic, he mind melded with him and restored his mind, most likely transferring his katra back into the original Spock. The original Spock proposed that Spock Two remain on Phylos to help Keniclius rebuild the Phylosian society. ( TAS : " The Infinite Vulcan ")

Purging emotions

After completing the Enterprise 's five-year mission of exploration, Spock chose to return to his home planet. As a result of his occasional displays of emotion during his Enterprise missions, he decided to undergo the kolinahr ritual to purge himself of the last vestiges of emotion. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

V'ger crisis

Two and half years after leaving Starfleet, Spock felt the arrival of a vast consciousness. He aborted his kolinahr training and resumed his Starfleet career both for personal reasons and to help Rear Admiral Kirk during the V'ger incident. Spock's return to Starfleet amazed former colleagues and others but his reputation remained excellent, with Commander Will Decker stating that he was "well-aware of Mr. Spock's qualifications" when Spock offered to again serve as science officer. Within three hours, he helped Scott repair the Enterprise 's malfunctioning warp drive . ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

Commander Spock in the 2270s

This film was one of the few instances in which Spock was not second in command or a commanding officer for that matter. Since Decker had a temporary grade reduction from captain to executive officer, this left Spock to serve only as a science officer without the dual responsibility of a first officer.

" Jim, this simple feeling is beyond V'ger 's comprehension. "

Spock's attitude towards his colleagues was far different from when he had served with them during the five-year mission. Wishing to rid himself of any personal attachments to Starfleet, he no longer considered any of the crew to be his friends and barely acknowledged them upon his return except where his duties demanded it. Feeling that the consciousness would answer for his quest, he broke into an airlock and stole a thruster suit . He exited the ship and proceeded to the next chamber of the mechanism, witnessing a planet populated by living machines. There, he attempted a mind meld and he realized V'ger 's quest. Knocked unconscious by the enormous power of V'ger during the meld, Spock was recovered in open space by Kirk. Later, he was in sickbay being treated for neurological trauma. He informed Kirk that V'ger was a life-form of its own, seeking answers to its questions; specifically " Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more? " Grasping Kirk's hand while lying on a biobed , Spock told Kirk that the simple feeling of touching another was something beyond V'ger 's comprehension.

Spock later accompanied Kirk, Decker, and McCoy to the heart of V'ger , guided by the Ilia probe . The group discovered V'ger was actually the 20th century NASA probe Voyager 6 . Spock deduced that the old probe was found by the living machine inhabitants of a planet located on the other side of the galaxy and they built the mammoth vessel so it could fulfill Voyager 's simple programming, " learn all that is learnable ." Spock told Kirk that V'ger had to evolve, as its knowledge had reached the limits of the known universe.

Spock informed McCoy and the others that other dimensions and higher levels of being could not be proven logically and V'ger was therefore incapable of believing in them, needing the Human quality to leap beyond logic. Decker chose to merge with V'ger , and Kirk, McCoy, and Spock escaped shortly thereafter when it and Decker evolved into another dimension. Afterwards, Spock chose to remain on the Enterprise rather than return to his homeworld .

Spock's direct encounter with V'ger showed him that purging his emotions and operating on pure logic would not answer his questions but would simply create new ones. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

Death and resurrection

Sometime after the V'ger incident, Spock was promoted to captain and assigned to Starfleet Academy where he trained cadets on the Enterprise which had been retired from active service.

The death of Spock in 2285

In early 2285 , Spock, while on a training mission, ceded command of the Enterprise to Kirk during a mission that involved keeping the Genesis Device from Khan Noonien Singh . When Kirk and the Enterprise defeated Khan, he armed the device. Spock repaired the Enterprise 's warp drive in a severely irradiated portion of engineering in order to save the crew. He saved the ship but sacrificed his own life in the process. Following his funeral service, Kirk gave Spock a "burial by sea" by firing Spock's body into space inside a torpedo casing. ( Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan )

Spock, resurrected on Mount Seleya

Spock's coffin landed on the surface of the Genesis Planet . The radiation emanating from the planet regenerated his cells. Spock was thus reborn as a child but quickly aged to adulthood. However, his mind was a complete blank. Kirk and the rest of the Enterprise 's senior staff disobeyed Starfleet orders so that they could retrieve Spock's body. On Vulcan, Spock's living body, now at the age of his death, was reunited with his katra which Spock himself had placed in McCoy prior to his death via mind meld. ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

After his katra and body were re-integrated, Spock trained for three months with the help of his mother to bring his knowledge and intellect back to where it had been before he died. Answering many complicated questions at rapid fire during his memory test , he had difficulty answering the question " How do you feel? ", something he felt was irrelevant, though his mother disagreed. Returning back to Earth aboard the HMS Bounty with his Enterprise crewmates to offer testimony in their defense to the Federation Council , Spock and the crew discovered that the planet was under siege by a mysterious alien probe which was causing critical damage to Earth's oceans and subsequently Earth's ecosystem. Analyzing the transmission the probe was producing, Spock concluded that the probe was transmitting the songs sung by whales , specifically humpback whales . Spock informed Kirk that the humpback whales had been extinct since the 21st century and suggested the crew travel back through time to acquire humpback whales. Spock's calculations from memory for the slingshot effect around Sol proved instrumental in the Bounty 's successful journey back to the year 1986 .

Spock, with Kirk in San Francisco in 1986

Upon the landing of the cloaked Bird-of-Prey in Golden Gate Park , Spock teamed up with Kirk and together they set off in search of humpback whales. The pair discovered George and Gracie at the Cetacean Institute in Sausalito . Spock jumped into the whales' tank and mind melded with Gracie, discovering she was pregnant . After traveling back to 2286 with the whales and cetacean biologist Gillian Taylor , Spock and the rest of the crew saved Earth once again by releasing George and Gracie into the San Francisco Bay from the sunken Bounty . The whales successfully communicated with the probe and it left Earth's solar system . After the dismissal of all charges to the crew of the Enterprise , save for Kirk, Spock spoke to his father and asked him to relay a message to his mother: That he felt fine. Spock went on to serve as a Starfleet officer for several more years aboard the new USS Enterprise -A . ( Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home )

In Star Trek III: The Search For Spock , Kirk honors Spock, after his death, in a toast with Kirk's senior staff in his apartment on Earth. "To absent friends" is the same toast Picard gave in Data 's honor after his death in Star Trek Nemesis . This is a traditional naval toast.

The Enterprise -A

Prior to the launch of the new Enterprise , Spock was recruited to test the new brig as he was the most "intelligent and resourceful person the designers could find." However, despite his ingenuity, he failed to escape. ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier )

Spock joined Kirk and McCoy for shore leave at Yosemite National Park and observed Kirk climbing El Capitan with his levitation boots . He saved Kirk's life when he slipped and fell off of the mountain, grabbing his ankle just seconds before he was killed by the impact. Later, Spock told Kirk and McCoy that before leaving the Enterprise -A, he had studied all the details involving "camping out" and roasted a marshmallow over a fire . Spock's shore leave was interrupted when Commander Uhura brought the shuttlecraft Galileo to the trio's campsite to bring them to the Enterprise as the transporters were malfunctioning.

Spock says goodbye to his half-brother Sybok

Upon the Enterprise 's mission to Nimbus III to resolve a hostage situation, Kirk retained Spock as his first officer. During the Enterprise strike team's rescue mission to Paradise City on Nimbus III, Spock discovered his long-lost half-brother Sybok had been the leader of the Galactic Army of Light , the group responsible for capturing the three diplomats. Sybok hijacked the Enterprise and ordered that it be brought through the Great Barrier . During the subsequent voyage in the shuttle Copernicus to the mythical Sha Ka Ree , Spock tried to console his brother when they could not initially find " God " on the surface.

Shortly thereafter, the landing party encountered the supernatural being when it presented itself to them. Learning of the malevolent nature of the being calling itself "God", Sybok sacrificed his life to save Spock and his friends. Spock and McCoy were beamed up to the Enterprise through the repaired transporter, leaving Kirk alone. The transporter was severely damaged when Klaa's Bird-of-Prey fired on the Enterprise . Spock saved Kirk's life from the entity by commandeering the Bird-of-Prey with the help of General Korrd and firing on it with the Klingon ship's weapons. Later, in the Enterprise -A's observation lounge, Spock reflected on the loss of his brother. Kirk told him that he had lost a brother once, but he was fortunate in that he got him back. Returning to Earth, Spock resumed his shore leave in Yosemite with Kirk and McCoy, this time playing " Row, Row, Row Your Boat " on his Vulcan lute . ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier )

In 2293 , Spock was chosen to be the Federation's special envoy to the "Gorkon Initiative" as it was he who opened secret talks with Chancellor Gorkon following the Praxis disaster. Spock later committed Kirk to the negotiations with the Klingon Empire. During Kirk and McCoy's subsequent trial and imprisonment for the assassination of Gorkon, Spock took command of the Enterprise and the murder investigation. He led the rescue mission of Kirk and McCoy from Rura Penthe and helped stop an assassination attempt on the Federation President. Though this mission was successful, Spock blamed himself for endangering Kirk and the consequences that followed, a guilt that lasted seventy-five years. ( Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ; TNG : " Unification II ")

One version of the Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 's script would have revealed that Valeris was Spock's daughter with Saavik, also named Saavik after her mother. [5]

Diplomatic career

Captain Spock (2293)

In 2293, on the suggestion of his father, Spock opened a dialog with Gorkon in the hopes of initiating peace talks. He recommended an alliance between the Klingon Empire and the Federation at the Khitomer Conference , and Gorkon agreed to negotiate. His recommendation produced a major dispute because the Federation viewed Klingons as outlaws who built their empire through violence and brutality. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, an alliance was nevertheless forged, bringing peace and stability to the Alpha Quadrant that had not existed for two hundred years. Tuvok , who initially opposed the alliance, later noted that " Spock's suggestion, so controversial at first, proved to be the cornerstone of peace ." ( Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ; VOY : " Alliances ")

Also during the Khitomer Conference, Spock opened up negotiations with Ambassador Pardek of Romulus in an attempt to unify Vulcan and the Romulan Star Empire . ( TNG : " Unification I ", " Unification II ")

Picard stated in the episode " Sarek " that, as a lieutenant, he had briefly met with Sarek at the wedding of the latter's son. Episode writer Ira Steven Behr recalled that caution was still in place during early Star Trek: The Next Generation about dealing with characters from Star Trek: The Original Series , thus it was only implied that the son in question was Spock. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion , 2nd ed., p. 127) In the novel Vulcan's Heart , it was the wedding of Spock and Saavik, in 2329 , and Lt. Picard, not really knowing why he was there, spent most of it in the company of one of the few other Humans in attendance, Leonard McCoy.

Ambassador Spock in 2368

Spock and Sarek publicly disagreed over issues involving the Cardassians , leading to a rift in their relationship. ( TNG : " Unification I ")

In his later years, Spock went into semi-retirement, choosing to act as a Federation ambassador, much as his father had done. ( TNG : " Unification I ")

Reunification attempts

In 2368 , Spock undertook a secret personal mission to Romulus , unauthorized by the Federation Council or Starfleet. As he knew it would be risky, he preferred not to involve others and wrapped up his affairs. He acted to facilitate Romulan-Vulcan reunification , avoiding contact with the rest of the Federation as he was reluctant to risk anyone's life but his own on such a mission after the near-fatal consequences to Kirk and McCoy in their involvement in the Khitomer conference. Captain Jean-Luc Picard met Spock on Romulus and informed him of his father's death. Before Picard's departure, the two mind-melded, allowing Spock to realize the depth of his father's feelings for him. ( TNG : " Unification I ", " Unification II ")

In 3189 , a recording of Spock made on stardate 45825 while on Romulus was retrieved from the personal files of Admiral Picard and viewed by Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker . ( DIS : " Unification III ")

"Cowboy diplomacy"

In 2369 , Spock was involved in an incident of " cowboy diplomacy " in which Deanna Troi was temporarily kidnapped to help with the defection of three Romulans, including Vice-Proconsul M'ret , to the Federation. He also had a message sent back to the Federation indirectly through the defector DeSeve . ( TNG : " Face Of The Enemy ")

When an unknown person was beamed on board the USS Enterprise -D in 2370 , Ben told a few junior officers that he heard that this was Ambassador Spock. ( TNG : " Lower Decks ")

In the novel Star Trek: The Motion Picture , it was mentioned in the footnote that James T. Kirk heard of rumors about an affair with Spock, something he denied: " I was never aware of this lovers rumor, although I have been told that Spock encountered it several times. Apparently he had always dismissed it with his characteristic lifting of his right eyebrow which usually connoted some combination of surprise, disbelief, and/or annoyance. As for myself, although I have no moral or other objections to physical love in any of its many Earthly, alien, and mixed forms, I have always found my best gratification in that creature woman . Also, I would dislike being thought of as so foolish that I would select a love partner who came into sexual heat only once every seven years. "

In 2380 , Ensign Beckett Mariner asked Ensign Brad Boimler if he knew who Spock was, to which Boimler answered, "I think I know who Spock is." ( LD : " Second Contact ")

The Red Matter incident

Spock arrives too late to prevent Romulus' destruction

In 2387 , Romulus faced destruction when its sun threatened to go into a massive supernova . After a synth attack on Mars destroyed the Federation fleet being assembled to evacuate Romulus, Spock formed a plan which involved injecting red matter into the star, thus creating an artificial black hole which would consume the star instead. Piloting the Jellyfish , an advanced spacecraft equipped with red matter, Spock proceeded to the star to carry out his mission. Before he could, the star went supernova and destroyed Romulus. With other worlds threatened with destruction, Spock continued his mission and successfully created a black hole which consumed the supernova. Before he could escape, however, the Romulan mining vessel Narada , commanded by Nero , intercepted him. Nero blamed Spock for Romulus' destruction and was bent on revenge. The black hole eventually pulled in the Narada and the Jellyfish . ( Star Trek , PIC : " Remembrance ")

In the script of Star Trek , Spock was established as having seen "the beginning" of the supernova and its destructive effects. His mission to stop the supernova was a kamikaze run, as Spock did not plan on returning, and actually underwent "a ritual ceremony of a Vulcan Kamikaze pilot" (involving " tea , sipped inside the Ark ") before leaving Vulcan. Also, Spock purposely created a second, smaller black hole that he deliberately used to escape by traveling back in time. [6] In the final version of the film , it is unclear if he saw the supernova prior to approaching it in the Jellyfish , Spock was beginning his return journey when Nero intercepted him, and he was accidentally pulled into the black hole, of which there was only one.

Though brought up to embrace a Vulcan way of life that he would eventually commit to as a young man, Spock's encounter with V'ger had a profound impact on his personal philosophy. From that point forward, Spock began to further embrace his Human half and more readily explore the influences and impacts of Human emotion, though he continued to temper his outward expressiveness. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture , Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home , Star Trek )

Spock's self-sacrifice to save the Enterprise from Khan formed the basis of Starfleet's The Needs of the Many holographic training drill , while the rescue of his resurrected self from the Genesis Planet was the basis for the Escape from Spacedock drill. Both simulations were in use by 2381 . ( LD : " I, Excretus ")

Kirk's old bar on Starbase 25 still had Kirk and Spock's names scratched into the counter top as of 2381. ( LD : " An Embarrassment Of Dooplers ")

Spock was known as " Sprok " to Enderprizians , and was " well-known for his words so wise ", including the phrase " most illogical. " ( PRO : " All the World's a Stage ")

By 2399 , Spock would become known as "The Great Spock". ( PIC : " The End is the Beginning ")

His work towards reunification eventually led Romulans to settling on Vulcan and beginning to merge their society with the Vulcans, later renaming the planet to Ni'Var centuries after Spock's disappearance. However, they eventually left the Federation after the Burn . After reaching Federation Headquarters in 3189 , a year after her arrival from 2257 , Michael Burnham learned of her brother's achievements and viewed a recording of Spock talking to Jean-Luc Picard . Despite Ni'Var's separation from the Federation, Burnham's status as Spock's sister opened the chance for her to negotiate for the SB-19 data. ( DIS : " Unification III ") While onboard the ISS Enterprise , Burnham stared nostalgically at the science station and commented to Cleveland Booker that it had been her brother's station on the USS Enterprise . ( DIS : " Mirrors ")

Spock's legacy further extended into the alternate reality. It was he who located New Vulcan, a new homeworld for the Vulcans following the loss of their old one. ( Star Trek ) Following his death, alternate reality Spock originally planned to resign his Starfleet commission and continue the work the ambassador began on New Vulcan. However, after seeing a photograph of the prime reality Enterprise crew that was among old Spock's personal effects, alternate Spock changed his mind, having come to the conclusion that for now, his destiny lay with his crewmates. ( Star Trek Beyond )

Involvement in the alternate reality

Spock witnesses the destruction of Vulcan

Spock emerged from the black hole in the year 2258 of the alternate reality . Since Nero had emerged twenty-five years earlier , Spock was immediately intercepted by the Narada upon his arrival. Both Spock and the Jellyfish were captured by Nero who had been waiting for him. Spock's life was spared by Nero, although Nero marooned him on Delta Vega where he could witness the destruction of Vulcan from the planet's surface. After Nero used some of the red matter from the Jellyfish to create a black hole in Vulcan's planetary core , Spock watched helplessly from Delta Vega as his homeworld was destroyed.

As of 5 November 2007 , the script of Star Trek did not include Spock witnessing the destruction of Vulcan. [7]

Spock realizes whose life he just saved

Shortly thereafter, Spock rescued a Starfleet officer from a hengrauggi , only to discover that the young officer was James T. Kirk himself, that reality's Spock having marooned him on the planet for mutiny . The elder Spock was surprised that Kirk was not captain of the Enterprise . When Spock heard from Kirk that Captain Christopher Pike had been captured, Spock knew that Nero was responsible, describing the Romulan as "particularly troubled." Through a mind meld, Spock explained to Kirk his presence in this time period and the reasons behind Nero's actions.

An ultimately omitted line of dialogue from the script of Star Trek would have established that Spock, prior to scaring a hengrauggi away in the movie, was already familiar with that species of animal. [8]

Spock with Kirk on Delta Vega

He then walked with Kirk to the Starfleet Delta Vega outpost , where they met Montgomery Scott . Using Scott's equation for transwarp beaming (which Scott had not actually figured out yet), Spock was able to transport Kirk back to the Enterprise along with Scott. When asked why he would not come with them, Spock stated that his other self must not know of his existence, implying that it could cause some kind of temporal paradox. Knowing his younger self would never take the course of action that could stop Nero but that Kirk would, Spock instructed Kirk to use Regulation 619 to force his younger self to give up command to him by proving he was emotionally compromised. He informed Kirk he knew his younger counterpart was emotionally compromised due to the destruction of his homeworld. Kirk followed his advice and, by emotionally manipulating the alternate Spock, managed to take command of the Enterprise .

Spock meets himself

After the Enterprise defeated the Narada and Nero, the elder Spock returned to Earth. There, he met his less-than-surprised younger self (while Kirk had kept his word, his word was no match for even the intellect of the younger Spock, as he had figured out who Kirk's mysterious benefactor must be) and convinced him to remain in Starfleet. He also explained the reason he had not returned to the Enterprise with Kirk to explain things was that he had not wished to deprive Kirk and Spock of the chance of working together and developing the friendship they were destined to have. He then wished his younger self good luck and walked away.

In ultimately omitted dialogue from the script of Star Trek , Spock additionally told his alternate reality counterpart that he and Kirk were " Opposing yet complimentary opposites, " and went on to say, " It was that balance between us – I should say you and Kirk – that often made the impossible, possible. " His heart heavy, Spock admitted, however, that he was "in no position to judge," and that his own actions had "robbed" the younger Spock of much. Moments later, Spock Prime advised his younger self, " The world you've inherited lives in the shadow of incalculable devastation… but there's no reason you must face it alone. " [9]

" Thrusters on full… "

Afterwards, Spock witnessed the official promotion of Kirk to captain of the USS Enterprise , repeating what he knew the crew would say before launch, apparently commiserating on his own experiences as a member of the crew of the Enterprise . He left with an intention to establish a Vulcan colony . His attempts to convince his younger self succeeded and the younger of the two Spocks returned to the Enterprise to act as Kirk's first officer. ( Star Trek )

Spock also planned to help start a new Vulcan Science Academy, due to the destruction of Vulcan and the elimination of the old version of that organization. [10]

Spock warns his younger self just who the Enterprise is up against

A year later, Spock was living on New Vulcan, having made a solemn vow not to further interfere with history by keeping information about his experiences confidential. However, when the younger Spock contacted him for information regarding Khan Noonien Singh , the old Spock felt obligated to break his vow. He responded that Khan was the most dangerous adversary the Enterprise had faced, and that it had required a great sacrifice to stop him.

Ironically, the younger Kirk later made the same sacrifice Spock himself had made when facing Khan in the prime reality to save the crew of the Enterprise , though he was revived. ( Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ; Star Trek Into Darkness )

Final death

Ambassador Spock: 2230.06-2263.02

Spock passed away of natural causes on New Vulcan on January 2, 2263 .

Having been born in 2230 in his own timeline, Spock would be around 161 years old at the time of his death if the time travel in 2387 through the black hole was in very short time and it led him to the same month in 2258. ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise "; TAS : " Yesteryear "). However, the obituary document published upon his passing reflected the paradoxical nature of his temporal journey by stating his lifespan as "2230-2263," as if he died at the same age of his younger alternate reality counterpart.

Spock and his comrades, 2287

After his death, a small cache of personal items Spock had managed to retrieve from the Jellyfish was turned over to the younger Spock, including a photograph of the prime reality's bridge crew of the Enterprise -A from around 2287 , illustrating to the younger Spock that his destiny was to serve alongside Kirk, McCoy, and the others for decades to come. After struggling at first with whether or not to leave Starfleet in light of the elder Spock's death, this inheritance caused the younger Spock to change his mind and remain with his friends instead. ( Star Trek Beyond )

In the script of Star Trek , Spock was to "appear to be 75 earth-years old" at the age of 157. [11]

The death of Ambassador Spock was written into Star Trek Beyond in memory of the actor who played him, Leonard Nimoy , who had died shortly beforehand. Including Nimoy in the film was appreciated by Zachary Quinto , who portrayed the younger Spock and stated about the tribute, " I think people will see where it's coming from, and it's coming from a place of love. I felt it was very important that we acknowledge it, and I think Simon Pegg and Doug Jung , who co-wrote the film together, did a beautiful job of finding a way to fold it in. " ( Star Trek Magazine Movie Special 2016 , p. 32)

Alternate timelines and realities

Alternate neutral zone incursion.

Commander Spock in an alternate 2266

In an alternate timeline where Captain Christopher Pike avoided his crippling fate, Spock was his first officer on the USS Enterprise in 2266 during the Neutral Zone Incursion . Having been brought from 2259 by his future self to see the consequences of his actions, Pike enlisted Spock's help to make sense of his presence in the future and what he was meant to do there. During the following confrontation with the Romulans, Spock worked on repairing the weapons systems on the Enterprise and was severely injured, leaving him in a state similar to the Pike of the correct timeline. Spock's prognosis was grim and even if he survived, he was unlikely to ever be the same again. As a result, Spock could not take part in causing reunification between the Vulcans and Romulans and Pike came to believe that he had exchanged his own fate for Spock's. ( SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ")

After showing his 2259 self the future, the Christopher Pike of the alternate timeline revealed that he had learned from the Boreth monks that in every timeline where Pike changed his own fate, Spock died as a result. Because of this, in all of those futures, Spock couldn't go on to do the great things that he was meant to do which would change the fate of the galaxy. ( SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ")

Alternate 2259

Captain Spock in an alternate 2259

In an alternate timeline where Vulcan was at war with the Romulan Star Empire, where by 2259, Spock held the rank of captain and commanded the Sh'Rel .

During an engagement with the Romulans, the Sh'Rel was damaged and he requested United Earth Fleet Captain James T. Kirk of the UEF Enterprise for assistance. Kirk however refused as United Earth had their own problems with the Romulans and could not afford to fight a war on two fronts. ( SNW : " Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow ")

Anything but canon scenarios

First contact day party.

Spock providing entertainment for the First Contact Day party

According to an anything but canon account, Spock provides entertainment for a First Contact Day party . The duty originally was assigned by the captain of the USS Enterprise to Lieutenant Hemmer , the chief engineer , however he turned it over to Spock, since Spock actually was both Human and Vulcan ; and therefore a better choice considering the holiday was intended to be a celebration based upon the first meeting between those two species .

Spock begins with a blooper reel that he had compiled featuring clips of many of the biggest bloopers in Starfleet. Most of the bloopers that had occurred aboard the Enterprise , including a gruesome transporter malfunction , that Chapel, Number One, Nyota Uhura and many others that were present found to be more disturbing than humorous, and finally Uhura tells him that he needed to tone it down a little. She explained that it doesn't have to involve such big bloopers, because those aren't funny at all, especially when death resulted from it. She told him that bloopers should be smaller than that, like when someone accidentally runs into a door that doesn't open in time, or when someone mispronounces his name as " Spork ."

Spock believed that he finally got the idea of what she was trying to say, even though it seemed pretty clear that he still didn't fully understand the concept of humor in the same way that they did. He decided to play one last video in the hopes of making them laugh . It involved an ensign with space diarrhea who, while running, slipped on a freshly mopped floor, which caused him to slam his genitals into the mop , before pooping his pants right then and there. Uhura told him that was the perfect blooper. Spock was finally pleased with his success, and grabbed a mop and chased Hemmer with it, to demonstrate to the crew a "live blooper." ( VST : " Holiday Party ")

Klingons destroy the Enterprise

Spock, minutes before his death

In another anything but canon account, Spock was present on the bridge while the ship was under the command of another captain , while ship was under attack by several Klingon battle cruisers .

During the scenario, Spock reported to the captain that their weapons were disabled and their shields were down. The captain then informed Spock that he knew of a way out. After hearing this, Spock further updated the captain, informing him that their warp and impulse engines were also offline. The captain then turned to Spock, and uttered a figure of speech that compounded the situation by offending a number of the bridge crew. As the misunderstandings continued, Spock interrupted to suggest that the captain avoid the use of figures of speech until they were free of the impending doom. The captain continued to trip over his own tongue, as Spock updated the captain that the hull was breached , and the next shot woulf finish the ship off. As the captain continued on his tangent, the Enterprise exploded killing Spock and the rest of the crew. ( VST : " Skin a Cat ")

Jam session on the bridge

Spock on the viewscreen along with McCoy, Scott, and Kirk

During another anything but canon account, a Post Mainframe Acid-Cardassian Ten Forwardcore jam session broke out on the bridge, during which, scenes appeared on the viewscreen that used sound effects for the song, such as the hum of the transporter when Spock, Kirk, Scott, and McCoy transported wearing life support belts .

Other clips on the viewscreen corresponded with the song lyrics and showed Spock putting his hands around two Klingon's shoulders , as if they were his " buddies ". That was followed by a clip of Spock during the time Nurse Chapel feigned "accidentally" sat down on his lap after she used Harry Mudd 's love crystals on him. A final clip of Spock and Kirk helping one another from slipping in an icy corridor, looped to appear as if they were dancing . ( VST : " Walk, Don't Run ")

Although half Human, Spock's physiology retained most of its Vulcan characteristics such as the green blood, the placement of his liver, ( TOS : " The Apple ", " A Private Little War ") his strength, ( TOS : " The Naked Time ", " This Side of Paradise ", " Operation -- Annihilate! ") telepathic abilities, ( TOS : " Dagger of the Mind ", " A Taste of Armageddon ", " By Any Other Name ") and his greater lifespan ( TOS : " The Deadly Years "; TAS : " The Lorelei Signal "; TNG : " Unification II "; Star Trek ) when compared to the average Human. However, it should also be noted that the life he lived was still about forty years shorter than the average Vulcan, who generally lived to be around two hundred years old. His father Sarek, for example, was 203 at his death. ( Star Trek Beyond ; ENT : " Broken Bow "; TNG : " Sarek "; TNG : " Unification II ")

His Human characteristics were obvious when Sarek was in need of a blood transfusion and concern over donating his hybridized blood would be a danger to Sarek's full Vulcan physiology. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ") The other instance where his Human side was evident happened during the final stages of his Kolinahr ritual acceptance. While on Vulcan performing the ritual, the V'ger probe approached proximity and its own emotional instability affected Spock's Human emotional side which he worked so hard to repress. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture ) Spock's Human side was also present when spores affected him on Omicron Ceti III . ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise ")

Like most Vulcans, he experienced pon farr neurochemical imbalance at least every seven years until the symptoms were remedied through ritual mating or kal-if-fee (dueling). If not dealt with, a Vulcan could die within eight days of the first symptoms. Spock experienced pon farr at least twice, once performing the kal-if-fee with Kirk's assistance, once mating with Saavik while physiologically a youth as a result of his regeneration by the Genesis Device . Both successfully relieved his symptoms of pon farr 's neurochemical issues. ( TOS : " Amok Time "; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

As of Vulcan rituals concerning death, Spock was able to transfer his katra into someone that was close to him – such as a family member – who could then transfer the katra into a large repository on Vulcan. In his case, he picked Dr. McCoy as a host for his katra when he decided to expose himself to fatal warp core radiation in order to restore warp power to the Enterprise . His corpse regenerated when his torpedo casing casket was shot towards the Genesis planet and was subjected to the Genesis cycles that rapidly evolved all life on the planet. ( Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

Spock was also written to die and be resurrected in the ultimately undeveloped TOS episode " Shol ".

After Spock received a mind meld from Captain Picard, he seemed to have accepted his Human side. He admitted to being emotionally compromised and showed some emotions when he dealt with Nero destroying Vulcan in the alternate timeline and dealing with his younger self . ( TNG : " Unification II "; Star Trek )

Spock playing three-dimensional chess

On his Human side, Spock once implied he had an ancestral relationship to British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle . ( Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country )

Personal interests

Spock carried a lifelong interest in art, literature, poetry, music (especially the Vulcan lute and the piano), and three-dimensional chess . ( TOS : " Requiem for Methuselah ", " Where No Man Has Gone Before ", " Charlie X ", " The Cloud Minders ", " Court Martial "; TAS : " The Jihad ", " The Magicks of Megas-Tu ") He disliked Italian food, possibly because like most Vulcans, he was a vegetarian . ( TOS : " All Our Yesterdays "; TAS : " The Slaver Weapon "; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home )

Relationships

Friendships, james t. kirk.

Lt. Kirk and Lt. Spock meeting for the first time in 2259

Spock first met Kirk aboard the Enterprise in 2259 , when it was under command of Fleet Captain Christopher Pike . ( SNW : " Lost in Translation ")

In 2265 , after the death of Gary Mitchell , Spock's detached and logical analysis was relied on by Kirk as a supplement to his own intuitive and impulsive nature. Their official relationship deepened into a friendship of mutual respect and love that was, without a doubt, the most important relationship of both Spock and Kirk's life. As Edith Keeler observed of Spock's place in the world, " You? At his side. As if you've always been there and always will. " ( TOS : " The City on the Edge of Forever ")

Spock with Kirk and McCoy

Kirk once described his Vulcan friend as "the noblest half of myself" and declared that Spock's immortal soul "is my responsibility, as surely as if it were my very own." Kirk even told Spock's father that he would never realize how important Spock was to him, and declared that, despite losing the Enterprise and his son, had he not tried to rescue his friend, " the cost would have been my soul. " ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

Spock's first ever scene with Kirk, in " Where No Man Has Gone Before ", was not included in that episode's first draft script. In ultimately unused dialogue from that scene in the final revised draft of the teleplay (dated 8 July 1965 ), Spock concluded a sentence for Kirk, who later predicted Spock might someday learn to enjoy his "bad blood."

The polywater intoxication that affected the Enterprise crew in 2266 led to a difficult encounter between Spock and Kirk. When Spock was urgently required by his commanding officer, an anguished and reflective Spock was found by Kirk, Spock regretting his inability to express love even for his mother. Trying to bring the first officer around to the moment, Kirk slapped him. Spock's reaction was flat and revelatory, " Jim, when I feel friendship for you, I'm ashamed. " Struck again, Spock responded in kind, sending Kirk backwards over a table. ( TOS : " The Naked Time ")

Spock was sympathetic to Kirk's plight after the transporter divided the captain's personality into opposite aspects. He referred to his own halves, "submerged… constantly at war with each other." Spock believed that Kirk could survive such a contest intact, and urged him to embrace the part of himself that, seemingly ugly, was crucial to his personality and captaincy. ( TOS : " The Enemy Within ")

Spock comes into conflict with Kirk over destroying a Gorn starship

After Kirk discovered emotional rage was the key to nullifying the effect of the pod plants ' spores , his first step in retrieving his crew was to taunt Spock into anger. Anticipating the result of a Vulcan's strength pitted against him, Kirk wielded a pipe for protection. After calling him an "elf with a hyperactive thyroid" and saying he belonged "in the circus, right next to the dog-faced boy," Spock indeed lost control, nearly killing Kirk before regaining control of himself. ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise ")

Kirk holding Spock after his encounter with a Denevan neural parasite

In 2267 , Spock began his pon farr mating cycle, and behaved bizarrely aboard the Enterprise . Kirk called Spock "the best first officer in the Fleet" and "an enormous asset to me" as he pled with Spock to explain his actions. When told that taking Spock to Vulcan was against Starfleet orders, Kirk fired back, " I owe him my life a dozen times over! Isn't that worth a career? " Joining him on Vulcan for his marriage ceremony, Kirk was drawn into T'Pring's scheme to marry another, and forced to fight Spock to the death. McCoy, knowing Kirk was endangered, faked Kirk's death, and the marriage was not consummated. Spock, despondent that he had murdered his captain, was thrilled at the sight of Kirk alive, exclaiming, " JIM! " which McCoy delighted in needling Spock about, once he gained his composure. ( TOS : " Amok Time ")

Kirk's understanding of Spock had an enormous impact on the parallel mirror universe , visited after a transporter accident in 2267 . As Kirk's party prepared to return to their proper universe, Kirk implored the mirror Spock to re-examine his role in the fascistic Terran Empire , insisting, " One man can make a difference. " Mirror Spock's consideration of those words led to his rise to dominance and reform of the Empire, with drastic consequences. ( TOS : " Mirror, Mirror "; DS9 : " Crossover ")

When Kirk was trapped in spatial interphase during a rescue operation in Tholian space, Spock ordered the Enterprise to maintain its position in an effort to retrieve him, in spite of the danger the Tholians presented and the disruptive nature of the local space. After Kirk's assumed death, Spock and McCoy viewed the "last orders" Kirk had prepared. He urged Spock to use all the Vulcan disciplines at his disposal, tempered with intuitive insight. Kirk believed Spock had the latter qualities, but should they elude him, he was urged to seek out McCoy. ( TOS : " The Tholian Web ")

Spock making Kirk " forget " about Rayna Kapec

Kirk once commented to Captain Garth that he and Spock were "brothers". Spock merely responded, " Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively, and with undue emotion, but what he says is logical and I do, in fact, agree with it. " ( TOS : " Whom Gods Destroy ")

When Dr. Janice Lester , a former lover of Kirk's, took over Kirk's body, Spock performed a mind meld on Kirk while he was trapped in Lester's body. Spock believed Kirk was Lester before anyone else, and when Lester as Kirk ordered his execution, he continued to stand by his friend. ( TOS : " Turnabout Intruder ")

Spock with Kirk aboard the Enterprise again in the 2270s

At the end of the Enterprise 's five-year mission, a period marked by his frequent loss of emotional control, Spock chose to leave Starfleet and his friends, to pursue the kolinahr discipline of logic on Vulcan. His return to the Enterprise during the V'ger threat was a cold event, without acknowledgment of his past friendships. In V'ger 's aftermath, Spock finally achieved equilibrium, able to express his friendship for Kirk without the influence of aliens or illness, and notably lacking any threat of physical violence. In 2285 , Spock was calmly able to tell Kirk, " You're my superior officer. You are also my friend. I have been and always shall be yours. " ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture ; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan )

Kirk and Spock, together on Kirk's birthday

Spock's sacrifice of his own life, to save the Enterprise from Khan's detonation of the Genesis Device , deeply affected Kirk. At his funeral, Kirk could only bring himself to say of Spock, " Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most… Human. " ( Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan )

The revelation that Spock's katra , his living spirit, survived in the tormented mind of McCoy, led Kirk to risk his career, and in turn, his crew's. He first asked Fleet Admiral Morrow for permission to retrieve Spock's body from the Genesis Planet , to bring it, and McCoy, to Vulcan. Kirk insisted that any chance to save Spock's soul was his responsibility, " as surely as if it were my very own. " His request declined, he told his crew, " the word is No. I am therefore going anyway. "

With the help of Uhura, Scott, Sulu, and Chekov, Kirk rescued McCoy from confinement and commandeered the Enterprise from Spacedock One . The renegade mission saw the death of Kirk's ship as well as his son. Finding Spock's body re-animated by Genesis, Kirk brought him and McCoy, to Vulcan for the fal-tor-pan (re-fusion) ritual. The first person Spock recognized was Kirk: " Jim. Your name, is Jim. " ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

During their homecoming from Vulcan, and eventually their trip to 1986 , Kirk tried to remind the resurrected Spock, suffering from memory loss, of their friendship and past adventures together. After Kirk and the crew's trial, Spock told his father, his "associates" were his friends. ( Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home )

Spock in an attempt to save Kirk's life at Yosemite National Park

In 2287 , Spock accompanied Kirk and McCoy on a camping trip together at Yosemite National Park , which abruptly ended when Spock's half-brother, Sybok, diverted the Enterprise to Nimbus III . After their adventure on Sha Ka Ree and Sybok's death, Kirk referred to Spock once again as his "brother", and told him and McCoy that they were his real family. ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier )

When Spock later entered the alternate reality , he told the James T. Kirk of that reality of their deep friendship, despite the fact that the alternate Spock had marooned Kirk on Delta Vega . Before returning Kirk, along with Scott's counterpart , to the USS Enterprise (revealing to this Scott an advancement in transporter technology over a century before his prime counterpart perfected it), Spock – who in this reality had designed the Kobayashi Maru simulation and openly begrudged Kirk outsmarting it – was reminded that this could be viewed as "cheating", to which he replied that an "old friend" – namely, Kirk – had taught him how to cheat.

Later, when Spock Prime spoke to his own alternate reality counterpart about that universe's Kirk, he explained that he had resorted to a level of subterfuge in order to inform both men of the necessity of their friendship, both to themselves and to others. Spock Prime explained, " I could not deprive you of the revelation of all that you could accomplish together, of a friendship that will define you both in ways you cannot yet realize. " ( Star Trek )

According to the script for "The Wrath of Khan", after taking the Kobayashi Maru test for the third time, Spock said to Kirk that his solution would not have occurred to a Vulcan mentality. This would have implied that Spock had known Kirk since the late 2250s, and that Spock had attended Starfleet Academy. As it was, this information was not in the theatrical or director's cut of the film. In the film Star Trek , the alternate Spock programmed the scenario and leveled charges of cheating against Kirk.

Another scripted but never executed moment was when, in the first draft script of Star Trek Generations , Spock's role as an ambassador was discovered by Kirk, who learned it from Picard and replied, " Spock's an Ambassador ? What have things come to…? I can see I'm needed in your century. "

In an ultimately unused line of dialogue from the script of the aforementioned film Star Trek , Spock made reference to Kirk Prime upon reacting to the Kirk of the alternate reality clearly looking confused by a particular regulation . In reply, Spock said, " Yes. I forget what little regard you had for such things. " [12]

Leonard McCoy

The relationship between Spock and Dr. Leonard McCoy seemed a little strained at times on McCoy's part because of his taunts about Spock's green blood and lack of emotion . However, there was an obvious respect and friendship among James T. Kirk , Spock, and McCoy. McCoy, in fact, was one of the two friends Spock requested to join him in his marriage ceremony. ( TOS : " Amok Time ")

While he would rarely do so without provocation, Spock was also quite capable of turning the tables on the doctor. During Kirk's court-martial, after an astonished McCoy discovered him in the briefing room playing chess against the ship's computer, Spock casually allowed him to assume the worst (to the point of thanking him after the furious doctor had said he was " The most cold-blooded man I've ever known "), waiting until he reached the door to reveal that he had been victorious in four consecutive games – since the computer, whose account of the incident was the main evidence against Kirk, was programmed to be unbeatable, this proved that it had been tampered with (something only Kirk, Spock, and the "dead" Commander Finney were authorized to do), and cast doubt on the credibility of its account, keeping the trial going long enough to discover that Finney was, in fact, alive.

Later that year, after the Enterprise crew had defeated the androids on planet Mudd (beings almost Vulcan-like in their lack of emotion and their "logical, pragmatic" thinking), McCoy told Spock that he must be quite unhappy to see that "poor, illogical" Humans were able to fairly defeat them, Spock responded that this was quite satisfactory, as nobody needed him and his logical ways as much as a ship full of Humans. ( TOS : " Court Martial ", " I, Mudd ")

In an ultimately unused line of dialogue from the final draft script of " Charlie X ", Spock voiced a statement of approval about McCoy, saying, " Occasionally the doctor does associate himself with a scientific fact. "

In the first draft script of Star Trek Generations , Spock's first line of dialogue, while in a very small turbolift with McCoy as they traveled to the bridge of the USS Enterprise -B , was to tell him, " I haven't felt this close to you in years. "

Christopher Pike

Spock and Pike developed a mutual respect and fondness for one another during their service aboard the Enterprise ; Pike at one point expressed how important Spock was to him, a feeling Spock reciprocated. ( SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ") Spock's loyalty to Pike went even so far as to risk court martial in 2267 to kidnap his disabled former captain and bring him to Talos IV to live a life of illusion and happiness. ( TOS : " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ")

Sybok, Spock's elder half-brother, encountered Spock on Nimbus III in 2287 , shortly before Sybok hijacked the Enterprise -A for his quest to find Sha Ka Ree in the Great Barrier . Spock had remained silent on the subject of his brother for decades, not even telling Kirk until Sybok had already taken control of the Enterprise . At first, Spock was extremely distant from him, but following Sybok's death, he realized what he had lost. ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier )

Michael Burnham

Michael Burnham was Spock's adoptive sister after her parents' presumed deaths. When she first met him, a very young Spock shut his bedroom door on her after greeting her with a holographic drawing of a dragon screaming. Over time, Spock and Michael grew closer and Spock grew to idolize his older adoptive sister. However, feeling that she placed her adoptive family in danger from logical extremists who targeted her due to being Human, Michael decided to run away. Spock tried to persuade her otherwise, telling her that he "loved her" and would run away with her. To push Spock away, Michael insulted him by calling him a "half-breed" who was "incapable of love." While well meaning, her insults deeply hurt Spock who shunned his Human half in response and grew to no longer trust people. Over the years, Michael tried to make amends, but Spock showed no interest in reconnecting.

After they both grew up and entered Starfleet, they rarely talked to each other. Eventually Spock and Michael were forced to come to terms with each other after the Federation-Klingon War. Michael searched for a missing Spock after meeting his commanding officer, Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise . Eventually finding her brother, she was dismayed to find Spock suffering from a mental breakdown due to an encounter with a time traveler. She was able to help restore Spock's mind with the help of the Talosians, but this did not resolve the animosity between the siblings as they clashed several times with Spock blaming her for causing the Federation-Klingon war and calling her out on her habit of assuming responsibility for all the wrongs in the universe. Eventually, the two came to terms with their respective short-comings and eventually grow closer as they worked together to solve the mystery of the Red Angel.

When Burnham needed take Discovery to the future in order to avoid Control having access to the Sphere information stored in the ship's memory, Spock volunteered to help her. Unfortunately, while helping Burnham prepare, Spock's shuttle was badly damaged. Both distraught that they could not be together in the future, they shared a bittersweet farewell and Spock was transported away after one last "live long and prosper." ( DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ")

In the months following Discovery 's disappearance, Spock was unnerved that they had not received a signal to indicate that Discovery had arrived safely in the future. When the signal arrived, Spock found peace. ( DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ")

Burnham and Book watch a holo-recording of Spock

In 3189 , Michael Burnham watched a recording of Spock. She told her boyfriend Cleveland Booker that since she had arrived in the 32nd century , she hadn't bothered researching history to find out the type of man that Spock eventually became. But she was proud of who he had became, and she was happy he had found a way to reunify the Vulcans and Romulans. ( DIS : " Unification III ")

Spock with T'Pring in 2267

At age seven, Spock was bonded to T'Pring in a family-arranged Vulcan ceremony described in Human terms as " less than a marriage, but more than a betrothal. " ( TOS : " Amok Time ")

T'Pring formally proposed marriage to Spock in 2259 , but the two had not been married by 2267. ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

When Spock experienced his pon farr of 2267 , he succumbed to the madness of the plak tow mating instinct. The Enterprise diverted to Vulcan in time to consummate the marriage. Accompanied by Kirk and McCoy, Spock arrived at his family's ancient koon-ut-kal-if-fee site for the wedding ceremony officiated by the matriarch T'Pau . Unexpectedly – but within the bounds of Vulcan tradition – T'Pring demanded the challenge of kal-if-fee , forcing Spock to earn the right to marry his bride through victory in personal combat. Rather than her prospective consort Stonn , T'Pring chose Kirk as her champion.

Unwilling to appear weak or disrespectful in front of the legendary T'Pau, Kirk agreed to fight his first officer . Between rounds using the lirpa and ahn-woon weapons, T'Pau belatedly revealed the combat was "to the death," and it became clear that Kirk had little chance against Spock in the throes of his blood fever. McCoy intervened, deceptively dosing Kirk with a drug that simulated his death.

Spock's plak tow subsided after his apparent victory. Appalled at the turn of events, Spock calmly questioned T'Pring's decisions. T'Pring admitted her distaste for Spock's growing fame among Vulcans, and her mutual attraction to Stonn. By her logic, choosing Kirk meant neither victor would claim her in the end, and she would have her life with Stonn. Spock acknowledged her way of thinking, referring to it as "flawless". T'Pring, for her part, was honored, but Spock advised Stonn that he would find that " having… is not so pleasing a thing after all… as wanting ."

After returning to the Enterprise , McCoy revealed Kirk's clandestine survival. A rare show of extreme emotion came from Spock when he exclaimed " JIM! " with a beaming smile. ( TOS : " Amok Time ")

Christine Chapel

Spock and Christine Chapel met when she was assigned to the Enterprise in 2259 along with Doctor Joseph M'Benga . ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

Spock kissed Christine in a ruse to prevent T'Pring from handing over Sybok to the pirate angel

When the pirate Angel took over the Enterprise , Angel took Spock and Christine Chapel hostage in an effort to get T'Pring to hand over a prisoner that was Angel's lover. To prevent the prisoner transfer, Spock and Christine Chapel engineered a ruse where Spock and Christine had developed romantic feelings for one another and kissed in front of Angel and T'Pring. ( SNW : " The Serene Squall ")

During Chief engineer 's Hemmer 's funeral , Chapel consoled Spock as he was feeling emotions such as rage and pain. Spock didn't want her to follow him but did so anyway and Chapel ended up hugging him. ( SNW : " All Those Who Wander ")

Spock and Chapel entered into a relationship for some time after his engagement with T'Pring ended due to him not confiding in her that he was transformed into a full Human and stripped of his Vulcan genes. The relationship reached its conclusion when Chapel was accepted into Roger Korby 's fellowship . ( SNW : " Charades ", " Subspace Rhapsody ")

Spock with Christine Chapel, being emotionally influenced by the Psi 2000 intoxication

When the Psi 2000 intoxication infected the crew of the Enterprise in 2266 , Chapel admitted her love for Spock, who was thereupon emotionally shocked. Her love for him was an ongoing issue, but never interfered with her professional duties. ( TOS : " The Naked Time ")

Chapel once housed Spock's consciousness to keep him from being destroyed by Henoch . They were later forced by powerful telepaths to kiss each other, but neither enjoyed the forced situation. ( TOS : " Return to Tomorrow ", " Plato's Stepchildren ")

While under the spell of Harry Mudd 's love potion , Spock became infatuated with Chapel, and was willing to fight for her love. However, the potion eventually wore off and then Chapel, as a side effect of the drug, seemed to hate Spock for a brief time. Spock commented to Mudd that a few brief moments of love being paid for with several hours of hatred is scarcely a bargain. ( TAS : " Mudd's Passion ")

Leila Kalomi

On stardate 3417, Spock was infected by Omicron spores while on Omicron Ceti III by Leila Kalomi , who was serving as the Omicron colony 's botanist. The spores broke down Spock's emotional control, and he confessed his love for Kalomi. Their time together was short-lived, however, as Kirk deduced a method of destroying the spores with intense emotion and induced anger in Spock.

Once free from the spores, Spock freed Kalomi and the rest of the planet from their influence. He later reflected that his time with Kalomi was the first time in his life at which he had felt happy. ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise ")

When visiting the planet Sarpeidon Spock got trapped in in the planet’ ice age in the past with Dr. McCoy. When there Spock began to act like the Vulcans of that time period and started to act emotional. There he fell madly in love with her. Eventually McCoy realized what was happening and they were eventually able to escape back to their time period without Zarabeth . ( TOS : " All Our Yesterdays ")

A hologram of Spock was created by the Romulans in 2368 for Sela to use to give a false address to the Federation . It was known by the title " Spock One ". ( TNG : " Unification II ")

During Dal 's setup of the Kobayashi Maru scenario aboard the USS Protostar in 2383 , he requested that the computer select the best officers on his behalf, which included a holographic version of Spock, from the TOS era , as a member of his command crew. ( PRO : " Kobayashi ")

Spock's head on a holographic amalgamation of four other Starfleet officers

The head that resembled Tucker was attempting to freeze the playback of a holographic program that featured Neelix watching a holonovel that was one of many "silly stories " he saw on his PADD . The program seemingly froze, but then Tucker noticed he wasn't actually Tucker, but a strange monstrous combination of the aforementioned Starfleet officers .

• 2230 : Born in ShiKahr on Vulcan
• 2247 – 2250 : Cadet at Starfleet Academy
• Between 2250 and 2253: Assigned to the USS Kongo
• 2253: Assigned to the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike
• Takes a leave of absence from Starfleet following the Federation-Klingon War
• Assists the USS Discovery in solving the mystery of the Red Angel
• 2258 : Returns to service aboard the Enterprise .
• 2259 : Becomes engaged to T'Pring
• 2268 : Is offered an assignment with Medusan Ambassador Kollos .
• 2270: Resigns from Starfleet and returns to Vulcan to undergo the Kolinahr ritual
• 2270s : Returns to Starfleet to help with the V'ger crisis
• Between the 2270s and 2285: Appointed captain of the USS Enterprise
• Dies on the USS Enterprise
• Transfers his Katra to Leonard McCoy
• Is resurrected on the Genesis planet
• Transfers to the USS Enterprise -A
• 2287 – 2293 : First officer/science officer of the USS Enterprise -A
• Resigns from starfleet
• Becomes a Federation ambassador
• Begins attempts to reunify the Romulan and Vulcan people
• 2387 : Attempts to stop a star from destroying Romulus and ends up pulled into a black hole and transferred to an alternate reality.
• 2258 ( alternate reality ): leads the surviving members of the Vulcan people to start a new colony on New Vulcan
• 2263 (alternate reality): Dies on New Vulcan. The age must be around 161 if the time travel in 2387 through the black hole was in very short time and it led him to the same month in 2258.

Memorable quotes

" Is there a valuable question in your arsenal? " " Yes. Do you actually think the beard is working? "

" History will not provide an answer to your query, doctor. Instead you should be asking me, 'How is it I can remember tomorrow?'"

" This will go easier if you answer me. Or it could go harder. " " I beg to differ. Say goodbye, Spock. " (Spock raises his hand in the Vulcan salute) " Goodbye, Spock. "

" Greetings, captain. " " Spock. Are you all right? " " Much better for seeing you in person, sir. Even if we are riding into danger. " (Spock smiles) " Is that a smile I see on your face?" " I believe it is. Yes. " " Well, Welcome to Discovery . "

" I don't suppose the Red Angel offered you any advice on how to handle a situation like this. " " No. But my limited experience as a fugitive suggests only one course of action. " " And what is that? " " We run. "

" I happen to have a Human thing called an adrenaline gland. " " That does sound most inconvenient, however. Have you considered having it removed? " " Very funny. " " Try to cross brains with Spock, he'll cut you to pieces every time. "

" I am endeavoring, ma'am, to construct a mnemonic circuit using stone knives and bearskins. "

" I have never understood the female capacity to avoid a direct answer to any question. " ( TOS : " This Side of Paradise ")

" A curious creature. Its trilling seems to have a tranquilizing effect on the Human nervous system. Fortunately, of course, I am… immune… to… its… effect… "

(To Alice 27) " I love you. " (To Alice 210) " However, I hate you. " " But I am identical in every way with Alice 27! " " Exactly. That is exactly why I hate you; because you are identical. " [The androids violently malfunction.] " Fascinating. "

" Logic is a little, tweeting bird, chirping in a meadow. Logic is a wreath of pretty flowers that smell bad. " ( TOS : " I, Mudd ")

" Nowhere am I so desperately needed as among a shipload of illogical Humans. " ( TOS : " I, Mudd ")

" On my planet, 'to rest' is to rest, to cease using energy. To me, it is quite illogical to run up and down on green grass, using energy instead of saving it. " ( TOS : " Shore Leave ")

"Enterprise to signaler on planet's surface. Identify self. " (Reads answer) " 'Hip, hip, hurrah…' and I believe it's pronounced 'Tally ho'. " ( TOS : " The Squire of Gothos ")

" 'Fascinating' is a word I use for the unexpected. In this case, I should think 'interesting' would suffice. "

" I have been, and always shall be, your friend. "

" Jim. Your name is Jim."

" If I were Human, I believe… my response would be 'Go to Hell.' If I were Human. "

" Billions of lives lost, because of me, Jim because… I failed. "

" Thrusters on full. "

" Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise . Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new lifeforms and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before. "

Catchphrases

" Fascinating. " ( Star Trek: The Original Series )

" Live long and prosper. " ( Star Trek: The Original Series )

" Interesting. "

" The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. "

Kirk and Spock

" Have I ever mentioned you play a very irritating game of chess, Mr. Spock? " " Irritating? Ah, yes: one of your Earth emotions. "

" Your illogical approach to chess does have its advantages on occasion, captain. " " I prefer to call it 'inspired'. " " As you wish. "

" You'd make a splendid computer, Mr. Spock. " " That is very kind of you, captain! "

" So, we're stranded here, in the middle of a Klingon occupation army. " " So it would seem. Not a very pleasant prospect. " " You have a gift for understatement, Mister Spock. It's not a very pleasant prospect at all. "

" You didn't really think I was going to beat his head in, did you? " " I thought you might. " " You're right. "

" Well, Mr. Spock, if we can't disguise you, we'll find some way of explaining you. " " That should prove interesting. "

" My friend is obviously Chinese. I see you've noticed the ears. They're actually easy to explain. " [Long pause.] " Perhaps the unfortunate accident I had as a child. " " The 'unfortunate' accident he had as a child. He caught his head in a mechanical… rice picker. "

" Don't grieve, admiral. It's logical. The needs of the many… outweigh… " " The needs of the few. " " Or the one. I never took the Kobayashi Maru test, until now. What do you think of my solution? "

" You know, coming back in time, changing history… that's cheating. " " A trick I learned from an old friend . "

Awards and achievements

Spock in dress uniform 2267

• Twice decorated with the Starfleet Award of Valor ( TOS : " Court Martial ")
• Vulcanian Scientific Legion of Honor ( TOS : " Court Martial ")
• The Vulcan IDIC ( TOS : " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ")
• An A-7 computer expert classification ( TOS : " The Ultimate Computer ")
• Innovator of time travel methodologies: the warp drive cold start and the "slingshot" maneuver ( TOS : " The Naked Time ", " Tomorrow is Yesterday ")
• Twice recommended for commendations by Captain Kirk. ( TOS : " Space Seed ", " The Immunity Syndrome ")

Spock's personnel file

Spock wears a total of nine medals in 2269 , not counting the IDIC medal he wore in "Is There in Truth No Beauty?" It is likely he accumulated a great many more decorations by the time of his eventual retirement in the late 2290s .

Additional references were listed on his personnel file in " Among the Lotus Eaters ".

Appearances

• " The Cage "
• " Where No Man Has Gone Before "
• " The Corbomite Maneuver "
• " Mudd's Women "
• " The Enemy Within "
• " The Man Trap "
• " The Naked Time "
• " Charlie X "
• " Balance of Terror "
• " What Are Little Girls Made Of? "
• " Dagger of the Mind "
• " The Conscience of the King "
• " The Galileo Seven "
• " Court Martial "
• " The Menagerie, Part I "
• " The Menagerie, Part II "
• " Shore Leave "
• " The Squire of Gothos "
• " The Alternative Factor "
• " Tomorrow is Yesterday "
• " The Return of the Archons "
• " A Taste of Armageddon "
• " Space Seed "
• " This Side of Paradise "
• " The Devil in the Dark "
• " Errand of Mercy "
• " The City on the Edge of Forever "
• " Operation -- Annihilate! "
• " Catspaw "
• " Metamorphosis "
• " Friday's Child "
• " Who Mourns for Adonais? "
• " Amok Time "
• " The Doomsday Machine "
• " Wolf in the Fold "
• " The Changeling "
• " The Apple "
• " Mirror, Mirror "
• " The Deadly Years "
• " I, Mudd "
• " The Trouble with Tribbles "
• " Bread and Circuses "
• " Journey to Babel "
• " A Private Little War "
• " The Gamesters of Triskelion "
• " Obsession "
• " The Immunity Syndrome "
• " A Piece of the Action "
• " By Any Other Name "
• " Return to Tomorrow "
• " Patterns of Force "
• " The Ultimate Computer "
• " The Omega Glory "
• " Assignment: Earth "
• " Spectre of the Gun "
• " Elaan of Troyius "
• " The Paradise Syndrome "
• " The Enterprise Incident "
• " And the Children Shall Lead "
• " Spock's Brain "
• " Is There in Truth No Beauty? "
• " The Empath "
• " The Tholian Web "
• " For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky "
• " Day of the Dove "
• " Plato's Stepchildren "
• " Wink of an Eye "
• " That Which Survives "
• " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield "
• " Whom Gods Destroy "
• " The Mark of Gideon "
• " The Lights of Zetar "
• " The Cloud Minders "
• " The Way to Eden "
• " Requiem for Methuselah "
• " The Savage Curtain "
• " All Our Yesterdays "
• " Turnabout Intruder "
• " Beyond the Farthest Star "
• " Yesteryear "
• " One of Our Planets Is Missing "
• " The Lorelei Signal "
• " More Tribbles, More Troubles "
• " The Survivor "
• " The Infinite Vulcan "
• " The Magicks of Megas-Tu "
• " Once Upon a Planet "
• " Mudd's Passion "
• " The Terratin Incident "
• " The Time Trap "
• " The Ambergris Element "
• " The Slaver Weapon "
• " The Eye of the Beholder "
• " The Jihad "
• " The Pirates of Orion "
• " The Practical Joker "
• " Albatross "
• " How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth "
• " The Counter-Clock Incident "
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Star Trek Beyond (picture only)
• " Unification I "
• " Unification II "
• DS9 : " Trials and Tribble-ations " (archive footage)
• " Brother "
• " New Eden " (archive voice footage)
• " Light and Shadows "
• " If Memory Serves "
• " Project Daedalus "
• " The Red Angel "
• " Perpetual Infinity "
• " Through the Valley of Shadows "
• " Such Sweet Sorrow "
• " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 "
• " Unification III " (archive footage)
• " Stormy Weather " (picture only)
• " Q&A "
• " Ask Not "
• " No Small Parts " (picture only)
• " An Embarrassment Of Dooplers " (picture only)
• PRO : " Kobayashi " (hologram; archive audio)
• " Strange New Worlds "
• " Children of the Comet "
• " Ghosts of Illyria "
• " Memento Mori "
• " Spock Amok "
• " Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach "
• " The Serene Squall "
• " The Elysian Kingdom "
• " All Those Who Wander "
• " A Quality of Mercy "
• " The Broken Circle "
• " Ad Astra per Aspera "
• " Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow "
• " Among the Lotus Eaters "
• " Charades "
• " Lost in Translation "
• " Those Old Scientists "
• " Under the Cloak of War "
• " Subspace Rhapsody "
• " Hegemony "
• " Skin a Cat "
• " Holiday Party "
• " Holograms All the Way Down " (background hologram)
• " Walk, Don't Run " (archive footage)

Background information

Spock was played by Leonard Nimoy in the vast majority of the character's television and cinematic appearances. The Genesis -regenerated versions of Spock at nine, thirteen, seventeen, and twenty-five years of age in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock were portrayed by Carl Steven , Vadia Potenza , Stephen Manley , and Joe W. Davis , respectively. Spock's screams in that film were provided by Frank Welker .

The young Spock from TAS : " Yesteryear " was voiced by Billy Simpson . Carey Scott recorded some dialogue for a younger Spock in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , but his scenes were cut . Spock is also portrayed by an unknown infant in that film. And while Nimoy portrayed the elder Spock in the film Star Trek , his younger alternate reality adult self was played by Zachary Quinto (who reprised the role in Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond ), as well as briefly by Jacob Kogan , who portrayed Spock as a young boy. Nimoy reprised the role of Spock for a cameo in Star Trek Into Darkness . Liam Hughes portrayed a young Spock in the Discovery episode " Brother " while Ethan Peck voiced the adult version of the character in the same episode. Peck also played the character in subsequent episodes of Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Short Treks , and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds .

A deleted scene from Star Trek featured a newborn Spock, portrayed by Jenna Vaughn . As Spock's birth would have occurred before the universe split, technically, she would have been the only performer to portray both Spock Prime and his alternate reality counterpart, as well as the only actress ever to play Spock.

Jane Wyatt , who played Spock's mother Amanda Grayson , was once asked by fans at a convention what Spock's first name was. She replied, perhaps jokingly, " Harold " [13] However, the question itself was flawed, since the episode " Journey to Babel " makes it clear that "Spock" is Spock's personal name.

On the other hand, Spock's family name has never been established in canon . In the episode " This Side of Paradise ", Leila Kalomi says to Spock, " You never told me if you had another name, " to which he replies, " You couldn't pronounce it. " D.C. Fontana – who was considered the "Vulcan expert" of the TOS behind-the-scenes staff and who created such details as the fact that Spock's father was an ambassador and his mother a school teacher – revealed, in an issue of the fanzine Spockanalia , that she had intended his family name to be "Xtmprsqzntwlfd", but since this is unpronounceable, there wasn't really any way to get this said in dialogue during an episode.

The Pocket TOS book Ishmael gives Spock's full name as "S'chn T'gai Spock". This name was also used on a poster for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at the Mission Chicago Trek Convention, but CBS said that it was "incorrect" the next day and had the posters replaced. [14]

Since the release of the film Star Trek , the original reality version of Spock is now often referred to on websites and other media as "Spock Prime", to differentiate from the alternate reality version of the character.

From concept to series

From the start of thinking Spock up, Gene Roddenberry knew he wanted the character to be partly alien, and that he wanted Leonard Nimoy to play the role. Roddenberry later explained, " I made [Spock] a half-caste, because I remember thinking a half-breed Indian would be a lot more interesting than a full-blooded Indian or white, because he's going to be tugged in many different directions. " ( Star Trek - Where No One Has Gone Before , p. 15)

Gene Roddenberry also wanted Spock's appearance to be very similar to typical portrayals of Satan the Devil. " I did purposely give him a slight look of the 'devil' because I thought that might be particularly provocative to women, particularly when his nature contrasted so greatly to this, " Roddenberry stated. [15]

The following character biography appeared in Roddenberry's original, 1964 series pitch Star Trek is... (and was reprinted in The Making of Star Trek ) [ page number? • edit ] :

In the revised first draft script of " The Cage " (dated 6 October 1964 ), Spock was described thus; " The only exception to the familiar types represented by the crew, Mister Spock is of partly alien extraction, his reddish skin, heavy-lidded eyes and slightly-pointed ears give him an almost satanic look. But in complete contrast is his unusual gentle manner and tone. He speaks with the almost British accent of one who has learned the language in textbooks. " The episode's revised final draft script (dated 20 November 1964 ) excluded mention of the "reddish skin" but otherwise remained the same. Later in the script, one of Spock's statements was directed to be delivered in an "excited" manner.

Gene Roddenberry thought up the unemotional aspect of Spock. Roddenberry explained, " As I created him, I said to myself, 'If I could just get rid of the emotions that plague me and work things out logically… ah , the things I could do! " ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 47) Casting Director Joseph D'Agosta added, " On the Spock character, the only guidelines I had were that he had to be thin, and a good actor with no emotion. He was a cold, calculating, logical person. Humor was not even considered at that time. " ( The Star Trek Interview Book , p. 213)

Actor Martin Landau (Commander John Koenig of Space: 1999 ) was an early casting consideration for the character of Spock in TOS. This was before the role went to Leonard Nimoy.

In spite of studio request to get rid of "the guy with the ears," Gene Roddenberry insisted on keeping the character through both pilot episodes of the series. ( Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek Memories ; Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime )

According to Leonard Nimoy, he felt the need to play the character as more emotional when Jeffrey Hunter was playing the internalized Christopher Pike, as opposed to William Shatner 's portrayal of Captain Kirk. ( Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime ; et al.) Also, there was room for Spock's emotional detachment when the similarly emotionless character of Number One was discarded along with Pike, after " The Cage ". ( Star Trek - Where No One Has Gone Before , p. 15)

NBC 's early- 1966 publicity booklet gave this bio for Spock (reprinted in Inside Star Trek: The Real Story ):

The unemotional quality of Spock's persona was extremely appealing to Leonard Nimoy. " What immediately intrigued me was that here was a character who had an internal conflict, " Nimoy observed. " This half-Human, half-Vulcan being, struggling to maintain a Vulcan attitude, a Vulcan philosophical posture and Vulcan logic, opposing what was fighting him internally, which was Human emotion. There was a dynamic there to work with from an acting point of view. " ( Star Trek - Where No One Has Gone Before , p. 15)

Gene Roddenberry recognized Spock as a team effort. " I'll take credit for formulating Spock and guiding the character, " he said, " then give as much credit to Leonard Nimoy for making it work, and also credit to the writers who kept it going in many story situations. " [16] On the other hand, Roddenberry proclaimed, in a letter to Isaac Asimov , " It's easy to give good situations and good lines to Spock. " Roddenberry also thought it was easier to write Spock than it was to write McCoy. [17] Nonetheless, the depiction of Spock was still to be further developed as the show began. Recalling the character's genesis, TNG Producer Robert Lewin noted, " Spock was not the hero that he became during the early part of the first series. " ( The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years , p. 71)

The series writers' guide (third revision, dated 17 April 1967 ) gave the following description of Spock ( Star Trek: The Original Series 365 ):

Season 2 salary issue

In the spring of 1967 , before production began on Star Trek 's second season , Leonard Nimoy and his agent got into an argument with the producers regarding the actor's salary (Nimoy felt it unfair that series star William Shatner was paid US$5,000 per episode, while he was only paid US$1,250). The agent wanted US$3000 per episode for his client, and would settle with US$2,500. However, a misunderstanding resulted in the agent believing that Mission: Impossible stars had at least US$11,000 salaries, so he suddenly demanded US$9,000 for Nimoy. The studio, of course, refused. Nimoy threatened to leave the series if the dispute was not solved.

In response to Nimoy's threats, Desilu executive Herb Solow asked Casting Director Joseph D'Agosta to compile a list of possible "Vulcan replacements", in case negotiations went unresolved. Three lists were made of actors who were deemed suitable for the role of Spock:

"A" List: Mark Lenard , William Smithers , Liam Sullivan , Lloyd Bochner , Joe Maross , Donald Harron , Edward Mulhare , James Mitchell , Michael Rennie , Peter Mark Richman , Charles Robinson , Chris Robinson , Stewart Moss , David Canary , John Anderson , David Carradine

"B" List: Anthony James , Perry Lopez , George Bachman , Alan Bergmann , Lee Kinsolving , Blaisdel Makee , Bill Fletcher , Henry Darrow , Anthony George , Curt Lowens , Jacques Denbeaux , Maxwell Reed

"C" List: Lawrence Montaigne , Ron Hayes , Patrick Horgan , Paul Mantee , Bruce Watson , Robert Yuro , Richard Evans , Joseph Ruskin , Ted Markland , Lee Bergere , John Rayner

In reality, these lists were only a psychological ploy to put pressure on Leonard Nimoy and his agent. The only two actors considered as possible replacements were Mark Lenard and Lawrence Montaigne (ironically, both of them appeared as Vulcans in the second season, Lenard playing Spock's father, Sarek).

Eventually, Desilu (at the insistence of NBC ) and Nimoy settled with US$2,500 per episode, plus US$100 for additional expenses, a better billing, a better merchandising deal, and more script input. However, when Montaigne was cast as Stonn in " Amok Time ", his contract had an option of recalling him to be cast as Spock, "just in case." ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp. 317-324)

Animated depictions

For approximately half an hour while Star Trek: The Animated Series was in early development, a boyhood version of Spock was considered for inclusion as a regular character in the upcoming series, along with other child equivalents of the series' main characters. ( The Art of Star Trek , pp. 42 & 43)

While initially developing TAS : " Yesteryear ", D.C. Fontana realized she wanted to feature Spock in the story, since he had always been her favorite main character and was the focus of her favorite episodes from the ones she had written for Star Trek: The Original Series , such as " This Side of Paradise " and " Journey to Babel ". ( Star Trek - Where No One Has Gone Before , p. 56) She was excited by the prospect of showing "part of what made Spock Spock," delving into his backstory in "Yesteryear". ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 97)

Reappearances

The notion of Spock suffering racial prejudice, alluded to in TAS : " Yesteryear " and the film Star Trek , was shared by the unmade prequel Star Trek: The First Adventure , in which Spock first met Kirk when he was defended by him from bullies at Starfleet Academy.

Gene Roddenberry once distributed a memo to the TNG writing staff which declared that, due to financial considerations, it would probably be impossible for Leonard Nimoy to ever guest star on that series as Spock (though Roddenberry also suggested Sarek appearing in a guest star role as an alternative). ( The Making of Yesterday's Enterprise , p. 22)

In an interview with TrekMovie.com 's Anthony Pascale in July 2007 , Leonard Nimoy explained that he felt Spock had been superfluous in the script of Star Trek Generations and that that was why he had chosen not to appear in the film. Nimoy initially proclaimed, " There was no Spock role in that script, " then elaborated, " There were five or six lines attributed to Spock […] but it had nothing to do with Spock. They were not Spock-like in any way. I said to Rick Berman , 'You could distribute these lines to any one of the other characters and it wouldn't make any difference.' And that is exactly what he did. There was no Spock function in the script. " [18]

In a memo he wrote Manny Coto (on 20 August 2004 ), Michael Sussman suggested that both an elderly Spock and a young version of the character be featured in a story covering an episode or two from the fourth season of Star Trek: Enterprise , if Leonard Nimoy was interested in appearing. As Sussman proposed, the older depiction of Spock would have been portrayed, in a framing story, by Nimoy, while the young Spock would have been played by another actor (a technique inspired by the portrayal of Indiana Jones in a two-parter from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles called "Mystery of the Blues", which features not only a young version of Jones, but also a middle-aged Jones, played by Harrison Ford ). In the same memo, Sussman envisioned Spock in the 24th century, as a "distinguished and retired Ambassador," being visited by a young Vulcan/Human hybrid who sought advice for balancing the two halves of his own personality. The elderly Spock then began recounting an adventure that took place in the early 23rd century, in which he, as a Starfleet cadet, assisted a middle-aged T'Pol , learning, in the process, "some lesson which helped him choose his own path in life." Sussman went on to suggest that a lot of new details about Spock could be divulged in the story, possibly including that, in his young adulthood, he had been torn between life as a diplomat (like his father) and a Starfleet career. The memo continued by proposing that Spock's mission include the now-aged other senior officers from Enterprise NX-01 , and be "a secret and possibly illegal TBD mission." However, this Spock story ultimately wasn't developed. [19]

Roberto Orci , a co-writer of the film Star Trek , wrote the Spock character as being essential to that film's narrative without considering a back-up story, had Leonard Nimoy turned down appearing in the film. He recalled Nimoy raised an eyebrow at the idea of the destruction of Vulcan . [20] Commented J.J. Abrams , " Leonard was a dream to work with. He was always incredibly encouraging and excited about what he was seeing. He had a couple of thoughts, but he loved everything related to his role […] He was happy to see Spock look so damn good! " ( Star Trek: Costumes: Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier , p. 240) Abrams also stated, " It's a big deal for him to come back and play this part again. I don't think it's something he expected to do. Directing him as Spock for the first time was as surreal a moment as I've had. It was preposterous, but wonderful. " ( Empire , issue 234, p. 126)

After the making of the film Star Trek , Leonard Nimoy retired (again) from acting and publicly stated that he did not intend to return to the role of Spock again, as he felt that to do so would be unfair to Zachary Quinto. Nimoy even went as far as to say, " I definitely will not be in Star Trek 2," and, " I think I can be definitive about the fact that I will not be in it. " ( SFX , issue #200, p. 68) However, it was eventually confirmed that he would indeed be returning to the role of Spock for the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness . [21] [22] Regarding how J.J. Abrams invited him to make a cameo appearance in the film, Nimoy recalled, " He just said, 'Would you come in for a couple of days and do me a favor.' " Whereas Nimoy had declined to cameo in Star Trek Generations because he felt Spock's part in that movie had been too general, Nimoy was persuaded that Spock had such a specific role in Star Trek Into Darkness that he was willing to accept the part. Addressing why he had claimed not to be in the film, Nimoy, who was very pleased that the truth of his involvement was kept secret, initially said, " I was asked time and time again if I was in the movie, and I managed to avoid answering without lying. " He laughed, but was then reminded that he had flat-out denied being in the film and replied, " Maybe I was confused. Of course, speaking, if you'll pardon me, logically, I wouldn't know if I was in the movie until I saw the movie. " [23] His cameo marked Nimoy's final appearance as Spock and his final role overall prior to his death in February 2015 .

In 2017, Star Trek: Discovery producer Akiva Goldsman said that Spock would not be seen on Discovery . [24] However, two years later, Spock did appear in Discovery's second season , played by Ethan Peck.

Other language voice actors

An excerpt from the German version of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ; Weicker, voicing Spock, saying, " Wenn ich ein Mensch wäre, wäre meine Antwort mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit: Fahr zur Hölle!… Wenn ich ein Mensch wäre. " English: If I were Human, I believe my response would be 'Go to Hell!'… If I were Human.

Herbert Weicker was a German stage and voice actor who is widely associated with Spock, since he voiced this character in all German translations of episodes and films with the exception of the first run of Star Trek: The Animated Series .

Similarly, Czech television and film dubs have almost uniformly featured the late Jiří Plachý in the role of Spock, specifically, in the dubs of the TV appearances in Star Trek: The Original Series , Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , as well as in the six TOS era films and the first two Kelvin Timeline films. Zdeněk Junák dubbed the younger alternate reality Spock of the Kelvin Timeline films, while Lukáš Hlavica voiced Spock in the Czech dub of Star Trek: The Animated Series .

Slovak film and television dubs of Spock have included Štefan Kožka for the six installments of the TOS era film series, Ivan Letko for Spock's appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation , as well as Marián Slovák as an older prime timeline Spock and Filip Tůma as a younger alternate reality Spock in the first Kelvin Timeline film.

Spock became one of the most enduring symbols of Star Trek . Accounting for the character's popularity, Gene Roddenberry stated, " I think that everyone was so smitten with Mr. Spock because he stood for loyalty and reliability. " ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 47)

The popularity of Spock was one factor that motivated Leonard Nimoy into demanding a salary increase for the second season of TOS. " By this time, Leonard's popularity had convinced him of what he already knew: He had the most important role, " Herb Solow observed. In a memo Gene Roddenberry sent Gene L. Coon (on 1 April 1967 ), Roddenberry mentioned Spock having generated "considerable mail volume and public adulation" during the first season. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp. 317 & 319) NBC likewise regarded Spock and Nimoy as the most popular part of the original Star Trek series, and believed that losing them would be very unflattering. The popularity of the character was thus influential in Leonard Nimoy's continuation in the part. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , p. 324)

Roberto Orci has cited Spock as his favorite character. [25]

Casting Leonard Nimoy as an elderly version of Spock in the film Star Trek gave irate fans pause, caused them to stand down, and even won them over. ( Empire , issue 234, p. 126) However, William Shatner has been disapproving of how Spock is portrayed in that movie and its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness , commenting, " I thought the two Spock appearances were gratuitous. J.J. [Abrams] wanted to pay homage to Spock I guess, but he didn't offer anything to the plot […] I told Leonard, 'You know that you're old when you go back in time and you're still old.' " (" Empire Presents 50 Years of Star Trek " supplement, p. 15)

Spock is referred to as a lieutenant commander in " Court Martial ", though the final draft and revised final draft of that episode's script instead referred to him as a full commander . The Star Trek Chronology listed Spock as having been promoted from lieutenant commander to full commander following "Court Martial". However, in a captain's log entry made by Kirk in " The Menagerie, Part I ", Spock is still identified as a lieutenant commander, as he is again in " Tomorrow is Yesterday ". Spock was first referred to as a commander in " Amok Time ". Throughout all his appearances on The Original Series , Spock wore the rank stripes of a full commander.

Near the end of the Star Trek: Discovery episode " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ", Spock dons his Starfleet uniform for the first time in that show, wearing lieutenant junior grade stripes. However, in the earlier episode " Project Daedalus ", Spock identifying himself as a lieutenant . "Lieutenant" is the proper way to address lieutenant junior grades as well as full lieutenants, however, Spock was stating his own rank while being questioned by Admiral Cornwell and thus would have used his full rank. In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Spock was still identified as a lieutenant and wore the correct insignia.

Spock was the inspiration for the Decepticon scientist, Shockwave, from the "Transformers" franchise. Comic book writer Bob Budiansky, who gave Shockwave his name and personality, described the character as "my attempt to take Spock from Star Trek and make him into a Decepticon." [26]

A portion of this article was paraphrased into first person and used as the content of Spock's memoir The Many and the One in PIC : " The Star Gazer ". [27]

Barbara Hambly 's novel Ishmael gives Spock's unpronounceable full name as "S'chn T'gai Spock," with "S'chn T'gai" apparently being the family name as opposed to the personal name. The ebook Seasons of Light and Darkness also uses this name.

According to Diane Duane 's novel Spock's World , Spock was a descendant of Surak .

The novelization of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home states that during the exile of the Enterprise command crew on Vulcan, Spock and McCoy underwent a series of mind melds facilitated by T'Lar to ensure that any lingering parts of the other's personalities were transferred back to the right person. In the days following Kirk and the Enterprise command crew saving Earth from the destructive effects of the whale probe, McCoy went to see Spock, who was temporarily staying at the Vulcan embassy on Earth and expressed worry that any punishment handed down by the Federation might not let him participate in future mind melds if needed. Spock assured McCoy that the fal-tor-pan was complete, and no further mind melds were needed. Spock told McCoy the two would always retain a smart part of each other in their minds.

Spock briefly reactivated his Starfleet commission , with the rank of admiral , during the Dominion War , according to Spectre , a novel on whose writing William Shatner collaborated with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens .

In the novel Crossover , Spock and several unificationists were captured by the Romulan Empire. He was ultimately rescued by Montgomery Scott, Commander Riker , Data , and Geordi La Forge aboard the USS Yorktown that Scott stole from a Starfleet museum using the shuttle he was given by Picard to control the Yorktown 's computer. After believing Scott dead for 75 years, Spock was momentarily startled to see him behind the transporter controls, but quickly regained his control. Scott promised to explain how he reached the 24th century later to Spock.

In the novel The Fire and the Rose , Spock began to lose his emotional control after hearing of the death of Captain Kirk , and eventually returns to Gol to take Kolinahr training again. Spock ultimately succeeded and became truly emotionless, a situation that neither Sarek nor Amanda agreed he should have tried to do. Amanda in particular, felt Spock had rejected his Humanity and therefore in some measure, her by extension. Spock's lack of emotion also ultimately alienated McCoy when he came to ask Spock to stand with him at his wedding to Tonia Barrows and Spock refused. Ultimately, after Amanda's death in a shuttle accident and Spock seeing Sarek grieve for Amanda (which surprised Spock as he mistakenly believed Sarek to have also been a student of Kolinahr ) , and when Spock realized that he can't grieve for Amanda and that he didn't even miss her, he sought McCoy out on Earth to help him engage in an ancient Vulcan ritual to reverse the Kolinahr , allowing Spock to feel emotions again. This accomplished, Spock rebuilt his relationship with McCoy, was able to grieve for his mother and Captain Kirk, and once again found the balance and peace between his Vulcan and Human halves, allowing him to have emotional control again without rejecting his emotions.

In the novel Provenance of Shadows , Spock, having been contacted by McCoy's wife Tonia Barrows , and told that McCoy was taking a turn for the worse, went to see McCoy because he had regretted that he didn't get to see either Kirk or his mother once more before their deaths, and he was not going to make that mistake this time. Spock did spend the day with McCoy and planned to return the next day, but as he left McCoy's house, Spock was left with the impression he would never see McCoy alive again. Spock's feelings are proved correct as McCoy does die peacefully in his chair on the porch that same evening before Spock can return, with Tonia by his side, reflecting on his life and the good work he's done and his family and friends.

In the novel Vulcan's Forge , Spock commanded the science ship Intrepid II in 2294 , a year after Kirk was lost in the Nexus . Within the story, Uhura was Spock's first officer and McCoy his chief medical officer .

Other novels set after Star Trek VI established that Picard was at the wedding of Spock and Saavik met Sarek.

In the novel Yesterday's Son , Spock found out that he had a son with Zarabeth , whom she had named Zar.

In the game Star Trek: Armada , Ambassador Spock was sent aboard a Galaxy -class starship to mediate a treaty between the Klingon and Romulan empires on Romulus. The Borg intercepted this ship and assimilated him. The USS Enterprise -E traveled two days back in time to make sure he reached the peace conference. The plan succeeded, resulting in Romulan and Klingon ships being dispatched to assist the Federation in defending Earth.

Spock in Star Trek: Countdown

In the comic series Star Trek: Countdown , leading up to Star Trek , Spock was aided in his attempts to help convince the Vulcans to provide the Romulans with the red matter necessary to stop the impending supernova explosion by Jean-Luc Picard , who was now Federation Ambassador to Vulcan, as well as by a restored Data , who was now captain of the Enterprise -E. Also, the comic established that Geordi La Forge had designed the Jellyfish , which Spock used to drop the red matter into the supernova. Just after the Jellyfish and the Narada were pulled through the black hole and into the alternate reality, the black hole finished collapsing and the Enterprise arrived in the area finding no indication anywhere that Spock managed to escape. Presuming Spock to be dead, Picard said that he hoped his friend's soul did indeed live long and prosper.

In the novelization of Star Trek , after Kirk told Spock that Dr. McCoy , Sulu , Chekov , and Uhura – all but one of the group of officers who had once been willing to throw away their careers to save him – were all serving on the USS Enterprise (taking McCoy's presence for granted when following the confirmation of the other three), Spock suggested to Kirk that their meeting, and the way the crew was already coming together, was the work of the timeline attempting to "fix" itself. As for the one person not yet aboard the ship, he had been well aware that Scotty was stationed at the outpost, which he had visited on occasion for supplies – though it wasn't clear whether they had actually met – but he had a made a point of keeping his distance. This self-imposed isolation was the only reason that he happened to be at the right place with a torch as the hengrauggi wrapped its tongue around Kirk's leg, which struck him as yet more evidence to support his theory – Kirk's arrival made it clear that the three had converged there for a reason, since he could give Scott the basics of his own invention, and therefore return Kirk to the Enterprise , with a way to take his rightful place in command (seeing that the young officer was obviously unaware of Regulation 619, he admitted to having forgotten how insignificant such things had been to the Kirk he knew so well), and hopefully be able to minimize the damage to the timeline.

In the comic series Star Trek: Spock: Reflections , the events leading up to Countdown were detailed. He traveled to Veridian III after Picard sent him a message following the events of Star Trek Generations explaining what really happened to Kirk regarding his "death" on the USS Enterprise -B to retrieve his body where he brought him back home to Earth to be reburied at the Kirk family farm in Iowa . Spock explained to Picard how Kirk did the same for him, at a terrible cost and that he needed to be equal to Kirk's sacrifice. Picard then tells Spock that he would be welcomed to return to Starfleet duty, in any capacity, but Spock planned to return to Romulus to continue his work. Picard asks whether arrangements can be made to make Spock's presence there official, but Spock declined, saying he has always led "a life of solitude and duty". As Spock remembers how he once worked with remarkable friends and comrades, he tells Picard to treasure those times in his own life, since they will someday end. They exchange the Vulcan salute and Picard walks away, but turned back to see Spock still standing quietly by his friend's grave.

Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto also lent their voices to Star Trek Online ; Nimoy reprised his role as Spock and narrated key events to players, while Quinto voices a Mark VI Emergency Medical Holographic program who helps the player though the tutorial level.

The 2013 virtual collectible card battle game Star Trek: Rivals was using Nimoy's picture for card #103 "Ambassador Spock".

The Star Trek: Ongoing story arc Legacy of Spock focuses on his place in the alternate reality 's new Vulcan settlement . Though initially blamed in part for the ultimate destruction of Vulcan, he is ultimately revered for his dedication to his people and receives a monument that is still standing 3,000 years later. Unlike the other monuments, which are massive, his is life-size, reportedly because he felt to make it any larger would not be "logical".

The Doctor offering Spock a jelly baby

In the third issue of the Doctor Who crossover comic Assimilation² , Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Scott investigate a Federation archaeological team on the planet Aprilia III on stardate 3368.5, which had lost contact with Starfleet. Upon landing in the shuttlecraft Galileo , they are greeted by project manager Jefferson Whitmore, who assures them that all is well and gives them a tour of the facility, but Kirk finds the staff suspiciously calm, which Spock agrees with as by Human standards, the research team seemed remarkably placid and unemotional. The team later return to the facility after dark where they meet the Fourth Doctor , assuming he's a member of the research team and he helps them break the electronic lock with his sonic screwdriver and then offers Spock a jelly baby . Together, they infiltrated the facility. There, they find the researchers standing catatonically, with small cybernetic devices in their ears. It is discovered they were under the control of the Doctor's enemies, the Cybermen . A battle ensues and Spock and Scotty use their phasers on two Cybermen, while Kirk and the Doctor handle the Cyber-Controller . The Doctor then uses gold dust to clog up the Controller's respiration, allowing Spock to fire his phaser and destroying it. After the Cybermen are defeated and the Doctor slips quietly away, Spock assures Kirk there are no signs of anymore Cybermen on the planet, but Kirk arranges for a permanent garrison of Starfleet Security personnel to protect the researchers just in case.

In Star Trek Cats , Spock is depicted as an Oriental Shorthair cat .

In the Star Trek: Picard novel The Last Best Hope , Spock left Romulus in the early 2380s , believing there was nothing more he could achieve in the face of the predicted Supernova, but not without taking as many survivors as his small ship can carry with him. He was later contacted by now-Admiral Jean-Luc Picard when his journey brought him to an unplanned rendezvous with the USS Verity .

Spock appears in the video game Star Trek: Resurgence , where he comes aboard the USS Resolute to assist in stopping a crisis between the Hotari and the Alydians.

External links

• Spock at Wikipedia
• Spock at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Spock at the Star Trek Online Wiki
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)
• 3 World War III

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The evolution of Spock, from a scrapped Star Trek pilot to Discovery

Discovery season 2 adds more layers to the well-known Vulcan

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Star Trek Discovery season 2 , boldly going on the CBS All Access streaming service, is a success. After cramming a Klingon war, a weirdo mushroom-based propulsion system and an encounter with the Mirror Universe into one season 1 arc, the successor’s slower pace is welcome, and Anson Mount’s Captain Pike is already a fan favorite.

But even with the warp core purring, Discovery isn’t getting complacent. The second season’s seventh episode, “Light and Shadows,” takes its biggest swing yet by recasting one of the principal pillars of nerd culture — again.

[ Ed. note: this article contains spoilers through the seventh episode of Discovery ]

This week we finally meet the second Spock of the decade, and the first as a television regular since the original series. And Discovery is ready to play with expectations; as revealed in “Lights and Shadows,” Starfleet’s most famous science officer is dyslexic.

Unlike with the 2009 J.J. Abrams-led “reboot” (or, eleventh film in the series, if you want to get technical, and by Kahless’ shroud I sure do), Leonard Nimoy is not here to offer his benediction to actor Ethan Peck. Instead this new Spock is traversing the galaxy on his own, after apparently killing a doctor during a sanitarium breakout (!?) and pursuing red flashes throughout the galaxy he believes to be a “Red Angel” he’s had visions of since he was a child (!?!?).

The latest episode reveals that Spock evaded the U.S.S. Discovery and Section 31 and found his way to Amanda on Vulcan. She put him in a sacred crypt containing Katra Stones that shield it from even Sarek’s telepathic links. For days he’s been roiling in emotion, muttering and mumbling and scratching numbers (and a rendering of the Red Angel) on the wall. Not quite the Spock we’re used to!

I may occasionally (and jokingly) refer to Leonard Nimoy as “Real Spock,” but there have been more Spocks along the route than we may realize. And, no, I don’t mean an “outsider” character unable to handle human interaction that appeals to the typical Trekkie’s crypto-Asperger’s inclinations in every series ( TNG – Data, DS9 – Odo, Voyager – Seven of Nine, Enterprise – T’Pol, Discovery – Saru). I mean that Spock evolved.

Let’s look at the timeline.

In “The Cage,” the Trek pilot shot in late 1964, Gene Roddenberry cast Leonard Nimoy (with whom he has worked on The Lieutenant ) as a Mephistophelean alien. He was not the second-in-command; that was Roddenberry’s future wife, Majel Barrett, who would later play Nurse Chapel, and then Lwaxana Troi. Instead, Spock was the Science Officer, and, once Captain Pike was endangered, was at the forefront of the away mission to rescue him.

The differences are major: Calm, dispassionate Mr. Spock has the volume turned to eleven from the very first scene. (When the Talosians yank the female crewmembers from the transporter pads, he famously yelps “The Women!!!”) He’s also positively giddy at the odd plantlife on Talos IV. He doesn’t raise an eyebrow. He giggles.

Though NBC rejected “The Cage,” the material remains canon. Roddenberry repurposed scenes for the flashback scenes in The Original Series’ first season two-parter “The Menagerie.” All the characters from “The Cage” were scrapped saved Spock. Even though he wasn’t fully developed, the pointy-eared guy showed promise.

The second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” brought us Kirk and the bright red ring on the Enterprise’s bridge, but not all of the show’s pieces snapped into place yet. Spock wore tons of makeup, his eyebrows frighteningly steep, and a gold tunic with a thick collar. He’s also a bit of a dunce. When Kirk says that Spock’s style of playing chess can be irritating, this alleged genius on a mostly-Earthling vessel looks puzzled, takes a beat, asks “Irritating?” then brightens with an “ah, yes, one of your Earth emotions.”

Spock’s true nature quickly emerged. In the next episode, “The Corbomite Maneuver,” featured a scene in which everyone on the bridge is rightly freaked out by a giant, powerful Rubik’s Cube in space. Nimoy had his “aha!” moment on set when he delivered his line in a peculiar way. With a little bit of humor and perhaps a whiff of braggadocio, he meets this curiosity as a scientist, raises an eyebrow and simply says “Fascinating.”

From then on, Spock, who tamped down all emotion, ironically became the heart of the show. Nimoy was television’s least likely sex symbol, and his “fan mail” (still a metric for success in those days) dwarfed that of the show’s leader, William Shatner. The fame caused consternation until Roddenberry was somehow able to convince his leading man that the pair worked in tandem, and without Kirk there could be no Spock, and that however high the Vulcan’s star rose, he’d still be giving him orders.

Spock, the next generation

Star Trek was famously cancelled after three seasons, but success in syndication brought it back, albeit briefly, in animated form. Much of is silly, but a few episodes are legit. The episode “Yesteryear,” written by TOS staffer D.C. Fontana, is widely considered a high point, and was the first time someone besides Nimoy got to play the role of Spock.

Young Billy Simpson voiced a child version of Spock, who thanks to time travel, we see preparing for his kahs-wan ritual. The line readings are ... atrocious, as if he’s hearing the words milliseconds before he’s saying them. There are awkward gaps and the cadence with which he repeats the phrase “yes, father,” is hilarious. It’s a solid episode, but very hard not to goof on this kid. Fun fact: Simpson did a bit more acting as a tyke, then as an adult segued into becoming “Whimsical Will,” part of radio weirdo Doctor Demento’s extended circle.

Major aspects of the franchise were upended for Star Trek: The Motion Picture . The entire aesthetic of the film is very 1970s, very “new age.” As such, Spock’s demeanor is serious and sparse. It’s a style that rubbed a lot of people as being quite dull. Things got back to normal in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but by this point Nimoy was through. He only agreed to do the movie if he would get killed off.

And yet … he was convinced to return. Primarily as director. Nimoy stayed behind the camera for almost all of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock , but there is plenty of Spock on screen. As the Genesis planet kickstarts the life cycle of Spock’s katra-free body (just work with me here) we check in with speechless Spock at age nine, 13, 17 and 25.

Carl Steven, who played the nine-year-old version of Spock, is primarily tasked with looking timid. Weirdly enough, Steven would later play another younger version of a Leonard Nimoy character in the 1991 television movie Never Forget . (He was also in Teen Wolf , but died in 2011 at age 36.)

Vadia Potenza plays the 13-year-old quasi-Spock who, I must confess, I never really noticed wasn’t Carl Steven until now. As 17-year-old Spock, Stephen Manley is the angry, freaked-out Vulcan in physical discomfort. Even as a little kid I somehow intuited that the mindless, rapidly aging Spock was undergoing raging hormonal agony. Spock needed to vent the airlock! Manley continues to work, and does so regularly, in movies with names like Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter.

Joe W. Davis rounds out the group, and his Spock had an even more shattered psychology. They needed to get the Spock body off the Genesis Planet and back to Vulcan where a High Priestess could initiate the Fal-Tor-Pan and bring it together with Spock’s Katra that was inserted into Bones McCoy. Obviously.

The last scene of Star Trek III shows Spock dazed — but everyone gets a little spaced-out after surgery — so in Star Trek IV, Nimoy plays his character as half-“himself” and half a confused fool. It’s Starfleet by way of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. “You really have gone where no man has gone before!” Bones sighs. It is fantastic.

Spock is completely back to normal by V and VI , and seems the same but older when he appears opposite Captain Picard (and Data!) in the episode “Unification, Part II” on TNG. Same goes for the Nimoy scenes in the J.J. Abrams 2009 Star Trek. But what about his younger counterpart?

Star Trek beyond ... the original cast

When casting was announced, Zachary Quinto, who was known for the TV series Heroes seemed like the biggest coup. I mean, he really looked like Spock. Chris Pine was a big question mark and, Karl Urban was the dude from Xena and Simon Pegg was definitely funny, but could he be Scotty? With some distance now, if I had to rank the casting of the “Kelvin Timeline” crew, I’d probably put Quinto down near the bottom.

His version of Spock is pouty. Until Star Trek Beyond, he never quite nails the humor. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but something about Quinto leads me to feel that he thinks he’s just a tiny bit “above” the role. The fact that he and Nimoy became genuine friends toward the end of the elder Spock’s life really carried a great deal of Altair water with me, and probably with other fans, too.

(Oh, there was another kid version of Spock in the 2009 film, Jacob Kogan, and he was great. Plus, in the deleted scenes, there’s a shot of an infant Spock, too – a little baby with pointy ears!)

Before getting to Ethan Peck’s big moment, Star Trek Discovery season 2, introduces us to a grumpier kid Spock in the form of actor Liam Hughes. (This guy also played a young Barry Allen on The Flash, so let’s hope he’s a bonafide nerd in life.) Whereas Kogan’s version was sympathetic (as was the Animated Series’ ), Hughes’ Spock is something of a jerk when we see him earlier in the season, then a bit sadder in episode 7’s flashback with Michael Burnham.

Peck’s big debut (other than his voice, which is deeper than Quinto’s) is something of a bait and switch. He’s definitely there and gets his close-up, but he’s rambling, repeating the First Doctrines of Logic, and freaking out in a Surak-enhanced catatonia. But even without Peck getting into it with Sonequa Martin-Green with scene work there are some surprises with Spock 3.0.

Canon purists will be surprised to learn that Spock returned to Talos IV (or at least appears to be heading there after episode 7) after “The Cage” but before “The Menagerie.” (It also appears that the Burnham-Spock team-up in the first Discovery tie-in novel Desperate Hours has officially been memory holed, too.) But the bulk of fandom will be most interested to learn that the most famous Science Officer in Starfleet is actually dyslexic. On Vulcan the rare condition is called l’tak terai , and the implication is that he inherited the trait from his human side.

This is unexpected, but in line with Discovery ’s stated goal of being the most inclusive iteration of Star Trek yet. There have been some examples of neurodiversity in the franchise — Lt. Barclay, while not officially diagnosed, could likely be considered — but Spock’s new layer is one clear enough to start a dialogue about highly functioning people with learning disabilities. (Though using it as a gag to discover a code (“the numbers are backwards!”) is another story.)

A preview for next week’s Star Trek: Discovery teases even more Spock, and even more twisting of Trek canon. If you think you know everything there is to know about this Vulcan, consider the past, present, and future: the conclusion that there’s a “Real Spock” is nothing short of ... highly illogical.

Jordan Hoffman is a writer and member of the New York Film Critics Circle. His work can be read in The Guardian, New York Daily News, Vanity Fair, Thrillist and elsewhere.

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How Star Trek: Discovery's Spock differs from the classic Nimoy take

It's more than the beard.

• SABEW Best in Business 2011 Award for Breaking News Coverage, Eddie Award in 2020 for 5G coverage, runner-up National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for culture analysis.

It's a whole new Spock on Discovery. 

It takes only a split second to see what sets apart Star Trek: Discovery's Spock from Leonard Nimoy's classic take on The Original Series.

That scruffy facial hair.

Both Nimoy and Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the new movies, largely played the character as the clean-cut, logical science officer for the Enterprise. That's not what we'll get with Discovery's Spock, played by Ethan Peck.

"This is the unwritten chapter of a period of time for Spock that could only be told on this season of Star Trek Discovery," Alex Kurtzman, co-executive producer and showrunner for the show, said in an interview in October.

The embrace of elements like Spock, Capt. Christopher Pike and the starship Enterprise underscores Discovery's deeper dive into the Star Trek canon. While the first season of the show danced around bits of well-trodden Star Trek lore, Discovery seems unafraid to go all-in on the legacy aspects in the upcoming season , which starts Jan. 17.

And although Kurtzman said the show will respect the canon, it's clear that this Spock won't be the one you know.

Spock before Spock

Though Kurtzman confirmed that Spock would appear in the second season of Discovery , back in July during San Diego Comic-Con, fans didn't get to glimpse the new take on the famed Vulcan until October in a trailer released for New York Comic-Con.

The reaction in the crowd was noticeable, with audible gasps heard when the grizzled Spock first appeared on screen at the Madison Square Garden Theater.

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"The beard is an external manifestation of his dishevelment," Peck said in an interview.

The actor, grandson of Gregory Peck, with credits like the television adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You and the voicing of characters in the Halo video game franchise, says his swings between emotion and logic are more dramatic than Nimoy's more subtle performance.

"He's Spock before Spock," Peck said, adding that you'll see glimpses of Nimoy's performance here and there. He called the Original Series Spock the "light at the end of the tunnel, the benchmark."

Ethan Peck plays the new Spock in Star Trek: Discovery. 

Kurtzman warned that this Spock has yet to evolve into the character we see on TOS, so viewers shouldn't rush to judgment.

Peck, for his part, is bracing for the attention and scrutiny that comes from playing such an iconic character.

"It'll be really polarizing," he said. "My strategy is to do my absolute best. I'm pouring my heart and soul into this."

Spock and Burnham

One of the central mysteries left dangling from the first season was the nature of the relationship between Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham, the lead character in Discovery, and Spock.

Burnham was adopted by Sarek, Spock's father, yet she's never mentioned in TOS. That continuity gap left fans scratching their heads.

Spock isn't just a one-off guest star in the upcoming season -- both Peck and Green say the show will fully explore their "complicated" relationship.

"We delve very deeply into it, and we don't leave any stones unturned," Green said in an interview.

Kurtzman vows we'll get answers about why Burnham is never mentioned in the previous show.

Discovery returns on Jan. 17 on CBS All Access.

(Disclosure: CBS All Access is owned by CBS, the parent company of CNET.) 

Star Trek: Discovery : Everything we know about the upcoming season.

Mary Wiseman on Short Treks : A chat with Ensign Tilly as the show returns with online mini episodes.

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Star Trek: Discovery

Ten years before Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise, the USS Discovery discovers new worlds and lifeforms as one Starfleet officer learns to understand all things alien. Ten years before Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise, the USS Discovery discovers new worlds and lifeforms as one Starfleet officer learns to understand all things alien. Ten years before Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise, the USS Discovery discovers new worlds and lifeforms as one Starfleet officer learns to understand all things alien.

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• Trivia The Starfleet vessels seen in the first season, including the Discovery, the Shenzou and the redesigned Enterprise, were all designed by production artist John Eaves. Eaves' work with Star Trek spans three decades. Probably his most notable contribution was the design of the Enterprise-E for Star Trek: First Contact (1996) .
• Goofs With Michael being the adoptive sister of Spock, the series has many flashbacks to their childhood and upbringing on Vulcan. Spock's Vulcan half-brother, Sybok, does not appear nor is mention during these scenes. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) , Spock says that he and Sybok grew up together. However, since it's never stated when Sybok joined Sarek's home - only that he did so following his mother's death - or when he was exiled from the family, it's not impossible Sybok moved in after Burnham, and left before she graduated (the two extremes of the flashbacks). Also, since Sybok was never mentioned before Star Trek V, it seems reasonable the family never spoke of him again after his estrangement.
• Alternate versions The serif-font legends and subtitles in the "broadcast" episodes are absent from the DVD versions, where they are replaced with the standard DVD subtitles.
• Connections Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Female Lead TV Shows You Should Be Watching in 2017 (2017)

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Interview: Ethan Peck On Where Spock Is Headed In ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ … And Maybe Beyond

| March 25, 2019 | By: Anthony Pascale 86 comments so far

On Sunday the cast and creatives from Star Trek: Discovery held a panel at PaleyFest Los Angeles ( see our recap ). While there, TrekMovie had a chance to talk to some of the Discovery crew about season two and beyond, including the new Spock, Ethan Peck. You can watch the red carpet video below the transcript highlights.

Do you see this season as an arc from “The Cage” and dealing with your sister to an endpoint with Spock in the first season of TOS?

Yeah sort of. I think that overshoots it. I think by a decade, because currently in the season of Discovery we are ten years before The Original Series , three years after “The Cage.” So, ultimately, yes Leonard Nimoy’s Spock is the light at the end of the tunnel, but in terms of this season, this is just the beginning of his journey to becoming the Mr. Spock we know from TOS.

You did a lot of research on Leonard Nimoy – like even the way you say “sensors” – Are these conscious things for you to imbue Nimoy-ness?

Yeah, definitely. He is from Boston and you can hear that a little in the way he speaks as Spock. So, I really wanted to bring that in. I don’t know where “sensors”—I don’t know where he got that from, but it is essential to him. So, I wasn’t going to overlook that.

In all your research into Leonard Nimoy, what the biggest thing you picked up that has influenced your interpretation?

That’s a great question. Probably how deeply empathetic he is, how deeply human he is. And also, really what amazing – so, the first book he wrote – I am Not Spock – was mostly not read or dismissed. People interpret it as him disowning the character. And it was more like in defense of Nimoy, because he had become so much like Spock and Spock had become such a big part of who he was. And to understand the closeness he had with Spock as Leonard was really amazing and speaks to the depths of to which he went with Spock.

Ethan Peck as Spock; Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham

Can you talk about the instant chemistry you formed with Sonequa Martin-Green? Did you prep for that, or did it just kind of work?

It just kind of worked, to be honest. I think we just have great respect for one another. We just both jumped into the sibling rivalry thing and that kind of carries on off-set. I think we just lucked out with chemistry. She was just so willing and I was.

Can you say anything about the final four episodes?

What I can say is that I have been a part of it. I have filmed it. I have been inside of it. And I can’t wait to see it. I think it is going to be so stupendous.

Do you expect to back for the third season?

I can’t say.

With Anson Mount leaving a lot of fans are clamoring for the idea of you and Rebecca [Romijn] and Anson having a spin-off, or a Short Trek or something on the Enterprise. Is that something you would be interested in?

Yeah, I think it would be pretty cool.

Has there been any discussion about that?

I can’t say. [laughs]

Doug Jones as Saru; Ethan Peck as Spock; Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham; Anson Mount as Captain Pike

Watch the video interview with Peck

More from PaleyFest LA

In case you missed it, we also covered  Alex Kurtzman’s comments about the upcoming Picard show from PaleyFest . TrekMovie has more coverage from PaleyFest, including red carpet interviews. So stay tuned.

Keep up with all the  Star Trek: Discovery   news at TrekMovie.

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I’m looking forward to seeing Spock’s future on Discovery and Star Trek. He should get his own show with Pike and the Enterprise before TOS and Discovery can go somewhere else in the prime timeline like the future. Ethan Peck is a great actor and he honors and respects Leonard Nimoy’s legacy as Spock. I appreciate that.

Professor Spock lives here.

Are you okay Ad Astra Aspera?

No more enterprise shows.

Just this last one, please?

Only if you’re really good this year.

You’re not alone with that sentiment….

I don’t mind another Enterprise show, that name just seems to carry weight but I do like it when they expand beyond that. We know the Picard show won’t take place on an Enterprise which I’m fine with, but it would be weird we never see one show up either. I think you can compromise that way like they are doing with Discovery now.

After some soul-searching, I too agree with that stance, A34. Move forward, do something else, at least set a show on a ship bearing another name…

I feel that they should leave the adventures of the Enterprise to the Big Screen.

Spinoff Please! Pike, Spock and Number One on the Enterprise. Make it so.

It would be great. Just depends on whether CBS has the money to fund another Star Trek series and also if those 3 main actors would even want to do it. Recasting them all over again just wouldn’t work.

I think Ethan’s expressions say a lot…

Exactly. In my experience “I can’t talk about that” invariably translates to “There’s something to talk about”. Does it mean we’re guaranteed a Pike/Spock show? Of course not but it’s the first real indication that they are at least discussing the possibility.

More likely he’ll be back in season 3.

Very possible, Peck wasn’t mentioned in the report that said Mount and Romjin wouldn’t be involved. I admit my preference towards wanting an Enterprise show perhaps makes me want to read more into his comments than might actually be there. We don’t know of course and whose to say that you’re bias towards not wanting a show might make you want to read less into his comments than is actually there.

For me it’s reality. They have their plate filled right now. It’s very unrealistic that they would make a show with Enterprise.

For me it’s a possibility. I never consider my opinion to be a hard fact.

I’d love to see that – and make it episodic and about exploration, like the original.

The original wasn’t usually about exploration — there was usually a mission (we’ve lost contact with x colony, etc).

He knows a secret.

He’s going to join the cast of Discovery.

One of the things that I’ most hope for in a Pike’s Enterprise show or miniseries would be for it to be a true ensemble show.

For many of us, the strength of Trek shows from TOS on has been the ensemble. To me, TNG and DS9 did this best.

For me, serialization could work, as long as it involved long arcs about the ship’s exploration. It could be very cool to take 3-4 episodes to really dig more deeply into a new situation while giving the ensemble each their own opportunity to shine.

Discovery has arguably the strongest cast ever in terms of acting. Great depth right down to the minor characters.

But with the show intended to be Burnham’s story first and foremost, we’re often frustrated that we don’t see more, that the ensemble is there in service of one character’s story, and the other 3-4 long term secondary leads are getting just enough in terms of stories to meet contractual obligations.

It sounds like the new Picard show will be the same. It will be some kind of recovery or restoration arc for Picard. It will be the journey of an individual and not the crew of a ship. The rest of the cast may be strong, but they will be there, and perhaps even come and go, in service of Picard’s story.

Picard’s a beloved character, so it will be interesting, but in that mix of different offerings that Kurtzman’s talking about, shows that aren’t fundamentally centered on one person’s growth need to be there.

The S31 show is clearly intended to be a vehicle for Michelle Yeoh…and they already appear to be writing Alan Van Sprang – – a strong actor and foil — out of the series. So I’m not expecting an ensemble there.

So, Pike-era Enterprise. Already we have Pike and Spock as strong characters. Rebecca Romjin’s Number One remains to be established but she’s a strong actor. Add in a young Urhura and a few other officers and it could be the ENSEMBLE show many of us won’t be getting from any of the offerings in development.

This sounds so wonderful to me that I wish you were the showrunner. :-)

Thanks for the vote of support Corylea. You made my morning.

LOL that would require my being able to write fiction instead of just strategy. 🤦‍♀️

I personally think the Enterprise season 4 approach is a good one. Have a few 3 part story arcs and add in a few stand alones. The only member of the crew from Kirk’s Enterprise I can realistically see on the show would be Montgomery Scott be on the engineering staff at some mid level. My head canon was that Scott was one of the crew already on board when Kirk showed up. He was either recently promoted to Chief engineer or Kirk did it when he came on board. Either way, he’s the one to put in there as only he and McCoy and Spock were older than Kirk. My other head canon is that Kirk had a friendship with McCoy from before he took command and brought “Bones” with him when he took over.

I think this is the only cost-effective approach as well. You have to amortize sets through several episodes if you want they to look astounding. Even in peak TV…

ML31 I’m pitching Uhura because I don’t think her history is locked down.

Bridge crew don’t all come aboard new with a new Captain. Yes, some officers and crew may have followed him from his previous post, but others will have come up on the Enterprise.

Uruha was a senior lieutenant and primary shift bridge officer 10 years later than Discovery. In a Pike-era Enterprise, she could be an ensign or lieutenant JG. Not everyone zooms up the hierarchy…

It would be great to see Uhura being mentored by Number One…who in Trek Lit had a specialization in computer communications. It could really go with the broader arcs across the various shows.

We know that IT and communications security will be an issue going forward.

Given the end of holographic communications and new firewalls, there is an opportunity to see Uhura as a young officer working with Number One on a project to develop robust systems, even if some were a technological step back.

Fair enough. Both are characters that I still wouldn’t really focus on. I was thinking the Chief Engineer would just occasionally say, “Mr. Scott, go check the technobable plates on unit 4 and send me a report.” Something similar could be done for Uhura, I suppose.

I’m really hoping for an ensemble of 7-8 characters based on the Enterprise that get solid development plus a few solid recurring ones, as we did in the 90s series.

So Pike, Spock, Number One, Doctor, Chief Engineer + helm?, comms? with young Uhura and Scott as recurring characters….

I’d be surprised if a standalone Enterprise series happens. In fact, I’d wager four quatloos against it.

As a big fan of Anson Mount as Pike, I have to say nonetheless I’m not into the idea of any more pre-Kirk, pre-TOS shows. Let’s move forward, introduce new characters to the Trek universe, be original. That said, I fully expect to see the ‘backstories’ of young versions of all, or nearly all of the TOS characters, because…$ubscription$ to CBSAA. And the eventual TOS reboot.

I think it is not an “or” proposition anymore. You’re about to get all the stuff that you want, moving forward, blah-blah-blah, yadda-yadda. There’s no reason there shouldn’t be more 23rd century (the most important and less explored of the centuries of Trek) just because you personally don’t care. I’m not a kid, but I’m not opposing a kid’s animation. To each its own. And you yourself, by bringing the dollar signs, admits there’s a lot of demand for the TOS characters. Don’t be so selfish, let them do what most people want too, since you’re getting what you want as well. ;-)

There will already be more. We know that because of the Section 31 show. He’s only saying he doesn’t want too many TOS prequels which the Pike show would be the THIRD one and all taking place in this one specific period. He’s not saying there shouldn’t be anymore 23rd century stories but I think a post TUC one (which is also in the 23rd century) would be more interesting as its one NO ONE has covered yet. We now have Discovery and Section 31 covering the pre-TOS era. To be honest we don’t need yet another show but I can understand the appeal for the Pike show obviously. But I also think thats why its not a done deal because they are conscience of that.

Appreciate that, Tiger.

I would honestly rather see something set in the land between TUC and TNG or post Nem. That said, I’m currently jonesing for a Pike led show because he has been so good on Discovery and Discovery has been so mediocre. I’d rather see Pike’s crew than anyone from season 1 of Discovery any day of the week.

The only prequel era I am generally interested in is a post TUC era. That was actually what DIS was originally rumored to take place in. That would probably be the most exciting because its 80 years between TOS and TNG and they could do a lot of stuff like how the Klingons ultimately became allies with the Federation or even introduce the Cardassians and the eventual war with them.

Very much agreed.

I Like Pike!!! That should be the new slogan!

I would love a pike era show big e show. Would love to see an April era and big e c era show as well.

Me too. But I doubt it’ll happen.

To the barber shop, I hope.

Sounds as though that could take a few more seasons…

I’m really loving his Spock. I’m hoping if they don’t get their own show (and I’m pretty doubtful) then they can use them on the Section 31 show. The little other stuff I read in other places with some statements about the end of Discovery second season finale might suggest why we won’t be seeing these guys next season but it doesn’t mean they can’t pop up on the Section 31 or even have a recurring role there.

As you know Tiger I’m much more optimistic about the prospects of getting a Pike/Spock series. I just think the way they’ve gone about casting these iconic parts so carefully with the level of talent that can draw in a TV audience and that from the point of view of CBS, to executives that maybe only have a passing familiarity with the franchise a show that focuses on Spock and the Enterprise is an easier sell to them.

I’m really glad Trekmovie put these questions to SPeck. It was obvious that if he knew anything then he would be under instruction not to talk about it. However, you can gage a lot from how somebody responds to a question and this had that feel of when Kurtzman was directly asked about the Picard series before he was ready to announce it. I think the fact that he said that he cannot talk about it implies that there is at least something to discuss otherwise why not say, I’d love to do it but nobody has spoke about it? Also I liked how he responded to the question about Spocks transition into the person we watched in TOS. He pretty much states that yes we are watching this journey unfold but he was quick to point out that TOS is 10 years away. Maybe, as usual I am reading too much into things but this almost felt like him saying that there’s much more of this story that we’re going to see beyond season 2 of Discovery.

Of course this is a long way away from confirming an Enterprise based project but it does strongly suggest that they are at least talking about it. They obviously speak about a lot though so I can’t fault you for being cautious in your appraisal of the prospects of a Pike/Spock show being greenlit. We don’t know how far along these conversations have gone, whether it’s just a twinkle in somebody’s eye that might quickly be forgotten about or something they’re gearing towards announcing! I’m going to leave myself open to huge disappointment and remain optimistic but one way or another it’s starting to look increasingly likely that we’re going to see these actors in these roles again in one form or another.

Some final thoughts: again I’d like to congratulate trekmovie on another great interview and for asking the questions that many of us wanted you to ask. It will be interesting to see whether or not any of the other media outlets pick up on the comments and start to scratch beneath the surface.

“SPeck”. Love it.

If it happens I will be just as thrilled about it, I’m just cautious for many reasons. I was certainly cautious over the rumor of the Picard show happening (I’m still shocked it is happening lol) but that was before there was no other show announcements. And as I said I’m NOT saying it won’t happen, it simply might be years away, that’s all. But yes I agree, they are definitely talking about it so that’s a good sign. All I’m saying is if they don’t get their own show, they still have opportunities to appear in other places which I’m guessing is also being discussed. And of course they could do a mini-series or even TV movies if not a full on show. I’m looking at it from all sides and there are tons of possibilities. Either way I don’t see them just disappearing after this season.

Yeah I get that dude, you’re right as well there’s no guarantees here and like you say they’ve got a full plate at the moment. I just enjoy the speculating/wishful thinking!

“I Am Not Spock” is a pretty great book. It speaks well of Peck that he is partially using that as a template.

It’s about time that somebody out and out asked one of these guys about an Enterprise series. Great interview Trekmovie.com.

Please give us a few seasons of Pike, Spock, Number One, and the Enterprise….Please?!?

I would love a five year Pike mission on the U.S.S. Enterprise with Spock and Number One. I think it’s rather poignant we’ll know how Pike ends up. Gives it something bitter sweet.

The casting of Pike, Number 1 and Spock are spot on. Especially with Anson Mount who, in my opinion, has amazing screen presence as Pike. It will be a huge disservice to not capitalize on this.

I keep saying and will say it again – if not a full blown series then at least a couple of feature length episodes!!

Your comment about a feature length episode prompted me to think that if Paramount and CBS remerge, the adventures of Pike on the Enterprise would be a great new film series!

That could make a very cool film.

Yes mount is pike imo.

I love his ‘I can’t say” he’s so amused. This guy is a cutie. If he wasn’t playing Spock or he can’t come back I’d make him still play one of the human guys, someone who is allowed to smile more because he has a cute smile.

His reaction says it all. There will be a Pike spin-off.

We all want to see a Enterprise Pike and Spock spin off series! CBS would be stupid to miss out on this one. I will subscribe for life if they do this with a quality Picard series!

If the Viacom/CBS merger happens, then it’s a good bet that the movies will be Pike and the Enterprise. Seeing how ambitious Kurtzmann is don’t be surprised if DSC and Michelle Yeoh (for international appeal in Asian markets) is included as well in a bit of a team up. I mean, we’ll see this team up towards the end of the season when the Enterprise and No.1 returns but it would be cool if Pike was the central focus in a movie.

If there is a movie, I suspect it will be a TV movie for CBSAA. Not one for theaters.

Same. I think that would be a great route to go in too and have Pike movies if they don’t want too many starship TV shows in the same era. AA needs to focus on films too, especially since their movie library is a complete joke.

TV movies are such a 70’s thing.

Better send a memo to Netflix.

I don’t consider Netflix to be broadcast television. Is Roma a TV movie?

CBS AA on the other hand is directly linked to broadcast tv.

Most streaming site are making movies now. You have any idea how many Disney+ is making before that site even debuts? It’s up to six so far and more are in development.

AA is already faaaar behind in the game and their movie library is a joke. If they want to really compete it can’t with just Star Trek shows and CSI reruns. They have to do something big to compete.

Yes. Roma is a TV Movie. Just like the pilot episode of Inhumans was a TV movie. Netflix has made a number of movies.

TV movies don’t go the the Oscars.

I REALLY have a feeling they’ve been talking about a spinoff with such positive response to all 3 characters. I’d be shocked if they haven’t already started that ball rolling for a miniseries or why not even do All Access’ first attempt at a film like what Netflix has done? Get the director who would have directed the 4th Kelvin film.

Still feel like we’ll have an announcement at STLV2019 that a Pike/Enterprise project is in the pipeline.

depends on how much he is desired in Hollywood. He does have the pedigree and surely doesn’t want to get typecast at such a young age

“Has there been any discussion about that? I can’t say. [laughs]”

Okay, I think it’s safe to say this show will happen now. If it wasn’t the case, he could have just said “No” flat out. I’m so much looking forward to seeing an Enterprise show if it happens. But I’m sure it will. It’s a safe bet.

I honestly don’t know what to read into his “I can’t say” comments about a potential Pike led show. Could be something. Could be nothing. Could be in talks but nothing close to official. My best guess is it is something being considered and the cast has been reached out to about the potential. At least, that is my hope…

It’s not nothing, otherwise you can say but you’re right we could still be getting excited about something that doesn’t go anywhere. I’m going to choose to get excited though!

Even it was nothing, he would just say “no” not “I can’t say.” This non-negative is exciting, as I have been hoping for a Pike-Enterprise show for 20 years. It should be different from Discovery as it could be more episodic like TOS, that would be perfect.

Here’s hoping!

Spock should join the Discovery crew.

…and throw canon out of the airlock completely, correct?

Does canon give a detailed account of Spock’s starfleet history before TOS? It doesn’t.

In The Menagerie Spock states that he served with Pike aboard the Enterprise for 11 years. Although the events of The Cage supposedly take place 13 years before the first season of TOS. I’m sure there are ways fans can make both things true. Then there are all the childhood accounts of Spock’s life. The only window that seems to be very blank are his Academy days and very early Starfleet duties.

If Spock was sent to Discovery on loan from the Enterprise, he could technically still be serving with Pike.

Plus why should they allow one line from a scifi show 50 years ago stop them from putting Spock on Discovery?

Because it would render the line false. And give credence to the concept that the new show is a reboot rather than a prequel like the producers keep telling us it is.

Spock lies, he also said they have never been a mutiny in Star Fleet before.

Again, more evidence Discovery is a reboot.

The fact that it was publicized that the Pike and Number One characters wouldn’t be returning for Discovery season 3 indicates to me that Spock could.

We need to start the “I Like Pike” campaign.

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5 Things to Know About Ethan Peck, Star Trek: Discovery's New Spock

This casting choice is not highly illogical

On Tuesday, CBS All Access announced that Ethan Peck would be putting on the ears as Spock in Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery . Spock, the iconic half-human, half-Vulcan Science Officer of the USS Enterprise was first played by Leonard Nimoy in the original series and has been played in the recent movie series by Zachary Quinto . The character and the actors who have played him are all highly recognizable, but Ethan Peck is not. In fact, you may be saying "Who tf is Ethan Peck?" Well, we have the answers. Here's what you need to know about the new Spock.

1. He's a descendent of Hollywood royalty. His grandfather is the late Gregory Peck , who won an Oscar in 1962 for his iconic performance as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird , and who also starred in Spellbound , Roman Holiday and Cape Fear . Ethan's middle name is "Gregory" in honor of his grandfather.

2. He's been acting for awhile, but this is by far his biggest live-action role. His first role was at age 9 in a short-lived ABC crime drama called Charlie Grace . In between then and now, he's appeared on That '70s Show as a young version of Ashton Kutcher 's character Kelso, starred as Heath Ledger's Patrick Verona on ABC Family's series adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You and appeared on two episodes of Gossip Girl as director David O. Russell 's assistant. Gamers will recognize his voice and likeness from Halo 4 , where he was the CG model for Spartan Gabriel Thorne.

3. He's a model. Peck was the face of Salvatore Ferragamo in 2015. But you don't need to wait for an ad campaign to gaze at all this gorgeousness; his Instagram is basically a one man runway show.

I wink at danger? Celebrating #100Years100Days at #GancioStudios for @Ferragamo. A post shared by Ethan Peck (@ethangpeck) on Dec 8, 2015 at 6:48pm PST

4. He likes Aphex Twin The t-shirt he's wearing in this photo bears the logo for experimental electronic musician Aphex Twin. Aphex Twin is basically Vulcan music , so he has the right kind of brain to nail Spock's logical/emotional balancing act.

Goodbye, Houston. #AphexTwin was sufficiently weird. #DayforNight @ryotnews 4/4 A post shared by Ethan Peck (@ethangpeck) on Dec 18, 2016 at 7:03pm PST

5. His Spock will be different than previous Spocks Discovery is a prequel to The Original Series , and Peck's young Spock hasn't even met Captain Kirk yet. Instead, his story will be tied to his adoptive sister Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ). And his personality won't quite be the same as it is later on. "This is not entirely the Spock who has been formed enough to be the Spock that we know from TOS . There's a lot of story about who Spock was before he becomes the Spock that is the yin-yang to Kirk," executive producer Alex Kurtzman told TV Guide . "What I'm so excited about is that we have an opportunity to present a version of Spock that's both totally consistent with the Spock everyone knows but very, very different. And it's all gonna tie to how we sync up with canon."

Star Trek: Discovery will return for Season 2 in 2019 on CBS All Access .

(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS, the parent company of CBS All Access)

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Casts Its Spock

By Daniel Holloway

Daniel Holloway

Executive Editor, TV

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Ethan Peck is about to boldly go where Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto have gone before.

A veteran TV actor, Peck, grandson of Gregory Peck, has been cast to play the iconic Starfleet officer Spock in season two of CBS All Access drama “ Star Trek: Discovery .” Executive producer Alex Kurtzman confirmed at Comic-Con in July that Spock, one of the best-loved characters in the “Star Trek” franchise and in all of science fiction, would appear in season two of “Discovery.” Set to premiere in 2019, the new season, which takes place years before the original “Star Trek” television series, will feature an encounter between the USS Discovery and the USS Enterprise.

The child of a human mother and an alien father from the planet Vulcan, Spock serves aboard the Enterprise and is foster brother to Discovery’s second officer Michael Burnham.

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Spock was created in the original “Star Trek” series by Nimoy, who also portrayed the character in eight feature films, “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” and in two episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Quinto has played the role in the franchise’s three most recent feature-film installments.

“Through 52 years of television and film, a parallel universe and a mirror universe, Mr. Spock remains the only member of the original bridge crew to span every era of Star Trek,” Kurtzman said. “The great Leonard Nimoy, then the brilliant Zachary Quinto, brought incomparable humanity to a character forever torn between logic and emotion. We searched for months for an actor who would, like them, bring his own interpretation to the role. An actor who would, like them, effortlessly embody Spock’s greatest qualities, beyond obvious logic: empathy, intuition, compassion, confusion, and yearning. Ethan Peck walked into the room inhabiting all of these qualities, aware of his daunting responsibility to Leonard, Zack, and the fans, and ready to confront the challenge in the service of protecting and expanding on Spock’s legacy. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to welcome him to the family.”

Peck’s TV credits include roles on “Madam Secretary,” “Gossip Girl,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and “That ’70s Show.” He is represented by Imperium 7 talent agency.

Related: Alex Kurtzman Describes What Makes a Good “Spock”

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Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 – A History of Spock’s Smiles

We put that "smile" from Ethan Peck's Spock in Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 in the context of this character's canon history.

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If you haven’t heard, Spock smiles in the latest trailer for Star Trek: Discovery  Season 2 (also seen in this sneak peak ). Star Trek has a long, proud tradition of Spock smiling, and I am glad to see that Disco will be continuing it with their interpretation of a younger Spock, played by Ethan Peck .

Where does this smile fit into the history of Spock contorting his face to express a positive emotional response? What could it mean for Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 and this new incarnation of Spock? Don’t worry, friends. I’m about to break it down for you. 

A History of Spock’s Smiles

While there can sometimes be an idea in  Star Trek  fandom that Spock never smiles, this is not the case. This character, while typically very reserved in his emotional expression, smiles more in  The Original Series  then you might think. Here are some examples of Spock smiling…

“The Cage”/”The Menagerie”

Reason for smiling: Singing flower.

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Kind of smile: Relieved.

Spock first smiled in “The Cage,” the original pilot for Star Trek: The Original Series . Many changes were made between the production of this pilot and the production of “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” the pilot that would eventually be shown, but TOS uses much of “The Cage”‘s footage for its Season 1 two-parter “The Menagerie.”

The in-universe explanation for Spock’s smile here, per the screenplay for “The Menagerie,” is that Spock was relieved that the source of the musical, flute-like sounds they were hearing was a plant and nothing sinister. But, let’s be real, he was also probably super delighted at finding some native flora to gush over. Spock is a total nerd like that. This may be the purest Spock smile.

Leonard Nimoy gave some behind-the-scenes insight into this moment with this tweet…

Often asked: Why did Spock smile and limp in the first ST pilot? Answer:Was told to smile by the director/ to limp by Gene Roddenberry. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) July 14, 2012

“Where No Man Has Gone Before”

Reason for smiling: He thinks he’s about to checkmate Kirk in three-dimensional chess. (He’s not.)

Kind of smile: Smug.

Spock loves his games of three-dimensional chess, and prides himself on his logical gameplay. This is why he is so happy when he seems to be beating Kirk when they play in “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” and so grumpy when Kirk makes an “illogical” move that totally throws him off his game.

“Amok Time”

Reason for smiling: Discovering that Kirk is not dead.

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Kind of smile: Overjoyed/relieved.

This is no mere smile. Spock basically jumps for joy when he finds out that he did not, in fact, kill Captain Kirk during his Pon Farr. “Jim!” he exclaims, before reigning his emotions in a bit. “I am… pleased to see you again, Captain. You seem… uninjured.”

McCoy looks on, smirking. It’s too late, Spock. He saw it.

“This Side of Paradise”

Reason for smiling: Spores.

Kind of smile: Drug-induced.

This episode gets Spock smiles bonus points because he not only smiles, he straight-up laughs.

When the crew of the Enterprise lands on  Omicron Ceti III to investigate what happened to a Federation colony, they find the colonists alive and very well. Their happiness is the result of an indigenous spore that put those infected into a state of peace and euphoria, and also make them unwilling to leave the planet.

The result? A very happy Spock, who falls in love with a botanist named Leila, climbs trees , and generally shirks all of his duties in favor of fun. Frankly, it’s pretty delightful to watch.

“Return to Tomorrow”

Reason for smiling: Body inhabited by telepathic alien.

Kind of smile: Not real Spock smile.

In my opinion, this one really shouldn’t count as a Spock smile because Spock’s body is inhabited by this telepathic alien name Henoch. Thusly, this is really Henoch smiling, not Spock. It’s nice to see Leonard Nimoy get some facial exercises in, though.

“Plato’s Stepchildren”

Reason for smiling: Forced to by telekinetic aliens.

In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise meets a bunch of telekinetic aliens who are obsessed with classic Greek society. In an attempt to get McCoy to stay on the planet as their physician, the Platonians, as they have named themselves, use their powers to make Kirk, Spock, and other members of the crew do things.

For Spock, these things include laughing and crying. The Platonians coercion of the crew members is disturbing to watch. This Spock “smile” definitely doesn’t count.

“All Our Yesterdays”

Reason for smiling: Telepathically-influenced by contemporary barbaric Vulcans.

Kind of smile: Love-y.

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In “All Our Yesterdays,” Spock travels back 5,000 years on the planet Sarpeidon to a time before Vulcans had learned to master their emotions. Telepathically-influenced by the barbaric Vulcans of the time, Spock becomes a much more outwardly emotional version of himself, falling in love with a woman named Zarabeth, attacking McCoy in anger, and, yes, dear reader, smiling.

Conclusion: Spock smiles.

The above examples are from from the only examples of Spock smiling in The Original Series , as noted in a genius, no doubt time-consuming fan edit of Spock smiling across TOS and into the films. As you’ll see, it was not uncommon for Nimoy to imbue his performance as Spock with the hint of a smile, or even something more, when the context called for it.

What does this mean for Star Trek: Discovery Season 2?

Well, for one thing, it means that Discovery may be lightening things up more in Season 2. It also tells us even more about Peck’s interpretation of this iconic character .

One of the things I really liked about this smile from Peck’s Spock is that it is very reminiscent of a Nimoy smile in its subtley. Though Nimoy sometimes went for a more pronounced smile, most notably in the “Amok Time” smile noted above, most of his smiles were glimmers of amusement or affection that only play as smiles in the context of this outwardly stoic character.

Further reading: Star Trek: Disco Explains Why Spock Never Mentioned His Sister

Peck’s Spock’s smile in the trailer is the kind eye-twinkling we saw all of the time in TOS Spock.

Another important canon context for Spock’s smile in Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 is the acknowledgment that Vulcans are meant to gain additional emotional control as they age.

The Spock we will meet in Disco Season 2 is younger than any of the Spock’s we’ve met before in this timeline, aside from Spock in “The Cage”/”Menagerie” and the Spock in The Animated Series ‘ “Yesteryear.” If Disco wanted to go in this direction, it would make sense that Spock would be slightly less controlled in his emotions than the Spock we know and love from TOS .

Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 premieres on January 17th. Read more about Season 2 here.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek . Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt .

Kayti Burt | @kaytiburt

Kayti is a pop culture writer, editor, and full-time nerd who comes from a working class background. A member of the Television Critics Association, she specializes…

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‘star trek: strange new worlds’ star ethan peck discusses initial “nearly unbearable” weight of playing spock and profound fan appreciation.

His journey to become the iconic sci-fi character first brought to life by the legendary Leonard Nimoy has been intense, but thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling, he tells THR.

By Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker

Former Senior Reporter

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[Warning: This story contains spoilers for the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode “Ghosts of Illyria.”] 

For Ethan Peck, each episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a journey into a character whom he has come to know well — and yet remains a mystery. The actor, who debuted as Spock on Star Trek: Discovery , finds great beauty in that notion.

His journey to becoming the iconic sci-fi character first brought to life by the legendary Leonard Nimoy has been intense, but thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling, he tells The Hollywood Reporter .

And while it was his guest work on Discovery that led throngs of fans to demand he, along with Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn , be given a spinoff, it is the format and writing of Strange New Worlds that has allowed Peck to truly embody and understand the half-Vulcan, half-human character.

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The new series on Paramount+ is only three episodes in, and yet, no time was wasted in exploring Spock’s internal trials and tribulations, including his love life struggles with T’Pring (Gia Sandhu), who was bonded to Spock as a child. Peck is reveling in the exploration of his character’s dueling identities, crediting the writers for Spock’s nuance and complexities.

The Original Series nostalgia comes through so well. How does it feel to make this series compared to your time on Discovery ? 

It’s obvious we are in an episodic format, so each episode is its own adventure, its own world, its own conflict to be overcome by the bridge crew of the Enterprise. The challenges are new every single time, and that’s exciting for me as an actor because I don’t know what’s coming up. Oftentimes, at the beginning of the season of a serialized show, you kind of get an idea of what your character will be going through. And in this case, it’s kind of a surprise where Spock is going. That’s really thrilling.

You, Anson and Rebecca struck such a chord with fans in these characters, they demanded via petitions there be a spinoff. Has the level of that love, respect and trust set in yet? 

It’s still crazy to wrap my head around that. Fans are such a big part of why we’re here now, and I’m so grateful to the fans. It’s also been really inspiring for us because we’ve just poured our hearts and souls into this series, and I think it shows. You can feel it. But yes, I’m still kind of grasping the reality of my situation — that I’m playing this character and on this show. It fills me with wonder and honor.

I so appreciate that, right off the bat, the series deals with Spock’s exploration of his inner turmoil and conflict — trying to find his true self, as opposed to who he thinks others want him to be. You’re really pulling double duty at times in that battle.

Absolutely. I’ve been really fortunate with the level of nuance they’ve given to me in the writing. It’s also been very scary. This is such a precious character, not just to the fans, but to me. And like I said, one of the gifts of the episodic format is that every episode’s a new adventure, not knowing what Spock is going to be doing. So I feel like I’m constantly kind of searching for the character and understanding the inner details, which again is a gift.

Spock wants to be accepted by Vulcan, by his people whom he’s grown up with, but he has never been accepted because he’s half human. This is a struggle that exists on our planet, and I may not be the best representative of that, but we have amazing writers who do experience that today. I know that they contribute quite heavily to Spock’s life in that way. His human side is undeniable. He must explore it. And I think eventually his understanding of his humanness is what makes him who he will become later in the Original Series . His emotional side draws in valuable information that he can use in his problem-solving. He’s a beautiful person to be portraying and to be discovered.

I am also enjoying the exploration of his love life with T’Pring, which was only briefly touched on in the Original Series . Can you talk about that additional, mostly unexplored layer of Spock? 

It’s really complicated, and we really handle it with a lot of thought and caution because we don’t want to put anything down that doesn’t ring true for these characters and for these cultures. It’s so interesting playing against Gia because she is expressive in an even more quiet way, in my opinion, than Spock can be. And when I’m working with her on-camera, I feel he needs to be more Vulcan to be accepted because I want her to like me. I want to be accepted by her. So that’s always kind of on the back burner of Spock’s mind, that he just doesn’t belong there, he belongs with Starfleet. So it’s interesting to explore those moments with her.

There is a wild away mission for Capt. Pike and Spock in “Ghosts of Illyria.” Safe to assume away missions are more fun to shoot, especially when it is just you and Anson getting to play in the sandbox? 

Away missions can be more fun. Oftentimes, though, they’re logistically more complicated, so we might have to wake up even earlier to travel someplace to film. This particular episode we actually filmed in Ontario Place in Toronto. So in that way, they can be a little more complicated. There are more unknowns, but it’s always really fun to be in a new environment with these characters because our team just does such an amazing job with set design and decoration, and it really brings life to my work. But this specific episode is such a classic Spock and captain episode.

And Anson and I get along great. We share a lot of science fiction books with each other, both being big sci-fi fans. So, we’re often both reading on-set. I think we both approach our work with the same amount of intensity and consistency, and that’s just really special. Everyone on our show works hard, and I think Anson really sets the bar for the level of work that exists in our show, and that is something I’ve admired.

How did you build that bond between you two? Did you spend extra time paling around when the cameras weren’t rolling? 

When I was doing Discovery , I saw Pike as an uncle figure to Spock or an older brother. On Discovery , Spock became close with his adopted sister Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ), but I think Pike was the human role model for him. And so with that in mind, we went into our off time between Discovery and Strange New Worlds and did as many conventions together as we could. We just had a blast and got to know each other better, discovered that we just have great chemistry on- and off-camera. And of course, working together now on Strange New Worlds , you become family. You see each other in your highs and your lows, and you learn to accept each person for who they are in every moment. And that’s a rare opportunity because we must be united and be coordinated with one another and work together. So that’s really special.

You and Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura are doing an extraordinary job with your incarnations of these beloved classic characters. I assume there was extra pressure initially. Do you still feel it now? 

That’s a question that I can answer in so many different ways as time goes on because it changes. In the beginning, yes, the weight was nearly unbearable, and I wondered if I would be kind of broken by, “I’m not sure that I quite feel worthy.” I’m still growing into Spock in many ways. And you know, now the pressure isn’t quite as great as it was during Discovery .

I’m trying to have an experience as Spock. I’m not thinking of what the final product will be or how it will look. But I definitely did a bunch of research, and I’m constantly checking in with the voice of Spock in my head. Leonard Nimoy made such an impression on me and that’s with me always. I’m constantly checking in with that.

Celia and I maybe have added pressure because of the characters we’re playing, but at the same time, I think Star Trek is such a beautiful burden for all of us and a heavy one, too. It represents something so special to so many people. It’s hopeful and aspirational and inspiring and curious and accepting. And I think it’s always anecdotal to all of the important things that are happening in the world.

Interview edited for length and clarity. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is streaming now on Paramount+.

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The CBS All-Access series  Star Trek : Discovery  returns to active duty tonight with Brother , the franchise’s high-intensity Season 2 premiere and its strongest showing to date after a bumpy inaugural season.

The hour-long season opener marks the small-screen return of American television’s greatest alien, Mr. Spock, this time as portrayed by the young, bearded and soulful Ethan Peck, grandson of Hollywood icon Gregory Peck. The last time Spock was featured in a new Trek television episode was in November 1991 when Leonard Nimoy beamed aboard  Star Trek: The Next Generation  (a series that also had an uneven first season).

Spock is the title sibling in  Brother  — the episode reunites him with his sister, Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), the fiery Discovery crew member who was raised on Vulcan by Spock’s parents. Spock and Burnham may be the keys to unlocking a cosmic mystery that will tug the  Discovery  crew toward a new danger in deep space.

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Discovery may live in the future, but its greatest challenge is living up to the past. Star Trek  in its assorted iterations has yielded 14 feature films and 740 television episodes to date (not to mention all the novels, comic books, video games, etc.). On the eve of the season premiere, Deadline caught up with Discovery showrunner Alex Kurtzman to discuss his ongoing mission to find a future that is fresh yet also familiar.

DEADLINE: The new season finds a classic Trek character, Captain Pike, leading the crew. It’s a character you have history with since Bruce Greenwood portrayed him in the 2009 feature film Star Trek and its 2013 sequel, both times off of scripts you cowrote . This time around Anson Mount plays the early-days captain of the USS Enterprise.  What did you explore in the character? He seems to hold a special place in Starfleet lore …

KURTZMAN: Pike definitely holds a kind of mythological place in canon because he preceded James T. Kirk as the captain of the Enterprise but was seen only once in the original series [in the two-episode story called The Menagerie  that aired in November 1966]. It’s allowed people to mythologize him because there’s so much guesswork you can do about who he is. I suppose we played with that a little bit in the movie but this season we get inside his character in a way that we we didn’t get to do in the films. And the events of this Pike’s life are synchronous with canon whereas with the films were on the Kelvin timeline. That Pike’s story is different.

We are coming off a season where a ship’s captain [Lorca, played by Jason Isaacs] deceived his crew. They are understandably untrusting of their new captain and Pike is really the perfect guy for that. He is in his soul and at his core very decent. He is quick to recognize that his crew needs not just reassurance but also the kind of leadership that Lorca did not give them. That leadership not only allows them to realize their fuller potential as individual officers but it requires him to acknowledge very quickly when he’s wrong and for Pike that is one of his defining traits as a captain. We delve into his background a bit and find out by the end of the second episode a little bit about his home life growing up. And the fact that we will synchronize with canon by the end of this season, that means we may see shades of where we all know Pike will end up.

DEADLINE: That sounds grim.

KURTZMAN: It depends on how you look at it. That’s one of the things that’s been really interesting, actually. That story has always been told one way and we’re going to tell it in a new way.

DEADLINE: The new season has a more cinematic look and it takes the scale and visual effects up a few notches as well. I know, from our previous conversations, that you view the show as a “sweet spot” somewhere  between film and television productions. Can you talk about that a bit? 

KURTZMAN: The line between film and television is disappearing and will disappear completely at some point soon. We get to make a movie every episode yet what we also have going for us is beautiful longevity of character development that can play out over a season of shows. So we get to live in nuance moments that movies often don’t have time for, especially movies that have as much action as the Trek movies have in them. Which is not to  say that we didn’t always go for them in the films. We always did there was just less time to do it in.  Now with this 14-episode season you can get to know characters at a much deeper level just because you’re spending more time with them.

From a filmmaking perspective we switched to anamorphic for this season. All our lenses are different than they were last year and it immediately conveys a sense of scope and scale. The frame is longer, wider and you feel more. It’s more the experience you have in the old-school Cinerama Dome kind of viewing experience. And to be able to bring that to television is awesome. The standard that we hold the work to is that if it was projected in a movie theater you would not really be able to tell the difference. The image is that great.

DEADLINE: The ambition shows. I haven’t seen a television series that has the sci-fi look and spectacle scale of the new season…

KURTZMAN: I’m sure we’re not the first to use anamorphic lenses. I don’t know what Game of Thrones shoots on. But I do love anamorphic lenses. It’s also the lighting, that has a lot to do with it. You have to light very, very differently for anamorphic lenses. I’m always telling the crew not to be afraid of high contrast lighting. The darks are just as interesting as the lights and the character doesn’t have to have high-key lighting on them all the time. We can let half of their face live in shadow if it’s appropriate and so that immediately contributes to a much deeper sense of cinema. Television doesn’t usually light that way. At least old-school television doesn’t light that way.

Color is something that we think about now in a focused way since the beginning of production for the season. All the departments have to be synchronized about this; cinematography has to talk to production design which has to talk to costumes and everybody has to come up with a lighting scheme, a color scheme where each element of the design complements and contributes to a sense of a consistent whole.

DEADLINE: The benefit being symbolic and for emotional tones?

KURTZMAN: You  might not recognize why you feel the way you feel about something but it’s actually partly because scenes have literally been color-coded. And lighting has literally been designed around enhancing the color of the scene so that you feel a certain way. Colors immediately trigger emotions for human beings. You can read many, many studies on it. So the key is to look at the emotional psychology of a scene and how color translates that emotionally. That has been a huge part of what we do. It sounds heavy but actually once you start playing that game, it’s incredibly fun because each scene becomes a stone in a path of a character and once you know what the scene is doing you can design around what you want the audience to feel about that scene. Once things come together in the right way you have this tremendously satisfying experience that is pretty atypical of television — although, as I say, I think that is less atypical now that the line is getting blurred more and more. These are things happening more and more as the change is moving fast.

DEADLINE: Can you offer a specific example? Maybe something that appeared in the Season 2 trailer ?

KURTZMAN: Yes. There’s a scene where Spock is kneeling on the ground and I’ve seen a lot of speculation about where he is and what he’s potentially crying about. The floors are filled with beautiful calculations and everyone is wondering what he’s drawing. The intention of that scene is to show both his isolation and his confusion and so we designed a frame that’s center punched, almost to Kubrick-style, so everything is very ordered even though there is tremendous chaos on the floor. The windows are very deliberately blown out so that he is just a little blinded and there is something about the sense of the shot that is compositionally beautiful but also a little bit disconcerting.

There’s a million choices that go into how we shoot the show. A lot of it has to do with emotional reactions to visuals.  We get to play like that in film a lot more but now our mandate with the show is: don’t think of this like television. We never want to be doing coverage. And by coverage I mean a very typical way of shooting is coming in and doing a master, you do a couple different sides if you’re lucky to have enough time on a television schedule. Then you would move on. For us, though, one of the challenges that we put to our directors this year is to shoot a scene where you’re never using the same shot twice. That forces everybody to try to think differently about how they’re shooting scenes. The best episodes are the ones that have a real point of view where you feel choices are being made that are deliberate and when that happens the viewers are more willing to put themselves in the hands of the show. If it feels like there is a grand design, the audience responds.

DEADLINE : Is there any downside to that? Can it become a distraction or limit the options in editing in a way that undermines that grand design?

KURTZMAN : That’s the challenge, for example, in Spock’s disorientation; we started using 10- and 8-millimeter lenses, which are super wide almost to the point of fisheye lenses. And that can either be a choice that is really cool or really self-conscious, so you have to figure out a way to balance that out as you’re shooting. Some of the choices you make you can calibrate in editing. We always tell our directors to give us enough choices so that we have options. They need to know what they want from a scene. If it feels like “We’re on that fish-eye look for too long and I’m starting to become aware of it,” that’s never good. So we modulate as we go in post-production.

DEADLINE: One of the trademarks of Star Trek has been its quasi-naval culture. Some of the most memorable scenes through the decades have been rituals that evoke naval heritage, like court martial hearings, funerals and crew formals. Is that something you have delved into for inspiration and material?

KURTZMAN : Completely. There’s a tremendous amount that was shot on the bridge this season and it was on several bridges of several different ships. Gene Roddenberry obviously had a very deep military background that is just embedded so deeply in the DNA of the show so to me a key thing is to try to translate that visually in a way that is cool. It’s funny Crimson Tide is one of my favorite action movies, but maybe it’s more of a thriller, really, not really an action film. But that film has a very specific look and when I went back not that long ago and watched it again I was struck by how much of a Star Trek episode it is. And then it got to that line that I think Quentin Tarantino wrote for the script: the whole Scotty reference about Star Trek . So funny how the first time I watched the movie, back when I was a kid, that line didn’t land for me and I didn’t get why that reference was being made. Now that I’m living it day-to-day I completely understand why they went there. And that is completely awesome. But the answer is yes, for sure, Trek is a naval show. It was always designed as a naval show and you will certainly feel that in the way we’ve shot the Discovery bridge. It’s funny you mentioned a funeral because there will be a funeral this season and it’s done entirely in naval style.

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Published Jan 15, 2019

Grokking Discovery's Spock

Ethan Peck is ready to live long and prosper in his role as Spock

StarTrek.com

And now, logically, it’s time to talk to Ethan Peck, who will step into the role of Spock when Star Trek: Discovery kicks off its second season Thursday on CBS All Access. The young actor, whose film and television credits include Passport to Paris, That '70s Show, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, 10 Things I Hate About You, In Time, Madam Secretary and The Curse of Sleeping Beauty , is the grandson of Hollywood icon Gregory Peck. Proudly sporting a Borg T-shirt, Peck spoke with a small group of journalists at a Manhattan hotel the day after his first New York Comic-Con appearance in October. During the 20-minute conversation, he addressed his familiarity with Trek, discussed how he prepped to play Trek ’s most-beloved Vulcan and shared his thoughts about the heightened fame he’ll surely experience as part of entering the Star Trek universe.

How familiar were you with Trek before hooking up with the franchise?

Mildly. I'm a huge science-fiction fan, and obviously Star Trek falls under that category. I'm a big fan of the Abrams movie that Kurtzman worked on, but I'm really becoming a Trekkie now, as I do my studies.

You’re playing arguably one of the most famous Trek characters of all time...

Yeah. It's pretty wild.

No pressure, right?

No pressure.

How much research do you go into? Did you sit down and try to watch all the movies, and all the series?

I'm still working my way through The Original Series , because that's a ton of hours. I had to catch up first with season one of Discovery . I met with the Nimoy family, which was an incredible experience. I wanted to and CBS made that happen, and that was the first step in feeling like I am worthy and I can do this.

Did you want to meet them to get their blessing?

I was just curious to meet them because, obviously, Leonard is not with us, but there's some of him with them. Sure, of course I wanted their blessing in some way, shape or form, and they definitely gave me that. They really inspired me to be curious about what Leonard did with the role. I was curious… “What did he do to prepare?” And they were like, "You shouldn't… Just watch The Original Series ." I was like, "OK." That's the most Spock thing I could have done, just to be deeply curious and observing of what he's done. I read I'm Not Spock , and I'm reading I Am Spock now, and watched Wrath of Khan the other night. The Spock that we are creating, that I'm a big part of, isn't immediately recognizable as the Spock you will see, because it wouldn't be very fun to just have him. So, we need to get him to where he is shaped and molded to the Spock that we will see in The Original Series .

I've done my best to capture and internalize the spirit of Nimoy's Spock, which is really my benchmark. Quinto obviously did an amazing job with his Spock, but that's an alternate universe. My light at the end of the tunnel is Nimoy's Spock. From what I've seen of TOS , the conversations and the dialogue I've had, I don't think we've ever seen such complex inner-world ruminations or explanations. So, just in the writing alone, there's more Spock, there's farther down into the depths of Spock. There's a lot of freedom there to creating an inner emotional world that's much more on the surface, but, as I said, with utter respect and reverence for who he becomes and within cannon, and all that.

Is this a more emotional Spock?

I guess you could say that, yeah. When we first see him, he's sort of unraveled. This is a time when this epic conflict within him, human, Vulcan, in one being is really on the surface and plays out on the surface.

You auditioned not knowing what role you were up for, right?

That was something I discovered on my own. The first set of scenes I got were disguised, and I had no idea who it was. About three weeks later, a couple days before my final audition, essentially, I got a scene that revealed that Michael and I shared a father. I was like, “What? What? No! What?" Watching Discovery, at this point, I realized that Burnham was Sarek and Amanda's child, adopted child. I just couldn't believe it. I was like, "No farking way, man! That's not... how's this possible?" I just never thought he'd be again.

When did you start to feel like Spock? Was it the ears? Was it getting the eyebrows shaved and raised?

As you know, he starts in a place that we don't immediately recognize him. Even in that way, I didn't feel like Spock, because he's not. That's kind of a gift for me as an actor because it's such a daunting task. I have time as Ethan to grow as an actor, to grow into Spock as an actor, and Spock himself is growing into Spock. I think that you'll see hopefully will be authentic, but I think the first time I really felt like, well, that Spock was… We did a big press shoot at the weekend. I hadn't really seen photos of myself yet. I'd seen photos of screens from the monitors, and I was like "Wow! This is real" and "That's me and that's Spock."

Before this, what was the most logical role you had played?

This small movie called Adopt a Sailor , I played a sailor who's trying to make sense of a very traumatic experience. He has a near-death experience. It's a very intellectual process for him. So, probably him.

To you, how fascinating is the conflict between emotion and logic?

Very fascinating, because what a gift as an actor, and as an audience member to have somebody who's in this struggle. These are the touchstones of humanity: logic and emotion. We are primal. Civilization has given knowledge and discovery and desire to understand and communicate with each other what's going on here in this universe and in this world, and to have that played out in a character is just such a gift, such an opportunity. And I think as an audience, as a viewer to see that is really exciting, because we can all relate to that. There are times when you're like "Ah, man! I really overreacted." Or, "I shouldn't' have said that" or "I don't even remember what I said because I was so angry." He's really teaches all of us what it is to be human. I think that's really special.

Can you talk about working with Sonequa Martin-Green?

Sonequa is so amazing. My nickname for her is “Strength” because she is so full of energy and so full of life, both on and off camera. The amount of work she has to do for the show would make your head spin because it's just non-stop for her, and she's a mother, which blows my mind. The amount of work she puts in for Discovery is vast, and very few people could do that. She's really special and really inspiring to me and I admire the heck out of her. It's such a joy to work with her, too. She's been a huge part of me feeling like I can do this, and that this Spock is my own. We've been through a lot together, on and off camera, especially on camera. I'm really excited for the world to see it. Hopefully, it is as good as it felt.

You will be a fresh face to a lot of people. How ready are for the fame element that comes from being part of Star Trek ? And the follow up is, in a perfect world, what will this lead to for you going down the road.

Great question. It's funny, I had so much excitement about the audition process. “Wow! This is a dream come true.” It really is. This is something every actor's dream is to have moment like this, where you get this role that's going to put you on the map, as they say. My aim is not to be famous. That gives me a lot of anxiety. I really appreciate and enjoy my anonymity and being able to observe the world as a normal member of the world. Fame really can be distorting for both the self, if you become famous, and for other people and the way they view you. The night before I found out I got it, I was actually in tears talking to a friend of mine, like “Am I worthy of this? Will this change my life in a way that's irreversible and unpalatable?” So, I definitely have anxiety about that, but at the same time I'm glad that it didn't happen any earlier in my life because I feel like I'm really coming into my own as a person, and I'll have that forever and hopefully I can hold on to that. Whatever happens with this, whether it makes me famous or not... And further down the line, I’d love to continue playing roles like this. I have to bring up my grandfather because he played such inspiring and beautiful characters that I think epitomized paradigms for humanity, in a way, such dignified and noble people. I think Spock falls into that category, and it really moves me that I get to play this character and I hope to get to do more characters like him.

How cool is the Six Degrees of Separation element that your grandfather worked with Patrick Stewart on Moby Dick ?

Crazy! And that DeForest Kelley was in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit . It gives me goosebumps thinking about it. So, there are all these kind of ties to the past there.

Star Trek: Discovery 's second season will premiere on Thursday, January 17, 2019 on CBS All Access in the U.S. and on Space Channel in Canada. The series premieres in 188 countries on Netflix on Friday, January 18, 2019.

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All About Ethan Peck, the Latest Spock to Win Our Hearts

Mr. Spock, the Vulcan science officer who brings logic and a quiet wisdom to the often chaotic U.S.S. Enterprise, has always been one of the most popular characters in the world of Star Trek . Although Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock from 1966 to 2013 is unforgettable, other actors have also taken on the mantle of Spock: Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the three reboot films starring Chris Pine as Kirk, and most recently Ethan Peck, who portrayed Spock in Star Trek: Discovery and now plays him in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds .

In Strange New Worlds , Peck plays a young Spock who’s conflicted by his human and Vulcan sides. Engaged to the Vulcan T’Pring, Spock struggles to be accepted by other Vulcans, even as he wrestles with his feelings for Nurse Christine Chapel aboard the Enterprise. He also contains hints of his future self, showing his leadership skills (and a rebellious side!) when he serves as acting captain and steals the Enterprise to answer La’an’s distress signal in the season 2 premiere.

So who is Ethan Peck, exactly? Here’s the lowdown on Star Trek ‘s latest Spock.

What else has Ethan Peck been in?

Before landing the role of Spock in Star Trek: Discovery , Ethan Peck was a relatively unknown actor. After graduating from Tisch School of the Arts, Peck played the moody Patrick in the TV adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You , along with minor roles in Gossip Girl and That ’70s Show . He also had several roles in indie and short films.

Ethan Peck as Mr. Spock

When Peck first made his Star Trek debut as Spock in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery, viewers found out that he was the estranged brother of series star Michael Burnham. After his time on Discovery , Peck’s Spock made the jump to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in 2022.

In an interview with Esquire , Peck says that when he found out what role he was auditioning for, he was so anxious that he blacked out.

I was terrified of the audition, but also of the need to live up to this mythical icon, as Spock has become. I blacked out the very last audition—I barely remember what I did. After getting the part, I was still terrified. I felt unworthy of it. I felt I had so much personal growth to undergo in order to fulfill the needs of this character. Spock is such a vast-minded person—he’s otherworldly, hyper-intelligent, and has great integrity. I’m constantly working to live up to him.

Despite that anxiety, though, Peck quickly made Spock his own, infusing him with the same emotional depth, subtle warmth, and dry humor as his predecessors. Whether he’s kicking off a warp jump by saying “I’d like the ship to go now,” or tapping into a hidden well of anger to fight off the Gorn, Ethan Peck’s Spock is a worthy addition to the Star Trek universe.

(featured image: Paramount+)

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Star Trek: Discovery ending explained (and major epilogue twists!)

The show that relaunched Star Trek on Paramount+ finishes its run with high action, big reveals, and a lot of hugs

After a five-year run that saw Star Trek introduce its first black female protagonist (and greatest action hero), a new half-sister for Spock; an insanely cool new version of space travel; and, after its second season, a leap 900 years into the future, Paramount+ mainstay Star Trek: Discovery has bid a fond farewell from the final frontier.

The fifth season of the show has involved a season-long series of quests in the service of, well, discovering the whereabouts of the technology from the ancient species known as the Progenitors that was used to create all intelligent life in the universe. Along the way, Burnham and company have also been dealing with a pair of thieves, Moll and L’ak, intent on getting the technology for themselves so that they can trade it for their lives to the scary-masked and massive-warship-driving Breen.

After L’ak is revealed to be the scion of the now-dead Breen Emperor before dying in a misjudged attempt to escape, Moll allies with a Breen Primarch to be the first to get the Progenitor technology, believing it can be used to bring back her boo. But after the Patriarch repeatedly broke his promises, his crew turned on him and allowed Moll herself to take over in the service of resurrecting their Scion.

As it turns out, the technology is not a tool but some kind of gateway, which Moll and Burnham both leap into - leading into a finale filled with action, big decisions, a time jump, and a big reveal about the secret identity of one character.

Warning: This article contains major, major spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery.

What happens in the star trek: discovery finale.

Burnham finds herself in Star Trek’s version of Star Wars’ World Between Worlds , a seemingly endless space in which portals into others worlds lie in every direction - including above and below. After fighting her way out of one such portal, Burnham ends up being attacked by Moll.

When Moll won’t agree to work together, the two battle between amongst and between worlds, in a sort of Inception meets The Matrix meets Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse sequence, before Moll finally agrees to chill and let Burnham help her bring back L’ak, who exists in a pattern recognition buffer Moll carries with her.

Realizing there’s maybe somehow something behind the worlds they’re seeing, Burnham discovers the location of the command panel for the Progenitors’ device. Moll knocks Burnham out (of course) and tries to make the device bring back L’ak. But because she doesn’t really understand how it works, she gets electrocuted instead.

Burnham figures out how to work the device safely and finds herself face to face with a Progenitor, who reveals that having completed all the quests, Burnham can now use this technology any way she sees fit. Believing that this is way too much power to have, Burnham tells the Progenitor she needs some time to figure out what she wants to do with it. She also learns that the Progenitors did not build the device, but found it themselves, its actual origins and creators perhaps thousands of years in the past; why answer a question about lore when you can simply kick it forward some more, after all?

Meanwhile, Discovery under the guidance of Rayner has been battling Moll’s Dreadnaught. Eventually they somehow use the spore drive to throw a lasso of quantum-entangled spores around the Breen and jump them to the galactic barrier, which will take them decades to return from... or something. It's very science . As this is going on, Saru and Commander Nhan work to stop another Breen Dreadnought from arriving at Discovery’s location and starting an all out war. When diplomacy doesn’t work, Saru goes full predator Kelpian and warns the Breen Primarch he has species poised to destroy her bases.

Booker and Hugh are able to rescue Burnham and Moll in a shuttle after Hugh realizes the Trill Jinaal who took over his body earlier in the season left in his memory the exact subspace frequency for their tractor beam to lock onto. They all return to Discovery, where Burnham decides that what the Progenitors created with all of their species is enough and lets the Progenitor's tech get sucked into a black hole.

The present-day story ends with the whole gang at Saru and President T’rina’s wedding, where Booker reveals that his sentence has been commuted. He and Burnham admit they still love each other and decide to be together — with Grudge — “no matter what.”

What happens in the Star Trek: Discovery time jump?

After Saru’s wedding, the episode shifts to what we are told is a “few years” later, but looks to be actually at least a couple decades, as Michael and Book now have a full-grown son, Leto, who is about to get his own command in Starfleet. Burnham is now an admiral, and she and Booker live on Sanctuary Four, the planet in which Book planted that last cutting of the Kwejian World Root that he received in the Archive in 508.

Burnham comes back to the Discovery, which is being retired, sort of? She explains to Zora that they’re going to be leaving her and the ship somewhere in deep space. When Zora wonders why or for how long, Burnham reveals this is a Red Directive. She herself doesn’t know anything but a single word somehow connected to the mission: “Craft.” But she believes Zora will be waiting for whatever is supposed to happen to her for longer than Burnham’s lifetime. (Is this weird? Yes, it is. It is very weird.)

As Burnham sits on the empty bridge, she imagines a reunion with all our old friends, all of them young once again. Then she returns to the present and with a “Let’s fly,” sends Discovery out one last time.

Does anyone die in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

Nope. Everyone lives happily ever after. Except for Zora. She is abandoned. I get it: story to follow. But it really is very weird.

Does Star Trek: Discovery have any big twists or nods to Star Trek lore?

Oh yes, my friends. A big one.

In the episode’s most fascinating and unexpected moment, Burnham visits the enigmatic Dr. Kovich’s office, and discovers on his shelves such things as Sisko’s baseball, LaForge’s visor, and a bottle of the Picard family wine. Burnham hazards a guess that Kovich is not who he says he is. Kovich admits that in fact he is Agent Daniels, the operative from the 31st century who appears in Star Trek: Enterprise .

Do Michael Burnham and Booker end up together on Star Trek: Discovery?

Yes! At the end of Star Trek: Discovery, the two of them have been happily living alone on a forest preserve planet for decades.

Do Paul and Hugh stay together in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

Though Drs. Paul Stamets and Hugh Culber have had some ups and downs over the course of Star Trek: Discovery — Paul became the heart of a spore-driven space travel device; Hugh died and was brought back to life — the two have stayed together through thick and thin.

The final season has seen Hugh struggling to deal with the existential mysteries they're confronting and afraid Paul won't be able to handle the questions he’s asking. In the finale these issues come to a head, as Hugh decides he has to go with Book to try and save Burnham because he just knows he’s meant to be there. But Paul relents, and Hugh is indeed inexplcably in just the right place at the right time.

Does Burnham give an inspirational speech in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

Honestly, she gave three in the flash forward alone, two to her son and one to Zora. Yes, there are many heartfelt moments in the Discovery finale, and Sonequa Martin-Green lands them all with her characteristically warm intensity.

Does Spock return in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

Given the fact that as of the end of season 2, Star Trek: has taken place in the 32nd century, nearly a thousand years in the future, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for guest stars to show up, because they’re all long since dead. (Sorry.)

And so unfortunately, as lovely as it might have been, the Discovery finale offers no reunion with Spock, or with anyone from the first two seasons.

Are there any other guest stars in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

As mentioned, the end of the episode has a brief moment in which Burnham imagines herself reunited with all her old friends. All the series regulars and current bridge crew are there, plus Bryce and of course, the 32nd century’s OTP, Owokesun and Detmer.

The reunion is without words, just a lot of hugging. But it’s sweet.

Do Owo and Detmer get together in the Star Trek: Discovery finale?

While Owo and Detmer have long been interpreted as a couple by some (including your humble scribe), nothing has ever been made explicit. The brief glimpse of them in the time jump scene does nothing to either confirm or deny those beliefs, but there is one tantalizing moment of the two of them together telling a story, and it absolutely has the feeling of a couple sharing a funny story of something that happened to them.

Will we see the characters from Star Trek: Discovery again?

While this was the series finale of Star Trek: Discovery, Paramount is currently producing a new show, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which focuses on students at Starfleet’s San Francisco-based Academy in the 32nd century. So yes, there's every chance Discovery characters will appear there. (Please sign my Change.org petition for Professor Linus.)

Most speculate Mary Wiseman’s Sylvia Tilly will be anchoring the series, as she works at the Academy—also we're told in the future she becomes its longest running teacher. But as of now the only confirmed cast member is Holly Hunter, who will play the chancellor of the academy.

Space may be the final frontier, but there's no end to Popverse's love of the Star Trek universe. Hop aboard the starship Enterprise with our Star Trek watch order , explore strange new worlds with our upcoming Star Trek TV shows and movies list , seek out the new life of the franchise , and boldly go where no Star TRek film has ever gone before - with Quentin Tarantino ?

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The Star Trek Episode That Deeply Impacted Rod Roddenberry

In the "Star Trek" episode "The Devil in the Dark" (March 9, 1967), Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) visit a remote mining colony on the planet Janus VI to address an uptick in miner deaths. There is a mysterious creature burrowing through the rocks in the tunnels below and attacking people. The creature extrudes a powerful acid, allowing it to tunnel incredibly quickly and making pursuit difficult.

Kirk and Spock locate the creature and find it is a silicon-based living mound of rock. Kirk also discovers that it responds to the threat of his phaser and suspects that the creature's attacks are calculated. Spock then mind-melds with the creature and learns it's called a Horta. Hortas have an unusual lifecycle in that the species goes extinct every 50,000 years, with only one creature surviving to look after millions of eggs. The spheroid nodules that line the cave walls, they learn, are those eggs. The Horta was just protecting its young from miners who would steal or destroy the eggs. To the miners, the eggs are nothing more than worthless rock deposits.

It's a classic "Star Trek" conceit. Something that seems scary, unknowable, or monstrous is merely misunderstood. We'd be wise to reach out to others rather than merely charge in with weapons blazing. Eventually, the miners learn to stay out of the Horta's way as it goes about its normal life.

In December 2021, Rod Roddenberry, the son of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry, took to Reddit to answer questions from Trekkies , revealing that "The Devil in the Dark" was probably his favorite episode of the original series. He also noted that, because he was born in 1974, he had more explicit memories of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Read more: Star Trek's Gene Roddenberry Always Regretted Cutting One Character From The Show

The Devil In The Dark

Rod Roddenberry currently serves as an executive producer on the Paramount+ spate of "Star Trek" shows and has been present for the production of every "Star Trek" series since the premiere of "Star Trek: Discovery" in 2017. He also once served as a production assistant on "The Next Generation," which debuted when he was 13. One can see how "The Next Generation" was formative to the young man.

When asked what his favorite "Star Trek" episode was across every show made to date (an impossible question indeed), Roddenberry replied:

"Ultimately, I am a 'Next Gen' fan and find many of the episodes in the seven seasons to rank pretty high on my scale. However, if I had to select just one, it would be the one that made the biggest impression on me when I was first introduced to 'Star Trek': 'The Devil in the Dark.' I was blown away with the antagonist, a rock monster, who turned out to simply be misunderstood, and it was a mother protecting its young and the humans unknowingly were killing its children. I love the twist, recognizing that we were the devil in the dark."

"The Devil in the Dark" is one of the better episodes of "Star Trek" and, as mentioned, features a classically Roddenberrian twist on a space monster. Most of the creatures in "Star Trek" possess a tragic element and are frequently depicted as solitary or merely hungry; it's rare that they turn out to be outwardly evil. Even when Kirk encounters a homicidal teenager with godlike powers, or an actual semi-deity, he has the moxie to merely slap them across the face and tell them they need to adjust their attitudes, mister. No being is beyond redemption .

Rod Roddenberry's Favorite Captain

Of course, the question now arises: whom did Rod Roddenberry like better? Kirk or Picard (Patrick Stewart)? If he was raised on "The Next Generation" and even worked with Stewart, then one might naturally assume that he's a Picard man. But since his dad created Captain Kirk, a legacy character dating back to 1966, he might want to honor his father's memory by selecting Kirk.

His true favorite, however, is one of the more recent additions to the "Star Trek" canon:

"Until recently, Captain Picard was my favorite Captain. However, I must say that Anson Mount and his portrayal of Captain Pike in season 2 of 'Discovery' blew me away as a leader because he led with humility and respect for the training ingenuity and talent of his crew. At this point I would say he is tied with Picard and I can't wait to see his continued portrayal of Pike in 'Strange New Worlds.' I do not believe in leaders who govern solely with authority."

At the time of Roddenberry's Reddit Q&A, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" was still in development , but audiences had already seen several of the "Strange New Worlds" characters make their debut on "Star Trek: Discovery." Pike is, as any Trekkie can tell you, the captain of the Enterprise as he was depicted in "The Cage," the original "Star Trek" pilot. Jeffrey Hunter originally played the character, while Anson Mount took over the role in 2020.

The new version of Pike was also a perfect marriage between Gene Roddenberry's original creation and Rod Roddenberry's new version of the franchise. Overseeing Pike must have felt like a handshake with his late father.

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Read the original article on SlashFilm .

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10 Star Trek Aliens Who Don't Look Human

The boys needs to cast 1 more supernatural actor if jared padalecki joins the team, 10 clues the acolyte's villain isn't a true sith lord.

• Organians are advanced, non-corporeal beings introduced in Star Trek: TOS.
• They appeared as human-like on Organia, helping the Federation and Klingons reach a ceasefire.
• They made another appearance in Star Trek: Enterprise, testing the crew with a deadly virus.

The Organians were introduced on Star Trek: The Original Series , but just who were these strange alien lifeforms? Following Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew of the USS Enterprise, the first Star Trek series premiered in 1966 and launched a massive and beloved franchise. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) became some of the most iconic science fiction characters of all time , and their adventures took them to all kinds of fascinating planets. Throughout its three seasons, Star Trek: TOS introduced numerous alien species, some more human-like than others.

Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 27, "Errand of Mercy," may be most remembered for introducing the Klingons, but the episode also introduced another alien species. In "Errand of Mercy," the Enterprise travels to Organia, a planet located in a strategic position along the border between Federation and Klingon space. Captain Kirk and Spock beam down to the planet and attempt to convince the Organians to help them resist the Klingons, but the Organians have no desire to get involved. When the Klingons arrive, the Organians do not put up a fight, allowing the Klingons to take control of their planet.

Most Star Trek aliens look human, for obvious reasons, but the franchise has still introduced some truly alien lifeforms over the years.

Organians In Star Trek: The Original Series

Captain kirk meets these non-corporeal aliens in star trek: tos season 1, episode 27, "errand of mercy.".

When Captain Kirk and Spock first meet the Organians, they appear to be indistinguishable from humans and live in a relatively primitive society led by a man named Ayelborne (John Abbott). Kirk cannot understand the Organians' lack of concern regarding conflict with the Klingons. In an attempt to inspire the Organians to resist the Klingon occupation, Kirk and Spock sabotage the Klingons' supplies. This does finally prompt the pacifistic Organians to intervene, but not in the way Kirk expected. When Commander Kor (John Colicos) and his Klingons attempt to torture Kirk and Spock for information, the Organians mysteriously free them.

The Organians' actions appear to be contradictory, which further confuses Kirk and Spock, until Ayelborne reveals their true nature. Organians are actually highly advanced incorporeal beings who took on a humanoid appearance to interact with other cultures. As they can control both armies, the Organians force the Federation and the Klingons to accept a ceasefire. Ayelborne explains that it took the Organians millions of years to evolve beyond the need for physical bodies, and he informs Kirk and Kor that their peoples will one day be friends.

It's unclear what the Organians really looked like, but they are implied to be close to immortal. Among their abilities, the Organians are aware of events happening far away, can possess humanoid bodies, and can even resurrect the dead.

Organians In Star Trek: Enterprise

Captain archer encounters the organians in enterprise season 4, episode 11, "observer effect.".

The Organians made another appearance in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4, episode 11, "Observer Effect," in which the non-corporeal beings test and observe the crew of the Enterprise NX-01 . "Observer Effect" opens with two Organians possessing the bodies of Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating) and Ensign Travis Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery), as they discuss the game of chess and the brevity of human life. The Organians wish to see how the crew reacts to a deadly silicon-based virus, and Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer) and Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) soon return to the ship infected.

To maintain continuity with Star Trek: TOS , the Organians wiped the memories of everyone aboard the Enterprise NX-01, so none of them remembered this encounter.

Prior to their official first contact with the Federation in "Errand of Mercy," the Organians spent ten thousand years observing various corporeal species. They were trying to determine whether any of these species were ready for first contact, and the younger of the two observers saw promise in humanity. When the younger Organian revealed his presence to Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), Archer convinced the beings to save his crew members and destroy the virus. In both Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Enterprise , the Organians claimed to have policies of non-interference, similar to Starfleet's Prime Directive, but they just couldn't help intervening when it came to humanity.

Star Trek: The Original Series

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Star Trek: The Original Series follows the exploits of the crew of the USS Enterprise. On a five-year mission to explore uncharted space, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) must trust his crew - Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (Forest DeKelley), Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Sulu (George Takei) - with his life. Facing previously undiscovered life forms and civilizations and representing humanity among the stars on behalf of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, the Enterprise regularly comes up against impossible odds and diplomatic dilemmas.

Star Trek: Enterprise

Star Trek: Enterprise acts as a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, detailing the voyages of the original crew of the Starship Enterprise in the 22nd century, a hundred years before Captain Kirk commanded the ship. Enterprise was the sixth series in the Star Trek franchise overall, and the final series before a twelve-year hiatus until the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. The series stars Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, with an ensemble cast that includes John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, and Connor Trinneer.

What ultimately happened to the USS Discovery in the 'Star Trek: Discovery' series finale?

Strangely, the Star Trek: Discovery ship's far-future fate was revealed in 2018 'Short Trek' episode 'Calypso'.

What happens to Discovery at the end of season 5?

How is the uss discovery sentient.

• What happens next?
• What is Zora's final mission?

Over five seasons of "Star Trek: Discoverywe got to know Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery, but the show's final scene is reserved for its eponymous starship. In the series finale " Life, Itself ", self-aware computer Zora fires up the spore drive for the final time to embark on one last mission. 

We still have no idea why she's given a top-secret Red Directive to wait indefinitely at these particular coordinates, but a 2018 " Short Trek " episode "Calypso" has already revealed the next stage of her journey. Here's what's in store for Zora and Discovery a millennium down the line — watch out for spoilers. (And if you need a refresher on all things Trek, check out our Star Trek streaming guide for how to watch nearly every series on Paramount Plus .)

Paramount+ Essential (ads): $5.99 /mo Paramount+ with SHOWTIME (no ads): $11.99 /mo

Catch up on the adventures of Michael Burnham and the crew of the Discovery on Paramount+. As the home of Star Trek, signing up means you'll also get access to an enormous library of other Star Trek shows and movies.

Several decades after the Discovery crew tracked down the Progenitor technology — long enough for Admiral Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker to see their son, Leto, rise to the rank of Starfleet captain — the ship is assigned one final mission.

Burnham arrives on the bridge to give the ship's sentient computer, Zora (voiced by Annabelle Wallis), her briefing. "I'm going to bring you to a set of coordinates in deep space," explains the admiral. "Then me and your crew will leave. After that, you wait."

"For what?" Zora asks, but she doesn't get a definitive answer. 

"This is a Red Directive; we both know how transparent those are," replies Burnham, referring to the beyond-classified instructions that have become the mysterious Dr. Kovich's stock-in-trade. "I did hear a word in passing," the admiral adds. "'Craft'. I'm not sure if that's a person or a vessel or…"

That word will prove to be important, but as Burnham correctly predicts, she'll be long gone when Zora finds out what it means.

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After this emotional farewell, Discovery is waved off by an armada of Starfleet vessels and a few bars of Alexander Courage's iconic " Star Trek " theme. Then, Zora fires up the spore drive and jumps away to her mystery destination. 

Related: Star Trek: Discovery is at an end: Here are 5 things season 5 needed to fix

Starships often come to feel like characters in their own right, but never has this been as true as it is for Discovery.

Zora is much more than some glorified Siri or Alexa substitute, thanks to Discovery's 23rd century computer merging with hundreds of thousands of years of data collected by an ancient alien Sphere. Discovery was protecting this precious information when it jumped forward to 3189. 

The newly created super-computer gradually develops sentience, emotions and a personality, and decides to name herself Zora (which means "dawn" in several Alpha Quadrant languages). She's eventually recognized as a lifeform in her own right, and awarded the rank of Specialist by Starfleet.

What happens next? And what does it have to do with 'craft'?

Not a lot. For around 1,000 years, Zora sits and waits at the designated coordinates, getting some "alone time" inside some kind of interstellar storm cloud. Then she runs into an escape pod with a sole occupant — a man who calls himself Craft. 

This "reluctant" soldier (played by Aldis Hodge) hails from Alcor IV, and has spent the last decade at war with the V'draysh, which — based on comments from criminal boss Zareh in " Discovery" season 3 — appears to be a Pidgin word for the Federation. (This may explain why the enemy vessel Craft has commandeered contains an extensive collection of Earth cartoons from "the long ago".)

During their time together, Zora introduces Craft to tacos, the concept of Tuesday, and her favorite movie, 1957 Audrey Hepburn/Fred Astaire rom-com "Funny Face." She falls in love with the visitor, but he ultimately departs in the hope of finding his wife and son. She refuses to give him a lift home in Discovery, however, reasoning that she has to maintain position to complete her mission.

All this was revealed in 2018 "Short Trek" episode "Calypso", though back then — before season 2 had aired — we had no idea that Discovery would depart for the 32nd century, that the Sphere data would help Discovery's computer evolve into Zora, or that Burnham (then a science officer) would be promoted to captain. These days "Calypso" makes a lot more sense. 

So what exactly is Zora's final mission?

Beyond waiting for a long, long time, that remains unclear. But, seeing as her mission has top secret Red Directive status, it's pretty much certain that Dr Kovich — now revealed to be Temporal Agent Daniels of " Star Trek: Enterprise " fame — has a plan for Zora, and that her bumping into Craft is no accident. 

But whoever she encounters next, it's sure to have major ramifications for the galaxy — and perhaps beyond. Burnham promised a "new beginning" for Zora when she eventually comes back. Who knows what that might mean…

All five seasons of 'Star Trek: Discovery' and the 'Calypso' 'Short Trek' are now available to stream on Paramount Plus. To find out where to stream every other Star Trek movie and show, check out our Star Trek streaming guide .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Richard's love affair with outer space started when he saw the original "Star Wars" on TV aged four, and he spent much of the ’90s watching "Star Trek”, "Babylon 5” and “The X-Files" with his mum. After studying physics at university, he became a journalist, swapped science fact for science fiction, and hit the jackpot when he joined the team at SFX, the UK's biggest sci-fi and fantasy magazine. He liked it so much he stayed there for 12 years, four of them as editor. 

He's since gone freelance and passes his time writing about "Star Wars", "Star Trek" and superheroes for the likes of SFX, Total Film, TechRadar and GamesRadar+. He has met five Doctors, two Starfleet captains and one Luke Skywalker, and once sat in the cockpit of "Red Dwarf"'s Starbug.  

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