Star Trek slash analysis thing I'm too lazy to title
So I started this thing as a normal LJ post about a het pairing in Star Trek and my thoughts on it. It grew, and grew, and became this fancy and pseudo-coherent analysis of Kirk/Spock and how their relationship grows and is the main point of the entire movie. And you know, it was actually hella fun to write because I think that in this fandom, Kirk/Spock is pretty damn near canon, if not for just the content itself, but for the legacy. Star Trek fandom is where it all came from. All the fancy lol cat macros, fanfic tropes, and passion stemmed from the pioneers of slash who wrote and spread it around long before the internet came to be. In short, Pon Farr: In which fuck-or-die IS CANON. :P
I shall shut up now and present my musings. Betaed bydevidarkwolf, who enables me. Also, MAJOR FUCKING SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE.
Disclaimer: All of this is not mine. This essay-like contraption is based on the knowledge of a newbie approaching the two week mark of her Star Trek love and has only seen five TOS episodes and the first four movies thus far. In other words, be gentle when you ream me. :D
Let me start off by stating that is by no means a ship bashing analysis. I do not contest the fact that Spock/Uhura is a cute couple. I like Uhura, I love Spock, but it doesn't make sense and I think there's a reason for that.
It literally came out of nowhere.
Spock/Uhura was never in TOS. Even with the racial issues of the 1960s aside, it was always kind of Spock/Nurse Chapel anyway, as she loved him in an unrequited way. If anything, Kirk/Uhura would make more sense as they did share the first interracial kiss on TV. But in this alternate universe, Spock is dating Uhura, or whatever you call their relationship. They’ve obviously got a student/teacher kind of deal where they can't be open with others about their relationship, but it's obvious that they're familiar with each other and have a prior history.
But here's the problem: We never get to see where it all came from. Why are they dating? How did this happen? Does/did his parents know? Does Spock love her? What about that emotional thing? Have they had sex? So many questions and none of them get answered. We are shown but never told, and thus, we must make inferences.
We first see the hint of a coupling when she demands to be on the Enterprise and he says that he assigned her to a different ship to avoid it being seen as favoritism. First clue right there that they've had a relationship. Now, what does this favoritism mean? Does anyone else know they're dating? This is a good question. People wouldn't see it as favoritism if they didn't know they were dating, so I assume that either some know that they're dating or Uhura was just his pupil and it would seem like favoritism to his favorite student. Either way, she gets on board since she can work the logic-fu herself.
The next time we see action is just after Vulcan is destroyed. This is the part where I as a viewer twigged on that there was definitely a relationship and the "wtf? huh?" bells went off. Uhura accosts him in the turbolift, stops it, and tells him that she's sorry and kisses him. Wow, hello het. Then she asks him what he needs, to which he starts the turbolift up again and says that he needs everyone to continue performing admirably. Now, before I start in on this, I have to give a mighty YOU GO GIRL to Uhura.
Girl knows what she wants and she is very definitely a kind and understanding girlfriend-thing. I almost feel a little sorry for her, because can you imagine what it would be like to date Spock? (Aside from him being a hot ass and you’d be a gibbering mess half the time.) Of course he wants everyone to perform as usual, so he doesn't have to address his emotions. This will be a key statement in upcoming events. Then he walks out of the elevator as if nothing happened. Now, he's half Vulcan; this is who he is, so you can’t hate Spock for whatever bits of emotion you can get out of him, because even that is a big deal. You just can't hate Spock/Uhura because it is sweet and lovely and the scene was touching. In fact, this would have been a much stronger scene, if this wasn't the first of only two outright romantic scenes with them. It feels manufactured and thrown in there, just to have someone for Spock to huggle after his grief. This is why it feels manufactured and thrown in there to me, the viewer. This doesn't meant that it's invalid or that it shouldn't be taken seriously, but the only way I see the Spock/Uhura relationship is imagining that the relationship itself is manufactured and thrown in there. There is no pretext, nothing. They could have started kissing months, weeks, days, or fucking hours ago and you couldn't tell. All you can tell is that they have kissed before, because Spock shows no surprise and there isn't hesitation from either parties.
The only other overt Spock/Uhura scene we get is the scene where they kiss on the transporter pad in front of God and everybody. This is where we have proven fact that they haven't told anyone, because of the hairy eyes they get from Kirk and Scotty. In other words, they have the viewers’ reaction from the first kiss. :P Lots of things happen here. Spock puts a hand on her hip, a little more intimacy than before when he was wracked with grief. Then this exchange:
Spock: I will be back.
Uhura: You'd better be. I'll be monitoring your frequency.
Spock: Thank you, Nyota.
This scene speaks volumes. They have a bit of PDA because there's a damn good chance Spock isn't coming back. We now know that they are on a first name basis (I’m sure Uhura would use his first name if she could pronounce it), but that isn't shocking, since they've been lip locked twice now. Of course, it's a fucking shock to everyone else. Just look at Kirk and his double take. This whole scene is both hilarious and amazingly sweet. D'aww.
Now there IS one more important ship scene, but it's not them together. It's when Spock and Kirk are on Nero's ship (in Spock Prime's ship that's there, the Jellyfish, btw, which is a hella awesome name for a space vehicle). Spock recites the pitiful statistics that their chances for survival are less than 4.3%. After saying this, he starts to ask Kirk that "in the event that I do not return, please tell Lt. Uhura..." and he never finishes. This is a very strange but still sweet thing right here. Obviously he cares enough about Uhura to tell her something important. Now what it would have been, we'll never know. It's unclear whether knowing what he says is, in the end, important. Is it something huge that the writers feel doesn't need to be there yet? Was he going to quote some Shakespeare? Perhaps tell her so long, and thanks for all the fish? We will most likely never know unless there's a sequel and the relationship gets expanded and for some reason, this gets brought up again.
There are no more huge relationship anvils thrown. Notice that after both Spock and Kirk return, alive and well, there is no big Spock/Uhura reunion. She runs in, and we know that she runs to Spock first, but it's not the primary focus of the scene or goes from just that. You would figure that after revealing their relationship to people before that they would have a little more PDA. Geez, talk about an understated romance. It's almost like the movie makers are telling us themselves that it's not the OTP to end all OTPs.
In summation, my thoughts are these. Spock/Uhura is a sweet ship, no denying that. Unlike most het ships that have been dumped unceremoniously onto our heads, this one turned out all right. I went away not hating Uhura and actually kind of respecting her, which is a huge compliment from a person who is extremely picky about female characters and doesn't like most of them.
Now watch me KOCK it all up. :D
First of all, it must be made clear that the primary relationship in this movie is the friendship (or the antagonism, or whatever they have) of Kirk and Spock. Just like in the original series (TOS for newbies like me), the weight and drama is focused on Kirk and Spock.
*SIDE NOTE* McCoy fans, I feel, kind of get a bit shafted this first revamp movie because he's kind of understated. For those who haven't any of TOS, McCoy should definitely have played a bigger role in events. I hope they rectify this in another movie because McCoy owns my soul. I don't slash him personally, but I love him and I loved every second he was in the movie. */SIDE NOTE*
Saying this, Kirk and Spock are the main focus, for several reasons. We see Kirk as a child and we see Spock as a child. Their relationship started in front of our eyes. They had obviously never met before Kirk cheated Spock's uber cool test.
*SIDE NOTE* Btw, everyone needs to watch Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I watched this a couple of days before writing this and this is where a lot of quotes and things are taken from for this new movie. The no-win scenario and Kirk cheating his test (older Spock mentions to Jim that he learned cheating from an old friend. See this movie.) Also there is the 'I have been and always shall be your friend' as well as Kirk saying that of all the souls he encountered in his life, Spock's was the most human. Just, crazy good in light of the 2009 movie. */SIDE NOTE*
Their first encounter, as will be a good portion of their future encounters, is hostile. Spock tells Kirk that facing fear is important to be a captain, and then Kirk will later throw that back in his face when Kirk is trying to rile him up because Spock is holding back all emotions including the fear he preached about. Spock believes Kirk to be wrong, Kirk believes Spock to be wrong, and they are evenly matched in sheer stubbornness and passion. After Kirk sneaks aboard the ship and tries to convince Captain Pike that the rescue ships are being attacked, Spock's first reaction to him is annoyance. He's not supposed to be on this ship and he immediately demands proof for what he's saying, which Kirk gives. Notice that while Spock clearly doesn't approve of Kirk, he easily accepts his logic as sound, and it is sound because they promptly run into trouble. When Pike decides to go for negotiations with Nero, Kirk says it's a bad idea and Spock readily agrees with him. We get our first dose of Kirk and Spock in agreement, and it's pretty nice. Even more interesting is the scene when Spock beams down to the crumbling Vulcan.
Spock: Clear the pad, I'm beaming to the surface.
Kirk: The surface of what? What, you're going down there? Are you nuts? Spock, you can't do that. Spock!
I love this little scene because of how Kirk sounds. Doesn't he dislike this guy? I understand him telling him not to do that and being all, are you stupid? But it's the disproportionate warning and fear in his voice that sells me utterly. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together in the name of slash can tell you that whenever this happens, the characters don't really hate each other. They butt heads, and this looks like it may be the roots of a friendship.
...Until the shit hits the proverbial fan when Vulcan is destroyed.
Now Spock is captain and he tells Uhura in the turbolift that he needs everyone to keep performing admirably. This is a crucial statement that will shape the rest of the movie. Spock really DOES need this because otherwise, he will crack. Uhura immediately says "okay." Such a supporting and wonderful girlfriend. Now what does Kirk do? Fucks all that to pieces, in two parts.
Part the first is the scene that gets his ass packed to Delta Vega. Kirk wants to go back and get Pike. Spock tells him that they will be technologically outmatched and that a rescue attempt would be illogical. Now it starts to get ugly. Kirk suggests pumping up power, Spock says they need to join with the rest of Starfleet to be strong for another engagement, which Kirk replies that there won't be another engagement because by then it'll be too late. Kirk is brash, unmovable in his passion and Spock is cold and unmovable in his logic. Kirk talks over him, Spock pounds out his logic and commands, most notably, "I alone am in command."
Notice that on the second repeat of this line, Spock's voice raises dangerously, a sign that he is criminally close to losing it. As soon as that happens, Spock orders security, Kirk fights them off, Spock applies the Vulcan nerve pinch and tells them to "get him off this ship."
Now, a LOT has just happened, but let's focus on one thing. Spock can't lose control. Kirk was making him lose control. The only thing Spock felt he could do was throw him off the ship. It makes his actions seem less harsh when you realize this is Spock's need to have everyone perform admirably. Kirk won't behave, so Spock needs him gone to keep his control.
Wow, so we have taken the first Spock/Uhura scene and made it about Kirk and Spock. You have been KOCKed.
So now we go to Delta Vega and Kirk meeting Spock Prime. Even though it is a different Spock than the current one, it is the same one in essence (the last paragraph of this essay will explain this statement more.) Spock Prime tells him that they are bffs, and Jim immediately disbelieves him. "We are not friends. You hate me. You marooned me here for mutiny." Then Spock Prime does a mind meld
*SIDE NOTE* I read all about mind melds on Memory Alpha and I have a new pet peeve with mind meld fics, ones that go on about mind melds and how they are suddenly telegraphically bound. All it says is that each goes away with some knowledge of the other. I doubt Jim downloaded all of Spock Prime's memories and desires. It also says that one Vulcan can cloak his mind to the other. Since Spock Prime is 155 years old, it's safe to say that he could flawlessly do a mind meld that only gave Jim what he wanted to give him. Make of that what you will. */SIDE NOTE*
After the mind meld, Jim is completely shaken by the flood of emotions he felt from Spock Prime (instantly spawning a whole new fanfic trope known as mind meld fic. I imagine that the more opportunistic fangirls whipped out pen and paper right there in the theater.) In a stunned voice, he states, "so you do feel." This is an important juncture in their new AU world. Kirk, before, had obviously not realized that Spock had emotions. Understandable because how was Kirk to know that Spock has human emotions, even if he knew he was half human? To tell the truth, I doubt anyone could really guess that, not even Uhura. Sure, they kissed, but Spock hadn't broken in front of her face, hadn't lost control, just told her that he wanted everyone to keep performing admirably. Already Jim has a closer insight into Spock, even though Spock hasn't yet revealed this himself.
Back on the ship, there's a lovely Spock and McCoy scene that deserves full quote. McCoy hotly contests Spock's decision to send Kirk away, leading to this exchange:
McCoy: Permission to speak freely, sir?
Spock: I welcome it.
McCoy: Do you? OK, then. Are you out of your Vulcan mind? Are you making a logical choice, sending Kirk away? Probably. But the right one? You know, back home, we have a saying: "If you wanna ride in the Kentucky Derby, you don't leave your prized stallion in the stable."
Spock: A curious metaphor, doctor, as a stallion must first be broken before it can reach its potential.
McCoy: My God, man, you could at least act like it was a hard decision...
Spock: I intend to assist in the effort to reestablish communication with Starfleet. However, if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise. Excuse me.
McCoy: [as Spock leaves] Green-blooded hobgoblin...
I am not above mentioning that it's now canon that Spock compared Kirk to a stallion that needs to be broken. Subtext, I love you. Aside from the humor, we see that Spock is unflappable. He doesn't regret his decision one iota. He even is a snarky bitch by the whole "roaming the halls weeping" line. Now, here's my main point and the purpose of the full quote: McCoy and Kirk are two dynamic personalities, as human as humans can get. Depending on the situation, either one of them can step across the line. McCoy doesn't even hate Spock and isn't saying all this out of spite. He told Kirk, when Kirk asked, "who was that pointy eared bastard?" at the Academy hearing, that he didn't know, but he liked him. McCoy is being just as uncooperative as Kirk is, berating the Captain's decision. Spock doesn't even call security on him or even get irked. So, in summation, Kirk riles Spock up more than anyone else. If that isn't the basis of many a slash pairing, then I don't know what is.
Now we get to the aforementioned second part of Kirk making Spock lose his shit. Jim returns from Delta Vega, a man on a mission. He must emotionally compromise Spock to gain control of the ship like Spock Prime told him. Notice that even before he knew that Spock had emotions, he didn't throw barbs at him about his family. Just a little note there, that Kirk wouldn't stoop that low unless necessary. So now it's necessary and of course this epic scene must be quoted full on.
Spock: We're traveling at warp speed. How did you manage to beam aboard this ship?
Kirk: You're the genius, you figure it out.
Spock: As acting captain of this vessel, I order you to answer the question.
Kirk: Well, I'm not telling, acting captain. [Spock is silent] What? Did - Oh, now that doesn't frustrate you, does it? My lack of cooperation? That doesn't make you angry.
Spock: [Spock turns to Scotty] Are you a member of Starfleet?
Scotty: Uh, yes. Can I get a towel?
Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp.
Scotty: Well...
Kirk: Don't answer him.
Spock: You will answer me.
Scotty: I'd rather not take sides.
Kirk: What is it with you, Spock? Hmm? Your planet was just destroyed, your mother murdered...You're not even upset.
Spock: If you are presuming that these experiences in any way impede my ability to command this ship, then you are mistaken.
Kirk: And yet, you were the one who said fear was necessary, for command, but did you see his ship, did you see what he did?
Spock: [tightly] Yes, of course I did.
Kirk: So are you afraid or aren't you?
Spock: I will not allow you to lecture me about the merits of emotion.
Kirk: Then why don't you stop me?
Spock: Step away from me, Mr. Kirk.
Kirk: What's it like not to feel anger? Or heartbreak, or the need to stop at nothing to avenge the death of the woman who gave birth to you.
Spock: Back away from me.
Kirk: You feel nothing! It must not even compute for you! You never loved her!
Annnnnddd Spock loses his shit. In an epic way. He kicks the shit out of Kirk and damn near chokes him to death. It's almost like the scenes with young Spock and young Kirk were filmed just for this. Jim recklessly behaves to get a desired result, defying authority then as well as now. Spock is driven to emotion by an insult to his mother, just as the young Vulcan boy did by telling Spock that his father was a traitor for marrying a human whore. The lesson in all this? Never talk shit about Spock's mom, yo. He will choke a bitch. One thing is certain: Spock even seems to enjoy it for a second before immediately coming back to his senses and seeing what he's doing.
Damn, channel Sylar much Zach? :P
So Spock's shaken, but after speaking with his father, he rallies himself and goes to the bridge to join the fight for Earth as "it is the only home I have left." What I'd like to point out is the missing Spock/Uhura scene. I get that it was more important that we get Spock speaking to his father, but heck, anything would have been sufficient. Instead, all we get is Uhura smiling at him and being silently encouraging. They sure don't give the het shippers anything to build on, do they? But anyway, Kirk at first says he can't do that, but Spock lays out the facts that he's best suited for the job, and it leads to this exchange, a turning point for them:
Kirk: I'm coming with you.
Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will just ignore it.
Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. [slaps his shoulder]
This is possibly the first camaraderie we seen between the two, so of course we get some more. But first let's step to the second major Spock/Uhura scene. First of all, Kirk's reaction to the PDA is hilarious all around. You just know that at some wildly inappropriate point in the future, Kirk will totally mention that he touched Uhura's boobs without telling him that it was purely accidental.
Secondly, the writers could have written Kirk out. Kirk could have went to get a coffee, talked with the guys some more off pad, whatever. But nope, he's right there, teasing Spock about the first name basis. It seems oddly fitting and the point is made for me when you see that the second Spock/Uhura encounter has Kirk right there in it. I love it when Uhura leaves and Spock's face immediately braces for impact because Jim fucking Kirk can't leave shit alone, and indeed he doesn’t, teasing Spock about calling her Nyota and Spock’s perfunctory “I have no comment on the matter.”
So, action boys! They beam aboard Nero's ship, working together like clockwork. An underrated but amazing scene takes place. Spock hunkers down next to Jim and this whispered exchange happens:
Kirk: I'll cover you.
Spock: Are you certain?
Kirk: Yeah, I gotcha.
SQUEE. And indeed he does 'got him' because he kills Nameless Romulan 39 while Spock does a mind meld to get info. Then they get on the S.S. Jellyfish or whatever, and Spock realizes that Jim has been keeping information from him because this ship was made at Vulcan on a future date and with better technology. So here I go, quoting the scene because there's, surprisingly, a lot to pick at.
Spock: It appears you have been keeping important information from me.
Kirk: You'll be able to fly this thing, right?
Spock: Something tells me I already have.
Kirk: Good luck.
Spock: Jim. The statistical likelihood our plan will succeed is less than 4.3 percent.
Kirk: It'll work.
Spock: In the event that I do not return please tell Lt. Uhura...
Kirk: Spock. It'll work.
(Why yes, I did only include this screenshot because Kirk is leaning against a wall with his ass out, waiting to be fucked waiting to be fucked hard.)
First, let's all bask in the fact that Spock called Jim by his first name. Of course with Spock, Jim couldn't pronounce his first name if he knew it, but I digress. This shows us that Spock has broken a barrier between them. In the fight, he told 'Mr. Kirk' to back away from him. Now he calls him Jim, knowing he is about to die. Also there is the Spock/Uhura reference. We may never know what Spock would have said, but the fact is that it wasn't said, much to our relief or chagrin. What we do get is Jim, assuring Spock that it will work. Now, this goes against all logic. The logic of the situation is that there's not even a one in twenty chance this is going to work. But Jim tells Spock it will work, twice. Instead of saying what he would like Jim to tell Uhura anyway, Spock doesn't. Make of that what you will. I, for one, think that Spock actually put a little faith in the illogical right then. \o/
Now, the rest of the scenes are pure partnership. Spock and Kirk stand shoulder to shoulder to face Nero. Jim offers Nero help. Spock turns to him, asking what he's doing.
Kirk: Showing them compassion. It may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus. It's logic, Spock, I thought you'd like that.
Spock: No, not really. Not this time.
Spock has totally embraced the illogical for once and Jim tried to do the logical thing. Already they are doing what the other might do.
Then they narrowly avoid being pulled into a gravitational pull and when they emerge victorious, Jim swivels in his chair to first look back at Spock, who is already looking back at him, and gives him a short nod. What a significant look right there. If you're a fan of the original series, they probably looked the most like that Kirk and Spock than at any other time in the movie. I just saw original Kirk's face and original Spock's short nod of approval right there and it was sweet.
Now Spock meets Spock Prime, who is the ultimate slash shipper himself. :P Spock asks why he didn't just tell himself (boy, this AU shit fucks with the mind) about his existence and what needed to be done and Spock Prime tells him that it was because he and Kirk needed each other and rambles on about the revelation of their epic gay love or whatever, and how their friendship will define them both. Then Spock Prime urges him to put aside logic and do what feels right and rejoin Starfleet rather than help with the Vulcan colony. That’s like the ribbon on the slash present, isn’t it, Spock Prime telling him to go with his feelings instead of logic?
Spock listens and we get to the last scene of the movie. Kirk is the shiny new captain and Spock appears. Transcript time!
Spock: Permission to come aboard, Captain?
Kirk: [smiling] Permission granted.
Spock: As you have yet to select a first officer, respectfully I’d like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references.
Kirk: It would be my honor, commander.
It slipped my notice the first couple of times I watched this, but notice something telling in what Spock says. “You have yet to select a first officer.” The ship was just about to take off, preparing to start the mission, and he didn’t select a first officer? Clearly, he was betting that Spock would take the position, even at the last minute. That is so very Jim and it’s almost eerie how well they already know each other when they have barely been civil to each other the entire movie.
Now that I’ve gone through the whole movie, Spock/Uhura doesn’t bother me at all anymore. On the contrary, it’s sort of nice. But the Kirk/Spock relationship will always be more or it just wouldn’t be Star Trek. Sure, Spock can have romance, but it seems to me that if they were to continue with Uhura and make that relationship deeper into a storybook love, it just wouldn’t be the same. Spock Prime went HIS entire life without being in love with Uhura or anyone else and he’s easily the most recognizable and possibly the most interesting character on Star Trek. Some would argue that since it’s an alternate universe, things are going to be and can be wildly different. This is where I end the essay, with the word of Orci, one of the writers of the 2009 script. He said that “although the timeline has changed, the true nature of the characters does not change and that Kirk and company are the same people they are in the original timeline." I think he means that though they're given new attitudes and that there are going to be different events and different ways of getting there, some things are just always going to be the same, like Kirk believing in no-win situations and Spock's internal war between logic and emotion.
Fin
*As an added bonus, here are three extra (fantastic) points that my beta devidarkwolf made after reading and editing the analysis:
I shall shut up now and present my musings. Betaed bydevidarkwolf, who enables me. Also, MAJOR FUCKING SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE.
Disclaimer: All of this is not mine. This essay-like contraption is based on the knowledge of a newbie approaching the two week mark of her Star Trek love and has only seen five TOS episodes and the first four movies thus far. In other words, be gentle when you ream me. :D
Let me start off by stating that is by no means a ship bashing analysis. I do not contest the fact that Spock/Uhura is a cute couple. I like Uhura, I love Spock, but it doesn't make sense and I think there's a reason for that.
It literally came out of nowhere.
Spock/Uhura was never in TOS. Even with the racial issues of the 1960s aside, it was always kind of Spock/Nurse Chapel anyway, as she loved him in an unrequited way. If anything, Kirk/Uhura would make more sense as they did share the first interracial kiss on TV. But in this alternate universe, Spock is dating Uhura, or whatever you call their relationship. They’ve obviously got a student/teacher kind of deal where they can't be open with others about their relationship, but it's obvious that they're familiar with each other and have a prior history.
But here's the problem: We never get to see where it all came from. Why are they dating? How did this happen? Does/did his parents know? Does Spock love her? What about that emotional thing? Have they had sex? So many questions and none of them get answered. We are shown but never told, and thus, we must make inferences.
We first see the hint of a coupling when she demands to be on the Enterprise and he says that he assigned her to a different ship to avoid it being seen as favoritism. First clue right there that they've had a relationship. Now, what does this favoritism mean? Does anyone else know they're dating? This is a good question. People wouldn't see it as favoritism if they didn't know they were dating, so I assume that either some know that they're dating or Uhura was just his pupil and it would seem like favoritism to his favorite student. Either way, she gets on board since she can work the logic-fu herself.
The next time we see action is just after Vulcan is destroyed. This is the part where I as a viewer twigged on that there was definitely a relationship and the "wtf? huh?" bells went off. Uhura accosts him in the turbolift, stops it, and tells him that she's sorry and kisses him. Wow, hello het. Then she asks him what he needs, to which he starts the turbolift up again and says that he needs everyone to continue performing admirably. Now, before I start in on this, I have to give a mighty YOU GO GIRL to Uhura.
Girl knows what she wants and she is very definitely a kind and understanding girlfriend-thing. I almost feel a little sorry for her, because can you imagine what it would be like to date Spock? (Aside from him being a hot ass and you’d be a gibbering mess half the time.) Of course he wants everyone to perform as usual, so he doesn't have to address his emotions. This will be a key statement in upcoming events. Then he walks out of the elevator as if nothing happened. Now, he's half Vulcan; this is who he is, so you can’t hate Spock for whatever bits of emotion you can get out of him, because even that is a big deal. You just can't hate Spock/Uhura because it is sweet and lovely and the scene was touching. In fact, this would have been a much stronger scene, if this wasn't the first of only two outright romantic scenes with them. It feels manufactured and thrown in there, just to have someone for Spock to huggle after his grief. This is why it feels manufactured and thrown in there to me, the viewer. This doesn't meant that it's invalid or that it shouldn't be taken seriously, but the only way I see the Spock/Uhura relationship is imagining that the relationship itself is manufactured and thrown in there. There is no pretext, nothing. They could have started kissing months, weeks, days, or fucking hours ago and you couldn't tell. All you can tell is that they have kissed before, because Spock shows no surprise and there isn't hesitation from either parties.
The only other overt Spock/Uhura scene we get is the scene where they kiss on the transporter pad in front of God and everybody. This is where we have proven fact that they haven't told anyone, because of the hairy eyes they get from Kirk and Scotty. In other words, they have the viewers’ reaction from the first kiss. :P Lots of things happen here. Spock puts a hand on her hip, a little more intimacy than before when he was wracked with grief. Then this exchange:
Spock: I will be back.
Uhura: You'd better be. I'll be monitoring your frequency.
Spock: Thank you, Nyota.
This scene speaks volumes. They have a bit of PDA because there's a damn good chance Spock isn't coming back. We now know that they are on a first name basis (I’m sure Uhura would use his first name if she could pronounce it), but that isn't shocking, since they've been lip locked twice now. Of course, it's a fucking shock to everyone else. Just look at Kirk and his double take. This whole scene is both hilarious and amazingly sweet. D'aww.
Now there IS one more important ship scene, but it's not them together. It's when Spock and Kirk are on Nero's ship (in Spock Prime's ship that's there, the Jellyfish, btw, which is a hella awesome name for a space vehicle). Spock recites the pitiful statistics that their chances for survival are less than 4.3%. After saying this, he starts to ask Kirk that "in the event that I do not return, please tell Lt. Uhura..." and he never finishes. This is a very strange but still sweet thing right here. Obviously he cares enough about Uhura to tell her something important. Now what it would have been, we'll never know. It's unclear whether knowing what he says is, in the end, important. Is it something huge that the writers feel doesn't need to be there yet? Was he going to quote some Shakespeare? Perhaps tell her so long, and thanks for all the fish? We will most likely never know unless there's a sequel and the relationship gets expanded and for some reason, this gets brought up again.
There are no more huge relationship anvils thrown. Notice that after both Spock and Kirk return, alive and well, there is no big Spock/Uhura reunion. She runs in, and we know that she runs to Spock first, but it's not the primary focus of the scene or goes from just that. You would figure that after revealing their relationship to people before that they would have a little more PDA. Geez, talk about an understated romance. It's almost like the movie makers are telling us themselves that it's not the OTP to end all OTPs.
In summation, my thoughts are these. Spock/Uhura is a sweet ship, no denying that. Unlike most het ships that have been dumped unceremoniously onto our heads, this one turned out all right. I went away not hating Uhura and actually kind of respecting her, which is a huge compliment from a person who is extremely picky about female characters and doesn't like most of them.
Now watch me KOCK it all up. :D
First of all, it must be made clear that the primary relationship in this movie is the friendship (or the antagonism, or whatever they have) of Kirk and Spock. Just like in the original series (TOS for newbies like me), the weight and drama is focused on Kirk and Spock.
*SIDE NOTE* McCoy fans, I feel, kind of get a bit shafted this first revamp movie because he's kind of understated. For those who haven't any of TOS, McCoy should definitely have played a bigger role in events. I hope they rectify this in another movie because McCoy owns my soul. I don't slash him personally, but I love him and I loved every second he was in the movie. */SIDE NOTE*
Saying this, Kirk and Spock are the main focus, for several reasons. We see Kirk as a child and we see Spock as a child. Their relationship started in front of our eyes. They had obviously never met before Kirk cheated Spock's uber cool test.
*SIDE NOTE* Btw, everyone needs to watch Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I watched this a couple of days before writing this and this is where a lot of quotes and things are taken from for this new movie. The no-win scenario and Kirk cheating his test (older Spock mentions to Jim that he learned cheating from an old friend. See this movie.) Also there is the 'I have been and always shall be your friend' as well as Kirk saying that of all the souls he encountered in his life, Spock's was the most human. Just, crazy good in light of the 2009 movie. */SIDE NOTE*
Their first encounter, as will be a good portion of their future encounters, is hostile. Spock tells Kirk that facing fear is important to be a captain, and then Kirk will later throw that back in his face when Kirk is trying to rile him up because Spock is holding back all emotions including the fear he preached about. Spock believes Kirk to be wrong, Kirk believes Spock to be wrong, and they are evenly matched in sheer stubbornness and passion. After Kirk sneaks aboard the ship and tries to convince Captain Pike that the rescue ships are being attacked, Spock's first reaction to him is annoyance. He's not supposed to be on this ship and he immediately demands proof for what he's saying, which Kirk gives. Notice that while Spock clearly doesn't approve of Kirk, he easily accepts his logic as sound, and it is sound because they promptly run into trouble. When Pike decides to go for negotiations with Nero, Kirk says it's a bad idea and Spock readily agrees with him. We get our first dose of Kirk and Spock in agreement, and it's pretty nice. Even more interesting is the scene when Spock beams down to the crumbling Vulcan.
Spock: Clear the pad, I'm beaming to the surface.
Kirk: The surface of what? What, you're going down there? Are you nuts? Spock, you can't do that. Spock!
I love this little scene because of how Kirk sounds. Doesn't he dislike this guy? I understand him telling him not to do that and being all, are you stupid? But it's the disproportionate warning and fear in his voice that sells me utterly. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together in the name of slash can tell you that whenever this happens, the characters don't really hate each other. They butt heads, and this looks like it may be the roots of a friendship.
...Until the shit hits the proverbial fan when Vulcan is destroyed.
Now Spock is captain and he tells Uhura in the turbolift that he needs everyone to keep performing admirably. This is a crucial statement that will shape the rest of the movie. Spock really DOES need this because otherwise, he will crack. Uhura immediately says "okay." Such a supporting and wonderful girlfriend. Now what does Kirk do? Fucks all that to pieces, in two parts.
Part the first is the scene that gets his ass packed to Delta Vega. Kirk wants to go back and get Pike. Spock tells him that they will be technologically outmatched and that a rescue attempt would be illogical. Now it starts to get ugly. Kirk suggests pumping up power, Spock says they need to join with the rest of Starfleet to be strong for another engagement, which Kirk replies that there won't be another engagement because by then it'll be too late. Kirk is brash, unmovable in his passion and Spock is cold and unmovable in his logic. Kirk talks over him, Spock pounds out his logic and commands, most notably, "I alone am in command."
Notice that on the second repeat of this line, Spock's voice raises dangerously, a sign that he is criminally close to losing it. As soon as that happens, Spock orders security, Kirk fights them off, Spock applies the Vulcan nerve pinch and tells them to "get him off this ship."
Now, a LOT has just happened, but let's focus on one thing. Spock can't lose control. Kirk was making him lose control. The only thing Spock felt he could do was throw him off the ship. It makes his actions seem less harsh when you realize this is Spock's need to have everyone perform admirably. Kirk won't behave, so Spock needs him gone to keep his control.
Wow, so we have taken the first Spock/Uhura scene and made it about Kirk and Spock. You have been KOCKed.
So now we go to Delta Vega and Kirk meeting Spock Prime. Even though it is a different Spock than the current one, it is the same one in essence (the last paragraph of this essay will explain this statement more.) Spock Prime tells him that they are bffs, and Jim immediately disbelieves him. "We are not friends. You hate me. You marooned me here for mutiny." Then Spock Prime does a mind meld
*SIDE NOTE* I read all about mind melds on Memory Alpha and I have a new pet peeve with mind meld fics, ones that go on about mind melds and how they are suddenly telegraphically bound. All it says is that each goes away with some knowledge of the other. I doubt Jim downloaded all of Spock Prime's memories and desires. It also says that one Vulcan can cloak his mind to the other. Since Spock Prime is 155 years old, it's safe to say that he could flawlessly do a mind meld that only gave Jim what he wanted to give him. Make of that what you will. */SIDE NOTE*
After the mind meld, Jim is completely shaken by the flood of emotions he felt from Spock Prime (instantly spawning a whole new fanfic trope known as mind meld fic. I imagine that the more opportunistic fangirls whipped out pen and paper right there in the theater.) In a stunned voice, he states, "so you do feel." This is an important juncture in their new AU world. Kirk, before, had obviously not realized that Spock had emotions. Understandable because how was Kirk to know that Spock has human emotions, even if he knew he was half human? To tell the truth, I doubt anyone could really guess that, not even Uhura. Sure, they kissed, but Spock hadn't broken in front of her face, hadn't lost control, just told her that he wanted everyone to keep performing admirably. Already Jim has a closer insight into Spock, even though Spock hasn't yet revealed this himself.
Back on the ship, there's a lovely Spock and McCoy scene that deserves full quote. McCoy hotly contests Spock's decision to send Kirk away, leading to this exchange:
McCoy: Permission to speak freely, sir?
Spock: I welcome it.
McCoy: Do you? OK, then. Are you out of your Vulcan mind? Are you making a logical choice, sending Kirk away? Probably. But the right one? You know, back home, we have a saying: "If you wanna ride in the Kentucky Derby, you don't leave your prized stallion in the stable."
Spock: A curious metaphor, doctor, as a stallion must first be broken before it can reach its potential.
McCoy: My God, man, you could at least act like it was a hard decision...
Spock: I intend to assist in the effort to reestablish communication with Starfleet. However, if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise. Excuse me.
McCoy: [as Spock leaves] Green-blooded hobgoblin...
I am not above mentioning that it's now canon that Spock compared Kirk to a stallion that needs to be broken. Subtext, I love you. Aside from the humor, we see that Spock is unflappable. He doesn't regret his decision one iota. He even is a snarky bitch by the whole "roaming the halls weeping" line. Now, here's my main point and the purpose of the full quote: McCoy and Kirk are two dynamic personalities, as human as humans can get. Depending on the situation, either one of them can step across the line. McCoy doesn't even hate Spock and isn't saying all this out of spite. He told Kirk, when Kirk asked, "who was that pointy eared bastard?" at the Academy hearing, that he didn't know, but he liked him. McCoy is being just as uncooperative as Kirk is, berating the Captain's decision. Spock doesn't even call security on him or even get irked. So, in summation, Kirk riles Spock up more than anyone else. If that isn't the basis of many a slash pairing, then I don't know what is.
Now we get to the aforementioned second part of Kirk making Spock lose his shit. Jim returns from Delta Vega, a man on a mission. He must emotionally compromise Spock to gain control of the ship like Spock Prime told him. Notice that even before he knew that Spock had emotions, he didn't throw barbs at him about his family. Just a little note there, that Kirk wouldn't stoop that low unless necessary. So now it's necessary and of course this epic scene must be quoted full on.
Spock: We're traveling at warp speed. How did you manage to beam aboard this ship?
Kirk: You're the genius, you figure it out.
Spock: As acting captain of this vessel, I order you to answer the question.
Kirk: Well, I'm not telling, acting captain. [Spock is silent] What? Did - Oh, now that doesn't frustrate you, does it? My lack of cooperation? That doesn't make you angry.
Spock: [Spock turns to Scotty] Are you a member of Starfleet?
Scotty: Uh, yes. Can I get a towel?
Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp.
Scotty: Well...
Kirk: Don't answer him.
Spock: You will answer me.
Scotty: I'd rather not take sides.
Kirk: What is it with you, Spock? Hmm? Your planet was just destroyed, your mother murdered...You're not even upset.
Spock: If you are presuming that these experiences in any way impede my ability to command this ship, then you are mistaken.
Kirk: And yet, you were the one who said fear was necessary, for command, but did you see his ship, did you see what he did?
Spock: [tightly] Yes, of course I did.
Kirk: So are you afraid or aren't you?
Spock: I will not allow you to lecture me about the merits of emotion.
Kirk: Then why don't you stop me?
Spock: Step away from me, Mr. Kirk.
Kirk: What's it like not to feel anger? Or heartbreak, or the need to stop at nothing to avenge the death of the woman who gave birth to you.
Spock: Back away from me.
Kirk: You feel nothing! It must not even compute for you! You never loved her!
Annnnnddd Spock loses his shit. In an epic way. He kicks the shit out of Kirk and damn near chokes him to death. It's almost like the scenes with young Spock and young Kirk were filmed just for this. Jim recklessly behaves to get a desired result, defying authority then as well as now. Spock is driven to emotion by an insult to his mother, just as the young Vulcan boy did by telling Spock that his father was a traitor for marrying a human whore. The lesson in all this? Never talk shit about Spock's mom, yo. He will choke a bitch. One thing is certain: Spock even seems to enjoy it for a second before immediately coming back to his senses and seeing what he's doing.
Damn, channel Sylar much Zach? :P
So Spock's shaken, but after speaking with his father, he rallies himself and goes to the bridge to join the fight for Earth as "it is the only home I have left." What I'd like to point out is the missing Spock/Uhura scene. I get that it was more important that we get Spock speaking to his father, but heck, anything would have been sufficient. Instead, all we get is Uhura smiling at him and being silently encouraging. They sure don't give the het shippers anything to build on, do they? But anyway, Kirk at first says he can't do that, but Spock lays out the facts that he's best suited for the job, and it leads to this exchange, a turning point for them:
Kirk: I'm coming with you.
Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will just ignore it.
Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. [slaps his shoulder]
This is possibly the first camaraderie we seen between the two, so of course we get some more. But first let's step to the second major Spock/Uhura scene. First of all, Kirk's reaction to the PDA is hilarious all around. You just know that at some wildly inappropriate point in the future, Kirk will totally mention that he touched Uhura's boobs without telling him that it was purely accidental.
Secondly, the writers could have written Kirk out. Kirk could have went to get a coffee, talked with the guys some more off pad, whatever. But nope, he's right there, teasing Spock about the first name basis. It seems oddly fitting and the point is made for me when you see that the second Spock/Uhura encounter has Kirk right there in it. I love it when Uhura leaves and Spock's face immediately braces for impact because Jim fucking Kirk can't leave shit alone, and indeed he doesn’t, teasing Spock about calling her Nyota and Spock’s perfunctory “I have no comment on the matter.”
So, action boys! They beam aboard Nero's ship, working together like clockwork. An underrated but amazing scene takes place. Spock hunkers down next to Jim and this whispered exchange happens:
Kirk: I'll cover you.
Spock: Are you certain?
Kirk: Yeah, I gotcha.
SQUEE. And indeed he does 'got him' because he kills Nameless Romulan 39 while Spock does a mind meld to get info. Then they get on the S.S. Jellyfish or whatever, and Spock realizes that Jim has been keeping information from him because this ship was made at Vulcan on a future date and with better technology. So here I go, quoting the scene because there's, surprisingly, a lot to pick at.
Spock: It appears you have been keeping important information from me.
Kirk: You'll be able to fly this thing, right?
Spock: Something tells me I already have.
Kirk: Good luck.
Spock: Jim. The statistical likelihood our plan will succeed is less than 4.3 percent.
Kirk: It'll work.
Spock: In the event that I do not return please tell Lt. Uhura...
Kirk: Spock. It'll work.
(Why yes, I did only include this screenshot because Kirk is leaning against a wall with his ass out, waiting to be fucked waiting to be fucked hard.)
First, let's all bask in the fact that Spock called Jim by his first name. Of course with Spock, Jim couldn't pronounce his first name if he knew it, but I digress. This shows us that Spock has broken a barrier between them. In the fight, he told 'Mr. Kirk' to back away from him. Now he calls him Jim, knowing he is about to die. Also there is the Spock/Uhura reference. We may never know what Spock would have said, but the fact is that it wasn't said, much to our relief or chagrin. What we do get is Jim, assuring Spock that it will work. Now, this goes against all logic. The logic of the situation is that there's not even a one in twenty chance this is going to work. But Jim tells Spock it will work, twice. Instead of saying what he would like Jim to tell Uhura anyway, Spock doesn't. Make of that what you will. I, for one, think that Spock actually put a little faith in the illogical right then. \o/
Now, the rest of the scenes are pure partnership. Spock and Kirk stand shoulder to shoulder to face Nero. Jim offers Nero help. Spock turns to him, asking what he's doing.
Kirk: Showing them compassion. It may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus. It's logic, Spock, I thought you'd like that.
Spock: No, not really. Not this time.
Spock has totally embraced the illogical for once and Jim tried to do the logical thing. Already they are doing what the other might do.
Then they narrowly avoid being pulled into a gravitational pull and when they emerge victorious, Jim swivels in his chair to first look back at Spock, who is already looking back at him, and gives him a short nod. What a significant look right there. If you're a fan of the original series, they probably looked the most like that Kirk and Spock than at any other time in the movie. I just saw original Kirk's face and original Spock's short nod of approval right there and it was sweet.
Now Spock meets Spock Prime, who is the ultimate slash shipper himself. :P Spock asks why he didn't just tell himself (boy, this AU shit fucks with the mind) about his existence and what needed to be done and Spock Prime tells him that it was because he and Kirk needed each other and rambles on about the revelation of their epic gay love or whatever, and how their friendship will define them both. Then Spock Prime urges him to put aside logic and do what feels right and rejoin Starfleet rather than help with the Vulcan colony. That’s like the ribbon on the slash present, isn’t it, Spock Prime telling him to go with his feelings instead of logic?
Spock listens and we get to the last scene of the movie. Kirk is the shiny new captain and Spock appears. Transcript time!
Spock: Permission to come aboard, Captain?
Kirk: [smiling] Permission granted.
Spock: As you have yet to select a first officer, respectfully I’d like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references.
Kirk: It would be my honor, commander.
It slipped my notice the first couple of times I watched this, but notice something telling in what Spock says. “You have yet to select a first officer.” The ship was just about to take off, preparing to start the mission, and he didn’t select a first officer? Clearly, he was betting that Spock would take the position, even at the last minute. That is so very Jim and it’s almost eerie how well they already know each other when they have barely been civil to each other the entire movie.
Now that I’ve gone through the whole movie, Spock/Uhura doesn’t bother me at all anymore. On the contrary, it’s sort of nice. But the Kirk/Spock relationship will always be more or it just wouldn’t be Star Trek. Sure, Spock can have romance, but it seems to me that if they were to continue with Uhura and make that relationship deeper into a storybook love, it just wouldn’t be the same. Spock Prime went HIS entire life without being in love with Uhura or anyone else and he’s easily the most recognizable and possibly the most interesting character on Star Trek. Some would argue that since it’s an alternate universe, things are going to be and can be wildly different. This is where I end the essay, with the word of Orci, one of the writers of the 2009 script. He said that “although the timeline has changed, the true nature of the characters does not change and that Kirk and company are the same people they are in the original timeline." I think he means that though they're given new attitudes and that there are going to be different events and different ways of getting there, some things are just always going to be the same, like Kirk believing in no-win situations and Spock's internal war between logic and emotion.
Fin
*As an added bonus, here are three extra (fantastic) points that my beta devidarkwolf made after reading and editing the analysis:
- As I watched the film for a fourth time (jeez), I noticed that after Kirk has become captain and he is discussing a possible plan with his immediate crew, and Spock returns to back Chekov up, there is a great shot of the crew looking up at him. I believe Chekov is on the left, then Kirk, Bones, Sulu, and Uhura. This is a great moment where everyone seems to be taken aback by Spock's genuine comment (Earth is the only home he has left). Compositionally, the shot is framed so that Kirk is large and in centre, and while Uhura is closer to camera (she is larger in the frame than Kirk), HE is the focus, and who 90% of the audience will be looking at. Though Uhura seems to be overjoyed and relieved to see Spock okay again after the outburst where he almost kills Jim, Kirk is still the main focus, lit brightly in the centre, so it is HIS reaction of pleasant surprise that becomes important. Also, I think Kirk feels rather impressed by Spock's ability to perform his duties and not hold grudges. So, from a production or filmmaker's standpoint, you are 100% right in assuming that Kirk and Spock's relationship is the one in focus. What this means is that as a director, J.J. Abrams sought to highlight Kirk and Spock's exchanges even though this is a scene taking place between six characters.
- As for the Spock and Uhura relationship, I too, felt as though it was rather, well, random, but I have my assumptions for why they (the filmmakers) did this. For one, I think it throws a wrench into the Trek that everyone knows, which isn't a BAD thing so much as they are trying to shake things up and offer a different, well, universe for these characters. (Especially after that Entertainment Weekly cover with Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana, I am supposing people assumed there would be Kirk and Uhura action, but the audience is left surprised that Spock wins out.) Secondly, I think they're trying to redefine Spock a little in a modern age, trying to sexualize him and offer him to be as much a "sexy" part of the crew as anyone else. Spock's unyielding logic can be somewhat alienating, pun not intended, so by putting him in a couple of very sweet, very human scenes, we can relate to him more, and find him to be anything but just an unfeeling robot.
- Also, the scene on Nero's mining ship, when Kirk and Spock beam aboard? I just noticed this the last time I watched, but they have their phasers set to kill, obviously, and during the shootout, you can see the tips of the guns shine red. But when there is the one Romulan left, Kirk takes the initiative and sets his phaser to stun, then stuns a Romulan to allow Spock to read his mind. Then when he tells Spock he'll cover him, Kirk sets his phaser back from stun, the tip of his gun changing from blue to red. This further adds to the idea of the two of them as an unbeatable team, because Kirk stuns a Romulan without even asking, and how does Spock know Kirk knows he is a touch telepath? It's a fantastic scene; they communicate wordlessly and seem to be on the same wavelength.