The Naked Time

Where does one even start to discuss the slashiness of this particular episode? The story is simple a disease is brought aboard the Enterprise, the effects of which is to bring on a state of mind where the person's inner emotions and/or fantasies are brought to the surface. Combine an almost non-functional crew with a planet that is about to collapse and a decaying orbit and we have a tension filled episode with everything at stake.

Rather than go through the story I will look at the most important scenes and clues that abound for the K/Ser.
Firstly we will jump straight to Spock contracting the disease. He picks it up when Nurse Chapel ("my name is Christine" - she has to keep reminding Spock of that!) declares her love for him. See the photos below, Spock is horrified by Christine's declaration and although he is very sorry that she feels that way, he is literally backed up against the wall trying to get away from her. Since this disease takes away one's inhibitions, it is clear from this scene that Spock has zero interest in Christine, if he did he would have responded, taken her in his arms and let his feelings take flight; so sorry Christine, no coconut. But the physical touch between them leaves Spock almost instantly effected. He hurries from Sick Bay to find somewhere alone where he can try to control the emotion that is overwhelming him. And that emotion is...shame. What is he ashamed of? Well we are soon to find out. As it is we see him broken-hearted; what is he so broken up about? On his way to the conference room, he (and we) are given a not so subtle clue. Daubed on the wall in vivid red paint are the words 'Love Mankind'. This is a message about Spock desperately wanting to embrace the human part of himself, but feeling nothing but shame and guilt about abandoning his father's ways: Spock feels emotions very deeply indeed and is filled with self-hatred. He loves his mother and is angry that she and he had to live in an environment that frowned upon the emotion of love. He is guilty that he wants more than what his father's culture offered him. He cannot please himself and his mother and his father at the same time, and in the end, no-one is satisfied. It is intensely painful for us as the viewer to watch Spock go through this.

In the meantime, another affected crew member has turned off the engines of the Enterprise, and Scotty states it will take 30 minutes to re-start them, but the ship's orbit is decaying and they have only 5 minutes to save the day. Kirk goes in search of the missing Spock in the hope that his Science Officer will have a formula that will allow them to re-start the engines in time. He finds Spock, inconsolable and emotionally compromised, unable to focus upon the crisis that is unfolding. All Spock wants to do is confess his sins and discuss his feelings. Kirk has no time for this right now. He shakes and strikes Spock to break the spell and re-focus his First Officer. Spock just wants to tell Jim how terrible he feels and how he has feelings for his Captain and friend. Jim still doesn't have time for this; it's not the right time or place to discuss BIG issues about who feels what for whom. In the ensuing battle between them, Kirk contracts the disease also and finds himself descending into depths of despair about how he has no time for his feelings and that the ship and his command demand everything from him.

After the catharsis of admitting his feelings, and the shock of Jim slapping him repeatedly Spock, starts to come to his senses and realizes that he does in fact have a formula that may save the ship. Mr. Scott arrives on the scene and he and Spock hurry to Engineering to implement the plan. Kirk is left alone to swear to the silent walls that he will never lose 'you'. Who is this 'you' to which he refers? It could be the ship, but we are left unsure, if it is the Enterprise or Spock to which he refers. Jim pulls himself together and makes his way back to the Bridge. On the way he is given a not so subtle clue to his feelings - 'Sinner Repent' is painted on the inside of the turbolift that he rides to the Bridge. Who is the sinner, who needs to repent? Is Jim being told to have remorse himself, or is he being told to take pity on the the other 'sinner', Mr. Spock?

The formula works, the engines re-start, the orbit is saved and the Enterprise manages to warp away to safety at the very last moment. In so doing the ship goes into a time warp and is taken back three days; a very symbolic number of days is it not? The number of days that it traditionally takes to die and be re-born. So there is a rebirth that is taking place aboard the Enterprise.

I see this episode as what is the precursor to Kirk and Spock becoming emotionally involved with each other. I feel certain that after this the physical side of their relationship begins. By the time we are another two or three episodes along, they are lovers (which I will discuss in later posts).

Even with this very long post, I have really only scratched the surface of all the slash material contained in this episode. Watch it for yourself and count the ways...

To recap, when affected by a disease that brings out inner feelings and fantasies, neither Kirk nor Spock chases after a women, but they do spend a long time alone in a room together confessing their feelings and belting the crap out of each other. They are each given a message to love and repent, and they are given three days to live over again as a sure sign of a rebirth. This episode is all about them and their feelings for each other. Christine and Janice do not even enter into the equation. This episode demonstrates how troubled, passionate and conflicted these two men are and how they really love and trust each other above anyone or anything else. In the final scene Spock returns to the Bridge and immediately checks that Jim is okay, Jim asks the same of Spock and they take a few valuable seconds to look lovingly into each others eyes and re-assure each other that everything will be alright.

I don't know how many times I have seen this episode, but it never ceases to move me with it's powerful action and profound implications.

The Naked Time

The Mantrap

The Mantrap is an episode that doesn't quite seem to know what it wants to be or say. The story is fairly straightforward; Kirk and McCoy beam down to a planet to carry out routine medical examinations on the only residents - Dr. Crater and his wife Nancy, who have been on the planet doing archaeological research for a number of years. Nancy is an old flame of Dr. McCoy's. McCoy sees her exactly as he remembers her; Jim sees a women a good 12 years older and crewman, Darnell, sees very sexually attractive woman who reminds him a prostitute he had known on Wrigley's Pleasure Planet, curious. Crewman Darnell is a marked man, and is soon after found dead, with strange markings on his skin. Kirk and McCoy beam back to the ship so the Doctor can perform an autopsy to see what killed Darnell.

Whilst this is happening we see a strange scene played out on the Bridge. Mr. Spock is in command whilst Kirk is planetside. Ms. Uhura tries a little flirting with Spock, which meets with little success as Spock remains very business like and seems very uncomfortable with the lady's attention. As Uhura decides it is pointless and is about to return to her station, a message comes through that there has been a death on the planet. Spock acknowledges the call with little apparent reaction. Uhura is shocked that Spock appears unconcerned that perhaps Jim may have been killed ("he's the closest thing you have to a friend" she say indignantly). Spock's words are calm, but we can see from his face, that he is very concerned about the matter.

The story unfolds after Kirk and another compliment of crewman beam back to the planet and two more are killed. One, Lt. Green is not found immediately and Nancy Crater, who it turns out is actually a 'salt vampire' has assumed his form. The creature gains access to the Enterprise in the guise of Green and proceeds to kill another crewman.

We see Kirk and Spock working closely together to nut out the problem (and we see that they have developed a form of non-verbal communication where they know what each other requires in a given situation); find the creature and stop it from killing. Dr. Crater tries to convince them that the creature is like the buffalo, the last of it's kind and should be spared because of this; but Kirk will have none of it. The creature has taken the form of Dr. McCoy and seems intent on seducing McCoy into being it's next meal ticket, like Dr. Crater was before. Kirk accuses Dr. Crater of only wanting to keep the creature alive for his own selfish reasons.

The dramatic climax of the episode comes when the creature is confronted in McCoy's quarters. The 'vampire' is in the process of sucking the salt from Kirk's body when Spock rushes in to safe the day. Our normally peace-loving, non-violent Vulcan physically puts himself between the monster and his Captain and brutally bashes the creature to keep it away from killing Jim. Finally McCoy breaks out of his thrall and shoot the monster dead.

Not a lot of slashiness to this episode, but it does show the developing relationship and communication between the two and certainly shows that Spock is prepared to do anything to protect Jim.

The Enemy Within

Okay, here we go with a very slashy episode indeed. It's very theme is to explore the dual nature of man, Captain Kirk in particular. A transporter accident splits our hero into two very distinct characters. The first to appear is 'good' Kirk described as compassionate, loving, tender and courageous. The second, 'evil' Kirk described as hostile, lustful, violent and fearful. Scotty helps the weak and disoriented 'good' Kirk out of the Transporter Room and whilst he is gone the 'evil' Kirk appears and proceeds to sensually caress the transporter console (an indication of his 'love' of inanimate objects and technology). Scotty's assistant returns to find this Kirk and asks if he can be of assistance. Kirk looks the lad up and down as if filing the image away for future lustful reference!) and leaves in search of sins of the flesh.

Scotty suggests that Good Kirk go and see the Doctor to make sure he is alright; Kirk responds rather suggestively: "All right, Engineer, I'll have my engines looked to." (I would like to help him out with this ;), and enters his cabin to lay down. Meanwhile Evil Kirk makes his way immediately to Sick Bay and rather violently demands Brandy from McCoy. McCoy obviously contacts Mr. Spock immediately to report the aberrant behaviour of their Captain.

Then we are treated to one of the classic slash scenes when Spock visits Good Kirk to find out what the problem is. Good, loving and tender Kirk flirts unashamedly with Spock, who is already beginning to smell a rat. He knows his Captain would not be violent towards McCoy and the Jim he sees, semi-naked and flirty in his quarters, does not gell with what McCoy has just experienced.

Evil Kirk roams the corridors, drinking and looking for trouble, spies Rand's quarters and enters to lay in wait for his Yeoman (who has just been dismissed by Good Kirk from his quarters). Janice returns to her quarters and is confronted by Evil Kirk who wastes no time in attempting to seduce her (and not in the good and charming way we would expect from Jim). She resists him and he then attempts to sexually assault her. She manages to get to the door and yell to Technician Fisher to call Mr. Spock.

When Rand reports the assault to Spock, Kirk and McCoy, it becomes obvious that there is a double on board wreaking havoc. It also becomes obvious that Good Kirk is having difficulties in focus and decision-making. He asks Spock to help him retain command by reminding him when he is straying. Kirk trusts Spock implicitly to keep him together enough to remain as Captain.

Together Kirk and Spock eventually capture the Evil Kirk and restrain him in Sick Bay. There ensues a conversation between Kirk, Spock and McCoy about the nature of man and the fact that the two halves of Jim cannot live and function without each other. With the transporter finally functional, it is decided that the two Kirks must be re-united if they are both to live.

The two are placed in the Transporter and the following conservation takes place:

KIRK: Mister Spock.

SPOCK: Captain?

KIRK: If this doesn't work...

SPOCK: Understood, Captain.

I wonder what is 'understood'? The stakes are so high, there is so little time and so much to say. It seems from the looks they give each other that Jim is saying goodbye and I love you more than any being I have ever known and I want you to remember that. The feeling and the economy of words speaks volumes about where their relationship stands (and it's only episode 4!)

All goes well and we finally see a whole Kirk re-appear on the Transporter Pad. The sigh of relief that is released by Spock when he knows Jim is whole and well is almost orgasmic in nature and Kirk looks at Spock in utter relief as well (see the photos above)...awww safe and sound and back together.

The final scene on the bridge the Bridge sees Jim thanking Spock for believing in him and helping him become whole again, they look lovingly at each other with soft focus lens effects and all is right with the world. And then, Spock showing the rather nasty side of his dual nature, has to have a little dig at Yeoman Rand: "The, er, impostor had some interesting qualities, wouldn't you say, Yeoman? " - What a bitch! sounds like someone marking their territory to me. ;)

Mudd's Women

Mudd's Women is an episode that explores the relationship between men and women; their expectations and their needs. Harry Mudd a lovable rogue and space pirate is transporting three women to an outpost, to bring wives to lonely colonists. But there is something very strange about these women; they are extremely beautiful and have an effect upon the male crew members that is noticeable from their first appearance in the Transporter Room. When they are beamed aboard, Scotty, McCoy and Spock are all at the console awaiting them. Scotty and McCoy are immediately reduced to quivering schoolboys who look like they are seeing a naked woman for the first time. Spock is highly amused by his colleague's response, but remains unaffected by the women's charm.

If we didn't think of Spock as bi-sexual before this episode, we are left in no doubt by it's end. Spock does indeed notice the women but is unaffected in the same slack-jawed way exhibited by the rest of the men aboard the Enterprise. As the women leave Kirk's cabin after meeting the Captain for the first time, Spock pays close attention to their behinds as they leave, obviously enjoying the view and yet remains nothing more than amused (see the photo above for his very camp reaction). He knows Kirk is affected by the women's presence and thinks the whole situation very funny indeed.

McCoy is the first to notice that the women seem to have something more than just natural beauty, when one of the women sets his medical monitors 'beeping' in a strange and inexplicable way. He goes to his Captain with his concerns and he and Jim discuss the disturbing effect. Spock eavesdrops on their conversation with interest, noting that the object of his desire - Jim - is struggling with his response to the women.

The ship has depleated its lithium crystal's in rescuing Mudd and his women, and so must divert to a nearby mining planet to source new crystals. Harry connives to deliver his human cargo to the miners and secretly arranges with them to exchange the crystals for the women. To gain information he sends one of the women, Eve McHuron, to try to seduce the Captain. Jim enters his cabin to find Eve, a very beautiful women, laying on his bed. Absent is the supposed lethario Kirk, instead we see him quickly glance over his shoulder like he expects someone to follow him into the room (could this be a subconscious fear that Spock might see a women in his cabin, because it certainly looks like that). Although attracted to Eve Kirk responds to her seduction with complete rejection; he has no intention of kissing her and literally pulls away from her attempt. Eve, disgusted with her own deceipt stops herself and runs from the room. So much for James T Kirk seducing every women he can get his hands on: this is a myth that we will see disproved time and again over the course of the 79 episodes of TOS. Meanwhile, Spock is flirting unashamedly with Kirk for the whole episode and acting as camp as a row of tents. Just watch and you will see.

We discover that Harry is feeding the women a thing called the Venus Drug, which makes them appear more beautiful and desirable. The episode goes on to explore the disparity between the sexes and their desires, needs and wants and how men seem to be confused about the appearance as opposed to the value of a women; a powerful discussion of what is real in relationships between men and women, and Kirk proves his point about the value of a women by making Eve (for whom the effect of the drug has worn off) believe that she has taken it again by giving her a placebo and seeing the transformation take place because a belief in herself. A beautiful moral tale.

The final scene see Spock saying the following: "I am happy the affair is over. A most annoying emotional episode. Do you think he means that now those dolls are gone I can get my Captain's full attention back? Because that's how it sounds to me!

The Corbomite Manuever

This is the first of the regular productions of the original series of Star Trek, an enthralling epsiode that deals with the themes of fear of the unknown and how appearences can be deceiving. Much of the epsiode is from Lt. Bailey's perspective; a young Officer learning to deal with the dangers space exploration holds.

More importantly, this episode deomonstrates Captain Kirk's ability to lead and to think outside the box when it comes to dealing with alien threats. Tension is high as the alien ship 'The Fesarius' has threatened to the destroy the Enterprise, giving it's Captain and crew 10 minutes to say their farewells. To Kirk of course this just allows him 10 minutes to formulate a plan. Spock can see no 'logical alternative' and he is almost heartbroken when Jim snaps at him: "Is that your best recommendation?" Spock makes to say "Sorry" but stops himself.

This episode contains one of the first really obvious slash moments, with this exchange between Kirk and Spock, which seems to bear no relevance to the story other than to demonstrate they they are very close indeed: Spock: "has it occured to you that there's a certain...ineffeciency in constantly questioning me on things you've already made up your mind about?" Kirk: "It give me emotional security." Honestly they are like an old married couple in this scene, and they end the scene by looking lovingly into each others eyes...awww, so sweet.

This episode also makes it very clear that Kirk is not interested in women and particularly not in his female Yeoman (poor Janice). He complains to McCoy that he has been assigned a female yeoman and Bones, cluelessly suggests that Kirk doesn't trust himself. Kirk clears up any doubts quickly by saying the only female he thinks about is the Enterprise...hmm seems he's not quite ready to let his doctor in on the fact that he is lusting after Spock. Which by the way is kind of obvious by the way that in the introduction to the action Kirk contacts Spock three times between Sick Bay and the Bridge and twice of those are visual communications, whilst he is shirtless...flirting again Jim?

Kirk of course outwits Balok the alien commander, they make friends and everybody lives happily ever after. Great episode with slash galore, please watch it for yourself and enjoy the show.

Where No Man Has Gone Before

I will begin with the Second Pilot, 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'. I begin here because this is the first appearance of Kirk and Spock. Before we even start the normal production episodes of Season One, we see the beginnings of Kirk/Spock.

The very first scene shows Kirk and Spock playing a 'very irritating game of Chess'. Captain James Kirk is already flirting with his Science Officer, and finding ways of getting under his Vulcan's skin. Then immediately after this we see Kirk, Spock and Gary Mitchell enter a turbolift together; it is obvious that sexual tension is a way of life aboard the good ship Enterprise. The way Gary Mitchell looks at Spock speaks volumes. It is clear that Gary is jealous of the close relationship that is developing between his friend and Captain and and the Science Officer, Spock. Jim seems oblivious and is his usual ebullient self, joking about having beaten Spock at Chess.

As the story goes Gary and Dr. Denher are both zapped by some unknown energy at the very edge of our galaxy. Gary is most severely affected and is confined to Sick Bay to recuperate. Jim visits his long time friend, who it seems has already begun his descent into the thrall of his god-like powers. His eyes have become strangely glowing and silver, his voice deeper and more resonant. When he tells Jim: "You'd better be good to me." there is menace in his voice and the feeling that Gary expects Jim to treat him better than that Vulcan he is paying so much attention to.

As the story progresses Spock urges Kirk to kill Gary before his powers become too great to be controlled. Kirk, of course baulks at killing his best friend an accuses Spock of being heartless.

But course Spock was being completely logical (no surprise there) and was right. A fact that Jim discovers soon enough when Gary attempts to kill Jim, but not before playing some sick and twisted domination games with Kirk.

Of course our hero prevail, but not before getting his shirt ripped for our pleasure.

The final scene sees Spock take up his customary position at his Captain's side, as Jim sits in the Command Chair. In an attempt to curry favour of the man he so obviously is madly in love with, Spock says (and I don't believe a word of it) that he 'felt' for Gary too. Kirk falls for it and tells his Vulcan friend: "I believe there's some hope for you after all, Mr. Spock." They then exchange a loving look and Spock turns back to us with a self-satisfied look, that says something like: 'Well that worked!' and we end the episode how things are going to continue...Kirk and Spock side by side.

Boldly Slashing

Welcome to my Slash Blog. My love of the Original Series of Star Trek finds it's highest expression in Slashing Kirk and Spock as they are meant to be. This blog is all about Star Trek - the Seventy-nine Episodes and Six Movies that make up the mythic saga of Kirk and Spock and their intrepid Crew. I will be reviewing every episode and movie, one by one, examining the Kirk and Spock relationship and the wider themic elements. I will be posting pictures of some of the things that make Star Trek so unique, beautiful and epic. I will be paying particular attention to the sexual and BDSM imagery as well as design, set-dressing and lighting, that make Star Trek unique and so very artistic.

I hope you will enjoy this journey into the darkness and light of the Star Trek Universe.