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HapticMimesis — Head and Heart
Published: 2011-03-12 20:23:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 5039; Favourites: 189; Downloads: 47
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The classic odd couple, the yin and yang of the Star Ship Enterprise: Spock and Bones. The Captain's head and heart.I've been rewatching Star Trek: TOS episodes over my spring break, and realized, once again, just HOW MUCH I love the show. And these guys, in particular. Actually, they are my favorite pair of friends, in the whole series. I always found the Kirk/Spock dynamic a little boring, because, well, it was obvious! And obvious is boring. I much prefer to watch Spock and McCoy, bickering and bantering, forge the friendship that will last the rest of their lives (and death, and re-life, in Spock's case). I really could go on forever about it.
Pen and ink. I tried to stylize their faces (something I'm not great at, so here's practice!) without losing their essences... I really need to work on that.
Colored in Photoshop.Spock and McCoy belong to G. Rodenberry.
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Comments: 61
Love this so much! You completely captures their essences in their stances and facial expressions - beautiful!
(not to mention how well you captured Spock's perfectly sexy physique!)
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Oh! So awesome! I've been rewatching TOS recently myself, and had forgotten how much fun Bones and Spock are. I really like the simplicity of this--the coloring especially--and think you did a wonderful job with their faces.
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Thank you... I just finished TOS, I watched it in a two-day marathon. They're amazing...and this picture captures so much of it, and thankfully sans-Kirk.
...K
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Woah. You watched it all in two days? What a feat!! O.O I am awed by your persistence!
I'm so glad you like it! I'm glad that, after a full viewing, you feel as I do. In fact, I think that their relationship can only be understood in context of the entire series, you know? Otherwise, the audience is left wondering, like Maximus in "Bread and Circuses", whether they are friends or enemies. But when seen as a whole, I think their true friendship and love are too brilliant to ignore.
I love Kirk, in his own way. I think he is a better person because of his friendship with Spock and Bones, but I think he knows that. It's why he keeps them all together. Really, they need him just as much, since he's their catalyst. I just like when, occasionally, Kirk is not the center of attention.
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I'm an Italian who pretends to know English, so I hope you'll excuse my terrible errors: but your work is so touching, in his polite, bare lines, and your opinion fit mine so wonderfully that I have to say something, to demonstrate my joy and my pleasure in front of such a tribute to two of my favourite characters. Their complex, sensitive tangle of echoes and scars and bonds is a deeply fascinating theme, and the authentic root of a difficult, sometimes unbearable comprehension. The kind of comprehension which is forged between true friends.
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Grazie! 
Vivere a lungo e prosperare.
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This is great! Id love to see your interpretation of the other 5 members of TOS!
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(laughs) Me too. I've been watching the series, and my fondness for the whole ensemble just increased exponentially. The problem is finding the time/inspiration!
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Well...first of all...I google em a lot to study anatomy, Or go on Trekcore. Im OBSESSED with Koenig he has hairy arms and chest wish HE was shirtless in the series . & Nichelle shouldve been a catwoman XD ...im gettin carried away... Heres some sites to study/muse you mystartrekscrapbook.com
tos.trekcore.com
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Hahaha, thanks. I love trekcore.com, I get tons of high-definition screen caps from there.
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IKR & Shes aged so vvell!!
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More from them please, your Star trek pictures are awesome.
My favourites, sometimes i can't decide which one of them i love the most
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Aw, thank you so much! I would love to make more Star Trek (and Harry Potter, and other) fan art - I simply need the time and energy! D:
Dr. McCoy has always been my personal favorite, with Spock pulling in a close second. Their interplay makes the series really enjoyable for me. And I always thought that McCoy was the key to the others, you know? In the series, we so rarely got to see Kirk's vulnerability, and the multi-layered working of his mind. But when McCoy would come talk to him, have a heart to heart over some Saurian brandy or a Finagle's Folly, I really got to know the captain's struggles. And McCoy gave us some of the most important insight into Spock's heart. After all, no one else aboard so relentlessly pried into the Vulcan, or tried so hard to understand him. Not even Kirk, who just accepted Spock without trying to understand him. If anything, I'd love to illustrate what I think of the complex relationship between the doctor and first officer, because they are just fascinating.
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Thank you for your answer, i agree. Their relationship added much more spirit and also deepness to the show. First time i started to see them i focused on Spock only because he was very unique and dramatic character. But without McCoy just he and the captain would remain only action heroes. The doctor really able to touch them inside even if he do it not always in the kindest manner. But despite his exagerated angriness he is very realistic character. You can always understand his motivations, even when he behave rude or harsh. That's why Tholian Web is my favourite Bones-Spock episode. They are fighting bitterly all the tmie but at the end they are just cute.
Sorry for i blabled so long in my cheap english. Your arts really inspiring.
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Don't apologize! I love reading/talking about this sort of thing. And your English is wonderful. I wouldn't have known it was not your first language if you hadn't said anything (Although, I suppose that should have given me a clue - most native English speakers don't speak half so well!).
Here's a quote I found while reading old interviews with the Star Trek creators:
D.C. Fontana (who wrote "Tomorrow is Yesterday", "Friday's Child", "Journey to Babel", "This Side of Paradise", "The Enterprise Incident", and "Encounter at Farpoint"-TNG) once said,
"More and more as we worked with those characters, we realized we need McCoy. We need McCoy more to balance the group. And also it was a matter of bringing a human level to the problems, with Spock being the outsider and Kirk being the man of action at all times, and of course the leader. The more we worked with them, the more we saw the relationship between all THREE as vital to the stories. And it also became a thing, where, as we went along we found the relationships and the one that was a lot of fun was between McCoy and Spock, when they would - taunts, and little insults, that were fun. And they added to the character, and they sparked the scripts. They gave spice to the scripts. So we developed that. As long as it worked, we said 'Let's use that!'"
I thought that was perfect.
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really awesome!! yeah I love these guys' character chemistry too 
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you're very welcome!
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The backrub scene! I mean, come on!! D: We get it, already!
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Hahaha, yeah! Glad you agree!
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Very well done! Bones is especially similar to Kelley!
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Thank you! Yes, I fell in love with Dr. McCoy, as played by Mr. Kelley, at a very young age. So, even though I love Mr. Urban, and greatly admire and appreciate his performance in the new film, DeForest will always be my "Bones".
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NO FEET?!?!?!? OMG!!! haha jk but this is really good!
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Good God, man! I'm an artist, not a podiatrist! XD lol, thank you!
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You're.....so very welcome.
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Yer so right about Spock and Bones! Jim and Spock is totally obvious, which is fine, but Spock and Bones is so much more interesting
Very cool. I really like how you did this. Very good likenesses
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Thank you!
What's your favorite Spock/Bones moment? I think maybe mine is in "The Empath", when McCoy knocks out the others to save their lives. The following scenes are very poignant. 
Also, I think humor holds the key to my heart, and Spock and Bones' constant battle of wits gave me the most laughs and fondest memories from the show.
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Thats a tough one! I'm not sure if I can single out one moment, so I'll name a few that I like:
Bread & Circuses- Bones psychoanalysing Spock in the jail cell
Empath- I agree with you on this one
For the World is Hollow- When Spock finds out Bones is terminal and holds on to his shoulder a little too long
All Our Yesterdays- Spock wont leave Bones out in the snow! And he's totally worried about him (before he starts losing himself anyway)
I've noticed that when either Spock or Bones is dying the other will get all worried and be all "I like you!! Dont you dare die on me!" Then once the other gets better its back to "Yer a dumb emotional human" & "Yer a cold emotionless computer!"
I love most all Spock/Bones scenes too! Put those 2 together in a scene and yer guaranteed a good time. And that was where most of the humor came from for me too. I hate it when Bones gets the short end of the stick too. Or when people make Spock & Bones hate each other...
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Your reply was so good, I had to go rewatch the episodes you mentioned!
Also on my list of favorite moments is the tense argument between them (so full of subtext!!) before Spock boards the shuttle in "The Immunity Syndrome". And McCoy's subsequent refusal to believe he is dead and leave him behind.
Also, an interesting moment in "A Private Little War". When Spock is shot in the back, and near death, he slips into a Vulcan healing coma, and they can do nothing but wait. M'Benga is the surgeon on duty, and McCoy assures Kirk that Spock couldn't be in better hands (implying that Kirk is free to go and tend to his captain's duty). However, when Kirk orders McCoy back to the planet with him, McCoy objects, "I can't leave Spock at a time like this!" Kirk's reply, "You just implied you COULD, Doctor!" is correct. McCoy is not Spock's attending physician, and there is nothing more the medical staff can do for Spock, so why would he need to stay? Also, Kirk, trying to convince McCoy to come with him, shouts "I'm as worried about Spock as you are!" Implying, interestingly enough, that McCoy may think he has more reason to worry, more need to be physically present with the Vulcan.
What's that about, I ask you???
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Hey yeah! I forgot about those two! Yeah the Immunity Syndrome had some great moments! Like when Spock leaves the ship and Bones says good luck afterward. And who can forget "SHUT UP SPOCK! WE'RE RESCUING YOU!"
I totally forgot about the Private Little War one! But yer so right! What IS going on there??
I've also noticed that Bones seems to consider himself the only one allowed to pick on Spock. Not so much early on, but as the show went on, Bones seemed to get defensive sometimes when other people picked on Spock. Possibly because Bones understood him more and more. Maybe not, but thats what I see sometimes
Speaking of which, I totally consider Search for Spock to be a Spock/Bones movie. The scene near the end where Bones is talking to an unconscious Spock and goes "I've missed you. I dont think I could stand to lose you again" totally get to me
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Haha, well. This is late. Like, really really late. But if you're still interested, I just finished exams and was watching more TOS episodes and a ran across a couple of instances that I totally did not remember from watching them as a kid!
1) In "Conscience of the King", Spock and McCoy are discussing (what else?) their captain's odd behavior. McCoy is drinking, and invites Spock to relax and join him multiple times. Also, to explain Kirk's sudden order to transport the acting troupe, McCoy mentions that the daughter of the star player is very attractive, hadn't Spock noticed? Then he reconsiders and says, and I quote, "Of course, your personal chemistry would prevent you from seeing that." The whole conversation is hilarious.
2) In "Spector of the Gun" McCoy seems tense from the beginning. Chekov dies, and when Spock tells the captain that he "knows the feeling" he's experiencing over Pavel's death, McCoy jumps in and says some of the most hurtful words he ever says to Spock, fueled by his grief and anger. But Spock responds gently, and in their next scene together, complements the doctor out of the blue. McCoy's guilt and regret is evident on his face. But they seem to have reconciled a bit, and make physical contact for what must be the first (and second time) in the episode, passing a homemade gas grenade back and forth. Then, at the end, Kirk orders Spock to mind meld with each of them to convince them of the unreality of the bullets. Spock's meld with McCoy is infinitely tender, his voice dropping to a whisper, and closing his eyes at the end. He's standing not even a foot away from McCoy, I swear. (Personal Space is illogical, doctor.) The meld is even better than the one he gives to Kirk! (Kirk turns away half way through to stare dramatically into the distance.)
3) I used to feel sad that Bones got left out of a lot of the "action" in "A Piece of the Action". But I watched it again (because, let's face it: fizzbin is glorious) and did you know that almost every time you see Spock and McCoy on screen they're not only side by side, they're pretty nearly squashed together! And McCoy is so gentle with Spock! He's constantly looking at him, angles his body towards him - I don't even think he once insults him this episode. Even his teasing is mild, as when Spock tries to contact the Enterprise through the radio transceiver and picks up a ball game by mistake!
4) The Galileo Seven. Just. Wonderful. McCoy, stuck in a wrecked shuttle on a hostile planet with a cold, logical vulcan and five other crewmen (who are FREAKING OUT). It's awesome. We get the tension, but at the end McCoy defends Spock from the anger of the other crewmen, AND rescues Spock, who is stuck under a boulder, despite Spock ordering him to leave him and get to safety. He complements Spock on his ingenuity, as well, when Spock lights their fuel on fire as an emergency flare. It's such a good episode!
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Of course I'm interested. I'm always interested about Spock and Bones
I love it when Spock mind melds with Bones in Spectre of the Gun too! There's definitely something gentle about it, now that you mention it. Like Spock knows Bones hates it so he's trying to be as gentle as possible with it. This reminds me of the novelization of Star Trek III when Sarek and Jim find out Bones has Spock's katra and it kinda went like this:
Sarek- Had he ever melded with Spock before?
Jim- a few times. In emergencies.
Sarek- How did he respond to it?
Jim- He didnt like it
Turns out, Sarek says Bones is allergic to Spock! Or at least his mind melds. In response to this Jim laughs and Sarek wonders whats so funny.
I think Bones got a little left out in a Piece of the Action too. Especially at that look Spock gives him when Jim comes up with his 'masquerading as gangsters' plan. His look just says "Well one of us will have to stay here. Looks like its you Doctor"
I actually dont watch Galileo 7 often for the reason that almost everybody (except Scotty) starts bitching at Spock for one reason or other. Although Bones does defend him in spots. One reason why I'll always have a soft spot for Scotty. I dont think he's ever gotten on Spock's case about anything. Not even Jim can say that. Sure's he's gotten worried and doesnt always agree, but he does bitch about it. Like Gamesters of Triskelion, some epic moments with Spock, Bones and Scotty on the bridge there.
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They totally expect Kirk to jump at every attractive female. ^_^ That's actually another problem I have with Kirk/Spock. No one was standing behind Kirk, twisting his arm and forcing him to flirt with, kiss, and fall for every other pretty girl. He genuinely falls in love with several of them during the five-year mission! (Think Edith Keeler. I mean, Spock was RIGHT THERE. What.) It's one of the many reasons I don't see them as more than really, really good friends. The other being that, no matter who Kirk was "in love with" at the time, his true love was freedom, embodied by the Enterprise. It wasn't loyalty to the fleet, or even the Federation, that kept him in the stars. It was the exhilaration of being unbound. That's why he knew he would die alone. It's very moving actually.
Also, taking the movies into account is important and very telling as far as the relationships between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.
In Generations, Kirk gets sucked into the Nexus. Note: neither McCoy nor Spock were on the Enterprise B with Kirk, though both were still alive and in Star Fleet. The Nexus provides those trapped within it everything they most want. Picard, when caught in the Nexus, receives the family he's always wanted, complete with his nephew, alive and well. It's a tear-jerking scene, which the audience accepts as very telling about Picard's deepest dreams. Kirk gets a dog. And a lady that we never actually see, but whom he apparently fell in love with.
When we last see McCoy, on the other hand, one of the first things he chooses to bitch about is, what? Vulcans. That's right. They're foremost on his mind.
Also, if you have the opportunity, go rewatch STIV:The Voyage Home. Almost every time you see Spock and McCoy, they're together. They board the ship together. McCoy sits next to Spock the entire voyage (except when he's perching on the console behind or in front of him). When Spock leaves the bridge to test his theory about the probe's signal, both Kirk and McCoy start after him - but Kirk tells McCoy to stay behind (WHY?). McCoy refuses, stating that "somebody's got to keep an eye on him!" They proceed to stand very near each other, until Kirk cuts between them (at which point they make room, but move back together when Kirk steps away.) When Spock hides his ears with a strip of his robe, he looks to McCoy for approval. Spock is concerned when Kirk sells his glasses, a gift from Bones. Spock chooses not to go to dinner with Kirk and Gillian, even though he was invited, and instead goes back to the ship where McCoy and Scotty are preparing the bay for whales. McCoy's encouragement gets Spock to guess at the time warp calculations, and then has to explain the captain's reaction to Spock. I could go on. They're basically stuck like glue to each other for most of this movie. It's pretty adorable. Plus, McCoy is looking very fragile. Kirk seems absolutely unsympathetic to or unaware of his old friend's condition (McCoy's life was in danger just last movie, did you forget, Kirk??) so if McCoy and Spock were finding strength in each other's company, I'm all for it.
In addition, Leonard Nimoy directed They Voyage Home. I think the fact that there's more subtle McCoy/Spock interaction in this movie than in most of the others really says something. Spock wanted McCoy around, guys.
And you're totally right about Scotty. He's just generally awesome. No one dislikes Scotty! It's impossible!
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Some good points made there again! I dont totally follow the Kirk/Spock thing, i can see where people get it from and I accept it, but I prefer to think of them as brothers rather than lovers.
LOL yes! McCoy on TNG! And they stick him with Data, of course!
I enjoy Voyage Home, and I caught the same thing you did. Except for when he's hanging out with Scotty (or going after Chekov) he spends most of his time with Spock and sticks close by him. The only issue I have is they never really acknowledge what happened between them. Oh it's mentioned in ST IV, but never really discussed anytime after that. I would have liked to have seen something like what was in the novelization where Bones and Spock have a little heart-to-heart about it. I havent read the book in awhile but I remember some of my favorites lines were when McCoy says to Spock something like "I understand you, and it scares me" and Spock says "Is it so bad to understand me? I understand you better as well" and McCoy says "Of course its not a bad thing, I'm just not used to it..." and the conversation goes on from there.
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Oh, goodness. I've written you a novel. My apologies in advance. Feel free to read or not read, skim at your leisure, etc.
And I really need to go read some of the novelizations, apparently.
I feel like, with Kirk and Spock there was always that attraction. But several things kept them from becoming lovers, in my mind. First, Spock was bound to T'Pring for the entire first season. Second, he chose Pike above Kirk in "The Menagerie". It wasn't due to his "Vulcan Loyalty", in my opinion. That was an act of love, what he did. He went far above and beyond duty and loyalty when it came to Pike. I think in the end Kirk not only understood, but appreciated that action, yet I do believe it would have been a barrier. Third, Kirk. He is a romantic, but also longs for freedom above all else. He cannot commit to any single person, as he shows again and again. He is a truly free spirit, and to bind him is to kill him. He thrives in the freedom of his love for Spock and McCoy. He knows that no matter where he goes, or what he does, these men are with him. He fears dying alone, but knows that so long as those two are with him (and he specifically says this to both of them) he is fine. But since he never can tie himself down to any single relationship or person (apart from the Enterprise, which is really just symbolic of his freedom) he suffers from a great loneliness.
Actually, it just occurred to me that all three of them are bound together by their loneliness, in part. Mm. Lovely. See, this is why I love talking with fellow fans! You make me rethink these things, and come to new knowledge of my beloved characters!
But to continue. The fourth thing that I think kept Spock and Kirk in the Brothers-But-Not-by-Blood category for me was the open acknowledgment of their friendship. In the first season ("Naked Time"), Spock is so ashamed of feeling friendship. But Kirk helps him to overcome this. They call each other their friend all the time, openly. Spock calls him "Jim", in public. It's all entirely too open and above-board to strike me as romantic. If Spock was so ashamed of friendship, just imagine how he'd feel about falling in love! In view of his aversion to discussing sexual topics, and his avoidance of romantic liaisons, I feel like he'd have a lot more difficulty expressing his affection for Kirk if it went beyond friendship. I mean, it would shame him to have others see his heart so openly.
But with McCoy, it's different. His relationship with McCoy is rarely specified, and never to each other's faces. When he asks Kirk down to his wedding ("Amok Time"), he says to Kirk that it is his right, to bring his closest friends. THEN he turns and says "I also request that McCoy accompany me." Indirectly calling him one of his closest friends. During "Is There In Truth No Beauty", Spock shares consciousness with an alien ambassador. The ambassador, speaking through Spock, calls Kirk Spock's friend openly, in front of the whole bridge crew. Then he looks at McCoy. He laughs, delightedly, a joyful belly-laugh, and says "also of long acquaintance". Since this is after "Amok Time", and it is already understood that McCoy is one of Spock's closest friends, why skirt the issue? Unless the ambassador knew that Spock did not want it publicly specified. That thing that hangs between them, and causes them such discomfort. That tension, that nameless relationship. In "Bread and Circuses", Maximus asks Kirk whether Spock and McCoy are friends or enemies, and Kirk replies that he's "not sure they're sure." Yet, in "The Empath", while McCoy is unconscious, Spock tells the Thelosians that he is their friend. THAT'S what made me wonder, originally. The unspoken love that is and is not friendship. That's what's missing between Kirk and Spock. I can appreciate those who support Kirk and Spock as a romantic couple - but for all these reasons, I think they were mistaken. I think they were distracted, just as they were meant to be, just as Spock and McCoy would have wanted.
It's what makes them special.
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Well I read the whole thing. 
I can understand what you mean about there being a lack of McCoy in certain ST novels. I was disappointed by this one book that I thought was gonna be about Bones & Joanna. They were both in it, but for only a few chapters and most of it was about Jim 
Out of the other novels, the Crucible series by David R George has one novel each for Jim Bones and Spock. I really like the Spock one. The Spock one also has a some Spock & McCoy in it especially in the beginning and near the end, and its very emotional. The Bones one is good, but lengthy and kinda sad. The Romulan Way is almost entirely Bones centric, as Jim & Spock are only there for a few pages. Granted though, a lot of it also deals with Romulans and what they do with themselves. In that one Bones is actually on Romulus trying to make contact with an undercover Federation agent whom the Feds believe has defected. It actually got turned into a series of books called Rihannsu I think.
Another good McCoy centric novel is Doctor's Orders where Jim actually leaves Bones in command of the ship (even though Spock's there...some kinda regulation loophole). Or course jim is on a planet and loses contact while Bones is in command during a life or death situation. But hey, Spock is there to help him. Granted, it takes about 70 pages before Bones is actually left in command but its all good
Now, on to Spirk. 
Now that you bring it up, I have noticed that Spock admits his friendship to Jim a lot more often than his one with Bones. Weird. Maybe that's a reason they're always bickering, that neither one knows quite where he stands. Perhaps that makes it more special when Spock DOES acknowledge it, like in the scene you mentioned from The Empath. And in the lift scene in Amok Time when Spock also asks for McCoy i'm like 'well yeah, cuz it would be rude to invite just Jim when Bones is standing right there'
You certainly brought up a point that I never thought of in that Spock was so uber private about anything relating to sex, it would be very difficult for him to openly admit to a romantic relationship.
Whew! Am I all talked out? For now I guess. I also wrote a lot but whatevs. I enjoy these discussions too
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Hahaha, I'm glad you don't mind my rambles. I do so enjoy writing them. XP
I actually own Doctor's Orders! It's a good one!
MY FAVORITE Star Trek novel is The Romulan Way. OH MY GOODNESS. So good! Bones, on his own, being competent and irascible, in an interesting and fully developed culture! WHAT. This is the stuff dreams are made of! I read this one on a regular basis.
Wow. This conversation (this fantastic, quality conversation) has gotten so long I had to go back and read it again, to make sure I wasn't repeating myself! XD
I note that I have yet to mention body language as it relates to Spock and McCoy. Which is weird, because it's one of the things that tipped me off to the pairing. Star Trek characters make a regular habit of invading each others' personal space, which I believe to be a result of traveling so long in close quarters. The same thing happens to men aboard a submarine. And yet, this can't account for all of it, since the spacing between crew members is pretty distinct and consistent. (ie, you rarely, if ever, see Spock cuddled close to Sulu or Rand. All of the male crew members tend to maintain a respectful physical distance from their female crew members. All three members of The Trio smush together in doorways, over consoles, standing around, etc. These are regular patterns observable throughout the series.) There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but in general, the three main characters are physically closer to each other than to any one else on the series. I think this is to visually illustrate the intimacy of their friendship on screen - but it's funny, because it's unusual. I've watched television shows from this period, and while cinematic spacing is closer than in real-life, the spacing on Star Trek is notably and particularly close. No allowance is made for the camera's lack of depth, and the main characters often appear to be standing on top of one another. And this happens all the time, even though the series had a different director for practically every episode!
I read somewhere that "mirroring" is an important physical and psychological part of intimacy. When you copy someone's physical attitude and gestures, you create a connection with them that is almost entirely subconscious. It can be used to establish rapport, and can ease conversation/understanding. In fact, couples who have been together for years mirror each other's movements so thoroughly that their faces begin to look alike, from using the same facial muscles! It goes so deep, that nostril flaring and pupil dilation (which are just impossible to control to that degree) sync! Mirroring is, necessarily, a large aspect of comedic chemistry and timing. And it's one of the main aspects I notice between McCoy and Spock. (Now, a lot of their physicality reflects that they are in Starfleet. They stand "at ease", and "at the ready", just like trained service men do today. But that's not what I'm referring to.) Spock and McCoy mirror each other all the time. When standing side by side, they lean towards each other. They wage eyebrow wars. They cross their arms alike, they steeple their fingers the same way [link] , and are constantly close enough to bump into each other if they turn [link] [link] Here's a capped conversation from "I, Mudd" where the mirroring is apparent: [link]
I also noticed that as the series progressed, Spock and McCoy started playing cat-and-mouse with their eyes. They did not do this in the first season, that I saw. They started to skirt each others' stares (despite continuing to stare throughout the series... Bones, in particular) in the second season. I do the same thing when I am attracted to someone, but don't want it to be obvious, don't want them to see it in my eyes. For one reason or another, I think that they definitely did not want it to come up, to be said or commented upon during the series. I think it's one of the reasons their "aggression" escalated, actually. In the first season, they don't actually fight much, or violently. It's definitely reactionary, on McCoy's part.
In addition, Spock's hands play an important role. We all know the lore about Vulcan hands. Spock is usually pretty careful about his hands, and about touch, in general. (Despite Nimoy occasionally forgetting himself!
Just a thought.
And here's a special cap from their meld in "Spectre of the Gun", just as a treat.
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I never thought about their body languages mirroring each other before. I mean, I do notice how they stand and stuff but I guess i never made the connection that they might be mirroring each other. I'll have to pay more attention to that! I wonder if they were even aware of it, or if its a subconscious thing. Like steepling the fingers I always notice on Spock, but not Bones. Maybe cuz Spock holds his hands close to his face when he's thinking. So as many times as I've watched Fridays Child I never noticed Bones steepling his fingers! Now I'm sure I'll always be paying attention to what his hands are doing
Likewise, I guess I never paid that much attention with the 'personal space' either, though I have noticed they are closer in proximity than most people. Fascinating the things we notice and dont notice! I'll prob pay more attention to that now too
I definitely agree that when Spock touches Bones he is usually very gentle with him. And the thing with the hands reminded me of the episode Miri. When Bones injects himself and then passes out, Spock finds him, and he reaches for his hands (and this is after he checks Bones' pulse to make sure he's still alive). I found that interesting since I know a big deal has been made out of Jim and Spock holding hands in the Motion Picture. But this was years before that and early on in the series, before they would know each other very well. I figured already at this point Spock must know Bones well enough to have some kind of feeling about him.
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You did a very good job on this. Yes, they're the kind of friends that will fuss and argue with each other, but threaten one and the other's going to come running.
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Just so! 
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Love this!! Really well done. You've captured them both perfectly!
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Thank you so much!
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Ah Spock and McCoy, how refreshing! I really like how Bones came out, I think you did a good job on his mannerisms and face. Star Trek was my summer last year!
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