Star Trek is My Drug Of Choice

Ethan Peck on where we find Spock in Season 4 of #StrangeNewWorlds :

"I think these relationships are helping us find the Spock we end up with in The Original Series. It's so interesting, because he's had these relationships - these will inform his relationship with Kirk."

Love, grief, and magic in the mundane

Anyway, to my pleasant surprise, based on the framing of Kirk and Spock’s relationship in the last episode of SNW season 3, I believe that the writers are either planning on (a) intentionally queerbaiting or (b) actually planning on exploring a slow-burn, romantic connection between them. Why? Essentially, there were enough deliberate details sprinkled in that wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

In this episode, the spark between them is tangible. Jim is the one to more openly flirt, as would be expected: it’s evident in his body language (very reminiscent of classic TOS K/S moments), and he even rather undeniably does so when he comments “well, I see why you brought me to a bar. This is one hell of a date, Mr. Spock, but be gentle,” when he agrees to do a mindmeld with him. Which, as the episode itself points out, is an incredibly intimate thing to do with someone and a kinda crazy thing for Spock to suggest and Jim to agree to. (Before someone points out all the times he does so casually in TOS, he doesn’t do it in a sustained, needing to actually mentally-be-all-over-each-other sort of way like he does in this episode.)

I’d also add that Jim’s comment about his mishap on Orion, asking Spock to “try not to judge” suggestively, might also have a flirty undertone. It’s humorous, and maybe Jim is actually a little embarrassed at the idea of his crush seeing him at a bad moment, but he’s basically inviting Spock to pay attention to his memories of an (implied) sexual context.

Now, do people flirt jokingly like this with your friends? Sure. But Ortegas’ multiple entertained, and “am I really seeing this” reactions are highlighted to such an extent that it’s pretty blatant her gaydar is supposed to be flaring.

Everyone else reacts similarly when Kirk and Spock somehow manage to pretty effortlessly share a single consciousness and successfully complete their task, despite the fact that they’ve still only just become friends. For example, it’s supposed to be funnily creepy when they speak at the exact same time, Uhura comments in awe about how they can communicate quicker than comms, and Pelia even marvels that their perfect synchronicity “is almost poetic.” (Lol.)

Kirk and Spock would have understood how unbelievably remarkable their mental and spiritual connection is too. As a guy more adept at the mind meld thing, Spock definitely would have, even if he won’t be ready to reconcile with that for at least another five years.

With all of this setup, their interaction at the end of the episode is particularly potent. Kirk and Spock are sharing a chess match, and the chemistry continues. That is, until Kirk comments “I see you have some interesting new relationships.” Basically, explicitly asking him to clarify his relationship status with La’an, because he knows they’re definitely feeling that something is happening between them.

Now, I expected this to be a “haha bud, she’s a looker isn’t she? Good for you!” sort of moment. What happened was the complete opposite. They both look to La’an, and Spock immediately clarifies “I am certain we will remain friends.”

Hold up, what was that? That wasn’t the question that he asked, or an appropriate response unless Spock picked up on the fact that Kirk was trying to take things further. He could have adoringly (however Spock would do so) confirmed that he and La’an were an item if this was a buddy thing, but instead he answers the question about his relationship status with La’an by deliberately friendzoning Kirk. “Remain friends.” As in, sorry buddy, but you’re not getting anywhere here. And Kirk’s reaction here is telling as well. He smiles fondly while waiting for Spock’s confirmation, and agrees that they’ll remain friends, but it’s sad almost. Sheepish.

When La’an shows up, it’s awkward. Not in the, “we were just boyishly talking about how Spock likes you, and how I had a silly incident on Orion tee hee” sort of way, but in the “Spock just had to confirm he’s taken to a guy hitting on him, only for said girlfriend to appear” sort of way.

And then, when I thought maybe that there would be plausible deniability, we watch as his face just sinks as he watches Spock leave with La’an. Genuinely, like he’s watching his man get away.

The final nail in the coffin is when bro Sam immediately swoops in with a drink over melancholy music. I think that it’s played in such a way that suggests Sam picked up on the fact that his brother just got let down and is trying to make it better. Which actually, is really sweet. Kirk kinda gives him this fond and incredulous look, and Sam smirks at him.