article_snippet: First there was the friendship between Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy, aka Bones.
article_snippet: By placing Kirk (spirit), Spock (reason) and Bones (emotion) into challenging situations, we get to observe this interplay of these three forces, and we get to hear these three forces say what would otherwise be an internal dialogue.
article_snippet: Why is Spock so critical here?
article_snippet: Because Vulcans worship logic and rationality.
article_snippet: Even though Spock's half human, Spock suppresses Spock emotions.
article_snippet: It's no surprise that Spock is the science officer, since science is founded on rationality.
article_snippet: Spock, then, can be trusted to give reasoned scientific analysis in any situation, uninfluenced by emotion or spirit.
article_snippet: And since they wouldn't even be in space without science, Spock may be the most important character for the success of the adventure.
article_snippet: Kirk also begins to see this as a possibility.
article_snippet: My favorite Spock-centered episode is a two-parter,
article_snippet: Here we see Spock's human side at Spock's human side best.
article_snippet: Captain Pike, whom Spock used to serve with, has been injured to the point where Spock can live only as part of a machine, and Spock can only make a device beep once for yes, and twice for no.
article_snippet: Spock kidnaps Pike and commandeers the Enterprise, all for as yet unclear reasons.
article_snippet: What we find out is that Pike and Spock had visited a planet (in the pilot) where aliens could make you experience any reality aliens dreamed up for you.
article_snippet: Spock intends to deliver Pike to a planet (in the pilot) where aliens could make you experience any reality they dreamed up for you so that Spock can live out Spock life in a reality unconfined by Spock physical impairment.
article_snippet: Along the way, Spock faces a court-martial where a guilty verdict would result in death.
article_snippet: Yet Spock loyalty and love of Pike override Spock awareness of the irrationality of Spock actions.