I’m only about 2/3rds of the way through the first season of TOS, but I’ve seen four (II-V) of the original six movies. And I feel the need to express a few thoughts I have on the Kirk/Spock and Kirk/McCoy relationships.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I do not slash Kirk/Spock. I want to delve into that a bit for. In a romantic and sexual sense, no, I do not slash Kirk/Spock. For me, there is nothing romantic or sexual (not even in the subconscious sense) about their relationship. However, when someone referred to Kirk and Spock as “soulmates,” I found I couldn’t disagree with the term.

Because they are. In a myriad different ways (that I’m sure a much more die-hard fan could go into detail far better than I) Kirk and Spock complete each other. In ST XI, Spock Prime refers to their relationship as a “friendship that will define [them] both.” And it does. Kirk and Spock are largely who they are because of how they relate to each other. They are almost one entity—without the other, neither is entirely whole. Is there a better definition of a “soulmate?”

Kirk and Spock have such a powerful and meaningful bond between them that is it so easy how they became the original “slash” in its current meaning of the term. The intensity of the Kirk/Spock relationship is canon. The debate only really comes in with respect to whether or not they are (or secretly long to be) lovers. And that’s where I don’t “slash” them. For me, Kirk/Spock is the very deepest of friendships. They would sacrifice everything—their careers, their lives, even the lives of others (Kirk lost his son saving Spock in The Search for Spock)—for the other. It is as intense, powerful, and meaningful as any romantic relationship—more even—but it is not romantic (or sexual). It is no less emotional (even for Spock) or devoted, but it is strictly platonic. And that is why I don’t “slash” Kirk/Spock. But I do agree they are soulmates.

But along those same lines, McCoy is as equally important to Kirk. I think the only reason McCoy tends to be left out of the equation (which he not always is, there are plenty of Kirk/Spock/McCoy OT3 fans) is because McCoy’s bond with Spock isn’t as strong as with Kirk. But it is my opinion that Kirk needs McCoy just as much as he needs Spock to make him whole, just in different ways. I would argue that Spock and McCoy are Kirk’s soulmates.

But the reason I “slash” Kirk/McCoy as opposed to Kirk/Spock is because with them, sex becomes a part of the equation. Spock (in the original series and movies) is pretty much an asexual being (except when its pon farr time, every 7 years). It is another argument for the Kirk/Spock relationship being purely platonic. But Kirk and McCoy aren’t. Kirk especially—everyone knows he has a long list of exploits. But while Spock is aware of Kirk’s sexual prowess, it’s not likely something they ever discuss. McCoy, however, is the friend with which Kirk would talk about women with. And they do. So women and sex are a part of their relationship. And with the intensity of their friendship the potential for homoeroticism exists because of it, where I don’t think it exists with Kirk/Spock. With Kirk/McCoy, I can see them, in their younger days, going out, getting drunk and ending up in a foursome. This is especially easy to see with nu!Kirk and nu!Bones, but I can imagine this being a part of the youth of the original two as well. I can also see just the two of them engaging in activities they later pretend never happened.

So, for me, it is that element of the potential for something of a sexual nature occurring (or having occurred) that makes me slash Kirk/McCoy as opposed to Kirk/Spock. Still not much of a romantic nature—once again, it’s a deeply emotional and meaningful platonic bond, just in their case, there is the possibility of sex added to the mix.

I guess I’ve got to see at least some subconscious romantic or sexual element between two men in order to slash them. With Kirk/Spock, I don’t see that, so I don’t slash them. With Kirk/McCoy, I do. But I do consider all three of them “soulmates.” Try to wrap your head around that; I’m not even sure I can even after this post.