Which of Trek's various close friendships -- the ones that didn't start with or lead to romantic involvement at any point, so leaving off Picard/Crusher, Riker/Troi and Kira/Odo -- were the best executed or the most appealing? The odd-couple trio of Kirk, Spock and McCoy? The rivalry-turned-bromance of Bashir and O'Brien? The longstanding professional relationship turned friendship of Janeway and Tuvok?
Definitely Bashir and O'Brien. It's so weird watching them in a first season episode and then immediately watching a seventh season episode after. Really showed an evolving friendship, rather than having them start out as BFFs, and I liked that.
When exactly do we first see O'Brien and Bashir hanging out? They get paired together in "The Storyteller" and "Armageddon Game", but those were missions.
For me ... Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The classic triad. Bashir and O'Brien. Always enjoyed watching these two. Paris and Kim. Captain Photon, and nothing more need be said. The others I liked, and they gave their shows added depth, but none of them (IMO) ever really evolved much over time. Could have tuned in at any time in their respective series, and they would be basically the same. Which I don't object to - some stability is needed and, let's be fair, Kirk and Co remained very constant as well.
Actually a very hard choice, since I liked all of these friendships. All really well done. But for the sake of this poll, I had to go with Kirk, McCoy, and Spock. Truly classic.
So many other good friendships though, with excellent episodes to back them up: Troi and Dr. Crusher (the pantheon of "girltalk" in Star Trek) Picard and Guinan Jake and Nog 7 of 9 and Naomi I voted for O'Brien/Bashir, though.
Exactly, nothing more to say about that one. Terribly one dimensional, what did that Asian sidekick guy contribute? Oh yeah, he played clarinet... By the way, it's Captain Proton, The Doctor is Captain Photon. O'Brien and Bashir all the way.
I don't remember which episode it is, but there's one where they get drunk together and O'Brien finally admits that he "doesn't hate Bashir anymore." I loved that moment.
I just wish Keiko was less like a bitch. Although I did really like it when she let Miles go out and play with Julian. That was a good moment for her.
I've got to go with O'Brien/Bashir. Their relationship always felt like it was the most genuine to me.
The triad wins out. But Riker/Worf is a close second. They were close, without getting to sappy about it. I don't think Riker or Worf would have it any other way.
O'Brien/Bashir wins for me. I love how it started out with O'Brien Bashir's just this obnoxious, arrogant little punk, but then by the end of the show they're acting like an old married couple. It's great.