Commodore Decker and Bones

[Cmdr_Blop]

I just realized something while watching The Doomsday Machine.

Commodore Decker officially takes command of the Enterprise, at which point, Spock tells McCoy that he can certify Decker unfit for command, and he can be relieved on that basis. Bones replies that he never had time to run an examination on Decker.

However...

Since Decker IS now technically THE commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, doesn't McCoy have the authority as CMO to order Decker to sickbay for an examination, and hand command to Spock until the exam is complete, and a decision reached?

I mean, if Bones can order Kirk to sickbay, why can't he do the same with Decker?

 

[Shatnertage]

^ That's a good point.

I thought the rationale for them not booting Decker right away was a little weak. If I were McCoy, the idea of having to face disciplinary action for removing Decker without proper cause would be trumped by the possibility of the commodore getting everyone--including me--killed.

Though that might just be me reading what happens later in the episode into that scene. I don't have the benefit of NOT knowing what Decker plans to do when I watch that scene, so I'm biased.

 

[Captain Robert April]

I think trying to relieve a commander while the ship is in active combat is a pretty tall order. Unless said commander is about to keel over dead, it ain't gonna happen.

 

[Gov Kodos]

I think trying to relieve a commander while the ship is in active combat is a pretty tall order. Unless said commander is about to keel over dead, it ain't gonna happen.

Yeah, Spock should have told Decker to take a hike off to sick bay. His relieving Spock from command was ridiculous.

 

[Gojira]

I just realized something while watching The Doomsday Machine.

Commodore Decker officially takes command of the Enterprise, at which point, Spock tells McCoy that he can certify Decker unfit for command, and he can be relieved on that basis. Bones replies that he never had time to run an examination on Decker.

However...

Since Decker IS now technically THE commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, doesn't McCoy have the authority as CMO to order Decker to sickbay for an examination, and hand command to Spock until the exam is complete, and a decision reached?

I mean, if Bones can order Kirk to sickbay, why can't he do the same with Decker?

I always felt that was a plot hole. As soon as Decker took command and McCoy suspected something he could have ordered him to sick bay for an evaluation.

So you are correct. Spock was right he would need to verify Decker's condition but McCoy could easily order him to sickbay to have him tested returning command to Spock until the tests were completed.

 

[Winterwind]

Decker was in complete shock when they found him. In no way, shape or form was he fit for duty of any kind, let alone command. Since it had been clearly established (in Court Martial IIRC) that McCoy was not just a doctor but also an expert in psychology... well, he didn't need to take Decker to sickbay to certify squat. But then there goes a large part of the episode so... *shrugs*

 

[spockrocks]

(Laughing) Here's a thought, Spock could have gave Decker a neck pinch, have McCoy drag him off to sickbay and dope him up until it's over. I know, I know, that would be against all kinds of regulations and morals, but the guy was being an idiot for wanting to attack the thing.

 

[BillJ]

Perhaps the protocol for relieving a commanding officer is simply different during combat situations?

 

[Jonas Grumby]

^ Could be. I'd imagine that if a captain, during the normal course of a day, suddenly gave an order that would likely get the whole crew killed, the doctor might be inclined to haul him down to sickbay. In a combat situation, though, a captain might quite legitimately give such an order, with much riding on that order being carried out quickly and without question.

 

[Shatinator]

(Laughing) Here's a thought, Spock could have gave Decker a neck pinch, have McCoy drag him off to sickbay and dope him up until it's over. I know, I know, that would be against all kinds of regulations and morals, but the guy was being an idiot for wanting to attack the thing.

What! Who do you think your dealing with Dr. Richard Daystrom, LOL!

But then again 'rank does have it's privileges'

The
S H A T I N A T O R

 

[Captain Robert April]

If they were going by naval tradition and regulations, then the lowest ensign on the Enterprise would have had more authority to assume command before Commodore Decker, simply because he wasn't assigned to that ship.

HOWEVER, if we go by Army tradition and regulations (remember, Roddenberry was an Army Air Corps veteran), then the highest ranking person present is in command, regardless of unit assignment.

Apparently, some sort of merging of traditions took place in the intervening centuries.

 

[J.T.B.]

If they were going by naval tradition and regulations, then the lowest ensign on the Enterprise would have had more authority to assume command before Commodore Decker, simply because he wasn't assigned to that ship.

Not quite under US Navy regulations, wherein flag officers eligible to command at sea can exercise command authority even if they are embarked as passengers.



Justin

 

[TerragonSix]

Well, if we wanted to go by the current Canon, according to Starfleet regulations, an officer that was placed in command by the ship's Captain cannot be relieved of command by any other officer other than the Captain/Commander of the ship. (Example of this: Journey To Babel 'TOS', 'Doctors Orders' Star Trek novel.

Therefore, if Decker tried to relieve Spock of command, Spock had every right to refuse his relief, and McCoy, as ships chief medical officer, had every right to conduct a examination of the commodore, due to health, or doctors prerogative.

Just accept it as a plot device to show that Decker is not playing with a full deck of cards.

 

[Ian Keldon]

I think trying to relieve a commander while the ship is in active combat is a pretty tall order. Unless said commander is about to keel over dead, it ain't gonna happen.

Or is plainly "Koo-Koo-Kachoo", as Decker was. They found him in a state of catatonic shock, for crying out loud! Bones had plenty of evidence to at least order a fitness review, emergency or not.

But that would have made for a short ep, so instead the writer let him be buffaloed by Decker.

 

[Cmdr_Blop]

Thank you all for the replies! I agree that if anything, Decker's mental state should have instantly warranted a trip straight to sickbay with observation on the Enterprise, but regarding the fact that when Decker assumed command, it was in a combat situation...

I would think that that would be THE time for Spock to remind Decker that in his (Spock's) opinion, and likely McCoy's as well, he doesn't think Decker is mentally fit for command, and if he wants, Decker can file a protest or take disciplinary action later, but he (Spock) won't relinquish command.

Yes, it would suck donkey marbles to basically be called out aloud in front of the bridge crew that you're a froot loop by Spock, but at least the ship and crew would be safer for it.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Spock hates command and loves regs. He'd turn over the ship to a methed out monkey if the regs said so.

 

[BillJ]

Spock hates command and loves regs. He'd turn over the ship to a methed out monkey if the regs said so.

Yep.

 

[Maurice]

Baloney. He's clearly not keen to turn command over to Decker.

 

[BillJ]

Baloney. He's clearly not keen to turn command over to Decker.

Yet he clearly did so.

Spock knew Decker wasn't fit for command and still provided impediments to McCoy's ability to relieve him.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Sorry Maurice:

ECKER: Mister Spock, I'm officially notifying you that I'm exercising my option under regulations as a Starfleet Commodore, and that I am assuming command of the Enterprise.
SPOCK: You have the right to do so, but I would advise against it.
DECKER: That thing must be destroyed.
SPOCK: You tried to destroy it once before, Commodore. The result was a wrecked ship and a dead crew.
DECKER: I made a mistake then. We were too far away. This time I'm going to hit it with full phasers at point-blank range.
SPOCK: Sensors show the object's hull is solid neutronium. A single ship cannot combat it.
DECKER: Mister Spock, that will be all. You have been relieved of command. Don't force me to relieve you of duty as well.
MCCOY: You can't let him do this, Spock.
DECKER: Doctor, you are out of line.
MCCOY: So are you, sir. Well, Spock?
SPOCK: Unfortunately, Starfleet Order 104, Section B, leaves me no alternative. Paragraph 1A clearly states
MCCOY: To blazes with regulations! You can't let him take command when you know he's wrong!