Spoilers Is it possible that Chapel and Spock were in a romantic relationship during TOS?

[Nyotarules]

You know a really easy way to rebrand or (Jesus Fucking Christ) "retcon" Spock and Chapel not being in a relationship in TOS is simply on the grounds that Spock is, by that time, the executive officer of the ship, making any relationship not only unethically problematic but against regs.

Based on our modern human culture rules? Nah, unless Vulcan ships return home every 7 years or only patrol the Eridani sector, Starfleet would have to accommodate nonhuman cultural practices . Its already too Western humancentric. By the 24th century Picard hooked up with an officer and no-one screamed 'regulations'. Chapel reports to McCoy not Spock

 

[CorporalClegg]

You mean our modern human culture rules where it's becoming increasingly unpopular for bosses to sleep with their subordinates because ew?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Based on our modern human culture rules? Nah, unless Vulcan ships return home every 7 years or only patrol the Eridani sector, Starfleet would have to accommodate nonhuman cultural practices . Its already too Western humancentric. By the 24th century Picard hooked up with an officer and no-one screamed 'regulations'. Chapel reports to McCoy not Spock

Kirk never did. And in Naked Time he was talking about how he's not allowed to notice his yeoman is an attractive woman,

 

[Nyotarules]

You mean our modern human culture rules where it's becoming increasingly unpopular for bosses to sleep with their subordinates because ew?

Yep a fictional intergalactic organisation will bow to humancentric norms because....

 

[Nyotarules]

Kirk never did. And in Naked Time he was talking about how he's not allowed to notice his yeoman is an attractive woman,

Kirk chose not to. Commander McCoy thought spending Shore Leave flirting with Yeoman Barrows, no problem.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Yep a fictional intergalactic organisation will bow to humancentric norms because....

It's a tv show. They'll go for the drama.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Kirk chose not to. Commander McCoy thought spending Shore Leave flirting with Yeoman Barrows, no problem.

He's not permitted.

KIRK: I have a beautiful yeoman. Have you noticed her, Mister Spock? You're allowed to notice her. The Captain's not permitted

Barrows doesn't work for McCoy.

 

[Nyotarules]

He's not permitted.

Barrows doesn't work for McCoy.

Chapel does not work for Spock, so no problem there

 

[Nerys Myk]

Chapel does not work for Spock, so no problem there

By TOS he's the XO, so she does.

 

[ussrowe]

Riker was allowed to date crew members so Starfleet probably doesn't care. That said, I think they were both single by TOS.

I think they break up eventually on SNW, maybe that inspires Spock's warning to T'Pring that she may find having is not as good as wanting Stonn.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Riker was allowed to date crew members so Starfleet probably doesn't care.

Riker was also a misogynist pig.

Yep a fictional intergalactic organisation will bow to humancentric norms because....

It's an organization curated by humans on a TV show made by humans and viewed by humans.

But I'll just point out that it's even more likely that any species predicated on logic is more likely to chastise superior/subordinate relationships -- especially in situations where hierarchical command is paramount and life and death situations are ever-present.

 

[Nyotarules]

Riker was also a misogynist pig.



It's an organization curated by humans on a TV show made by humans and viewed by humans.

But I'll just point out that it's even more likely that any species predicated on logic is more likely to chastise superior/subordinate relationships -- especially in situations where hierarchical command is paramount and life and death situations are ever-present.

Vulcan Ponn Farr trumps logic. The USS Intrepid would be full of bonded couples or colleagues with 7 year benefits

 

[Landru1000]

By TOS he's the XO, so she does.

Except Kirk says about Rand, "Have you noticed her, Mr. Spock? You're allowed to notice her. The captain's not permitted."

 

[CorporalClegg]

Oh boy, you got 'em.

 

[Sci]

I wonder if a post TMP series could work using a lot of the SNW cast. Spock and Chapel hook up and Spock just never mentioned it during the movies. Much like his brother or his sister or how cool he was before Kirk showed up.

That could make for a really fun show in a couple years. I've never really been into the idea of a post-TMP 5-Year Mission, but the prospect of seeing Peck and Bush play Spock and Christine together again after SNW ends might have just sold me on it.

 

[Captain Jollydark]

Well, some definite answers this week's episode. They need to inform higher ups if they are in a relationship. He wants to know if they are. Christine seems to be the reluctant party.

 

[T'Bonz]

Which makes no sense given the build up, and later in TOS, her mooning after him.

 

[Sci]

Which makes no sense given the build up, and later in TOS, her mooning after him.

I mean, I have definitely met people who pined for someone but then were uncertain what they wanted out of them once they were together. Sometimes I have been that person. It happens.

Also bear in mind that Christine never acted on her feelings until Spock told her that he and T'Pring were separated -- it's not like she was chasing him. And that even in the moment they acted upon their feelings, Spock is the one who asked what their kiss meant and Christine is the one who said, "I don't know -- shut up." She wants him but she doesn't know what that means right now.

 

[Paul755]

I wonder if there is maybe a bit of optics that she is worried about. Sure people will be happy for the two, they are all friends but there could also be whispers of “home wrecker” even if Spock said they were on a break. Especially when T’Pring finds out and has a problem with it…in her Vulcan way. I mean, if T’Pring is on a first name basis with the Captain she could think they might be an issue.

then again, she maybe she couldnt care less what anyone thinks as long as she is “climbing Mount Seleya” regularly.

I do think it’s interesting they included the clip of Spock saying he couldn’t control his emotions in the “previously on…” bit at the start.

 

[Sci]

I wonder if there is maybe a bit of optics that she is worried about. Sure people will be happy for the two, they are all friends but there could also be whispers of “home wrecker” even if Spock said they were on a break. Especially when T’Pring finds out and has a problem with it…in her Vulcan way. I mean, if T’Pring is on a first name basis with the Captain she could think they might be an issue.

Neither of them mentions being concerned about this at all. Their dialogue makes it clear it's a matter of them not quite knowing what they want out of their relationship now that they've begun seeing each other.

Also, Spock's and T'Pring's relationship fell apart because Spock and T'Pring are ultimately not compatible life partners -- Spock doesn't trust her the way he should, and he can't really help that. It wasn't actually about Christine.

I would hope that in the future, people have evolved beyond perpetuating misogynistic tropes like "home wrecker."

then again, she maybe she couldnt care less what anyone thinks as long as she is “climbing Mount Seleya” regularly.

Charming.