The best first officer in the Fleet?

[Holopat]

Well, he slept with Nichelle too, so it wouldn't have been much different, would it? She was a better actress of course.

I watched Julia in 1968. I don't remember much about it, except from what I remember it was good enough to keep watching. I don't think it lasted long.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Well, he slept with Nichelle too, so it wouldn't have been much different, would it? She was a better actress of course.

I watched Julia in 1968. I don't remember much about it, except from what I remember it was good enough to keep watching. I don't think it lasted long.

Three seasons. Most of which I missed because we moved to Japan. But the name "Doctor Chegley" stuck with me for decades.

 

[Holopat]

Both.

There was something wrong with Chapel in her going after unavailable men. First she was in love with Roger Corby who couldn't get far enough away from her, and whom she reportedly joined Starfleet to pursue. Then she fixates on an unavailable Vulcan.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

First she was in love with Roger Corby who couldn't get far enough away from her, and whom she reportedly joined Starfleet to pursue.

Good one.

 

[1001001]

Captain Pike said Una Chin-Riley was the best first officer in the fleet.

I imagine all Captains are going to say that about their one Number One.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Who would ever say theirs is the worst first officer in the fleet? 'Cause then they wouldn't be "Number One", they'd be "Number 5,716"...

 

[Nerys Myk]

Somewhere there is a Captain trying to unload his lame First officer on some unsuspecting noob CO.

 

[Holopat]

I thought Kirk said to Spock "You've been called the best first officer in the Fleet". Not that he was claiming giving him that title. It was McCoy who said, "Spock's the best first officer in the Fleet." Unless I misremember.

 

[blssdwlf]

I thought Kirk said to Spock "You've been called the best first officer in the Fleet". Not that he was claiming giving him that title. It was McCoy who said, "Spock's the best first officer in the Fleet." Unless I misremember.

You remembered correctly

KIRK: You've been called the best first officer in the fleet. That's an enormous asset to me.​

 

[Hofner]

Somewhere there is a Captain trying to unload his lame First officer on some unsuspecting noob CO.

"He's the best first officer in the fleet. No, really he truly IS the best first officer in the fleet, cross my heart and hope to die!"


Robert

 

[Nerys Myk]

You remembered correctly

KIRK: You've been called the best first officer in the fleet. That's an enormous asset to me.​

BONES: To be fair, you're the one who called him that.
KIRK: Damn it, Bones. Don't ruin the moment!

 

[blssdwlf]

BONES: To be fair, you're the one who called him that.
KIRK: Damn it, Bones. Don't ruin the moment!

BONES: Security, take Captain Kirk to sickbay under guard. Jim, or whoever you are pretending to be him, I'm the one who called Spock the best first officer in the fleet. Captain Kirk never did!

 

[Commishsleer]

You remembered correctly

KIRK: You've been called the best first officer in the fleet. That's an enormous asset to me.​

So on the surface it appears that Kirk only cares about losing a good officer - like Spock's taking a new position on another Starship, not that Spock is about to die. But Kirk's already tried appealing to Spock on a personal level which got him nowhere. Kirks trying to appeal to him professionally impartially now. Telling him that Spock's demise will affect the running of Kirk's ship which Spock unfortunately cares about more than his own life. And telling him its other people removes the emotion from the appeal.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

So what's the asset? Spock, or Spock's good reputation?

 

[Tango]

So what's the asset? Spock, or Spock's good reputation?

I would say both. We know Spock's loyalty and ability are an enormous asset to Kirk's successful command in practical terms. The reputation would burnish Kirk's standing with Starfleet and his peers, I would think (e.g. commanding and retaining someone with Spock's reputation makes Kirk look good).

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Plus, I suppose if the people he goes to meet with already respect Spock, having heard of him, it'll smooth diplomacy over.

 

[Holopat]

I would say both. We know Spock's loyalty and ability are an enormous asset to Kirk's successful command in practical terms. The reputation would burnish Kirk's standing with Starfleet and his peers, I would think (e.g. commanding and retaining someone with Spock's reputation makes Kirk look good).

Assuming Spock was exec before Kirk took over (and in TOS alone, I think that was somewhat ambiguous whatever claims were later put forward) it might have been that Starfleet thought a logical unemotional exec might have been a good match. Possibly tone down Kirk's impetuousness. Though I think Kirk was conscious of his command and was less going by his gut and more military at first. Maybe, having Spock always around to give him the rock solid logical road ahead, gave Kirk more comfort when he chose to "feel his way" through a situation.