Why no THOLIAN instructions for Scotty?

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Think you answered your own question right there.

 

Scotty already knows his shit, simple as that.

 

In the beginning, it was assumed that the stories would dictate which episodes needed the doctor or chief engineer or both, and that in some episodes they would not be required. Regarding Sulu and Uhura, they were just Kirk's chauffeur and switchboard operator. Anybody could sit in those chairs-- literally anybody who fit a costume.

Then GR apparently decided that DeForest Kelley was a star of the show rather than a character actor, so every episode had to have a doctor part. Jimmy Doohan never quite got there, but his strong character portrayal, combined with his character's rank, gave him an edge over the other supporting actors.

 

Scotty knew his shit and didn't need told what to do

 

It was a story convention to get Spock and McCoy to make up and start working together. I don't think about it any more deeply than that.

 

I've always thought that it was a nice character moment for all three of them.

 

Kirk knew Scotty already figured out where Kirk kept his stash of Saurian Brandy.

 

but would Scott move up to first officer?

Spock nicely handled the double job of being first officer and science officer (both involved being on the bridge a lot). But would Scotty be similarly able to be both first officer and chief engineer, from opposite ends of the ship?

Or would a different officer (one of the ship's commanders/lieutenant commanders) be moved into the first officer's slot.

Leaving Scott in engineering.

 

And, some would argue, also gave him an edge over McCoy as written, at least (somewhat) until the third season, when the writers (mostly) figured out how to make McCoy less of a jerk toward Spock. But Scott was always depicted as more of a military man with discipline to match than even Spock, let alone McCoy.

 

McCoy is not in line of command, but Kirk has found him very valuable, personally, as an advisor. Spock and McCoy, OTOH, have had their differences. Basically Kirk is asking McCoy to shift that advisory role over to Spock, and for Spock to be receptive to it, for the good of the command.

Whatever Scotty needs to know, as the new second in command, he will get from Spock. Scotty is a total pro and will support Spock in every way (see The Galileo Seven), and Kirk knows that.

 

I would think that would have been the decision of the acting CO (Spock) until the ship returned to a starbase and/or received official orders for its personnel.

 

I've never been too thrilled with that character or his casting, which was done by seeing only one actor and hiring him on the spot. It strikes me as hurried and slapdash. I see it as a missed opportunity to think up a better character, and to find a performer who could bring in a special charisma, and perhaps gender balance or other kind of balance on top of that.

Imagine if Kirk had been written up and cast with as little care. And if Chekov was "not that important," then why bring him in at all? If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

 

I always figured Kirk's "Last Will and Testament" was intended for his closest friends, and of everyone on the ship, those are Spock and McCoy.Spock is of course doubly-qualified by virtue of being the new captain.

Perhaps he had an alternate tape to be played in the event that Spock was not in a position to succeed him?

 

<shrug> They were more interested in trying to get some of the Davy Jones heat from The Monkees than anything else, so they cast an actor who looked a bit like Jones. It's not that complicated.

 

It's just frustrating, because a show like Star Trek deserved more attention to quality. If they could get guest stars as good as Sally Kellerman, Marianna HIll, and Diana Muldaur, with stage presence, charisma, and added balance, why couldn't they do as well when bringing in a new regular?

 

Roddenberry wanted his mistress to play the first officer on the show. Quality wasn't always his #1 priority.

 

Kirk probably had a box full of tapes, to cover most any situation. “Mr. Kyle, you’re in command now, however if you need advice, seek out Mr. Leslie...”

 

I think Walter Koenig did a good job with what little he was given. The Chekov character had more background and development than poor Sulu, for instance, but that isn’t saying much.

 

"Kirky"?