#anyway hope there's some kind of overlap between these fandoms besides me and maybe 3 other people idek

[jackymedan]

A Sign of Affection (or a Prelude to Lunch) - JackyMedan (AO3)

So on the one hand I drew this because I thought it would be adorable but on the other hand also because I accidentally made myself sad with the realisation of how bittersweet it would be for Ned to finally meet a dog half-wolf he could actually touch and hug back for once :'(... (Also just the idea of a Pushing Daisies/due South crossover kind of fascinates me in general because they have some interesting similarities if you think about it...)

So this happened... please send help..

[notyourprettyboyxo]

Sightless 3/?

Fandom - Marvel Cinematic Universe

Pairings - Steve Rogers x Reader, James “Bucky” Barnes x reader

Warnings - blind reader, mentions of assault and torture

Summary :

After escaping from Hydra, you take your place in the Avengers Tower, living amongst Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

An Agent of the fallen SHIELD, you fight against the effects of Hydra as you tried to right yourself after months of capture.

Upon meeting the famous Captain America and the Winter Soldier, you found yourself intrigued by more than just survival.

Chapter one Chapter two

A/N -- I have been writing scenes from the two different points of view, let me know if the overlapping narrative is annoying or doesn’t work! Also. There is a scene with Bucky in the next chapter!

----Cap-----

“Mr. Stark, there is an individual downstairs asking for Agent Barton.”The voice of JARVIS interrupted Tony halfway through his sentence.

Tony narrowed his eyes before shrugging, “guess that I’ll be right back….nobody should know that you’re here.” He said, nodding to Clint.

Steve glanced over at Clint who was watching Tony leave in confusion, “nobody knows I’m here,” he said aloud to no one in particular.

Sam shrugged, “maybe it’s just coincidence.”

“Agent Barton, Agent Romanoff, Mr. Stark has told me to tell you that there is someone by the name of Ace looking for you,” JARVIS said over the speaker. Clint stood up so fast his chair tipped over.

“Nat,” he choked, “it can’t be.” Steve’s eyes widened as he saw the vulnerability on two of the world’s most renowned assassins. Before he knew it they were gone. He looked at the others in confusion.

“What just happened?” he asked, trying to piece together the brief show of unexpected emotion.

“Probably some old friend,” Sam said, leaning back in his chair folding his hand behind his head.

Fifteen minutes had passed before Steve heard the elevator open. He pushed off the counter, coffee in hand, “What was all that about?”

Natasha and Tony walked out, his eyebrows rising when he saw the redness around Natasha’s eyes. They were all sitting down again when Clint came through the elevator, his eyes were rimmed in red.

“What happened?” Steve asked when all were sitting but no one was saying anything.

Natasha took a deep breath before standing, grasping the back of her chair she made eye contact with each of them, “there will be someone staying with us for the foreseeable future. If any of you have anything to say or disagree then we will be having a private word.” The threat obvious in her voice, her glare fierce. It wasn’t often that Steve felt fear, but at that moment a cold shiver of fear slid its way down his back.

“Who are they?” Sam asked, looking between Clint and Natasha.

Natasha glanced at Clint as if looking for permission but Clint answered instead, “my sister. We thought she was lost,” he took a deep breath, his voice becoming thick, “I mean. We were told she was lost in the fall of SHIELD. She’s back for however long she needs. She goes by Ace.”

“That’s a call for good news, right?” Sam said joyfully, “She’s back now, all is fine.”

“She was kept as a Prisoner of War since the fall of SHIELD up until now,” Natasha said flatly. Steve drew in a sharp breath, eight months as a prisoner of Hydra, the methods they employed could break the steadiest person.

“She’s welcome here. Let us know what we can do.” Steve said in the following silence.

Natasha nodded at him gratefully, mouthing a thank-you as she sat down. She gestured to Tony to continue the meeting. He cleared his throat before nodding, continuing the meeting from where he’d been before the interruption, “as I was saying before... there have been reports of a vigilante in Hell’s Kitchen. Known as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.”

The next day, Steve had been asked by Dr.Cho to come down for blood tests, Cho had been attempting to identify singular components of the serum, components that could be used to create medicines and help others.

On the way, Steve was overviewing reports from outlying SHIELD agents; not looking where he was walking when he ran into another body, “oh I’m sorry, I should have been watching where I was going.” He reached out to steady them.

She shook her head, her head turned in the other direction,  “No, I should have noticed. I’m trying to find the elevator but must have gotten turned around.”

“You just need to take the next right and you should be there soon. I’m Steve Rogers.”

He put his hand out towards her but she hadn’t seemed to notice.

“Thanks, nice to meet you, Rogers.” She said walking down the hall, one hand on the wall. Steve watched her go, confusion clear on his face. She had been wearing a SHIELD uniform. Maybe an outlying agent coming for treatment? He shrugged it away, continuing on his way.

Later he was leaving the elevator with Bucky, “Y’know Buck. Did you see how shaken Natasha and Clint were?”

Bucky shrugged, he’d been with the Avengers for six months now, Steve had found him two months after the fall of SHIELD. He was still acclimatizing to the time and social nature of this time, “Seemed personal.”

“Yeah. Have you seen this Ace person at all?”Steve asked, pulling coffee from the cabinet in the communal kitchen.

“No, probably staying in Clint’s room,” Bucky replied, his head whipped around and he tensed as the elevator door opened. As Clint and Natasha walked out he relaxed, still getting used to the constant amount of people but in a space without no threat. It had been an adjustment.

Steve grinned at them, “how’s it going?”

Natasha walked over to them as Clint walked through the room as if looking for something, “you haven’t seen anyone in here have you?”

Steve shook his head, “just Bucky and I.”

“JARVIS said she was here,” Clint said, walking back to them.

A quick glance around the room proved as such, “Did you look on the balcony?”

Clint’s eyes widened, “of course she’d be out there.” He turned and left without a word. Back minutes later with the same girl Steve had seen down in the med bay.

“Птичка, you can’t go off like that,” Natasha said, walking towards her. She narrowed her eyes at Natasha.

“Nat, I’m not glass. You know that. JARVIS told you where I was.” You had a kind voice. Natasha sighed and stepped away.

Clint placed a hand on her back to get her attention, “Ace, this is Captain America and the Winter Soldier.”

Steve smiled at her, “we met earlier in the med bay.” She put her hand out towards him to shake and he took it, shaking it briefly, “Just call me Steve and my grumpy pal over here is Bucky.” he said gesturing beside him.

---Ace---

“Ace, this is Captain America and the Winter Soldier,” Clint said, his hand turning you slightly.

The kind voice from the med bay earlier spoke, “We met earlier in the med bay.” You stuck your hand in his direction, hoping that he hadn’t done that. You could have extended your consciousness but you were out of habit and too exhausted for much more today.

The kind voice took your hand, his larger than yours, but he hadn’t shaken your hand too hard, “just call me Steve and my grumpy pal over here is Bucky.” You gave a small smile to the left of Steve.

“Nice to meet you both, I’m Ace. Thank you for allowing me to stay here.” You stepped away from Clint. You needed to show a level of independence.

“It’s all good Ace. Natasha and Clint didn’t offer us much of an option.” Steve said you could hear the smile in his voice.

“Did you threaten them?” You asked, turning back towards Clint.

“We’d made you a promise,” Clint said as a way of explanation. You sighed and turned back to the two men.

“If me being here is an issue, I can leave.” You said.

“No. No. Don’t do that, you’re staying here. We have too much space as it is.” Steve said, insisting, an unexpected hand placed on your shoulder and you reacted without thinking, pulling it forward and twisting to get leverage. You caught yourself just as you were about to push.

You let go quickly and stepped away, raising your hands in front of you. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking”

You heard him stand up, clearing his throat he said,, “It’s all good.” there was a tone of confusion in his voice.

“You’re blind.” Came a voice from beside Steve, the one you guessed was Bucky. It was low, husky, it sounded like it wasn’t used to speaking.

You turned towards him and nodded, “I am.”

“Oh shit.” Came from Steve, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you.”

You shook your head, “no. I shouldn’t have reacted that way.”

He didn’t say anything, it was how it always was. Once they found out that you were blind, they treated you differently. Reacted differently to everything you did. You sighed, turning back to Clint, “should we finish the tour?”

Clint’s hand settled on her back and he tapped a response, ‘we’ll leave’. You nodded gratefully and followed when he led you out, “Nice to meet you both.” You said as you reached the elevator.

“You should have seen Steve’s face Ace,” Clint said, finally letting out the laugh.

“Nice twist,” Natasha said, clapping you on the back.

You sighed, “this is going to go really well isn’t it?” but you couldn’t help but smile a little at their laughter.

“Steve was so surprised! Oh, Ace. This is going to be fun.” Clint said laughing.

“Yeah yeah. It’ll be great.” You said sarcastically, walking out when the doors opened. No idea where you were. But upon entrance, you could sense a large cavernous space.

“Oh Птичка, it’ll be fun.” Natasha said following you in, “anyways this is the training center.” You followed her into the room space. You’d have to come back when you were less exhausted.

“Can we start tomorrow?” You asked, wanting to start feeling in control again.

Clint responded, “yes, of course. We’ll start on the basics.”

“Thank you.” You said, giving him a small smile, “I think it’s best if I go to bed now.”

“Oh yeah, okay. Sounds good.” Clint responded and you followed him to the elevator. Quickly going to his floor and saying your goodbyes to the two as you went to your room.

-- Cap --

“You’re blind,”  Bucky said from beside Steve. Steve shot a look to Bucky, about to berate him for being so rude, just as she responded.

“I am.” Ace said, now looking at Bucky...No. Looking in the direction of Bucky. She’d followed his voice, but Steve saw now that her eyes weren’t focussing on him.

How couldn’t he have seen it before? “Oh shit. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you.” Steve found himself speaking before he’d even thought about his words. Her reaction to his hand on her shoulder made even more sense now. She hadn’t been expecting it and she was a SHIELD agent. Trained to react on contact.

Ace was shaking her head, “no. I shouldn’t have reacted that way.” Steve didn’t know what to say, he ran his hand over his face, trying to find the right words for the situation when Ace looked to Clint, “should we finish the tour?”

Clint hadn’t said anything in the exchange, his narrowed eyes had watched Steve’s but at her words, he nodded; gesturing to Natasha, he placed a hand on her back and together they left to the elevator.

Steve watched her go, “nice to meet you both,” she called back as they reached the elevator. Steve was about to respond but the doors had closed and you were gone.

He turned to Bucky, “blind? How didn’t I see that?” He asked, putting his head in his hands.

“She never made eye contact. Only faced you once you said something.” Bucky said, placing a hand on his shoulder, “she took you down pretty good though.” He said, and as Steve looked up he saw the grin on Bucky’s face.

Steve let out a laugh, “yeah. Yeah, I guess she did. Nat won’t let me forget about that one for a while.”

Bucky snorted, “not at all.”

Sighing he eyed Bucky, “don’t act all cocky. You couldn’t even say a word.”

“I didn’t have to, you said quite enough for both of us,” he said, laughing.

“Fuck off Bucky,” Steve grumbled, walking away from the still chucking Bucky.

Tags : @butteryoptimisticpeanut   @superl-awesome

[thesearchforspirk]

1 x 1 : Where No Man Has Gone Before {Subtext Study}

As we’re going in production order (which seems to produce a more linear story) the story of Gary Mitchell and his tinfoil eyes is where we’ll begin this journey into Star Trek subtext. There’s quite a bit in this episode to wade through, particularly of the homoromantic quality, so let’s get started. 

Tellingly, perhaps, our episode opens on our two main objects of study playing their beloved three-dimensional chess. As someone who has been in Spirk fandom for awhile now, I can attest that 3D chess is mentioned as an activity Kirk and Spock engage in together in their recreation hours in about 99.9% of fanfics (logically, the chances of them having recreation hours that overlap with one another is about slim to none, given their respective positions, but a little willing suspension of disbelief never hurt anyone). However, I think we only see them actually play it in-canon in about 2-3 episodes total, if that. 

Still, there’s something significant about the choice of chess as a game for these two to engage in and this particular game’s history as a means of courtship and flirtation. 

This is also our first indication that Spock adheres strongly to the fact that he’s Vulcan and “without” emotions and that Kirk delights in teasing him about the fact. “Certain you don’t know what irritation is?” Kirk asks, knowingly, with a shit-eating grin after he makes a move that Spock wasn’t anticipating (having already smugly announced he would have Kirk check-mated in his next move). The banter here relies heavily on the natural affection between the two of them, that which the script wants the audience to be aware of. Though Spock alleges to be immune to emotions he is clearly anything but, and yet, Kirk finds an affectionate delight in this fact. He’s allowed to rib Spock a little bit about this without threat of any real offense, indicating a very high level of trust between them.

Certainly this could be the banter of two who are just friends and have no unspoken attraction or romantic interest between them, but talk like this often manifests as flirtation as well. Kirk’s decidedly sultry smirks at Spock (the first of thousands that would proceed them in the next few decades of material) and his huskier tone of voice are interesting acting choices for Shatner to have made if he hadn’t intended to play Kirk as flirty in this scene. 

As I will often disclaim, I’m not suggesting that the original intent was the same as the interpretation I’m asserting here. What I am saying is that the evidence for a layer of flirtation is there, be it intentional or not, and to not at least acknowledge it is to ignore the obvious. 

Moving on!

Kirk has been attempting to stay alert for any news about a recently heard Earth distress signal (despite the -ahem- distractions). News of said distress signal finally comes in, interrupting this little verbal tango between our boys, and Kirk and Spock rush to the transporter room to find an old-style ship recorder. Spock asserts that due to the damage on the object it’s likely that something happened to the ship (in the vein of blowing up or whatever I guess). The recorder begins transmitting a signal as soon as Scotty starts feeding tapes into the computer and Kirk puts the ship on red alert. 

Enter Gary Mitchell, barely missing the turbolift ride alongside our boys. It’s made obvious right away that Gary and Jim are close from the casual way they greet and chat about ship stuff even under red alert. Gary then turns his attentions to Spock and, weirdly, sort of sizes him up before asking in a more straightforward tone “So, you finished the game?”. Spock nods and moves forward to the doors preemptively while explaining, “[Kirk] played most illogically. His next move should’ve been the rook.” Behind Spock’s back, Kirk grins and makes a throat-cutting motion to Gary to subtly indicate Spock’s obvious loss. 

When I first saw this episode, and each time I return to it after a prolonged absence, I always initially get a sort of antagonistic vibe between Spock and Gary. On my original watch I thought it was going to be some sort of bigotry thing on Gary’s behalf against Spock’s being a Vulcan (which does happen with a different character in a different episode) but that ends up not being the case here. We really have no reason to believe there’s anything antagonistic between them, at least nothing that’s addressed directly.

(note Kirk’s got another amused, if not sultry look for Spock here)

The likelihood is that Spock’s cold retreat to the turbolift doors is more attempt to escape mention of his chess defeat than anything else. Gary’s once over of him, however, and hard tone of voice might suggest something else. Could be an organic jealousy in the fact that they share a mutual, close friend and seem to be on equal levels of bonding with the same person, but don’t seem to have much in common with one another and occupy awkward spaces beside him, sort of privately elbowing one another for the same category in Jim Kirk’s life. But what is that category, exactly? Is it just one of platonic friendship or something else?

A common argument against Kirk/Spock is the assertion that Jim (specifically) is clearly a lover of women and has never taken a male lover in canon and so must be, therefore, purely heterosexual and uninterested in men. This is a bit of fallacy in an of itself because 1) of course we never saw Kirk take a male lover in any sort of obvious way, this was a show produced in the 60′s for godssake, 2) Kirk’s frequent and, presumably exclusive, taking of female lovers doesn’t necessarily exclude him from being able to find men attractive and enjoy romantic/physical relationships with them, 3) most of the time when Kirk would take a female lover it was to gain something for the purpose of a mission; only rarely was he actually indulging in sincere feeling or attraction. 

All that said, there is an argument that Gary Mitchell might be the earliest precedent and indication that Kirk has taken at least one male lover before and, therefore, has a history of finding men physically and romantically attractive. Due to the attitudes of the time it’s purely speculation based on subtext and ambiguity, but one I’ll explore here as we learn more about Gary and Jim and their history together. 

In any case, I will also add that sexuality is fluid and being attracted exclusively to one gender for most of one’s life doesn’t mean that one may never find themselves drawn to something different at some point. Even if Kirk had never taken a male lover, had never found men attractive in any way prior to Spock, it doesn’t mean that Spock couldn’t have been an exception. I would also assume at this point in earth’s social development that relationships of all kinds between consenting adults are accepted with much more open minds, that any bigotry that might keep someone from indulging in or owning up to a desire would no longer exist. Food for thought. Back to our regular programming. 

The three men go to the bridge and take their respective places. Kirk orders neutral warp at the edge of the galaxy and puts out a ship-wide message that the disaster recorder came from the SS Valiant two hundred years ago, the hope being that more insight will eventually be granted to them as to what happened to said ship. Meanwhile, Spock continues to have no luck with the burnt out tapes. 

The department heads arrive on the bridge as ordered and we meet Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, a psychiatrist that recently joined the crew. Sidenote: if the Enterprise was ever granted a psychiatrist to replace her after this episode (spoiler alert) they certainly aren’t part of the ‘department heads’ club as we never meet them- maybe due to the events of this episode, who knows, but I can at least hope the Enterprise continued to value the mental health of her crew members despite all that. I digress. 

Spock announces that the recorder has finally begun to transmit something and Kirk steps up behind him at the science station because it’s absolutely 100% necessary to the mission. Completely. Because it’s not as if Kirk would probably have been able to hear him fine from his chair or anything. 

(okay, this one is just me being a bit silly but STILL, really now, Jim)

Dr. Dehner expresses an interest in knowing how the crew of SS Valiant might have fared psychologically under the distress. Gary Mitchell expresses his respect of his female crewmen and women in senior positions of power by openly flirting with her in front of the crew and then, just as openly in front of the Captain, calling her a “walking freezer unit” when she doesn’t reciprocate. He even makes ‘ooo ice queen’ face at Kirk after she rebuffs him. Nowadays that would probably, hopefully, rightfully so be grounds for sexual harassment and something Kirk would’ve had a responsibility to shut down right then and there, but y’know. 60′s. Women in power are scary so we have to knock them down a peg. 

Weird how Star Trek is meant to take place in a more open-minded, less bigoted, socially progressive time in our future, but is still sometimes a product of the generation it was produced in. I love it regardless, of course.

Anyway, Spock begins to relay the spotty transmitted information; apparently the Valiant encountered a magnetic storm and then, for reasons that are unclear, began frantically searching for information on ESP in humans. Kirk asks Dr. Dehner about this and she helpfully explains that some humans can indeed see future events, but that the ability is never very strong. Spock continues that one crewman seemed to have recovered and that was when the frantic search for ESP info began, followed by an apparent self-destruct order from the Captain. Unnerved by this, Kirk orders that they leave the galaxy at warp factor 1.

Unfortunately, a magnetic force field appears right about then and the two women on the bridge grab the hands of the men nearest to them because, obviously, right? 60′s. Gary and Dr. Dehner are struck by the magnetic surges while the rest of the bridges’ control panels get various levels of fucked up. Even still, the Enterprise makes it through the storm and Kirk orders Spock to collect damage reports (with a very necessary and much needed hand on his shoulder, naturally). He then checks on Dr. Dehner (who appears to be fine) and then Gary, whose head he lovingly cradles in his hands.

(This tender moment only goes on to show us that Gary has spooky tinfoil eyes now!!! Can’t even imagine how painful those archaic contacts must have been for the actor.) 

Upon return from commercial break, Kirk informs the audience that the Enterprise’s main engines and warp drive have been fucked beyond use. He also has Spock checking out Gary and Dr. Dehner’s records for ESP ratings, only to see that they have some of the highest on the ship (these must be old records though because there’s no way those two are 23 and 21 years old, respectively, at the time of this episode- SORRY, BUT TRUE), concluding that this must be why they were shocked and lived to talk about it. Dr. Dehner returns with autopsy results on the deceased, informing that their brains were burned out with the electric shock. She also vehemently defends ESP ability against Kirk and Spock who are suspicious of whether or not ‘espers’ are dangerous. 

Kirk then goes to check on Gary who’s been under medical observation and we’re granted a deeper insight into their friendship.  

Gary somehow knows it’s Kirk before he sees him or allows him to say anything. He points out that Jim looks worried and Jim replies with a knowing smile, “I’ve been worried about you ever since that night on Deneb IV.” Gary laughs and looks down coquettishly. “Yeah, she was nova, that one.” The fact that we have no idea what they’re talking about and that this conversation barely makes any sense of is no real importance. We’re not supposed to understand. This is meant to feel like listening to two friends who’ve known each other so long and so well they’re almost speaking a shared, exclusive language about experiences and jokes only they understand. Gary talks some about his weird eyes and then he goes back to teasing Kirk. Apparently our strapping Captain was something of a bookworm nerd back in his academy days, who knew?? (His bookishness happens to be one of my favorite aspects of Kirk’s character and one that history so often forgets in favor of him being some kind of machoman womanizer- ugh) To this teasing Kirk responds with a blush that would rival that of a school girl with a crush on her teacher.

(tee hee OH GARY STOP IT) 

Gary mentions how he “aimed that little blonde lab technician” at Kirk probably to distract him from being too tough in his student-teaching position, to which the latter responds with, “You what??!” “Yep. I outlined her whole campaign for her.” “I almost married her!” So, we know Kirk likes the intelligent types as much as he is one himself. Fascinating. (Sidenote: I personally headcanon that the “little blonde lab technician” was Ruth that Kirk ‘sees’ in Shore Leave, but that’s for another episode discussion) Gary warns Kirk to be good to him because he’s “getting even better ideas” now. He also has a forebodingly echo-y voice now to indicate to a wary Kirk that shit’s about to get real.

So, what’s the deal with Jim and Gary? Everything is played rather ambiguously between them, certainly in no small part to indicate to us, the audience, that they’re close and have been for years. To have them discuss blatantly spelled out exposition of their shared past would feel in-organic and I’m glad the Star Trek writers chose ambiguity for this reason. But this ambiguity, plus the sultry way Gary teases Kirk and the affectionate, bashful blushes and smiles he gets in return could easily indicate that their friendship may not be platonic (or perhaps it is now, but hasn’t always been- maybe there was some sexual exploration together at the academy and feelings due to this that Kirk never really shook). There’s subtext enough here to believe so, I think. I’ll leave it to the reader to decide whether or not Gary could qualify as one of the earliest indications that Jim may not be so immune to masculine charms as history would so direly like for us to believe.

Anyway, Kirk returns to the bridge to find Spock watching Gary’s superhuman reading speed that is ever increasing. Spock pointedly asks the rhetorical question, “Is that Gary Mitchell? The one you used to know?”. A rather...knowing question for a being that claims to not understand or experience emotions. Kirk orders a 24 hour watch on Sickbay and all the examinations and tests possible. Gary then looks over at the viewing screen, right at Kirk, as if to suggest he knows he’s being watched.

Back in Sickbay proper Dr. Dehner has arrived to...probably do an examination or something but she’s not coming off as 100% professional. Since she’s being a little bit more receptive now Gary reluctantly apologizes for having called her a “walking freezer unit” and she assures him that “women professionals do tend to overcompensate”. Once again, this has been obligatory misogyny thanks to the 60′s!!! This little song and dance continues between them as Gary changes the readings on his vitals panel and pretends to be dead (just to get Dr. Dehner close to him- smooth, buddy) and recites a love sonnet at random from memory (that was actually written by Roddenberry himself when he was an aviator- the more you know!). 

It’s funny how het flirtation in this show is only different for being more blatant in dialogue and sometimes physicality. The acting choices, reactions, tone of voice, expressions, etc, are pretty much the same when the subtext suggests it’s two men flirting. Just saying.

Lt. Kelso comes in to check on Gary and Gary informs him exactly what’s wrong with the engine. Have you gathered yet that this guy has special powers now? Gee, I hope so, because it’s not as if the show has been making that abundantly clear. 

The Department Heads once again meet in the...meeting room, I suppose, Lt. Kelso showing via a blown circuit that Gary was right somehow. Dr. Dehner is late because she’s apparently in love with Gary now to the point of throwing all sense of professionalism out the window; when Spock points out Gary is transforming into something unnatural, Dehner chides him for not showing more compassion despite those on his planet not having feelings like “we” do. Kirk naturally jumps to his defense and Dehner continues in her tirade, chiding Kirk also for not ‘caring more’ about his close friend. Kirk justifiably reminds her that he and Spock are just doing their damn jobs, lady, JESUS. Also what happened to the professional that wisely rebuffed Gary’s attempts to openly flirt with her in front of her colleagues back at the beginning of the episode? I’m more concerned about Dehner’s changing personality at this point, tbh. 

It soon becomes clear that Dehner’s been withholding information about Gary’s abilities. Her defense for having done this is that maybe a superhuman man would be really great thing, guys, like a better kind of human being. There’s a long, awkward, uncomfortable pause while everyone in the room gawps at the fucked up eugenics bullshit she just spouted out and it’s kind of a glorious moment, honestly. Instead, offers Spock, Gary’s power will likely grow beyond their ability to thwart him and they will become a nuisance to him and who knows what kind of shit will go down then.  Kirk dismisses his Department Heads with the instructions not to tell any of the crew about this. 

Kirk solemnly wanders off to the side, lost in thought and no doubt conflicted about possibly having to watch someone he, well, loves (in what way is up to you) change into a monster. Spock, who can’t seem to go a minute of screentime without himself or some other character reminding us that he supposedly can’t feel or doesn’t understand earth emotions or whatever, stops dead in his tracks and slowly turns around to his Captain. Something has compelled him to stay back and continue talking to Kirk and it certainly wasn’t an order. 

(the emotionless, stoic Vulcan who can supposedly feel nothing ever looks on concerned for his friend and captain. Does anyone in the crew really buy that no emotions story or-...?)

Spock basically restates what Kirk likely already knows (that Gary is dangerous, duh) and we also hear the first very important, vulnerable use of the name “Jim” instead of Captain. They’re alone, after all, and despite all protestations Spock knows how this affects his friend and cares about that. Deeply, perhaps. Even still, Spock isn’t one for soothing platitudes. He elects instead to remind Kirk of the facts of the situation and when he’s defensively asked to provide suggestions and not just state the obvious, Spock says they can basically maroon Gary on the planet they need the lithium crystals from or they can kill him. No pressure, Jim.

Kirk is upset by all of this so he tells Spock to “get out of here” and Spock insists that those are the choices, whether he likes it or not. “Would you try for one moment to feel?” Kirk rallies back, though he seems more sad than angry. “At least act like you’ve got a heart...we’re talking about Gary...” Spock says that the Captain of the Valiant probably felt the same way- and look at where the waiting got him! Spock also says he thinks he and Kirk probably came to the same conclusion. From the look on Kirk’s face we can assume Spock is right about that.

It’s interesting in this scene that the one thing we already know Kirk finds endearing about Spock -his defensive need for logic in any situation- is the one thing that irritates him enough here to throw back in Spock’s face when he presents the cold hard facts about their situation. However, we as the audience should know by now that the fact Spock was affected and moved enough by Kirk’s mood to stay back and talk to him in private indicates that he does care a great deal. What’s more, that logical perspective, rather than some simpering “poor you” sympathy speech, is exactly what Kirk needed to get his head back in the game and do what needed to be done.

This is the part where I’d go so far as to say Spock has been a better friend (boyfriend, in time) to Kirk than Gary probably ever was. Granted, most of what we’ve seen of Gary thus far has been under the influence of the evil tinfoil eyes, but we do know that Gary was one for toying with Kirk’s emotions to get him to behave a certain way (the “little blonde lab technician”). Gary is even more charismatic than Kirk and one gets the impression he knew what to say to get what he wanted long before the powers. Perhaps Gary was good at telling Kirk what he wanted to hear. Spock tells Kirk what he needs to hear and cares enough about him to bother.

In any case, the decision is made; Kirk will attempt to maroon Gary on the uninhabited lithium mining planet. He, Spock and Dr. Dehner return to Sickbay to retrieve him and Gary has become as cocky as he is powerful. He can read thoughts now so when Kirk asks him what he’d do in this position, Gary says, “Probably just what Spock is thinking now. Kill me, while you still can.” He smiles knowingly as Kirk goes and gives Spock a reproachful, sort of scolding head shake, but no sooner does Kirk come back that Gary strikes him with some kind of electric shock. Was this manipulative little smile just a result of evil tin foil eyes or was this some of a rivalry with Spock resurfacing? Hard to say for sure, as we don’t know much about Gary Mitchell prior to the evil powers. 

Once Kirk is struck, Spock, the emotionless Vulcan who we can only assume has no impulse to act on, jumps quickly into action with his phaser because like hell you’re going to strike the Captain and get away with it. He too is struck.

(omg so emotionless, you guys)

Gary goes on some more about how powerful he is and how he needs the right world for his ends when Spock and Kirk somehow take him by surprise and restrain him to the bed (despite the fact that he’s supposed to have super perception and strength, but the plot needs to move after all). They also manage to somehow get him to stand up straight for the transporter despite being unconscious but, again, whatever. 

Everyone beams down and Gary is put in a cell while attempts are made to salvage parts for the engines. Gary attempts some carefully worded manipulation on Kirk, recalling the time he intercepted some poison darts aimed at Kirk and nearly died from it, so why should he fear him now? Kirk calls Gary out on his true intentions and the ego that’s grown along with his powers betrays him when he attempts to launch out beyond the electric barrier. The shock drains his power and for a moment he returns to normal.

As Gary’s eyes return to their familiar brown, he says in a very small, soft, almost frightened voice, “Jim...” and we’re granted a much more vulnerable insight into the depth of his feelings for his friend. Perhaps there was some amount of manipulation to their relationship all along, exacerbated now by the god-like powers, but in this very brief moment we’re allowed to believe that perhaps Gary really did care for Jim in a sincere way as Jim so obviously cares for him. Masterful acting, that.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t last. When Gary’s eyes change back he hisses, “I’ll only get stronger. You know that, don’t you?”. Later, Scotty informs Kirk that the salvaged switchboard fits the Enterprise’s bridge and asks if Spock received the phaser rifle he ordered down. Kirk is confused for a moment until Spock shows up with the aforementioned rifle and he’s angered by this. He stomps over to a corner, followed by Spock who explains his reasoning in that Gary keeps getting closer to escaping the force field. 

“Dr. Dehner thinks he isn’t that dangerous, what makes you right and a trained psychiatrist wrong?” Kirk argues.  

“Because she feels, I don’t. All I know is logic. In my opinion we’d be lucky if we could repair this ship and get away in time.” 

Kirk checks on the now completed self-destruct button that Lt. Kelso has rigged up. He shares a long look with Spock before reluctantly ordering the lieutenant to press the button if Mitchell escapes and there’s no other alternative. 

This conversation between them is interesting because they’re essentially both avoiding the truths of their respective situations. Kirk sounds not unlike Dr. Dehner did when she was arguing for Gary’s innocence; desperate, emotional, smart enough to know better but compromised enough to convince herself differently. Of course, her arguments were fueled by romantic affection and Kirk’s could easily just be that of a strong platonic bond but...the fact that there’s a parallel between them is interesting. 

Meanwhile, the audience should be well aware by now that Spock is quite capable of feeling and acts on those feelings and impulses more than he’d like to admit. I think on some level he and Kirk both know this, so arguing that he “doesn’t feel” wouldn’t really be a convincing argument in this case for someone who knows him so well, if it was meant literally. I think what is really being said here is that Spock isn’t so deeply emotionally compromised by Gary, whereas Kirk and Dr. Dehner are (but not both romantically? Hard to believe). Spock can see and own the difficult truth of the situation where Kirk cannot, or, rather, will not. 

Unfortunately this plan doesn’t work out because Gary becomes wise and takes control of some wires to strangle and kill Lt. Kelso. Back at the cell Dr. Dehner continues to argue that he isn’t dangerous and Gary 100% backs her up on this by electrocuting and knocking out Kirk, and then Spock (who of course tries to shoot him with the phaser rifle after he dares to harm the captain). Dr. Dehner finally joins Gary and reveals that she, too, now has tinfoil eyes. SPOOKY.

Later, the not-McCoy doctor comes to tend to the unconscious Kirk and Spock. Kirk wakes first but asks that the doctor not revive Spock until after he’s left to go after Gary- further evidence to the fact that Kirk is well aware Spock feels and acts on something other than logic, particularly where his Captain’s well-being is concerned; either Spock would try to stop him or come with him for protection, but either way Kirk isn’t risking it. 

Elsewhere on the planet Dehner and Gary are meandering around exchanging awkward dialogue, making the artificial plant section of Hobby Lobby appear around them and eating fruit and drinking water because apparently despite having god-like powers they still need the essentials to survive. Kirk does a poor job of hunting them from the shadows; they don’t need god-like extra perception to hear Kirk stumbling around, knocking over rocks and otherwise letting the whole planet know of what he’s doing. Gary tells Dehner to go talk to him so she can see “just how unimportant they are”. 

The conversation that ensues is the kind that really elevates and defines Star Trek where it is in the pop culture subconscious, one that makes it more than just space people in space doing space things, a layer of complexity that I think has been lost in the translation to the frankly horrific ‘rebooted’ series (my opinion, your mileage may vary). Dehner insists that what Gary is doing is right for her and him and other powerful Espers like them, they are where it will take humanity eons to reach in evolution, but Kirk insists this isn’t true. Though Gary may have ‘god-like’ powers, he still has his inner human frailties and demons that his growing ego won’t resist. A true God needs compassion and wisdom to temper those powers. He begs Dehner to think about this like a psychiatrist would- logically, perhaps? Indeed, Kirk is pulling from that logical need Spock has aptly reminded him of. 

Gary finds them again and physically forces Kirk to ‘pray’ to him while assuring him of his inevitable death. Kirk challenges Dehner in asking her if she likes what she’s seeing, “corrupt power corrupting absolutely”. She decidedly does not and finally strikes Gary with her own powers to stop him. He strikes back and weakens her significantly, but she’s done the same to him and this gives Kirk and opportunity to show off his infamous fighting skills, get his shirt ripped open, and straddle his probable former lover in the sand. Not the first time he’ll have borderline erotic fight like this with another man. In the end, he manages to trap and I guess kill Gary in the burial plot made for him. A strategically placed boulder is all that’s needed to stop god-like powers, I’ll have to jot that one down.

(there’s no good reason for this picture other than Shatner was a really hot piece of ass back then and I like to appreciate that from time to time)

The fight has weakened Dehner too much and she dies too, as I clumsily alluded to happening earlier in this write up. 

Kirk returns to the ship and adds Dehner and Gary to the list of official losses and ends their service records with the honorable notation that they gave their lives in performance of their duties. Spock, looking concerned, seems to sense the difficulty in this for Kirk and comes to stand silently beside him- a subtle gesture of support and condolence, and it would seem sufficient at that, but then he goes on to assure Kirk that, “I felt for him too” where concerned Gary’s helplessness to the power. 

Kirk seems a little stunned at the confession, but the smirk that follows says that he isn’t surprised and is furthermore pleased that Spock would openly admit what he already knows so well. “I believe there is some hope for you yet, Mr. Spock,” he subtly teases with a private grin and knowing look. Spock smiles too, but not until he’s looking forward where no one can really see, not even his Captain. 

Certainly there’s a message in this episode about how absolute power needs morality and compassion in equal measure, but there’s also an interesting disparity between Kirk’s two closest ‘friends’. Even before the god-like powers, Gary is very charismatic and knows exactly what to say to make Kirk grin and blush and giggle, whereas Spock is very honest, straightforward, and no nonsense. Gary seems as if he was always emotionally an open book, whereas Spock for many reasons comes across as emotionally unavailable (even if that isn’t really true). 

Assuming that there was perhaps a romantic, sexual history with Gary and Jim, it would be a natural assumption that Gary allowed Kirk ‘close’ to him pretty early on, though I think the genuineness of that relationship is difficult to really call for sure. Certainly there was a strong bond between them that I don’t doubt the honesty of, but I get the distinct impression that Gary probably did a lot in the way of bait and switch, reeling Kirk in and then pushing him back out when it suited him, manipulating him from time to time.

Spock, meanwhile, is the exact opposite. Not very charismatic, tells Jim what he needs to hear rather than what he wants to, insists despite the bond growing between them and the feelings and impulses that he acts on that he can’t feel. Or rather, won’t admit that he does. Perhaps this has created something of a frustrating barrier for Jim, always feeling as if he’s distant from Spock where Gary would let him in so readily. 

However by the end, it becomes clear that despite his insistence to the contrary,  Spock is the more devoted, the more caring, the more dependable ‘friend’, and maybe Kirk has decided he is more than willing to go the extra mile, however long it takes, to help Spock coax down those walls if he so wishes to further their bond...in whatever form that may take. 

Thanks for joining me on this long ass study of Where No Man Has Gone Before. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and feelings on the episode, what I’ve made of it, things I may have missed, etc. HMU! 

Join me next time for a similarly long write-up and subtext evaluation of The Corbomite Manuever.