MOVIE NEWS – Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has provided multiple hints towards why Kirk and Spock became best friends. With the first appearance of Captain Kirk in the Star Trek universe taking place in Strange New Worlds, these clues begin to paint a clearer picture of the friendship between Captain Kirk and Commander Spock.

The shared interests of Captain Kirk and Commander Spock play a large role in their eventual friendship, with three-dimensional chess being a key bonding activity. The relationship between Kirk and his brother Sam, rooted in their mutual antagonism towards their father and shared successes, also helps to deepen their bond. Spock and Kirk find common ground in their frustration with Sam, highlighting shared experiences that would solidify their friendship.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has hinted at the shared interests that led to the deep friendship between Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy). The closing scene of the sixth episode of the second season of Strange New Worlds introduced Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) and Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck) to the Star Trek canon, thanks to Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). Kirk had previously expressed interest in Uhura’s “Vulcan boyfriend” when he observed Spock playing three-dimensional chess with his new girlfriend, Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush).

Alongside introducing Kirk to Uhura and Spock, and the USS Enterprise itself, the sixth episode of the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds also explored the relationship between Jim and his brother, Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte). The fraternal rivalry between the Kirk brothers is captivating, with their relationship with their father, George Kirk, being the root cause. Jim’s older brother is concerned about living up to the name of George Samuel Kirk and resents his rise through the ranks of Starfleet. The brothers have another argument moments before Kirk and Spock’s first meeting, pointing to another commonality between the two Star Trek legends.

Previously in the sixth episode of the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Uhura discussed her unsettling visions with Spock and Chapel while they were playing chess. Kirk observed the game from the bar after another clash with Sam. Noting that “your Vulcan friend needs to defend his queen”, the Starfleet rogue targets not Chapel, but rather showcases his own considerable skills as a chess player. This sets up Kirk and Spock’s first shared Star Trek scene, with both men playing three-dimensional chess in “Where No Man Has Gone Before”.

The alternative timeline Kirk had already showcased his chess-playing skills in the third episode of the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, so it seems likely this will be further developed in the continuation of SNW. If Kirk proves to be a worthy chess opponent for Spock, it could form a strong basis for their partnership on the deck of the USS Enterprise. With only seven years of chess-playing left before Kirk takes command of the Enterprise, both men will have plenty of opportunities to see how the other reacts when backed into a corner.

Even before the two men ever play chess, Spock has already found common ground with Jim – shared frustration regarding Kirk’s brother, Sam Kirk. In a previous episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “Charades”, Spock’s temporary humanity allowed him to unload on Sam for his disruptive behavior in class meetings. Spock’s frustration was so intense that it took two of his fellow officers to hold him back, so his agreement with Jim’s assessment that Sam is “frustrating” is well-founded.

Kirk clearly finds his older brother frustrating, as Sam resents him for his successes. It’s fair to say Kirk does himself no favors by refusing to congratulate Sam on his upcoming paper on the Bannon extraterrestrials, and he seems bored by his brother’s choice of career. Still, Sam’s constant worry about living up to their father’s legacy and being overshadowed by his younger brother, Jim, must be exhausting for Kirk. While Spock never shares this information with Kirk, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds reminded viewers of Spock’s own complicated relationship with both his brother and his father, showing he has much in common with his future best friend.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds airs on Skyshowtime every Thursday.