"If You Don't Get Him to Vulcan Within A Week Eight Days At the Outside, He'll Die." Dr. McCoy

Star Trek The Original Series Season 2 Episode 1 Amok Time

[@jkorshak]

In the old tv guides listing programs with brief descriptions, this episode was often described as, "Mr. Spock gets a mating urge and attacks Captain Kirk."

[@SvendleBerries]

lol

[@wellzy999]

Hahahaha😂😂😂😂

[@blockmasterscott]

I remember those!

[@CountArtha]

They knew _exactly_ what they were doing with that one.

[@Blue-mj5gm]

😏😏

[@Sheehan1]

“Come on Spock. Yield to the logic of the situation.” The quality of the writing and the characterisation are still so fresh and wonderful

[@keetrandling4530]

The kindest thing Bones ever said to his friend: "Yield to the logic of the situation"

[@georgehenderson7783]

In these scenes from 1:20 to 5:09 in this episode McCoy praises Spock though not directly to him - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmaTamyOlK1kfMU In this scene from 3:42 McCoy apologizes to Spock kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ3UkGWhmcqrpLM

[@captcorajus]

0:40 I love Kirk's, "you're in trouble" stand, and the tone of his voice when he says, "Come with me please." Cracks me up. I've heard that tone a few times myself.

[@datbtch522]

After seeing this clip I now know what you mean

[@startrekiscool_123]

I like that part 😂 he looks small a little

[@christinebutler7630]

Hands on hips, to boot.

[@moretoknowshow1887]

I still love that look, like a disappointed animal parent who catches their kid leaving their business on the carpet...;)

[@actioncom2748]

Kirk gets triggered when you defy him. When he found out about the course change, he must have hit the roof.

[@billh7214]

"Have you ever wondered how Vulcan's choose their mates? I assumed it was done quite logically" "No it is not "

[@justanotherdrunk]

[@elizabethjordan5755]

Love how Uhura looks when Kirk calls Spock to the woodshed! She's like, "Ooohhh....somebody gonna get it"!!😬😬😬

[@marcokite]

lol...yeah i noticed that too!

[@blockmasterscott]

Oh my goodness, I will never be able to look at that scene the same way again! LOL!!!!!

[@blockmasterscott]

I watched this again, and just bust out laughing! 🤣🤣🤣

[@danthemankhan]

Typical black reaction.

[@petejones879]

Yeah that's what Spock is hoping for... He can get IT lol

[@Haaris.Qureshi]

Chekov wastes no time in looking through Spock's emails the second he leaves the bridge.

[@josipbroztito6763]

@Jeppo Jinx you're a loony

[@dreadfulspiller8766]

The almighty fuck?!

[@josipbroztito6763]

@@dreadfulspiller8766 its an antisemitic conspiracy theory gaining traction in the US/Canada. Apparently "freemason" in this means jew. Fuck the bigot who posted it

[@altha-rf1et]

To see if Spock is looking at Valcan Porn

[@justanotherdrunk]

LOL

[@MasterofSpiders]

Kirk: "Mr. Spock, come with me please." It was at this moment, Spock knew he'd fucked up.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

"Detention again, Captain?"

[@matthewmehegan3475]

And Uhura and her spectacular legs were like "Oh, snap!"

[@marpsr]

Such great body language, Kirk with his arms to his hips on the turbo lift, Spock nervously gripping the edge of the bed.

[@Dr.Claw_M.A.D.]

Not nervous in that sense, agitated hormones raging, adrenaline, exhaustion. Spock is not sleeping or meditating. Fidgeting, muscle spasms.

[@KariIzumi1]

This episode came about after producers learned how crazy the ladies were for Kirk/Spock and they gave us the fanservice. Love that about Trek 🖖

[@braquemar]

Damn Mccoy absolutely had him with that logic move.

[@matthewmehegan3475]

That shit was a nice cross over dribble that locked up Spock's ankles.

[@robbybevard8034]

Like, I understand if Spock didn't want to talk about the specific biologic urges and that was too private for him... but he COULD have said "Vulcan biology requires we return home once every seven years, or we die." ANd then they would have gone, no more questions asked.

[@polar627]

He basically said that. Kirk was being super weird about this. Once he heard Spock would die you think he'd say F-it and just go

[@robbybevard8034]

@@polar627 He said that AFTER being forced into a medical exam and after they'd already changed their course three times. Once Kirk knew he changed course but they could have skipped the drama if Spock had been slightly more honest.

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

That would require a sound mind. He can't even remember disobeying Kirk's orders let alone state a sentence that involves something deep+ personal. Furthermore, I think he he's trying to push through it, thinks it'll pass

[@christopherdaffron8115]

Spock's condition is known for all Vulcan male officers, so it should have been a matter of record for Star Fleet. Star Fleet should have established a protocol for dealing with this situation long ago!

[@aidenfielding9709]

Then we wouldn't have had much of an episode then if it was just dropping spock off at home

[@motorolas]

"yield to the logic of the situation"... love it.

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

Classic Trek may not be as refined as later iterations of the franchise but _man,_ when it hits things right it hits things right 🖖

[@Milnoc]

Limited production resources can do that. Look at Babylon 5. Their budget was so tight, they couldn't reshoot scenes as often as they wished. Often, it was one take and hope for the best!

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

@@Milnoc I love B5, I hope the reboot is good. But even if it isn’t, we’ll still have the original!

[@mnirwin5112]

1:24 That little stammer right there was so striking because it was so un-Spock-like.

[@startrekiscool_123]

0:40 I like this part when Kirk stands there

[@neneshubby]

When McCoy says he’ll die man oh man are you in trouble.

[@mikem6176]

“Damnit Jim, if we don’t get Spock to a Vulcan cathouse in a week, he’ll die!” “Can’t you do something, Bones?” “Damnit Jim, I’m a Doctor, not a pimp! And you SAW the way he reacted to Chappel. He doesn’t even like blondes! We have to get him a Vulcan woman, or his balls will explode and destroy the entire ship!”

[@robertdiotalevi285]

Mike, stop it! 😂

[@dacutecreature881]

NAHHHHH STOPPPP

[@billhuber2964]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@oldgoat142]

Ah, Mike, I'm dead, and I'm not even suffering from Pon-fahr! Thanks to you, I will never be able to see this scene in quite the same way again!

[@charlesballaro9766]

I think that last line is something Scotty would say.

[@daviniarobbins9298]

This is an episode about sex, the birds and the bees but because of the American TV censors at the time it has got to be written in such a way it gets past said censors. That is basically all this episode is, Spock wants to mate with a beautiful Vulcan woman.

[@randymillhouse791]

Lessons learned: Always keep a street Vulcan prostitute onboard.

[@SLOBeachboy]

When this episode first aired I was just a child and probably did not really understand it. Watching the re-run immediately after going through puberty however it was abundantly clear what was going on. After all, by then I was exhibiting the exact same symptoms as Spock, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and it seemed like I was never going to get to Vulcan in time.

[@youngimages2000]

Wow, really? That’s bad, no wonder the world is always in such a hot mess! What can we do? Communists: cut off their wee-wees. Conservatives: Start building things like mad!

[@carolynm8421]

It was also really just them dealing with "how," from a Vulcan POV, Vulcans would approach mating being such a logical species whose central goal was to maintain a lack of emotion. I mean, generally speaking, we humans tend to get a bit "emotional" and dare I say "passionate" when we engage in the act of mating. So, the writers made a big deal out of the internal conflict Spock, and all Vulcans, would have with that drive to mate.

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

The state he's in, I don't think she'd have to be beautiful, he looks like he's ready to have a go at a lamppost.

[@McRocket]

'Damn it Spock...what's wrong?' 'Damn it Jim, he's going to die.' 'Damn it Leonard, why do I keep saying 'Damn it'?'

[@cairosilver2932]

If he doesn't, he'll die, Damn it!

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

It's a shsme there wasn't a Janet on board. "Damn it, Janet..."

[@jamesnasium4035]

One of the great Trek episodes.

[@ChrisLawton66]

They didn't use this music often enough. That guitar sounds killer. Sounds like a baritone to me.

[@allenjones3130]

Or maybe a standard 4-string bass guitar.

[@ChrisLawton66]

@@allenjones3130 it could very well be. But it sounds like a baritone to me.

[@RubberMammy]

This series is a national treasure.

[@llundo9051]

I have wonderful memories of watching this show as a child growing up~ Those were the days~ classic star trek always will remain in my heart and mind~

[@jtkirkfan2002]

This episode is in the top ten for me and close to the top.

[@lawrencehawkins7198]

The REAL Star Trek. The One. The Only. Accept NO substitutes.

[@Spock4771]

This was also the first time we get to see Vulcan and learn more about his cultural

[@PaulWilliams66]

Loving that bass guitar.

[@brianwinters5434]

In the TOS this was a great episode.

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

The most popular one obviously

[@youngimages2000]

What’s TOS anyway?

[@hubbsllc]

@@youngimages2000 "The Original Series" - an after-the-fact title add-on made canon.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

This is the scene that made me a Trekker. I finally 'got' the show.

[@rachelolvera9435]

Hands on his hips like he’s a parent of Spock

[@quinn7876]

Sulu's glance at Chekov when he said he might be space sick is absolutely legendary.

[@billmalec]

Damnit Jim, I'm a doctor not a doctor!

[@gooberclown]

He's not a mechanic, either.

[@youngimages2000]

Or a brick-layer

[@robertdiotalevi285]

Yeah...what?! 😂

[@Makeyourselfbig]

"Damn it Jim if Spock doesn't get laid within one week he will die!"

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

Blue balls

[@dashcroft1892]

They don’t call him Bones for naught.

[@jrosalia]

​@paulpolpiboon9535 or in this case, green balls?? Lol

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

"We've all been there, Bones. Lock him in his room fir a couple of days with a video of that green dancing girl and a bumper box of kleenex.

[@tookiezzz2898]

nurse chapel can help him with that

[@larryaldrich4351]

Walter's wig would be a priceless artifact as would Bill's toupee.

[@Foebane72]

This was a great episode in all respects.

[@rogerpool7832]

I love the bass and how it sounds incredible.

[@palerider964]

I'd like to see an Aldeburin Shellmouth.🤔

[@michaelschramm1064]

Aldebaran. Referring to a red giant star located 65 light years from Earth.

[@SBandy]

Quinto really was great casting.

[@sandyhawkins9279]

The Doctor at his best

[@fordprefect9658]

I have heard people saying they are dying for a shag but this is ridiculous

[@OptimusWombat]

This was a great episode to start the season.

[@earthdate3495]

The first of two times Spock was rushed to Vulcan.

[@tommymarion40]

Ain't no thing. Like a Wedding Ring😄

[@bluedale6563]

2024 still loving it

[@jamiegarrity6439]

When McCoy tells Spock that he answers to the same authority Spock does, that's not entirely true. Yes McCoy answers to Starfleet, but necessarily to Kirk. I haven't seen hardly any of the original series I'm ashamed to say (being a Trekkie since I was 8) so I'm not sure which Starfleet laws were ever mentioned. When a Starfleet doctor sees and/or fears the overall health of a commanding officer being compromised, the chief medical officer (a.k.a. McCoy) has the authority to supersede him. So in this particular scene, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume McCoy told Spock this to appeal to his logical state, which he mentions, and in turn it also seems to be all that's keeping Spock calm for the moment.

[@williamanthony9090]

Well maybe you should watch more of the original series before commenting. While the chief medical officer can supersede the Captain on "medical grounds," he still has to obey his orders the rest of the time like any other subordinate.

[@mmageek]

I always sleep in my uniform, makes life easier.

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

Spock had the best signature music.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

What a shame they did not have warp capable shuttles in that age, in the TNG era, Spock could have just taken a shuttle craft back to Vulcan, and the Enterprise could have been on its way. ✔️

[@procyon6370]

They did have warp capable shuttles in The Menagerie

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

@@procyon6370 .... Well, ..... Apparently not. Otherwise Spock, Kirk and McCoy would have just taken such a shuttle to Vulcan and let the Enterprise go to the big event. Maybe the shuttle they used in "The Menagerie" was some kind of experimental prototype.

[@procyon6370]

They also had warp-capable shuttles in The Galileo Seven and Metamorphosis. The Enterprise was probably faster, and the shuttle wouldn't run out of fuel like the one in The Menagerie did. (That said, the one in The Menagerie was said to have followed the Enterprise for the 6-day journey to Talos IV at maximum warp.)

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

@@procyon6370 Very true. ✔️

[@Finn-Germe81]

Thank you for no adds

[@lmswentzeljr]

Dr McCoy using logic to appeal to Spock that is ironic.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

We have all been in spock's predicament.

[@skynetprime82]

Kirk always seemed to have an infinity for wasting energy with stupid questions at the worst times didn't he?! Lol

[@tumbles8350]

Affinity

[@jeffreygalus5417]

I can't believe that Shatner went into space and didn't bring back a gorn

[@ulysses2162]

He probably left a few Gorn's in his underwear on take off.

[@jeffreygalus5417]

No those are Tribbles

[@stainlesssteelfox1]

Maybe they've all gorn away?

[@JaredlS10]

To busy looking for an Orion.

[@marshamariner7897]

Or a Vulcan. Klingon or romulan

[@manservantchris]

Worst case of "green balls" McCoy has ever scene.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

Doh!

[@scottmullins87]

He's venting plasma Jim ! Uhura quick ! Use the Vulcan Liplock ! That's an order !

[@warrenvollaro2529]

I feel this way at spring time !!!

[@christopherallen9580]

Vulcan blue balls!

[@picklerix6162]

Spock had that seven year itch.

[@Daehawk]

Kirk to bridge set course to Vulcan. Sulu WTF

[@Super_Unintendo]

this comment is so funny

[@blockmasterscott]

If anyone that's served on a ship in today's Navy reads this, maybe you can answer this, what are all those people walking in the hallways doing? I always wondered that. Do today's naval ships have sailors always walking through passageways?

[@andrewmichaelscollectibles]

Oh yes, that classic shatner acting. "Why......... Must..... Spock die..."

[@roundtheloopandback]

Even in TOS the captain takes the first officer aside to take issue with an order in correct fashion, they didn't have a ready room so use the turbo lift a lot for this purpose

[@juanmonge8]

Spock! You’re in trouble !!!

[@JohnBrown722so]

Good!

[@macklee6837]

"Are you a doctor, or aren't you?" 🤣

[@edwardpate6128]

He should have just gotten it on with Nurse Chapel!

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Again, he had to be at his family's ancient property back on Vulcan, just like Salmon _must_ return from the ocean to the one stream where they hatched, or sea turtles must return to the same beach where they originated. Otherwise the girl in his arranged marriage could have just taken a shuttle craft out to the Enterprise, and met Spock onboard. It is not a very good trait in a space faring people who colonize other planets, is it? 😞

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

​@TheNoiseySpectator I've got a mental image of Spock spawning in a river now. Thanks a lot!

[@randymillhouse791]

Spock is harder than Deneban arithmetic!

[@brooklynrobotworks9866]

SHATNER FOREVER!

[@scottmullins87]

He's older than Q !

[@00bikeboy]

Like many fans, my favourite episodes were City on the Edge of Forever and The Trouble with Tribbles. I'm older now and Amok Time has become my top favourite. It leads the pack in terms of character development for all three principle parts. Bones shows how much he cares for Spock, Kirk demonstrates his loyalty by defying Starfleet, and Spock wrestles with some serious issues. And as always that perfect Star Trek touch of humour at the end. My top pick.

[@vcv6560]

This has replaced Arena as my favorite with the understanding of being an adult and facing my own Amok times.

[@superdavid002]

Fortunately, Planet Vulcan was right on the way! How fast space travel is then.

[@Eternal_Tech]

Let me see if I understand this: 1. Vulcans, a race of advanced, intelligent, logical beings who are part of a federation with other intelligent beings do not state anything about this major physiological change in their database. 2. Spock, who values logic highly, knowing that Pon Farr occurs every seven years does not make preparations in advance to be on Vulcan when he needs to be there. I can understand the dramatic effect that the writers wanted to create here, but the actions of Vulcans and Spock in this episode are highly illogical.

[@glynncordry5965]

Yes, but this is his first Pon Farr. Vulcans live for 200 or more years, and the first one can catch them by surprise. Also, being a human hybrid Spock was hoping it might not affect him.

[@indiajohnson]

I know right?

[@markshaw7253]

One thing as early as Enterprise, we saw Dr. Phlox put patients into suspended animation in stasis tubes. In fact, the technology existed as early as the Botany Bay spaceship. They could have put Spock into stasis as long as necessary. For that matter, they could have stored him in the pattern buffer al la Mr. Scott.

[@markshaw7253]

We saw in the films that Spock served on deep space missions for quite a while longer. I'd have liked to have seen how Star Fleet dealt with a problem that I'm sure came up mire than once. Roving Vulcan "counselors ", perhaps? I'm kidding, but actually, they would have had to solve the problem somehow.

[@victorpradha9946]

Earth women have cyclical events as well AND sometimes THEY TOO get "caught by surprise"! And the very first time it happens catches them very much by surprise even with older sisters and a mother to give them some advanced notice of it. Though I'd never accuse them of being rigorously and demandingly logical at all times, this is not something most women make a matter of social discussion or public disclosure. Similarly, I imagine the fictional Vulcans would NOT relate something so personal and so antithetical to their faithful discipline of logic in the records for public consumption.

[@davidpickens8800]

Can you imagine what Coitus interruptus must be like for vulcans.

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

If they only cop off once every seven years, damn near impossible. I'd say!

[@robertdiotalevi285]

3:10 Vulcan crack again, Spock? That stuff is going to tear you apart!"

[@robertdiotalevi285]

"Get him to Vulcan, Damn it, Jim! Arlene Martel is there!” 🤪

[@stevencorey7702]

"Damnit Jim, I'm a doctor...not a pimp!"😡

[@ianharac5153]

Spock: Leaves station. Checkov: Takes over, looks in viewer. Checkov: "Pointy-Eared P**** Go Wild XI?"

[@jeffdavad8297]

I guess when Spock served with Pike he managed to get leave without revealing the 7 year mating cycle or Vulcan never gave humanity this knowledge when they made First Contact and was thus neglected in Starfleet Academy files on Vulcans.

[@Renegade2786]

The New Adventures of He-man did an episode referencing this episode called *The Running of the Herd*

[@pamelamays4186]

Sulu and Chekov love to gossip.

[@OptimusWombat]

They spend their entire duty shifts sitting next to each other, often without anything to do. Funny enough, this is Chekov's canonical first appearance on the show. I wonder what other sorts of shenanigans he and Sulu got up to, lol.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

Remind me again where would be the camera (and mic) pointed at Chekov’s face be setting on?

[@LeftIsBest001]

I'm assuming a side wall of the bridge?

[@marksheiman1538]

T' pow. I know now Vulcans are mine landsmen.

[@DrownedInExile]

"My orders were to report to sick-bay." Mr. Spock left out the part where Kirk clearly said "Full examination". A lie of omission? That pon-far's really getting to him!

[@user-xd2rj1tx4y]

5 hour energy he needs

[@Wizardof]

why didnt spock just mate with Dr chapel or Captain Kirk?

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Because his mind was locked on the girl whom his parents had arranged for him to marry when they were little kids. I am more curious why it was not entered into his medical records that he had a "Congenital Medical disorder that could only be treated on Vulcan", and his ship assignment rotation planned out accordingly.

[@Wizardof]

@@TheNoiseySpectator Badmirals

[@0biwan7]

because it is easier for spock to kill captain kirk than for spock to mate with captain kirk

[@altha-rf1et]

every 7 years Valcans are on the rag

[@wellzy999]

For how long the feds have been allies with the vulcans (century?) You would think they'd know more. Sedate his ass till you get him to Vulcan.

[@christophermccarthy6192]

Begs the question of do Romulans go through Pon Farr? I would think so. Their separation from Vulcan isn't long enough to change into a separate species even though treated as such. It's well-documented and established that Romulans and Vulcans have identical anatomy and parameters of vital signs. The probable answer is that Romulans are way more open about it than Vulcans. They already don't follow Surak"s teachings or philosophy, , why bother with a taboo about a basic biological function? They probably have more open means to deal with it

[@erikpeterson25]

Now I know what has been bothering me....I must have some Vulcan in me.😊

[@joshuaa3075]

The crew gets their exercise walking the hallways in this clip.

[@Paul-ou1rx]

His damn green blood gave him blue balls.

[@czeslawpi]

So Bones just gets to stay in the Captain’s personal quarters?

[@us-Bahn]

“He’ll die, Chimm!”

[@juanmonge8]

Spock has the seven year Jones!

[@stevejones6247]

i think im going to get space sick

[@ladylightning1741]

Uhura: Just got a message from the Captain. We're heading back to Vulcan. Sulu: Called it. Chekov: *hands him 5 credits while grumbling in Russian*

[@Benjiesbeenbetter.]

Then Uhura goes on the intercom to her team below deck "Gladys? You are not going to believe what I've found out..."

[@petejones879]

I fully understand where Spock is coming from.. If I don't mate within 8 days I could die... Lol

[@abergethirty]

That's a severe case of Blue Balls.

[@beatleman69]

😅

[@geargrinder87]

So the Vulcans mastered faster-than-light travel before humans did, yet they've never invented some kind of medication to stop or control this? What the actual...

[@wrlord]

"So the Vulcans mastered faster-than-light travel before humans did" That is not stated anywhere in the series.

[@geargrinder87]

@@wrlord It's in the movie First Contact. Zefram Cochrane makes humanity's first FTL flight, and a Vulcan science vessel comes to investigate

[@JamesTAdams]

I love the idea that a humanoid species has a mating cycle similar to cats. The idea of a grown man just beating the ever living hell out of himself and everyone around him in an effort to achieve some nooky is just…comical

[@vcv6560]

....and relatable.

[@JamesTAdams]

@@vcv6560 I wouldn’t say that, I mean I personally have never almost killed a friend because of my BURNING LOINS

[@weing]

Dude needed to get some.

[@scottmullins87]

Dammit Jim , I'm a doctor not a sex therapist !