Star Trek - Kirk Meets Spock's Parents

On the way to the Babel Conference, Kirk finds out that Ambassador Sarek from Vulcan and his human wife Amanda are Mr. Spock's parents (Journey to Babel)

[@waivedwench]

"I prefer another guide." "Good to see you too, dad"

[@danielpombolongueira4425]

😂

[@narsplace]

Proves that Sarek showed emotions.

[@Victoria-qb3dr]

Awkward tension?…Yep, definitely a family reunion 😂👍🏻

[@curiouser-curiouser]

Kirk deadass introduced Spock to his own parents what a legend

[@gertraba4484]

aw, I saw thisone coming on TV GUIDE

[@softnoobgirl73]

This made me laugh so hard

[@Slappybag46]

Lol damn it this got me good

[@karyth09]

I just woke everyone laughing so hard

[@soslothful]

It is supremely unlikely the captain of the Enterprise would not know Sarak, the Ambassador of Vulcan, was the father of his First Officer.

[@TenouHaruka0]

Lol McCoy looks at his hand is like "ehhh screw it"

[@mindyschocolate]

TenouHaruka0 LOL

[@gertraba4484]

he's a DOCTOR not a HAND MIME.............

[@LonesomeTraveller]

McCoy: I'm an old country doctor, not an ambassador! Spock: I never doubted it, doctor.

[@hagamapama]

Better not to do it than to do it badly.

[@Glisten456]

It hurts worse than the uniform.

[@michaelcartwright8570]

"I prefer another guide...Captain." THAT WAS COLD.

[@SpiritBear12]

Yeah, dissed by your own father in front of every one, esp the captain. Sarak couldn't have played it cool during just one visit to save Spock's face. Sarak was and had been rather unreasonable about Spock's choice to join Star Fleet for a long time.

[@jangtheconqueror]

@@SpiritBear12 Didn't he only change his mind after Search for Spock and Voyage Home?

[@dswynne]

@@jangtheconqueror Pretty much.

[@marcusalexander7088]

@@jangtheconqueror Yeah. More or less..."You know Son, your friends are good people to risk everything to..you know...bring you back from the dead and all..maybe I just might have been mistaken about you joining Starfleet. And treating you like shit for years. Maybe."

[@SeansModelBuilds]

@@SpiritBear12 Maybe in this timeline, the Vulcan Elders dissed Amanda also.

[@epicsamurai5]

I like the looks on Amanda’s face. At first she’s like “you didn’t tell him about us, Spock?” Then she looks back at Kirk like “yep, he’s my son.”

[@ShannonFreng]

The expression Sarek has (1:38) would be exactly mine, were a boss ever to assign me to work with someone I loathed.

[@TheBandit025Nova]

Yep Spock is more Amanda’s boy I think Sarek prefers Sybock

[@chrismc410]

​@TheBandit025Nova if he didn't like Spock's occasional faulty logic, how do you think he'll feel/felt Sybok's rejection of logic altogether?

[@TamptheChamp2]

You have to admire how perfectly this scene is setup. Amanda’s hair covers her ears so that there is no fathomable way for the audience to tell she is Human, except by her smile!

[@kaleymcquinn7904]

Well you could tell from the eyebrows

[@yuki-sakurakawa]

Also, sarek isn't wearing Vulcan clothing that he wears on other occasions. No robe, no "kimono". Such disgrace. 😮

[@Ragitsu]

Skin tone?

[@yumestar19]

I thought she was a Vulcan first xD

[@xunderxdosedx]

"You look a lot like this Romulan dude we ran into a while back" "Well, Vulcans and Romulans share a common ancestry, Captain." "No I just meant that...oh never mind."

[@thevagabondburntnotredame8902]

I thought it was the same actor

[@xunderxdosedx]

@@thevagabondburntnotredame8902 that's the joke lol

[@soubhikpochhali4783]

I thought the same too..now thanks to you I am sure

[@danielanderson8322]

"You and I are of a kind! In a different reality I could've called you friend" "Captain James Kirk" "Captain"

[@sarahfullerton6894]

It would have been really great if he said, "If you weren't such a jerk to your son, I could've called you friend!"

[@Swampy0110]

I love how in TOS they have very dramatic music backed up by a tambourine

[@rainopdewilde509]

When the tambourine of doom comes on you know shit just got real

[@Splatterpunk_OldNewYork]

Wait till they bring out the pan-flute. Then it is serious.

[@mindyschocolate]

Martin Jasiak 😂

[@gertraba4484]

blaring trumpets, bongos and snares along with beating drums made it epic

[@gertraba4484]

@Bad Cattitude yeah, chek out THIS WAY to EDEN..............

[@BigNoseDog]

Kirk: Bones! Why didn’t you tell me who Spock’s parents were? McCoy: Damnit, Jim. I’m a doctor, not Google.

[@suzanneroberge494]

That's funny!😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jellybean_91]

It's always awkward meeting the in-laws for the first time...

[@michellestreater3296]

jellybean91 I love your comment

[@kamomile_tea]

Lmao

[@florentinenice9146]

Thanks the comment I was searching for!

[@LegendaryKenneth]

Its hard imagining a point where the audience didn't know that Sarek was Spocks dad

[@InMooseWeTrust]

I watched the show for the first time as a college student and I was shocked

[@gertraba4484]

@@InMooseWeTrust first run here. plot twists SHOCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rockhard2654]

@@InMooseWeTrust i watched it the night it first aired and it just blew everyone's mind,people talked about it for days and little kids ran around making that hand sign this is back in the days when there where only three channels,its not like nowadays EVERYBODY SAW IT

[@reelsoffortuneslotsplay4267]

They might have said... "Wait.. Kirk killed this guy in another episode"

[@captainr800]

I found out who’s Spock parents are in The Next Generation and this is my first time I’m watching this scene, Tomorrow I’m going to be start my marathon of Star Trek: TOS on Netflix.

[@Mark-yn4vl]

Spock: Captain, Ambassador Sarek and his wife ARE my parents. Kirk: No, no! That's not true! That's IMPOSSIBLE! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! NOOOOOO!!

[@manco828]

NOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@michellestreater3296]

Lol 😂 I love both Star Wars and Star Trek this comment hilarious

[@robgyanisu312]

Mark May the _Farce_ be with y'all; that's how I view _Star Wars_ . . .

[@specialk9424]

Search your logic, Captain. Logic will, undoubtedly, inform you that it is true.

[@dennisanderson3895]

I understood Kirk's expression to reflect how awkward the rift between father and son is while having to hold his reaction in as a diplomatic act. Shatner was masterful at facially expressing mixed thoughts and feeling (exhibit A: Twilight Zone "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" - he projected the mix flow of thoughts and realizations he could not say beautifully).

[@johnhall2922]

We talk about about how iconic Leaonard Nimoys portrayal of Spock has been, but I'd like to say how iconic I feel Mark Leonard's portrayal of Sarek has been throughout the years also. Through all the movies and on the next generation, he was always a wonderful presence on the screen.

[@Theomite]

Nimoy always gave Spock that quiet pride and discipline, but Leonard always gave Sarek a dignity that was both regal and humble in equal measures. The man was able to convey unspeakable formidableness with such an unassuming manner. I mean, you could STUDY Leonard to build a thousand characters just like him and never get it as good as he gave it.

[@manco828]

That's Mark Lenard. I can see the confusion since his last name and Nimoy's first name sound the same.

[@walterkoziol3822]

@Tejesh Patel Not really cause if you remember he was the only Vulcan to turn down the Vulcan Science Academy.

[@Gold6240]

I agree! I love seeing Sarek even if he's a bit of a prick to Spock at first

[@samsignorelli]

Mark sat at our table a a con years ago (late 80s, I think) and was signing autographs. Very soft-spoken gent, as I recall.

[@EeveeFromAlmia]

Doesn’t tell Kirk about his parents until they meet in person, doesn’t tell about his brother until the man is half trying to destroy the universe, and brings Michael’s existence to the grave. I love this man.

[@kitcat7538]

Michael doesn't exist. She is a part of JunkTrek, which is a CBS corporate nightmare that didn't happen in the actual world of Star Trek.

[@EeveeFromAlmia]

@@kitcat7538 bro I hate to be the one to tell you this but disco is 100% cannon and part of the prime timeline. That’s how it works. It’s not hard to understand.

[@kitcat7538]

@@EeveeFromAlmia JunkTrek is not canon to StarTrek fans. Doesn't matter what you say.

[@EeveeFromAlmia]

@@kitcat7538 you seem like the exact sort of person who would have whined and cried when Tng stated because it ‘wasn’t real Star Trek.’ Wined and cried as everybody else had fun and just enjoyed it, Ild hate to watch and Star Trek with you, it would be a miserable time.

[@Lotus-sp6cu]

@@EeveeFromAlmia I've never heard on Michael before, can you tell me about her?

[@ArthurAlfred1]

Poor Jim! He first looks shocked that the ambassador's wife is a human, then the biggest shock of them being Spock's parents. The look on his face is priceless both times!

[@dosrg3773]

let's just appreciate that Sarek and Amanda are doing the Vulcan equivalent of making out in front of their son and the captain of an important starship.

[@shapeshifterA113]

I think it’s just the equivalent to holding hands

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

So embarrassing their son in front of his boss and best friend. And Vulcans say they're different from us.

[@hannahrebecca8098]

spock is horrified

[@DigitalJediMaster]

Let's keep in mind the Vulcan equivalent of anything is basically nothing.

[@Visplight]

But from the handshake when vulcans and humans made first contact it would seem that vulcans make an exceptions for human hand-touching mores, and so while they wouldn't do it in front of other vulcans, they will in front of humans.

[@lucyhartwell2134]

1:27 I love it how Amanda turns around like 'Well how the hell are you going to explain this, Spock?"

[@gertraba4484]

and how the heck do you explain all those vulcansin the itty bitty GALELIO shutlecraft?

[@lucyhartwell2134]

@@gertraba4484 Well, we know that Galileo holds seven people because of the episode 'The Galileo Seven'. I count six coming out of that shuttle, so they all fit.

[@gertraba4484]

@@lucyhartwell2134 not really the studio mockup of the cockpit set is wayy tooooooo big and never fit the height of all the crew, unless it's a TARDIS

[@sillygrl23]

I remember this episode distinctively in my mind, it was the first time I ever found out that Spock was a half Vulcan and half Human and the challenges he must have felt in that situation. A allegory for children from Inter-Racial Marriages and what issues and emotional obstacles they probably had to deal with. Also I love how Spoke tries to teach the doctor how to do the Vulcan salute.

[@nobodyknowsanything3906]

+sillygrl23 As a mixed-race person, I can confirm that I absolutely identify with Spock.

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

Spoke?

[@A_10_PaAng_111]

NobodyKnowsAnything And your own father disrespects you because you are? That's pretty much what happened here.

[@LoriCiani]

@@A_10_PaAng_111 Sarek didn't disrespect his son for being from two worlds, he was disappointed in his son's choice of Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock would always be a test of Sarek's Vulcan reserve.

[@kitcat7538]

@@LoriCiani Disapproval of Spock's decision to join Starfleet is no excuse for refusing to speak to him for 18 years. Sarek is a rotten excuse for a father. It is Spock's decency and self-discipline which are tested by Sarek.

[@curtyeomans8446]

KIRK: "Sarek and his wife are your parents?!? Any other previously unknown family members you'd like to tell us about? SPOCK: "If I did, I would only tell you about them after they seize control of the Enterprise and throw us in the brig while they search for God, or when their own TV show mandates that we meet"

[@KneelB4Bacon]

SPOCK: "Also, according to Star Trek: Discovery, I have a foster sister named Michael, who my father considered an 'experiment to see if Vulcans and Humans could co-exist' despite the fact that my name literally means 'Uniter' in Vulcan. Apparently, my dad forgot why he gave me my freaking name."

[@thewewguy8t88]

He also has a pet something I forget what though lol

[@Visplight]

It totally makes sense that no one would know he has a sister considering that this is how he talks about his parents.

[@LoriCiani]

@@thewewguy8t88 It was a pet sehlat. A kind of teddy bear with claws and six inch fangs.

[@LoriCiani]

@@Visplight But, there was a half brother by another mother. Pon farr has a lot to answer for. He wasn't talked about because he embraced emotions and thought God was calling him to a higher purpose. You can understand that. But there's no logical excuse for not mentioning the existance Michael except for the reason that she wasn't written or even thought of at the time. Kirk's brother, sister in law and young nephew were in one episode then more or less forgotten about ever after.

[@Qwazin]

"That hurts worse than the uniform."

[@phemyda94]

I love how even the music is going "awk-ward..."

[@urrrccckostan]

Always awkward when you meet your partner's parents for the first time

[@transfriend3865]

Yup it is

[@Rikard_A]

Kirk: Spook, have you failed to mention anything, during the preparations.

[@Evy2526]

lol I thought the same thing too when I read the title.

[@manco828]

Kirk/Spock fan fiction.

[@jenpeterson3712]

urckrecords give it a rest FGS!

[@ashayam2456]

I know, I know, it’s super funny that Kirk’s totally unaware they’re Spock’s parents, but can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that McCoy can’t do the 🖖?! Peak acting. Amazing.

[@FredPlanatia]

Can we take a further moment to fathom that the Vulcan salute has become so ingrained in our culture that it is a standard emoji?

[@TheFansOfFiction]

Honestly, that confuses me. He's a master surgeon, he should have enough dexterity for the attempt to not "hurt" at the very least

[@SR-iy4gg]

I don't think he could do it well in real life, so they just made that part of his character. William Shatner couldn't do it without them tying his fingers together.@@TheFansOfFiction

[@ThreePointOneFou]

There's probably some muscular control that allows one to spread one's fingers in the Vulcan salute that not everyone has, just like the ability to curl one's tongue into a U shape.

[@coralroper6876]

Family reunions are always awkward

[@RSTI191]

Which is why I moved to the Left Side of the Country 19 yrs ago and never looked back..

[@KendrixTermina]

#Relatable Though my favorite bit was when Amanda then immediately got along with McCoy who inevitably asked for them embarassing baby stories

[@hagamapama]

And Sarek took her to task for it later on. Despite his own issues with Spock he had respect for his son's dignity as an officer.

[@dennisanderson3895]

Part of McCoy's "frenemy" teasing/conflict with Spock - they both deeply respected each other though they expressed it in a dissing-contest. So, of course, McCoy is going to seek details for embarrassing ammo!

[@soslothful]

Embarrassment is an emotional response.

[@sarahfullerton6894]

@@soslothful Spock is half human!

[@soslothful]

@@sarahfullerton6894 Good point. Very logical.

[@empressink_]

I don't see how anyone can hate Sarek. He did truly love Spock but because of his Vulcan nature and Spock's choice of deciding to stay in Starfleet there were issues. Also I love Mark Lenard, so that's another reason why I love him.

[@photonicus]

I don't hate Sarek either,but Starfleet gave Spock greater opportunity to pursue scientific discovery. Starfleet ships go farther and deeper into unexplored space than private research groups.Always felt Sarek's real issue was Spock living amongst beings of emotion.

[@SantomPh]

jim kirk Sarek was more complex than we give him credit for. We only learn in TNG that he has repressed his true feelings of love for Amanda and Spock and his booming pride that almost makes Picard (his chosen keeper of the emotions) go insane. Vulcans normally share these things through a private mind-meld (possibly the fal-tor-pan) but Spock and Sarek never did so due to their reserved natures and dedication to their duties. Sarek married two Human women in his lifetime, remember.

[@Evy2526]

Oh I don't hate him. I know he loved his son. But giving your son the cold shoulder because he chose a different career path from what you wanted is really lame. It's not like he went away to become a DJ in a dirty bar, he enrolled in Starfleet as a scientist!

[@manco828]

Well according to Sarek, Spock could have pursued scientific discovery better through the Vulcan Science Academy.

[@demarcusfaulkner7411]

+photonicus that and I would add he seem to think spock somehow lowered himself bye not being part of the vulcan expeditionary forces

[@ddthewolf]

1:21, the look on Spok's face, his human side going , "oh come on dad!"

[@edinscot56789]

The funny thing is, Sarek actually likes and respects Kirk, so why he can't afford some respect towards his son for serving under the finest captain in the fleet, on the most reputable and powerful ship is something any father would be immensely proud of, Vulcan or no

[@FredPlanatia]

a grudge. Spock refused a spot in the Vulcan Science Academy

[@Phantassm]

Sarek was proud of his son, very proud. He just didn't want Spock or Amanda to know that.

[@andrewroberts1258]

0:52 😂😂😂😂😂LOL Bones trying to do the Vulcan hand gesture but decided not to

[@955472]

Spock has a habit of not mentioning family members.

[@xxlCortez]

Kirk: Ambassador, you look oddly familiar. Haven't we fought before?

[@martingoldfire]

You can just feel the parental love glow from the screen.

[@ChlarkNadia]

What we learn here 1. Sarek and Amanda are everyone's Star Trek OTP 2. Kirk does not read Starfleet paperwork ever Or 3. Starfleet keeps truly awful records of their personel.

[@suzanneroberge494]

Well, it's a hard swallow, but we know that was really for the audience 😊

[@ChlarkNadia]

Ha, ha, yeah, but it's funny to think of a an in universe explanation

[@chrismacias305]

This wasn't the last incident with Spock not telling Kirk soon enough with anyone from his family. Remember when Kirk never knew that Sybok was his half brother until it was too late?

[@fenwar9060]

We tend to ignore that one because it was badly written😖

[@joanmelnick1704]

Same with his wife.

[@kaleidoscopekayley]

Amanda is absolutely gorgeous! There's something so elegant and sweet about her. She's just my favorite!

[@kitcat7538]

Shd is worthless as a mother. In one episode of TOS, Spock tells Kirk tearfully that he was not permitted as a child to tell his mother that he loved her. 🤮

[@BladeZero238]

@@kitcat7538 Wasn't that an order from his father, though?

[@00bikeboy]

She must have been stunning in her 20s !

[@kataisa3]

I loved this episode and Amok Time. I loved the episodes that dealt with Spock's history.

[@nobodyknowsanything3906]

+kataisa3 Have you watched any of The Animated Series? If not, you should check it out. There's an episode with Spock as a child.

[@00bikeboy]

Agree 100%. Two brilliantly written and performed episodes. The best.

[@tiff8683]

Incredible how they got the very music that always seems to play when you meet a partner's parents for the first time

[@chumbawambaRI]

I especially love how all of Spock's family drama wraps up in Star Trek IV: I am returning to Vulcan within the hour, I would like to take my leave of you. It was most kind of you to make this effort. It was no effort. You are my son. And besides, I am most impressed with your performance in this... crisis. Most kind. As I recall, I opposed your enlistment in Starfleet. It is possible that judgment was incorrect. Your associates are people of good character. They are my friends. Yes, of course. Do you have a message for your mother? Yes. Tell her, "I feel fine."

[@00bikeboy]

It was the perfect wrap up. Just perfection, just like the whole movie. The best.

[@jeromecha1]

Right? You see how Spock got with his father: “They are my friends.”? That’s what you say when you KNOW that you were right…”Pop, I TOLD you that I made the right decision way back then! You and Mom didn’t raise a fool!!”!! One of my favorite scenes in all of Star Trek. Just awesome.

[@stevencoardvenice]

We are getting more in strange new worlds

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

"Vulcan honors us with your presence. We come to serve." Classy greeting.

[@sunnchilde]

I wonder when Mark Leonard did this episode if he knew that this role would be the one he would forever be remembered for? His performance and Nimoy's would define what every Vulcan would be like from then on.

[@EeveeFromAlmia]

I love how Spock just, never brings this up. In all the time between getting the mission and picking everybody up they surely would have talked about Sarek, right? Spock had zero reasons for any of this he just did it because he could.

[@SpockLover27]

Pretty sure he did it because he really wanted to avoid the topic xD

[@kitcat7538]

Spock is very private person and just plain embarrassed about a lot of things. Like explaining to Kirk why he has to get back to Vulcan for pon farr.

[@kitcat7538]

@@SpockLover27 What does xD mean?

[@ctrl.alt.del.9218]

@@kitcat7538 I believe it is some kind of laughter. Maybe another form of "LOL."

[@kitcat7538]

@@ctrl.alt.del.9218 Yes, I've found out; it means "laugh out loud" 🤣 Thanks.

[@kerrijohnstone7588]

“She who is my wife”....nice LOL

[@hagamapama]

the translater choked on a pecularity of the Vulcan language. Since Vulcans are mind-bonded with their future spouses at a very young age, they have subtly different words for "She who will be my wife," "she who is my wife," and, given their longevity, "she who was my wife."

[@femalesupremacistoverlord6800]

hagamapama Where did you hear this? I never knew they went into such specific detail lmao

[@Scipio488]

I have always thought of that as a term of respect. She is not simply "my wife", because that is simply a role, and who she is relative to him. "She" still exists as an independent entity; she who happens to be my wife.

[@dennisanderson3895]

What serious diss from Sarek to his own son! Epic familial tension!

[@TowGunner]

“Ambassador Sarak, you are the father”

[@Koldeman]

The casting of Mark Lenard & Jane Wyatt was inspired & perfect, despite Mr. Lenard being only 7 years older than Mr. Nimoy. The coldness that Sarek & Spock disregard each other was perfectly capped at the end of ST IV: TVH. Anyone who followed their dysfunctional relationship from this first introduction to the end of IV when the two share a reconciliation of sorts & a meeting of the mind was a very important moment.

[@jeffclark2]

Mark Lenard portrayed Spock's father not only in this episode, but in the animated episode "Yesteryear" and the Star Trek motion pictures, particularly "The Voyage Home," where he confronted his son and finally admitting Sarek had misjudged Spock's crewmates. Sarek appeared in the "Next Generation" episodes "Sarek" and Unification Parts 1 & 2." He was EXCELLENT as the conscience-stricken yet duty-driven Romulan Commander in "Balance of Terror." That was Mark Lenard's favorite role in Star Trek.

[@Poizenne]

Also little known is he played a Klingon in The Motion Picture.

[@ShannonFreng]

Sarek disagreed with Spock's decision to join Starfleet, rather than the Vulcan Science Academy. It didn't particularly have to do with his shipmates, though he did admit their good character influenced his change of opinion.

[@cmhughes8057]

And this event becomes important in the future, for Kirk, who on saving Spock’s live basically gets a “get out of jail free” card after he stole and destroyed the Enterprise (yes I know he saved the earth) and basically does not get tossed out of Starfleet. You know Sarek had to have a major say in that. Nice to have ‘friends” in high places.

[@333angeleyes]

I know many people do not like 'Star Trek Discovery.' However, I really love the fact that how they tied in the reason for Sarak and Spock's bad relationships being guilt.

[@Woozler554]

Poor Spock. Had a tough time meeting the expectations of his parents.

[@caronstout354]

The JJ Abrams movie had a few scenes with Spock's parents that filled out the family dynamic...

[@lmswentzeljr]

Captain Kirk looks pleasantly surprised to see Sarek is Spocks father, he learned something new about his 1st officer.

[@joeborroto6742]

The moment Spock was born, his father looked at him and said.....so.....human

[@rikk319]

Racism is illogical. So is a plot that has the father marry a human, then hold it against his son that he's mixed.

[@Ivynling]

If I was Amanda, I would at least try to slap him. He says it with such disdain, that the reveal in TNG seems really out of character.

[@hagamapama]

@@rikk319 Except he doesn't hold it against his son that he's mixed. But he does sometimes hold him to the same standards as a full blooded Vulcan which Spock isn't, and that led to issues growing up

[@kitcat7538]

Spock's parents were abusive parents and there is no excuse for them. They brought a half-human child into the world and then refused to allow him to express the emotion that was natural to him. His mother knew he was being bullied and gave him no support. In one episode of TOS, Spock breaks down in tears and tells Kirk that as a child he was not permitted to tell his mother that he loved her. He says that his life was "never any good". And Sarek refuses to speak to his son for eighteen years because he found refuge from Vulcan bullying in Starfleet Academy. No wonder Spock is so devoted to his captain, who actually cares about him. It amazes me that people try to rationalise excuses for Spock's parents. If they could not accept their half-human child, they should have given him up for adoption to a loving human couple to be raised on Earth. Earth in Star Trek is presented as a welcoming place where people of different species come from all across the galaxy and are made welcome.

[@Sgt_Glory]

The scene in Star Trek 5 when he is forced to watch his own birth and Sarek rejecting him right then was heartbreaking. Bones and Kirk being there to see it seemed to help though.

[@davidgudlaugson528]

Chit-Chat....by any chance....have you been reading the works of the "other" Spock.....Dr. Benjamin Spock?

[@00bikeboy]

Probably the best cold open hook of all time.

[@brianarbenz7206]

We should have Kirk's parents. Just imagine how they could be!

[@northernstudioworks]

Like how this episode kind of ignores previous mentions of Spock's background from Season One. In Where No Man Has Gone Before Spock mentions his Half Human/Half Vulcan lineage ("the fact that one of my ancestor's married a human female"). In This Side of Paradise Kirk mentions Spock's parent's in the Transporter Room, and Spock also mentions them not by name but by occupation ("My mother was a teacher, my father an Ambassador"). Also I find it hard to believe that as Captain of The Enterprise Kirk would not know of Spock's family background prior to accepting command so he would know what kind of First Officer he was getting, or the fact that Starfleet would clearly have a record of Spock's family background and who is parents were especially when he applied to Starfleet Academy as a cadet.

[@FredPlanatia]

yeah, its all a bit of artistic license so that this scene can have more drama

[@ironwolf56]

Technically your own father is "one of your ancestors."

[@westmoor620]

"ambassador sarek and his wife ARE my parents" *kirks thoughts *"oh snap!"

[@LonesomeTraveller]

Kirk: Mr Spock these are our honoured guests, Ambassador Sarek and his wife. Spock: No shit, Sherlock.

[@ctrl.alt.del.9218]

This is extremely funny when you remember that Spock is canonically related to Arthur Conan Doyle, on his mom's side.

[@2Scribble]

I don't know who titled this - but I LOVE their sense of humor lol

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

Don't you miss the days when spaceships looked clean and didn't use 40 watt bulbs?

[@thiagodeandrade7081]

Shatner could do thoughtful and restrained.

[@amandajstar]

Yep, and sexy too. Kirk was catnip in the Year Whatever.

[@caronstout354]

This shows that even in the hopeful and positive future there are family conflicts kept secret.

[@francescapatti2934]

Spock: embassador Sarek and his wife ARE my parents Kirk:.. O_O .. Spock: oh yeah that is my brother Kirk:..... Kirk: any OTHER family I don't know of?! Spock: no Michael from wherever the fuck she is: 😏

[@TheBandit025Nova]

There’s Hannibal his son sadly he’s not born on Vulcan but on Romulus seeing he’s an Hybrid of an Vulcan and Romulan

[@kf7094]

Just 😂 Kirk’s face just like um okay awkward 😂💙😊 poor Spock 🖖

[@heathermcdaniels953]

And Kirk's just like, "Well this is lovely."

[@Blackrain7070]

This is such a great introduction... showcasing first how sarek is dismissive of spock only to reveal secondly that they are father and son makes the first action even more potent!

[@Hatakefire]

His dad was being so mean and I was like "JUST GIVE HIM A HUG DAMNIT!!!" lol

[@240ups]

She clearly removes the cowl from her hair, yet it pops back on her head! Those vulcans, even their alien human wives can be so magical!

[@Joseph1NJ]

Wait, weren't you the Romulan I blew up on that ship? No Kirk, that was a different episode. Oh, OK.

[@RobertOrgRobert]

Spock holding back the Vulcan neck pinch

[@FanahtheFox333]

Ambassador Sarek and his wife, ARE my parents. *Kirk jaw drop*

[@TheRogueCommand]

Plot twist: Kirk knew they were Spock's parents all along, this was just a cheeky way of saying "why didn't you say anything?"

[@anoneyemoose]

Spock: They ARE my parents The random crewmates offscreen: 🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺

[@owenjinxy]

Perfect moment...no emotion vulcans both. The distain father has fir son...from the beginning. 2 fine actors through the year's. ❤

[@LauraDenvir]

0:49 - McCoy looks at hand, deems it unlikely to compute, lowers hand.

[@mutinyonthekitkat]

Have never noticed it before but I think Kirk makes a small slip first introducing his parents. If you listen close he calls Spock 'Dr' Spock rather than Mr. Spock. He got Spock and Dr McCoy's names mixed up at that moment perhaps.

[@Makeyourselfbig]

Kirk is the captain. I would have thought he would have been given knowledge of Spock's parentage as a matter of course just to avoid him making such an error.

[@lockjaw5161]

well, Spock showed emotion and his mother had some force to that slap!

[@samuraix558]

Shoutout to Jim for keeping his cool while meeting the in-laws

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

the bass riff when Sarek disses Spock.....

[@ailorablue]

I've come to consider that deep base sound as kind of 'Spock's Theme'. Whenever there's some really Spock-y related stuff going on, you hear that base sound. God I love Spock!

[@sarahfullerton6894]

It is "Spock's Theme ". That's what the composer called it, I do believe! Check it out.

[@juanmonge8]

Spock didn’t tell him about his wife; half brother; or his first name for that matter.

[@kittykatBflat]

1:06 looks like Spock's mommy approves of the boyfriend

[@kamomile_tea]

Hahaha yes

[@pinkcherry5041]

True words

[@steelers6titles]

Dorothy Fontana wrote "Journey to Babel"; it remains one of the series' best episodes.

[@Shiirow]

I never understood why the security guards are standing there with their arms crossed with phasers in hand. youd think they would have their weapons on their hips and standing at attention. it looks like they are a bunch of mob enforcers trying to intimidate someone, not a group of trained military guards.

[@fastertrackcreative]

"Spock, would you care to beam down and visitor your parents?" *awkward pause*

[@maggijude]

Amanada *knows*. A mother always *knows*

[@energicko]

I love that bass guitar riff. 0:38 and 1:15

[@tzford]

Considering he just blew up Sarracks ship while he was a Romulan Captain this was a very interesting episode.

[@stevehagen9804]

I wonder why Starfleet would welcome a Vulcan ambassador with a line of security officers brandishing sidearms. How illogical is that? Do they think Sarek’s wife is gunna pull a knife on Kirk or something?

[@tookiezzz2898]

honor guard

[@superameric8]

Can i just say the set is amazing. I would have loved to be there.

[@rockhard2654]

reading these comments i get the impression that alot of people have never seen this before which is unbelievable to me because EVERY SINGLE PERSON who was alive in the seventies saw EVERY SINGLE EPISODE OF STAR TREK AT LEAST 50 TIMES

[@OmegaWolf747]

"To my father, I was dead. He took his hand from me."

[@pamsp]

I love the concept that Kirk has no idea who the parents of his first officer are. What an amazing boss...

[@billcame6991]

When this episode premiered, this scene must have blown away the fans back then.

[@gfgfdgdfgdgfdgdfgfgfd8177]

Spock looks absolutely miserable... and that look Sarek gives at 0:36... ohohoho.... I hate Sarek. I can't help it.

[@nobodyknowsanything3906]

+Morgan Arnholt So do I.. Oh I hate him so much. He is so... * inhuman noises* I just don't understand how Amanda could love him and my heart breaks for Spock's childhood. It makes me wonder how in the world Spock even got his name (_Spo’k’hat’n’dlawa_ is the Vulcan word his name comes from and it means _"Resembling half of each other's heart and soul"_ which is f*cking _beautiful_ and doesn't sound Sarek-influenced at all). Completely boggled. Though, I gotta say, Nu!Sarek (J.J.Abrams universe) isn't actually terrible. He's not about to win friggin father of the year, but he's WAY better than Sarek Prime.

[@gfgfdgdfgdgfdgdfgfgfd8177]

I kind of feel bad for him after watching the scene where Picard handles Sarek's emotions. Sarek does love Spock, apparently. I feel bad for hating him. xD

[@nobodyknowsanything3906]

Morgan Arnholt I'm not there yet, (I'm a new Trekkie, only on season 2 of The Animated Series) so I can hate him with impunity for now. =P

[@Smeginator]

Ohhhh man.....there's SO MUCH ahead for you

[@nobodyknowsanything3906]

Smeggy Ben Oh, I know! **u** Avoiding spoilers for a 50-year-old series isn't easy! LOL But I'm trying my best anyway, and I can't wait. I plan on watching _everything!_

[@dswynne]

I know how you feel, Spock. You try to separate you family life from your pubic life, and then your parents show up in your public life. Awkward.

[@s-p_i-d_e-r]

Bones trying to do the salute at the beginning of the clip and almost doing it when he gets saluted but deciding against it weirdly adorable

[@theareid3794]

I can’t wait till I get married so I can say “and he who is my husband” hopefully he’ll love Star Trek too so it won’t be weird.

[@suzanneroberge494]

No matter WHAT the explanation, it's given all of us many years of joy! This is one of my top favorite episodes.

[@ajmejia08]

Literally raped the replay button...this was such an epic moment when kirk finally meets spocks parents...star track definitely for the win...SPOCK