The Children Shall Lead is my absolutely least favorite episode of any Star Trek series but it has this moment, and thought I’d work with it. I have left it rather vague as to whether this is pre-slash or slash, you can decide.

Jim had been avoiding Spock ever since the events surrounding their rescue of the children from Triacus and their being controlled by Gorgon.
He was embarrassed, frankly, by his loss of control in the turbolift when he clutched Spock and wailed that he was losing control. He felt decidedly…unmanned. And in front of the worst possible being he would want to feel so inferior to.
So every chess match Spock had suggested, every meal he usually took with his first officer, Jim avoided it. Avoided Spock.
How could he face Spock after that?
But if there was something Spock was, it was determined.
And on the fourth night of Jim avoiding all personal interaction with the Vulcan, there was a persistent buzz at his door.
Somehow even before he asked the computer to identify his visitor, Jim knew.
“Let him in.”
Spock entered as soon the door slid open, stepping inside with hands linked behind his back.
“Captain.”
“What can I do for you, Mister Spock?”
“I came to inquire about the continuance of our chess game.”
He almost said he had given up the game, but no.
“Very well.”
They got into their respective positions, and remained silent for the first half, but eventually Jim’s mouth runneth over and he heard himself apologize.
“Spock, listen, I want to apologize.”
“Apologize, Captain?”
“For…my recent behavior. In trying to avoid you because I was embarrassed.”
“What were you embarrassed for, Jim?”
“In the…turbolift. I may have…I did have a bit of an emotional overreaction, which I appreciate your assistance with, but I may have gotten a little too…touchy feely.”
Spock quirked a brow. “I have never expressed dissatisfaction with your touches of my person.”
Jim smiled a little. “No. But if I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t. Those were extenuating circumstances,” Spock replied. “With some seriously challenging children.”
Jim chuckled. “Yes. Thank you, Spock. I feel much better about things.” Spock nodded. “Very good, Jim. Checkmate.”
June 8, 2020 at 6:07 am
It was a very satisfying 3 seconds there, after learning Spock wasn’t upset and before being unmanned yet again – not by challenging children but by challenging first officer’s win!
Yeah, that epi is on my ick list too. That one and Robert Brown fighting himself (and I liked Robert Brown and Here Come the Brides).
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June 8, 2020 at 6:47 am
Yes we have discussed that before and I like that episode. Ha oh well to each their own.
We agree on the children episode for sure.
I pretty much hate any of the episodes with kids from TOS as they are all such brats. I can’t stand Miri either because of the kids and Shatner’s “no blah blah blah” LOL
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June 8, 2020 at 7:31 am
That was a rather short period of relief, before being defeated. Poor Jim. 😉
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June 8, 2020 at 7:58 am
It is ha ha. But I tried to say there could be a slash involved as Spock says he doesn’t object to Kirk’s touches, which is a good thing as he was always touching Spock lol. Anyway, yes, Jim can never quite compete with that Vulcan,
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June 8, 2020 at 3:59 pm
I agree that episode is not one of my favorites, but I love the elevator scene and the episode did have its moments. I’ve always enjoyed how Jim turned to Spock when he felt he was losing control, and Spock reached for him to get him off the bridge and ground him till he was able to get over it. It’s been awhile since I watched that episode. Don’t the kids all eat ice cream at one point? I liked that set.
I enjoyed this little glimpse into the aftermath of Jim’s emotional breakdown. Jim’s embarrassment that he lost control and his subsequent avoidance of Spock is so Jim. I love the lines you have Spock say! This one just gets me… Spock quirked a brow. “I have never expressed dissatisfaction with your touches of my person.” Oh yeah, sounds like Vulcan flirting to me. I’m thinking they are in the beginnings of a relationship and are taking baby steps and that line from Spock is a giant leap! And then whammo Jim is checkmated after a second of feelIng “much better about things.” Lol!!
💚❤️😘🖖
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June 8, 2020 at 4:48 pm
They probably do eat ice cream or something when they show them enjoying their life with their parents right before they are shown their parents murdered. Horrible episode, lol. I refuse to ever put myself through the torture of it again!
Yeah I like the idea of a start of a relationship between them
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June 8, 2020 at 6:02 pm
I’ve never seen the episode but based on the comments, I don’t think I want to
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June 9, 2020 at 9:38 am
ehh everyone should put themselves through it once if only to see the scene where Spock is holding Jim while he has his meltdown lol
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June 9, 2020 at 4:07 am
Spock gets if. Of course he does. And of course he’s not opposed to Jim’s touch of his person. And of course he wins at chess!
What I love about this is that it’s so very them. Just exactly them and there’s a comfort in that!
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June 9, 2020 at 9:39 am
thank you! And yes he does
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