The Unbelievable Anomalies of Spock's Extraordinary Physique

Summary

Spock's Vulcan emotions are intense, but he can smile when he genuinely cares about someone, like Captain Kirk.

Spock possesses a distinct physiology due to his hybrid heritage of being half-Vulcan and half-human. This includes having a heart located in his lower abdomen and blood that is green in color. Additionally, his eyes are protected by a transparent inner eyelid, and his brain exhibits remarkable computational abilities.

Mr. Spock, a character from Star Trek, is known for his enduring popularity and distinctive appearance due to his alien body. As the half-Vulcan, half-human Science Officer of the Enterprise, he has been part of the franchise since its inception, becoming a series regular after the original pilot of Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Cage." In the 2009 film Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams, an older Spock (Leonard Nimoy) encounters a younger version of himself (Zachary Quinto) in an alternate timeline. The television series Star Trek: Discovery, which premiered in 2017, introduces Spock's adopted sister Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), and in its second season, Spock (now portrayed by Ethan Peck) joins the cast. This portrayal of Spock continues in the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Regardless of the actor or the timeline, certain aspects of Spock's character remain consistent. He navigates his identity as a man caught between two worlds, balancing his human and Vulcan heritage. Humans view him as rigid, composed, and emotionally distant, while Vulcans see him as overly human, prone to emotional outbursts, and difficult to control. However, within Starfleet, he finds acceptance and understanding, with friends who appreciate him for who he truly is. Apart from these recurring character traits, several peculiarities of Spock's alien body remain unchanged throughout different iterations of the character.

10 Spock Can Smile, He Just Doesn't ... Usually

Spock's Vulcan emotions are significantly more intense than those experienced by humans. However, he prefers to suppress his feelings in accordance with the Vulcan way. Despite common belief, he is not physically incapable of feeling; he simply wishes to convey that he is. Occasionally, a smile betrays his true emotions, particularly when he is in the company of individuals whom he genuinely cares about, such as Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). In Star Trek: The Motion Picture, he is on the verge of completing the kolinahr—a ritual that eliminates all emotions—yet he never quite reaches the culmination of this process.

9 Spock's Heart is in the Wrong Place

Spock, a peculiar character in Star Trek, possesses a unique heritage as being both Vulcan and human. Although he carries traits from both species, the dominating Vulcan DNA is evident in his appearance. Notably, his pointed ears and angled brow clearly distinguish him from humans. However, it is worth noting that true significance lies within. Interestingly, Spock's heart is situated in his lower abdomen, where his liver should typically be. This anatomical anomaly proves essential in saving his life during an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, specifically season 2, episode 16 "A Private Little War," when he sustains a severe gunshot wound.

8 Spock is Cool

Spock demonstrates remarkable resilience to heat, whether it be from direct contact or the surrounding environment. In the arid conditions of Vulcan, rainfall is rare and the temperatures range from 110ºF (43.3ºC) to 125ºF (51.6ºC), accompanied by a noticeably thinner atmosphere compared to that of Earth. Consequently, Vulcans possess physical attributes enabling their survival in this predominantly desert terrain. With their body temperatures averaging around 91ºF, considerably lower than those of humans, and a consistently low blood pressure, their circulatory systems function with exceptional efficiency.

7 Spock Bleeds Green

Spock's green-blooded nature is not merely a result of Dr. McCoy's insults. Following the tradition of esteemed Star Trek Vulcans, Spock's blood contains a copper binding agent, which when exposed to oxygen manifests as a vibrant green hue. In contrast, human blood, which is iron-based, exhibits the familiar red color. An intriguing tidbit: Spock and his estranged father Ambassador Sarek (Portrayed by Mark Lenard) happen to share the T-negative blood type. This proves advantageous when Sarek necessitates a blood transfusion in the memorable episode "Journey to Babel," part of The Original Series' second season.

6 Spock's Eyes Have a Secret

Spock possesses a transparent third inner eyelid, an essential physiological trait that aids Vulcans in surviving the harsh desert environment of their home planet. This protective inner eyelid shields his eyes from abrasive sand and debris, crucially preventing him from suffering a permanent loss of vision when he once fell victim to a Denevan neural parasite. Furthermore, Spock's visual perception is distinct from that of humans, as his eyes are capable of detecting a wider spectrum of colors.

5 Spock's Brain is Actually Awesome

Wait... what? Hold on a second, it's Spock's actual brain that's truly remarkable. Capable of processing multiple variables and swiftly responding to them, it surpasses human capabilities by far. Thanks to this extraordinary computational power, Spock can skillfully navigate and pilot a shuttle amidst a chaotic debris field, alter the trajectory of a comet using minimal thrusters, or even master the art of time travel by executing a slingshot maneuver around Earth's sun - something he accomplished on several occasions. It's no wonder the Eymorg were so desperate to get their hands on it.

4 Spock Can Live Rent Free in Your Head

The katra, similar to a soul, is an integral part of one's being, but in the case of Spock, it is not always firmly connected to his own body. At the conclusion of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spock selflessly sacrifices himself for the greater good, and his coffin is ejected, eventually landing on the Genesis Planet. This world, in the midst of birthing life, infuses Spock's lifeless body with its inherent radiation, resulting in his resurrection. Remarkably, Spock had foreseen this turn of events and beforehand transferred his katra into Dr. Leonard McCoy, who willingly restores it in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

3 Spock is Actually Neurodivergent

In episode 7 of Discovery season 2, titled "Light and Shadows," a flashback unveils that Spock has inherited dyslexia from his human mother, Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner). For young Spock (Liam Hughes), this dyslexia manifests as L'tak Terai, a learning difference characterized by difficulty in spatial awareness and recognizing order. Although Sarek (James Frain) believes that Spock will outgrow it, Amanda disagrees and thinks that the Vulcan Learning Center cannot offer the necessary accommodations. As a result, she assists her son by reading books like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to him. Neurodivergent fans have resonated with Spock for many years, so it is truly remarkable that Discovery explicitly addresses his learning differences.

2 Young Spock Is Unexpectedly Hot

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a younger Spock (Ethan Peck) finds himself caught in a romantic dilemma, as both his fiancée T'Pring (Gia Sandhu) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) compete for his affections. The term "hot Spock" is first mentioned in season 2, episode 7 "Those Old Scientists" when Ensign Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) playfully coins the nickname. While Mariner's surprise at finding him attractive is evident, it is important to note that Mariner is from the 2380s, a time when Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is revered as a Starfleet legend, having lived for over a hundred years.

1 Spock is Biologically Mandated to Get It

Upon reaching adulthood, Vulcans undergo a phenomenon known as the pon farr every seven years. This occurrence involves a neural chemical imbalance that overrides rationality and instills a biological urge to find a mate. Spock, being half-Vulcan, had been hopeful of avoiding this rather undignified experience. However, "Amok Time," an episode from season 2 of The Original Series, disproves his optimism. Spock's pon farr is not absent but simply delayed until his thirties. In a futile attempt to manage his symptoms through meditation, he decides to return to Vulcan to fulfill his needs. It is here that his intended mate, T'Pring (played by Arlene Martel), initiates the kal-if-fee, a ritual combat. Surprisingly, the subsequent duel between Spock and Captain Kirk proves to be a completely efficacious remedy.

Mr. Spock, from Leonard Nimoy's initial appearance in the original pilot of Star Trek: The Original Series titled "The Cage," to Ethan Peck's portrayal in the latest episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, has remained an iconic figure within the Star Trek franchise. The peculiarities of his physical form that may appear unusual to humans are in fact typical attributes of Vulcans. A crucial aspect of Star Trek is embracing the concept of "infinite diversity in infinite combinations," as emphasized by the Vulcans.