Star Trek XI - spoilers!

[Feathers]

Gene Roddenberry had Spock serving on the Enterprise when Kirk was only 23 years old, probably just out of the academy.

OK, I'm confused. Couldn't Spock have joined the Enterprise straight out of the academy (which would have put them at more-or-less the same age) or is there something in the back-story here that no-one's mentioned yet?

[Rico]

Nope - you are dead on correct.  There are also several Trek references for Academy cadets going on short assignments aboard ships to get experience (Wrath of Khan is a good example).  It's likely Spock did this and caught the eye of Pike, perhaps even before he finished up at the Academy. 

[Feathers]

There are also several Trek references for Academy cadets going on short assignments aboard ships to get experience (Wrath of Khan is a good example).

For cadets on assignment, I guess we also have the Nog story from season 5(?) of DS9. It's a lot later (obviously) but it supports the premise.

[Bryancd]

Gene Roddenberry had Spock serving on the Enterprise when Kirk was only 23 years old, probably just out of the academy.

OK, I'm confused. Couldn't Spock have joined the Enterprise straight out of the academy (which would have put them at more-or-less the same age) or is there something in the back-story here that no-one's mentioned yet?

Yep, it can certainly work, no problem. What I am saying, again, is simply that I feel the character of Spock as crafted in TOS was intended to be a more experienced officer than Kirk and not so much his contemporary. Again, a lot of fans have this same impression from watching TOS.

[Feathers]

Yep, it can certainly work, no problem. What I am saying, again, is simply that I feel the character of Spock as crafted in TOS was intended to be a more experienced officer than Kirk and not so much his contemporary. Again, a lot of fans have this same impression from watching TOS.

Got you! I thought we were purely talking maths but I understand where you're coming from now. I can't say I necessarily pulled that from growing up up with TOS but then I can't say that I'd have been that attentive to this sort of issue.

On the occasions that Spock took command, though, weren't there some resentment issues from the crew that would have been less prominent if he had been older? (the Gallileo 7 podcast springs to mind here - I can't remember specifics though) Arguably, of course, Tuvok suffered the same fate when he took over Voyager so perhaps it's more of a racist thing (if that's allowed in Gene's universe).

[Bryancd]

More of a construct to create drama and tension in regards to Gallileo 7.

[X]

Hey, I'm lazy, but don't they give Spock's age in Unification? If they do, it would be simple math to figure out the differences.

[X]

Also, I thought they gave Spock his first pon farr in his early 30's and that would have put Jim Kirk pretty close to the age right?

[billybob476]

Well, if we want to get very nitpicky with people's ages, living on a starship would really mess with people's ages according to physics...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation

[Rico]

Don't forget Spock was "reborn" due to the Genesis effect.  So his age after that incident is very likely different than it would have been.  We've mainly been discussing his age during his and Kirk's early careers.

[Meds]

Well, if we want to get very nitpicky with people's ages, living on a starship would really mess with people's ages according to physics...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation

Damn you Joe. You have not helped my brain. 'BOOM' slump.......

[billybob476]

I'm in a complicated mood today! :)

[Meds]

Don't make me come over there and throw my math book at you ;)

[billybob476]

*ducks*

[Meds]

darn it...