There are two major things that the Star Trek franchise is best known for. One is world-building. Utilizing make-up, costuming, and special effects, the showrunners managed to create an entire universe thriving with hundreds of worlds, species, and civilizations.
The other major thing Star Trek is known for is its friendships. From the strong friendships between the crew members to the new friendships with the people they meet, the universe of Stark Trek is nothing without its characters. Much of the drama and humor comes from the relationships between the characters and how they view different situations. Naturally, having great chemistry between the core characters is a must; because of that, there are many wonderful and memorable friendships in the franchise. However, some are closer and stronger than others.
10 Neelix and Tuvok
Neelix and Tuvok are one of those odd couples that don’t sound like they would work but pull it off anyway. Neelix is emotional, eager to please, and tends to overstep personal boundaries. Tuvok is reserved, professional, and keeps a cool head no matter the circumstances (or tries to anyway). Although Neelix had a deep admiration for him, Tuvok was often frustrated with him to the point of losing control.
Nevertheless, Neelix’s intelligence and dedication impressed Tuvok despite himself, and the two of them came to trust each other. Neelix helped Tuvok when he was in trouble, and Tuvok gave Neelix advice and occasionally bent Vulcan traditions to make him happy. In the end, they proved to be an effective team.
9 Odo and Quark
Star Trek’s version of a cop drama duo, Odo and Quark, work on opposite sides of the law. Odo has a passion for justice, leading him to do whatever he can to right a wrong, while Quark is a shady, self-serving crook. Because of this, they usually clash whenever something goes down and get on each other’s nerves.
Despite this, they respect each other’s strengths and are often compelled to work together. When a terrorist group threatens a fragile peace, Quark’s first instinct is to warn Odo. When they’re trapped on an inhospitable planet, they help each other survive. When Odo leaves the station, it’s clear they will miss each other though neither would admit it. Odo and Quark are the definition of frenemies.
8 Beverly Crusher and Deanna Troi
Unlike some friendships where the people involved bond over their differences, Beverly Crusher and Deanna Troi bonded over their similarities. They are professionals charged with maintaining the well-being of the crew. They are older, single women who have trouble creating stable romantic relationships. They are nurturing, empathetic people who are protective of innocent lives.
Because of this, Crusher and Troi often turn to each other for support and comfort and will give each other advice on how to deal with personal issues. Over time, they become as close as sisters. Despite Star Trek’s tremendous strides in diversity, female relationships are as common in the franchise. Troi and Crusher provided some of the most heartfelt scenes in Star Trek: Next Generation.
7 Worf and Jean-Luc Picard
A favorite among Star Trek fans, Worf, son of Mogh, is a warrior with a serious attitude and a strict code of honor. Although he tends to be standoffish with strangers, he makes genuine connections with other crew members and greatly respects them.
One such person is Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Next Generation. Throughout the series and beyond, Worf trusts his captain’s decisions, follows his orders, and accepts his criticism. The one time he doesn’t, in Star Trek: First Contact, he still shows his respect by not punching Picard out after he insults him. Picard returns this respect by apologizing and accepting that Worf is right. After many years of working together, they trust each other to do the right thing when needed.
6 Data and Jean-Luc Picard
Since his arrival on the Enterprise, Data has made close relationships with every member of the main characters. Each provides advice and insight that aids Data in his quest for humanity. Data’s closest friendship, however, is Jean-Luc Picard.
Although Data cites Geordi La Forge as his best friend, Picard is the one Data turns to most often for help and advice. Picard is the one who defends Data when his rights are called into question. He’s the one Data sacrifices his life for, and the one who stays with him when he dies. Through Data and Picard’s friendship, the show explored the complex facets of humanity and made us question what it means to be human.
5 Benjamin Sisko and Kira Nerys
Of all the friendships Sisko formed in Deep Space Nine, his friendship with Kira Nerys was the most combative. Openly opposed to the Federation’s occupation of her home world, Nerys’ acceptance of her position as his first officer was begrudging at best. They often argued over the best methods of handling difficult situations and even acted out of line.
Nonetheless, they were able to learn from each other and came to have a strong appreciation for each other’s views despite their stubbornness. In every Star Trek series, the captain’s relationship with their first officer is typically the most crucial in the show. The relationship between Sisko and Nerys proves that you don’t always have to agree to be an effective team.
4 The Doctor and Seven Of Nine
An artificially intelligent hologram and a human-turned-drone is a strange pairing, but it works amazingly. Initially brought together through necessity, the two develop a bond of trust. They understand each other’s difficulties with their sense of humanity.
The Doctor is a hologram that thinks and feels like a human, while Seven is a human trained to act like a machine. Furthermore, Seven is the only person aboard the ship who shares the Doctor’s love of music and enjoys singing with him. Many fans believed they would eventually end up together and were disappointed when the writers didn’t go that route.
3 Katheryn Janeway and Chakotay
Out of the friendships in Star Trek: Voyager, the friendship between Captain Janeway and First Officer Chakotay was one of the strongest in the series. Despite not being the ship’s resident Vulcan, Chakotay was the Spock to Janeway’s Kirk because he was her closest advisor and confidante. He’d be there with advice and support whenever she was in doubt. Even when they disagreed, they always had each other’s backs.
The closeness between them was such that there were times when their friendship bordered on something more romantic, and there were many fans who believed they should have gotten together. As it is, their relationship is still canonically platonic. Either way, it’s a beautiful thing to watch.
2 Leonard "Bones" McCoy and Spock
Although Kirk and Spock’s friendship is one for the ages, Spock also has a strong friendship with the ship’s doctor, Leonard “Bones” McCoy. They’re as different as two men can be. Spock is stoic and logical, while Bones is emotional and prone to outbursts. As such, they typically clash.
When life is calm, they’ll bicker and tease each other over their species’ characteristics. They’ll argue over how to solve the problem when caught in a dangerous situation. Nonetheless, both men deeply respect one another and their strengths. When one is in trouble, the other saves him. When Kirk is in danger, they unite to help him. When push comes to shove, they’ve got each other’s backs and the backs of everyone on the Enterprise.
1 James T. Kirk and Spock
The friendship between Captain James T. Kirk and First Officer Spock is the most beloved and definitive friendship in the Star Trek franchise and one of the most definitive male friendships in fiction, period.
Spock is the one who usually accompanies Kirk on missions. He’s the one Kirk turns to for help and advice, and the one he trusts the most to have his back. In turn, Kirk is the one Spock confides in, the one he shows emotion towards, and the one he turns to for comfort. They know each other better than they know themselves. If Kirk is acting strangely, Spock is the first to notice, and vice versa. The two are as close as brothers and always have each other's backs.