Original artwork, not a still
Disputed attribution: Spock
Highly illogical.
— Star Trek: The Original Series ‧ 1966
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Spock's word is the series' sharpest joke about logic: a Vulcan who sees human pleasure, bravery and hunches as faults of reasoning, and says so with perfect calm. Fans have turned it into a standing reply to any irrational act, and the catchphrase has been polished into "highly illogical" by impressionists and later Star Trek, even though on screen he more often says "most" or "totally".
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Star Trek: The Original SeriesShow the scene
The most famous of Spock's verdicts is "Most illogical", which closes "Shore Leave" (Star Trek, season 1, first aired 29 December 1966). The Enterprise crew has spent the episode on a pleasure planet where thoughts become real. Back on the bridge, Spock asks the returning officers if they enjoyed their rest. Kirk and McCoy both say yes, Spock delivers his dry verdict, and Kirk orders warp factor one. The exact words "highly illogical" turn up only rarely: in "The Omega Glory" (1968) Spock calls the Yangs' behaviour highly illogical, and Kirk snaps that he knows.
Sources (3)
- Star Trek transcript, "Shore Leave" (chakoteya.net)Final bridge sceneReference checked
- Star Trek transcript, "The Omega Glory" (chakoteya.net)Jail cell scene with the two YangsReference checked
- Wikiquote, Star Trek: The Original SeriesQuotes by episode (Spock and 'illogical')Reference checked
Context reviewed
