How to Write Great Frenemies: The Case of Mr. Spock & Dr. McCoy

“You seem a decent fellow, I’d hate to kill you!”

“You seem a decent fellow, I’d hate to die.”

-Inigo & Wesley from The Princess Bride

Frenemies in fiction have many variations in meaning and context. Frenemies can be former friends who’ve since fallen out, enemies only by circumstance, secretly in love with each other and hiding it with insults, a sibling or romantic rivalry (or both!) there are dozens of variations.

By far one of the most difficult and volatile to maintain is the Vitriolic Best Buds variation of this trope, and it is for this reason that it is one of my favorite friendship dynamics to write.

There are many perils in writing a Vitriolic Friendship, the two characters must be equally matched in their ability to snark and insult each other, otherwise, it comes off as one bullying the other.

There must be a force stronger than circumstances that bind them, otherwise, they’re just reluctant teammates.

They must be different enough to regularly butt heads, and similar enough for the general audience to understand why they’re friends.

Both of the characters, the author, and the audience need to understand the barriers each character would have to cross for the Vitriolic Friendship to dissolve into a “normal” friendship or make them enemies.

One of the most long-lived and iconic Pop Culture Vitriolic Friendship dynamics is that of Dr. Leonard McCoy and Mr. Spock from the Star Trek franchise. Their legendary bickering spanning across generations of TV & film to their most recent iteration in 2016’s Star Trek: Beyond. I will be using them as my prime examples of the five elements required to build a Vitriolic Friendship that lasts.

1. What Ties These Two Together?

“I know… I’m worried about Jim too.”

One of the common aspects of any Frenemy trope is that the two characters who are part of it would not normally be friends, even enemies instead, but events and circumstances have changed that.

For a Vitriolic Friendship dynamic to begin, there must be an event, or person that initially brings them together. In the case of Spock and Dr. McCoy, that circumstance is James Kirk, with whom they both have a deep friendship.

While both of their relationships with Kirk have stood the test of time and popularity, it is the antagonistic relationship between McCoy and Spock that electrifies and vitalizes the character dynamic, gaining them the title of the Star Trek Triumvirate.

They would not interact had it not been for Captain Kirk, or if he weren’t both their friend, they may have been enemies.

2. How Do Their Differences & Similarities Fuel Their Vitriol?

“Those two men, are they enemies?”

“I’m not sure they’re sure.”

The second most important fundamental of a good Vitriolic Friendship is that the characters’ personalities must collide in a way that infuriates and compels them both.

Spock and Dr. McCoy are infuriated by one another’s prejudices toward each other’s species, and their opposing gut reactions to new situations.

Yet they are both compelled by their shared traits of being candid, scrupulous, and compassionate men.

Though they constantly make one another angry, they both fundamentally understand the other is a good person. The reasons for infuriation and compulsion may vary in other similar relationships, but mutual understanding is what’s important.

3. Insults, Compliments, and Everything In-Between

“Mr. Spock remind me to tell you that I’m sick and tired of your logic.”

“That is a most illogical attitude.”

The most delicate aspect of a Vitriolic Friendship dynamic is the careful balancing act between insults, genuine compliments, and the banter that falls in-between.

Too many insults and that’s just two people who hate and bully each other, too many compliments and it’s no longer a Vitriolic Friendship.

For every “I’m trying to thank you! You green-blooded hobgoblin!” there must be “if we are pawns, this pawn is extremely sorry”.

There is a base level of what seems like contempt on the surface that must be proven to be just that, on the surface.

4. The Grey Line Between Friendship & Animosity

“Doctor, I am in command of the Enterprise.”

“I would like to remedy that.”

Another important aspect of understanding Vitriolic Friendships is that such relationships ride the grey line between friendship and animosity.

It is a good thing to know where the guard rails are, the character development (or regression) that would lead to the two characters becoming enemies, or better friends.

For example, when Captain Kirk is presumed dead in the Star Trek episode “The Tholian Web”, McCoy’s fiery vindictiveness and Spock’s cold stubbornness nearly destroy their friendship, but a parting message from Kirk intervenes, otherwise, they may have become enemies.

The two of them shedding their prejudices toward each other (which occurs slowly through the series and subsequent films) is what would make them better friends.

5. Proof By Actions & Not By Words

“I recommend you abandon the attempt-”

“Shut up Spock we’re rescuing you!”

Perhaps more important than any balancing act that exists in the banter of a Vitriolic Friendship is the actions that prove that they are in-fact friends.

Actions that may have been done if the two characters were even just allies.

Though Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy are constantly at one another’s throats in each other’s presence, they both consistently complement each other when they think the other is out of earshot. When one is in danger, the other does not do hesitate to stick his neck out, even lay down his life to save him.

These actions should speak much louder than any insults you’ve concocted for your characters to throw at each other.

Chances are, your audience will take sides on who they think is right and justified in this character dynamic, and they will argue about it non-stop on the internet. If that’s the case, you did something right. The fans may be arguing with each other, but they’re talking about your story, and that’s a good thing.