Origin
Star Trek Canon Special Note
Not everything listed in the origin is Canon. That is because only television shows and movies are considered canon. This being a comic website there are many things here that are not canon. So unless it is contradicted in film, it should be listed as part of the character biography.
McCoy was born on born in 2227 in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a clergymen who taught him the bible and to respect life. As he got older McCoy went to the University of Mississippi, where he met his wife. However, it was not to be and they had a divorce, leaving him with nothing except his “Bones” This would later become his nick name. This could also be a reference to sawbones, which is an old epithet (substitute for the name or title) for physicians.
McCoy became the Chief Medical officer on board the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain James T. Kirk in 2266. He was known for his arguing the logic of his fellow officer and the science officer Spock. Often these arguments would end with McCoy making references to Spock’s blood color and other physiological differences between himself and the Vulcan. He served on board ship for many years until he retired.
McCoy had been retired for two years, but is ordered to return to his post, which causes him to consider himself “drafted.” He serves with distinction on the ships and ends up staying on as Chief Medical Officer. He later served on board during Spock’s death and was the last to see him before he entered the chamber filled with radiation.
As it turned out Spock had transferred his katra (which is his knowledge and experience) to McCoy before dying previously. Annoyed and fluted that Spock had chosen him to carry on, McCoy has to go back to the Genesis planet to restore Spock’s katra to his reanimated body. A few years later he and Kirk escape from a Klingon prison world. The two and the rest of the Enterprise crew manage to stop a plot to sabotage the peace treaty between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire.
“You treat her like a lady… and she’ll always bring you home.”
–Leonard McCoy
McCoy stay in Starfleet for years afterwards and on On stardate 41153.7, the 137-year old Admiral Leonard McCoy inspected the USS Enterprise D during its first mission He commented on the great significance of the ship’s name to Lieutenant Commander Data, telling Data.
Creation
McCoy was created by Gene Roddenberry to the Television show Star Trek. He was not the first Cheif Medical officer on the ship or even the first on the show. The show had two pilot episodes and the actor DeForest Kelly who played McCoy did not join the cast until the series started. The Chief Medical Officer in the first pilot under Captain Christopher Pike was Phillip Boyce. The Chief Medical Officer in the second pilot was Mark Piper.
In the 2009 Star Trek film, McCoy is played by Karl Urban in a new timeline. It is in this new timeline that he becomes friends with Kirk at Starfleet Academy. He joins, like in the normal universe after his divorce (see above). McCoy helps get Kirk posted aboard the USS Enterprise, thereby helping him get the command later on and very early in his career.
Character Family Development
In Star Trek: the Animated Series, it is revealed That McCoy has a daughter. Pavel Chekov‘s friend Irina, in the original series episode The Way to Eden, was originally written as Dr. McCoy’s daughter, Joanna, but this character was changed before the episode was shot. In another episode it was also planed for his daughter to have relations with the mischievous Kirk, but it was not to be as the series was canceled before it aired.
Death
DeForest Kelley the actor who became synonymous with the character of McCoy died on June 11, 1999. As a tribute DC Comics honored the actor by creating a story chronicling McCoy’s death.
Famous Quotes
The character of McCoy became well known for his many quotes.
- “I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by this gadget.”
- “What’s the matter, Jim, don’t you trust yourself?“
- “He’s dead, Jim.”
- “I’m a doctor not a⦔ (insert depending on the event or circumstance)
- “I never say that.”
- “Shut up, Spock, we’re rescuing you!“
- “Hey, Jim-boy, y’all ever have a real cold, Georgia-style mint julep, huh?“
- “Do you want to see just how fast I can put you in a hospital?“
- “By golly, Jim â I’m beginning to think I can cure a rainy day!“
- “I’m trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!“
- “A child could do it… a child could do it…“
- “Just a moment, Captain, Sir, I’ll explain what happened. Your revered Admiral Nogura invoked a little-known, seldom-used reserve activation clause. In simpler language, captain, they drafted me!“
- “Well, Jim, I hear Chapel’s an MD now. Well, I’m gonna need a top nurse, not a doctor who’ll argue every little diagnosis with me. And they probably redesigned the whole sickbay too! I know engineers, they love to change things!“
- “Jim, I’m your doctor and I’m your friend. Get back your command. Get it back before you turn into part of this collection. Before you really do grow old.“
- “The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe. We’ll get a freighter.“
- “Because I’m a doctor, that’s how I know!“
(Upon learning he was the recipient of Spock’s katra via a mind-meld) “That green-blooded son-of-a-bitch. It’s his revenge for all those arguments he lost.“ - “You treat her like a lady, and she’ll always bring you home.“
- “Jim, you don’t ask the Almighty for his ID!“