KIRK
Captain James T. Kirk is a very colorful personality - he is openly, unashamedly emotional - we can easily see that he has some very definite likes and dislikes. In general, Kirk is an active, outdoorsy type who oddly likes all kind of quaint, old-fashioned things. He's also very adventurous and curious, and is actively attracted to strange/alien things and people. He loves things that are primitive, but he also loves high-tech things. He is a man who is at home in his own time, but he cherishes the best of the past, while always looking forward to the future.
Things Kirk likes:
Games: We know Kirk plays chess because Kirk and Spock are playing together in "Where no man has gone before". We are given reason to believe Kirk plays cards, because he shows familiarity with Poker game-play in "Corbomite Maneuver", and he invents a bogus card game, *Fizzbin* in "Piece of the action". Kirk makes a game out of everything. He's playful by nature. He has the knack for finding the fun in even dangerous situations.
Roughing it in the bush: We know Kirk likes camping for fun because he takes Spock camping for the fun of it. He always insists on going ashore every chance he gets. In Shore Leave we see his idea of big fun is to run around a lot, and get dirty. He's a real nature boy.
Cooking: We are given reason to believe Kirk likes cooking, because he whips up a little breakfast for Antonia in "Generations", and has fun doing it. He cooks on camp-outs too.
Climbing: We know he likes climbing because we see him doing this in one of the movies. Shoot, he does it every chance he gets.
Animals: We know he loves riding horses because he does this in "Generations". We also meet his big dog "Butler" in the Nexus. Jim is very sympathetic to non-humans in general.
Reading: We learn in TOS that Kirk enjoys reading for pleasure, and he actually wants a book he can hold. He appears to be widely read, and he prefers deep stuff. In "Where No Man Has Gone Before" Kirk's friend Gary Mitchell mentions Spinoza and other "longhair stuff" that Kirk likes to read. Spock gives Kirk a copy of "Tale of Two Cities" for a birthday present, and he eagerly starts reading right away.
Drinking: We learn in TOS that Kirk enjoys having a drink or two with friends. He's not a heavy drinker, but he does get drunk on rare occasions. His evil half gets drunk and sexually harasses Yeoman Rand in "Enemy within", and on another occasion ("Turnabout intruder") Scotty says he's seen Kirk drunk. More than once we see Kirk and McCoy hanging out, drinking and talking together.
Dancing: He dances or talks about dancing for fun more than once in TOS. For example he dances with Reyna Kepec in "Requiem for Methuselah", and it was his idea. He danced with Helen Noel the night that they met.
"Wrassling": We see him horsing around, practicing some type of fighting techniques in the Gym with "Charlie X". I'm not sure what that was...Judo? Kirk is pretty active, and he gets into wrestling and fist-fighting situations often, seeming to even welcome them at times, as when he welcomed the knock-down-drag-out brawl with Finnegan in "Shore Leave" (which he admitted he enjoyed, to Mr. Spock).
Collecting: We get a glimpse of Kirk's antique weapons collection in "Wrath of Khan". Old-time ship models are also on display. McCoy makes him a gift of an antique pair of glasses, Spock on the same day gives him a Victorian-era novel "Tale of two cities". Since Both McCoy and Spock are very close to Kirk, it's safe to assume they gave him things they thought he'd really like, and since he puts the glasses on and reads the novel right away, it appears they were right. In "Shore Leave", when Sulu finds an old-style pistol, Kirk confiscates it (maybe to add to his collection). Kirk also maybe collect souvenirs from his adventures. For example he apparently keeps some of the exotic costumes from his adventures: wore his slave harness home in Gamesters of Triskelion, for example.
Trivial pursuit: This one is a bit of a stretch, but Kirk is always asking Spock and other people questions about obscure facts, and he occasionally pulls a rare fact out of his head to liven up the conversation, so I'll bet he would enjoy trivia games, and he'd probably be good at them.
Sight-seeing: Kirk often gets all gee-whiz about things he sees on the many worlds he visits, so it's clear the touristy joy of sight-seeing is one of the primary pleasures that comes with his job. Even on his own time he likes travel. Of course he doesn't just look: he likes to interact with whatever strange and amazing things he encounters.
Star-gazing: Kirk likes star-gazing, especially on dates. Helen Noel reminisces about walking with Kirk and talking about the stars. He's apparently the one who brings the topic up, because he does the same thing on a date with Edith Keeler. He also explains that *the lights in the sky* are stars to Drill Thrall Shana, and that he comes from a planet, etc. so, in effect he gives her a introduction to astronomy just as a way to make conversation. Considering he looks at stars all day every day, you'd think he'd get enough of it, but apparently not. Even when he doesn't have to look at them, he still likes to do so. His love of the stars is probably a big reason he chose the profession that he did. He didn't want to just look at them, he wanted to encounter them.
Women who are ladies: Kirk is not attracted to sluts and bimbos. He definitely prefers strong, intelligent, self-assured women who are self-possessed and superior in some way. Here's the short list of women Jim had sex with or fell in love with, or both, in TOS: Edith Keeler (Farsighted 1930's Slum Angel), Reyna Kepec (beautiful, super-intelligent, sweet...too bad she turned out to be an android), Mirimanee (Tribal High Priestess), Queen Deela (a queen). Jim also showed a lot of interest in Shana (his drill sergeant in Gamesters), Dr. Helen Noel (a doctor!), Lenore Karidian (seductive Shakespearean actress and skilled serial murderer), and the Dolman of Elaas (another royal person).
Special friends: Jim Kirk has a small number of friends that he's particularly fond of, and these friends are his most devoted comrades: Mr. Scott, Mr. Chekov, Mr. Sulu, Lt. Uhura, and chief among them all Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, who is clearly Jim's best friend. Kirk and McCoy have a deeply affectionate and trusting relationship, and they enjoy each other's company a great deal. Kirk is incredibly loyal and dedicated to his friends, and they return his love 100%.
Spock: Spock is much more than a friend to Jim Kirk. Jim's devoted to Spock in a way that is transcendent, and is difficult to neatly explain. Although Kirk and Spock have a stormy, passionate relationship in which they sometimes come to blows, Kirk is clearly, obviously, openly, unabashedly, unashamedly, unequivocally, undeniably, totally *fond* of Spock! Spock is without question Jim's favorite person in the whole universe. He loves the guy, although Spock sometimes does things that a normal man might find unforgivable. The reason why Jim is so bottomlessly forgiving of Spock's weird excesses is never fully explained. They just love each other. Just understand that.
Now, some things Kirk doesn't like...
He's not a big organized sports nut. We don't see him engaging in team sports, and he doesn't give a fig for who won the world cup or the Superbowl. He doesn't play, and he doesn't want to watch. He never discusses sports stars or scores. He seems oblivious to the fact that team sports exist.
Kirk doesn't seem to be attracted to performance arts like opera, ballet, theater. He goes to the theater in "Conscience of the King", but instead of paying attention to the performance, he chats in the back row with his pal through the whole thing. He also doesn't go out of his way to visit art galleries or poetry readings. He strikes me as the kind of guy who'd go to some trouble to avoid such things.
He doesn't like science fiction (!). He thinks of the future in practical terms. When he thinks about times other than his own, he likes thinking about the past, not the far-off future.
He doesn't like church. He seems perfectly irreligious. He mentions God once or twice, so he apparently has some religious training, maybe even some faith, but I don't think I've ever seen him pray to God or even visit a house of worship except to interfere with the people who worship there. He killed "gods" (Vaal and Landru in TOS), and harassed another one into committing suicide (or whatever it is that Apollo did). When Sybok led him to another God we saw a similar outcome. I can't imagine what it would take for him to cry out to God for help. All I remember seeing him do is call his friends. He relies on himself and his buddies, not on supernatural beings or powers. In fact, one might be excused for thinking that God-killing is another one of his hobbies.
Kirk avoids situations that require fancy dress and delicate manners. He hates being cooped up in a stuffy room, making dainty conversation with overly civilized people. "I'm a soldier, not a diplomat." He quickly runs out of patience with the placid, pacifist Organians in "Errand of mercy". He shows open contempt for people like the fussy Mr. Barrass in "Trouble with Tribbles", and for the prissy Anon 7 and his bloodless war in "A Taste of Armageddon". Let him out of a social situation like that, and he escapes like a kid running from school.
Kirk avoids marriage and anything that might lead to it. Kirk is unlikely to marry and settle down since he loves his dangerous profession so much. It's not that he is a playboy. He is most emphatically NOT a playboy. Kirk is a romantic. Love is sacred to him. He takes love very seriously. When wooing someone he honestly cares for, he becomes very attuned to the object of his desire, and his seductive efforts are focused, passionate, tender, playful, and sincere. BUT he never promises anything. NEVER! He's already got promises to keep, and they don't include marriage to a woman.
SPOCK
Spock was raised in the Vulcan way, which is to control emotions. Vulcans learn to not feel them at all, but it's simple politeness where Spock comes from. He is also a military man, and traditionally the military asks for lots of self-control of its people. Still, he does have some obvious likes and dislikes, as we have seen.
Things Spock likes:
Playing chess - We've seen him playing with Kirk, and he also likes to play against the computer.
Animals - Spock gets along nicely with a wide variety of creatures. He had a sehlat for a pet as a boy. The dangerous horta allowed him to approach and meld with it. Tribbles liked Spock and he seemed to like them right back. Spock always is reluctant to kill, unless the situation is extremely urgent. He tends to be respectful and tenderhearted with creatures. He is a vegetarian, possibly for philosophical as well as for dietary reasons, and has no taste for blood.
Mathematics - Spock frequently computes huge sums and performs other outstanding arithmetical feats for the pure fun of it. He's proud of his ability in this area, to such an extent that he's a show-off.
Music - We know Spock can play at least two musical instruments: his Vulcan lyre, and a piano. He sat down and played a Brahms waltz for Kirk so he could dance a bit with Reyna in Requiem For Methuselah. So Spock can read and instantly play a new piece of music without practicing it first, which is a pretty spectacular talent. He might even enjoy composing music himself. We don't know if the tunes he plays are original tunes, but they might be. We have seen him performing for his shipmates on the lyre more than once, so he does like an audience now and then. In fact, performing musically is the one thing that can coax him out of his corner. His friendship with Lt. Uhura is apparently founded on their shared love of music.
Computers - Spock is a top expert in the computer field. He knows everything about them. Obviously, computers is one of his passions.
Nature - Spock enjoys getting out for some fresh air. He enjoys the many new species he encounters, not just for scientific reasons, but because he seems to delight in them. In Menagerie we see a young Spock clearly delighted at some singing flowers he finds. It was very easy for Leila Kalomi to convince Spock to take a nature walk with her. He seems to value every chance he gets to hike around. This is something he has in common with Captain Kirk. It's something that they love to do together.
Mechanical things - Spock and Mr. Scott are big buddies when it comes to engineering problems. It's something they both enjoy a lot, and they enjoy talking about such things, and working together on such problems. Spock fully understands and appreciates Mr. Scott's passion about engines. Kirk and Spock share this too.
Pondering life's imponderables - Spock always questions people about their thinking and their reasons. He often asks Kirk to explain what the heck just happened at the end of the episode, even though he was there and should know. He's interested in more than facts: he's curious about people's perceptions and motivations. He also seems to enjoy challenging people's assumptions. This is something else he has in common with Kirk.
Human beings - Spock has structured his whole life so that he is surrounded by humans every day. Despite the occasionally snide and uncomplimentary thing he says about the species, it's pretty clear he loves the human way of doing things. Despite the way he reflexively represents Vulcans, occasionally draping himself in the Vulcan flag, he actually seems very humanlike most of the time. Vulcans certainly don't think Spock is a typical Vulcan. To them he seems too human, which is something they apparently tried (and failed) to stifle in him.
Intellectual conversation and debate - Spock isn't super chatty. He tends to be solitary and almost anti-social. He's not one for small talk, usually. But one thing that can draw him out of his shell is an interesting discussion with intelligent people. He likes topics like history, philosophy, and practical "what-if?" puzzles.
Reading and study - We don't ever see Spock reading (do we?) but he must do a lot of it, because he is a treasure trove of facts and knowledge of all kinds. Since he is a fairly famous scientist, he must also write (at least) scientific articles for publication now and then.
Adventure and danger - Spock has a strong daredevil streak. He can often be seen doing very difficult and dangerous things, and usually he volunteers to do these things. The guy has nerves of steel, a high tolerance for pain, and his Vulcan physique gives him extra strength and stamina for tasks that would certainly be fatal for a mere human. He seems to enjoy showing off this way, now and then, too. Obviously he didn't join the fleet just to see the pretty stars. He wanted action! This is a passion he shares with Jim Kirk. Although Spock is very refined and cerebral, he is not just a guy who lives in his head.
Women who are hot and horny - Spock doesn't usually show interest in women, in fact he seems to dislike them... but if the gal is absolutely desperate, he will on rare occasions deign to dally. He really seems hot for the lonely Zarabeth. Leila finally requites her unrequited red-hots, at least for a day. Spock humors Droxine, and he seduces the Romulan commander in Enterprise Incident. Uhura comes on strong to Spock in Mantrap, and although he shuts her down on that occasion, later in the series we see that they have somehow become rather chummy. A notable exception is poor Nurse Chapel, who climbs all over Spock more than once but never gets anywhere with him.
Jim Kirk - Like is too mild a word. Spock loves Kirk. He's absolutely nuts about the guy. He has enormous respect for Kirk as a Captain and as a man, but he just plain enjoys him. Spock is in no way submissive to Jim - he sometimes does what he feels like doing regardless of whether or not Jim would approve - but although he isn't always sensitive to Jim's feeling and wishes, Spock's sincere appreciation for Kirk as a person is always evident, and it's too perfect that the feeling is mutual.
Some things that Spock doesn't like:
Crowds - Spock is not a joiner. He will come out of his shell on rare occasions, but you can see it is a strain for him. He seems to like being alone better than being with almost anyone. His favorite social occasion is a quiet conversation with *one* person, in *private*. If that one person is Jim Kirk, perfect.
Committees - Spock doesn't mind discussing things with Captain Kirk and arriving at a decision together with him, but Jim is an exception. He'd rather make a decision alone and run with it than go through any kind of group process. Sometimes he doesn't even talk it over with Jim.
Red tape - Spock takes shortcuts, sometimes radical shortcuts, to avoid having to go through proper channels and process all the proper paperwork. Kirk shares his distaste for bureaucrats and procedural exactitude, and they bring out the worst in each other in this area.
Lockstep mentalities - For a Vulcan, Spock is an unusually broadminded, openminded fellow - who seems to feel the moral and heroic urge to lend his tremendous strengths and unusual gifts to his favorite cause: the advance of knowledge and civilization. Apparently he joined Starfleet to satisfy his own curiosity about natural phenomena, and because he has a passion to see order established - but it's a liberal order he hopes for, not a conservative one. Spock himself is something of a radical, a rebel, and he feels strongly enough about his progressive goals to accept his father's rejection *and* to risk his own life, to achieve them. He is most emphatically NOT HERBERT. If you forget it, he'll remind you.
Dr. McCoy - McCoy doesn't like Spock, and the animosity is clearly mutual. Those two men are not friends: they tolerate each other for duty's, and for Jim's sake. They grudgingly accept each other over time, but it's a struggle for both of them.
People or things who pick on Kirk - if you want to see Spock get really nasty really quick, try threatening his adored Jim. That's the way even precious endangered species can get on his shit list. Spock was all about being merciful with the Horta and the Salt Vampire, until they threatened Jim... then he's all KILL! KILL!
Jim Kirk - If you really want to see Spock at his worst, create a reason for Jim to inflame him. Nobody knows how to get under Spock's skin and drive him completely bananas better than Kirk does. They come to blows more than once.
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