# Did Mr. Sulu ever have a romantic relationship in any of the Star Trek shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214 "2006-04-18T21:02:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/21 "2006-04-19T19:08:28Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > And, also, to be honest and fair, with the exception of Kirk and his ladies, almost none of the other characters in TOS had noticeable relationships. Straight actors or otherwise. Well, Spock had T’pring (Amok Time) and the girl on Omicron Ceti Four (This Side of Paradise). McCoy fell in love in “For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky”, and Scotty was trying to get to know a girl in “Wolf in the Fold”. Chekov had an old girlfriend that showed up in “The Way to Eden”. The Captain had too many to list, of course, but there were a good number of flings for the others. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/22 "2006-04-19T19:38:27Z")
Well, Jerry Sohl’s first two drafts (entitled "Power Play, then “The Way of The Spores”) of what became the episode “This Side of Paradise,” had Sulu as the former love interest of Leila Kalomi. D. C. Fontana’s final rewrite had Spock as her old flame. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/23 "2006-04-19T19:48:00Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > The subtlest of all the evil opposite cues in the entire history of the mirror universe, Sulu lusting after a woman. OK… but then what are we to infer from the fact that Kirk’s evil opposite had his own “Captain’s Woman”, hmmm…? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/24 "2006-04-19T19:48:11Z")
> [@Saltire](#): > > Well, Spock had T’pring (Amok Time) and the girl on Omicron Ceti Four (This Side of Paradise). McCoy fell in love in “For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky”, and Scotty was trying to get to know a girl in “Wolf in the Fold”. Chekov had an old girlfriend that showed up in “The Way to Eden”. Chekov was also trying to make time with some yeoman in IIRC “The Apple.” Scotty seemed to be crushing on the lady historian in “Who Mourns for Adonais?” and whats-er-name from “The Lights of Zetar.” Spock fell in love with Mariette Hartley in one of the time travel episodes. Uhura showed some interest in the hot black crewman in “The Man Trap” but of course he turned out to be the salt vampire (who also mimicked one of McCoy’s old flames) and of course there’s Nurse Chapel’s unrequited crush on Spock. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/25 "2006-04-19T19:49:24Z")
> [@Steve MB](#): > > OK… but then what are we to infer from the fact that Kirk’s evil opposite had his own “Captain’s Woman”, hmmm…? _cough_Slash_cough_ ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/26 "2006-04-19T19:50:40Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Chekov was also trying to make time with some yeoman in IIRC “The Apple.” Scotty seemed to be crushing on the lady historian in “Who Mourns for Adonais?” and whats-er-name from “The Lights of Zetar.” Spock fell in love with Mariette Hartley in one of the time travel episodes. Uhura showed some interest in the hot black crewman in “The Man Trap” but of course he turned out to be the salt vampire (who also mimicked one of McCoy’s old flames) and of course there’s Nurse Chapel’s unrequited crush on Spock. Okay, okay, but _aside from that,_ what have the Romans ever done for us? > [@](#): > > OK… but then what are we to infer from the fact that Kirk’s evil opposite had his own “Captain’s Woman”, hmmm…? that in the real world, _all_ of the women are the Captain’s Women? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/27 "2006-04-19T20:30:02Z")
> [@Steve MB](#): > > OK… but then what are we to infer from the fact that Kirk’s evil opposite had his own “Captain’s Woman”, hmmm…? :dubious: As Siegmund Freud said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/28 "2006-04-19T20:52:00Z")
A cigar? So… what are you saying? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/29 "2006-04-19T20:56:20Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > A cigar? So… what are you saying? I dunno, we’re talkin’ Freud here. Probably something about the Burger King. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/30 "2006-04-19T21:53:14Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > As Siegmund Freud said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Unless you’re a certain ex-president. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/31 "2006-04-19T22:17:26Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > The subtlest of all the evil opposite cues in the entire history of the mirror universe, Sulu lusting after a woman. Thank you for my Big Laugh of the day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/32 "2006-04-19T22:57:42Z")
I believe he did some flirting with the Asian hippie chick from **Way to Eden**? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/33 "2006-04-19T23:02:17Z")
> [@Archergal](#): > > Unless you’re a certain ex-president. Taft? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/34 "2006-04-20T00:29:19Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Taft? I think he is speaking of my favorite President, Chester A. Arthur who kept women hidden about the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/35 "2006-04-20T00:52:38Z")
Meh. Taft was so fat he kept women hidden on his _person_. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/36 "2006-04-20T01:01:57Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Meh. Taft was so fat he kept women hidden on his _person_. Ha! Arthur was so fat he got stuck in a White House bathtub. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/37 "2006-04-20T01:22:36Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Sulu’s role was to discover an ancient pistol and to be attacked by a Samurai. Yeah, right. And I suppose sometimes a pistol and a Samurai sword are just a pistol and a Samurai sword? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/38 "2006-04-20T01:23:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Ha! Arthur was so fat he got stuck in a White House bathtub. Umm . . . was that Arthur Taft? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/39 "2006-04-20T01:27:44Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Spock fell in love with Mariette Hartley in one of the time travel episodes. Zarabeth the frozen wasteland quasi-cavewoman in “All Our Yesterdays.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214/40 "2006-04-20T01:53:26Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Umm . . . was that Arthur Taft? You’re just trying to take credit for your own guy. …unless I’ve been lied to all these years…Gasp. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mr-sulu-ever-have-a-romantic-relationship-in-any-of-the-star-trek-shows/353214.md?page=3)