Both men are loners when it comes to establishing long-lasting relationships and draw most of their social support from their friends while keeping their families at a distant length. So we have to judge them on the basis of the quality of the friendships they have chosen. With Kirk, there is a triumvirate of social support While it is acknowledged that Spock is Kirks best friend, McCoy forms an integral link between the two of them, defending Kirks humanity to Spock while simultaneously chastising Kirk for forgetting the limitations of his Vulcan friend. The three are firm, fast friends and have often risked their lives for each other. Added to this circle is their Scottish drinking buddy, Montgomery Scott, who is ever-present in shore leaves and other social situations. But all of these men know each others pasts, intimately and in detail. They know their loves, their losses, and most of all; they have a solidarity to each other that is truly the noblest definition of friendship. In Turnabout Intruder, Spock recognized that Kirk was not himself immediately. Kirk knew of Scottys nephew when he came aboard the Enterprise for his training cruise in Star Trek II: TWOK, just as Spock and McCoy were aware of Carol Marcuss importance in Kirks life when her involvement in Genesis became apparent. Whatever their pasts may have included, each man knew of them and his primary allegiance was to his friends. These are the types of friendships that people dream of and represent the epitome of loyalty. This is one of the aspects of this show that makes Star Trek so beloved by its fans. Picard doesnt share this sense of friendship. Perhaps its the age or gender differences within his friendship group, but Picard seems more isolated from his friends. There is a lack of uniformity within Picards social circle that distinguishes them from Kirks circle. Even in All Good Things Picard in the future is old and alone only bringing his friends together despite their reluctance for one last mission together. This is a stark contrast to Kirks friends who are together with him past the Enterprise, past their prime and well into their old age. Even Sulu throws aside his command to rescue Kirk and the Enterprise in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country because of this loyalty.