Star Trek: 10 CORE Spock Moments

In Star Trek, the vengeful Romulan Nero orchestrates the destruction of Vulcan, forcing Spock to bear witness to the destruction of one of the worlds that he calls home. There is a second and even more devastating outcome of this plan - the death of Spock's mother. 

In this Kelvin universe, Amanda supported Spock through his initial decision to enter the Vulcan Science Academy, effectively choosing the Vulcan way of life over his half-Human side. His subsequent choice to enter Starfleet Academy took him away from Vulcan and away from his mother. Nero's arrival, the introduction of Red Matter to the planet's core, and the black hole that consumed the world, all combined to leave Spock, in his own words, emotionally compromised.

Before this event, Spock was more duty-focused, obstinate, and unyielding. He immediately began to butt heads with James Kirk, unable to find any common ground with the more willful officer. He even marooned Kirk on Delta Vega, though this, of course, led to the latter's meeting with Prime Spock.

Though relinquishing command of the Enterprise later due to his compromised state, Spock was ready and willing to join Kirk on the mission aboard the Narada to save Pike, destroy the vessel, and save Earth from Vulcan's fate. While the cost was high, Spock's loss led to some of his greatest growth in his life, including a fateful meeting at Starfleet HQ.