I think this applies to their youths, but the pendulum definitely swung on both characters and it is the "casual" perception by the time the shows take place I think
Yeah, there’s a reason every bullet point is in the past tense. Also I feel like “cheated and got away with it” is being counted as a point in the wrong direction here…
I really love the way SNW is filling in that transition period where Kirk’s this hard driving, blue flame, academy nerd, who’s out be youngest captain ever, but he’s also deeply head over heals in love with Carol. And how it becomes obvious that when Carol breaks his heart soon he’s going start acting out and pretending he’s some kind of slut during the TOS period. But we all know he’s just crying inside because the love of his life has dumped him.