Spock's arc is sometimes overlooked. He's left Starfleet and his closest friends in pursuit of ridding himself of emotions. He's on the verge of reaching that goal when he senses V'ger.
It takes a mind meld with same to realize his human half, and all the illogical baggage that goes with it, does have value. (Scenes in the longer version bear this out.) The post TMP Spock seems to be more at peace with himself.
All these years later, I'm still boggled the movie got a G rating. The transporter accident scene is enough to give me nightmares!