In Memoriam

I'm going to skip my usual intro this time around. Word has just come out that Leonard Nimoy has passed away at age 83. As a lifelong Trek fan, this was sad, though not unsurprising news. Nimoy had been ill with COPD for a while, and had been hospitalized this week as a result. At age 83, I think that he had indeed lived long and prospered.

I grew up watching Trek. It was on re-runs on WPIX 11, and my parents, who had both enjoyed the show when it first aired, got me and my brother watching it at a young age. At that impressionable age, I didn't get the bigger concepts or anything- but I liked the sci-fi action and humor. And yes, at that age I thought Spock was the best- later in life, I came to feel that McCoy is the best acted character, but that's another story. I watched The Motion Picture on Videodisc as a child (as well as some episodes on that format), though Wrath of Khan was too scary for me... but I vividly remember seeing Trek III in the theater.

Trek has always been a part of my life, getting me into science fiction books, movies, etc. Nimoy's acting, thoughtfulness, and voice were just such a huge part of that. His manner, his presence, his raising of the eyebrow... He just WAS Spock, you believed that this man was a Vulcan, totally and absolutely. Star Trek would never have worked without him- he was the indeed the heart (ironic for a logical Vulcan). After all, it was his alien nature combined with his humanity that made him compelling. Kirk is a great leader and Shatner IS Kirk, but the captain is not "compelling". McCoy is compelling, but in a different way- he's the "average Joe" in space- fearing transporters and all that high tech stuff- he is us in the 23rd century. But Spock is what Trek really is about--- learning and discovering the unknown, and accepting it, even if it is different from what you are used to. Nimoy made that happen, and without him, there would be no Trek.

I rated all 6 classic Trek movies on this blog. I just re-read them (I wrote them a few years ago and hadn't looked at them since). When I rated them, I was rating them as compared to the other Trek movies.  I believe that all Trek movies (even the maligned V) are great, fun movies, so bump up each rating by one, if you want know how they would REALLY compare to other films in general.

In case you are interested here are some links:  TMP   TWOK     TSFS    TVH     TFF     TUC  

My favorite episodes with Nimoy, in no particular order:

Journey to Babel
Tholian Web
Mirror, Mirror
Amok Time
Errand of Mercy
Doomsday Machine

It is sad, and it has been like a kick in the stomach for me, as I know it has been for any Trek fan. I'm recalling his final lines in ST II- he always has been, and always shall be, our friend.... I know that I, for one, will be watching some of the old Treks tonight, in his memory.

Until next time...