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From the post that I re-blogged yesterday: To Boldly Go…..
I admit it…I’ve been in love with Star Trek and Mr. Spock since the very first episode aired back in the 60’s.
I am just a big old Sci-fi geek from way back. I watched the first episode of Star Trek back in 1966/1967 (?) and I was hooked – for life.
The first “sign” that DC learned when he was very young (for those of you that may not know, DC was non-verbal until he was 7 years old) was the “Live Long and Prosper” sign. If and when he saw a picture of Mr. Spock or heard him mentioned, he used that sign.
I loved the adventures in space.
I loved that all of the crew members were treated with respect and as equals.
I wanted a tribble.
I added new words to my vocabulary, most memorable – “poppycock”.
I wanted to be a part of the crew, but not in a red shirt.
I loved everything about Star Trek.
I always had an affinity for the Mr. Spock character. I loved his no-nonsense purely logical way of looking at things. I especially loved the episodes where he was outright confused by human behavior – A piece of the action comes to mind.
I remember being sad when the show went off the air. But all was not lost! 10 years later “Star Trek the Motion Picture” was set to be released. I anxiously awaited opening day and although I admit I was a little bit disappointed in the film, I was thrilled to see all of my favorite characters again.
The movies that followed were so much better than the first “Motion Picture” and I saw each and every one of them more than once until the 2009 release of Star Trek the updated prequel. It was there that I stopped. Nothing against the movie or the actors. I’m sure it was and they were just wonderful. I just did not want to see new actors playing the parts of my favorite characters.
I remember when The Next Generation was being advertised. I was outraged that anyone would try to create a new Star Trek even if the person creating it was Gene Roddenberry himself. How Dare He?!!!
My boyfriend at the time, knowing how much I loved Star Trek taped it and brought it to my house for me to watch. I flatly refused. I would NEVER watch a “fake” Star Trek, Never!
Well…. never say never.
As it turned out, I loved it and every other that came after.
Not only was Mr. Spock my favorite character but I really loved Leonard Nimoy the actor. He was the only reason I was at all interested in watching Mission Impossible (the TV show). I grew to love the show, but Leonard got me there. I will never forget being glued to the TV watching “In Search Of…”.
I did at one time own the first, second and a few other editions of the Primortals comic books. I wish I knew what happened to them.
Then imagine my excitement when he showed up as William Bell on Fringe! Not to mention playing himself on The Big Bang Theory!
That Spock character resonates a bit more with me now that it did back then, if you can believe that possible. Having a child with Autism has made me view Mr. Spock in an entirely different light. His matter-of-fact, logical, no grey area persona reminds me a bit of my son. It reminds me of the way many people perceive people with Autism. However, like many people with Autism, in spite of that matter-of-fact, no grey area, logical approach he had to life, his duties, his interaction with others, Mr. Spock showed compassion, empathy and yes, even friendship to those around him – in his own way.
Leonard Nimoy was one of my childhood heroes and I suppose you can say that I carried that adoration with me into adulthood. I was heartbroken to hear of his passing. There will never be another like him. It may be silly to you but I really feel that a piece of my childhood is gone forever – a small piece that I will never be able to get back.
Live Long and Prosper ~ wherever you may be.
“Of my friend I can only say this: of all the souls that I met on my travels, his was the most… human.” ~ James T. Kirk
