Yesterday was a sad day for me. Legendary Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83. Star Trek has been a big part of my childhood and is still important to me, and Spock was a large part of that. He is likely one of the main reasons the franchise is so popular. Yes, Kirk was the captain, but most people know Spock. For me, he was the member of the original crew that I identified with the most. Spock stood out from the rest of the crew because he was different. He had pointed ears, was emotionless, had green blood, and was likely smarter than anyone else on the ship. For myself, I always felt that I was different from everyone else. No matter what setting I am in (work, family, even Trek conventions), I feel just a bit out of place. Always welcome, but always just different enough to feel it. I felt like I imagined Spock felt. Nimoy's passing yesterday reminded me that a small piece of my childhood that gave me a small part of my identity is now gone. It is unfortunate that I never had the opportunity to meet the man in this life.
Leonard Nimoy wrestled with the fact that Spock was his most identifiable role. That is who he was known for. It bothered him for many years, but he came to grips with it and for many more years since he seemed at peace with it. He was the first Trek actor to direct anything Trek related, and also directed the Hollywood comedy hit "Three Men and a Baby". He was, in my opinion, the consummate artist: Not only was he an actor and a director, but he was a great photographer, a skillful poet, and even dabbled in some music. While he has often received some good-natured ribbing for his singing, he still did it. How many of us have the courage to take such risks? Most of all, Leonard Nimoy was a good man. As the stories of Star Trek come out, there were definitely some friction between cast members, but there are two names that always came up as being genuinely liked and respected by all who worked with them that were never in any of those disputes: DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy. At the end of the day is there anyone who does not want to be remembered as having been a good person? Leonard Nimoy achieved that noble goal.
Thank you Leonard Nimoy for the positive impact that your work had on my life. Until we meet in the next life, Live Long and Prosper.
My Top Ten list for today will be my favourite memories of Leonard Nimoy. Yes, they are almost all Trek related. Enjoy.
10. Highly Illogical - Leonard Nimoy released an album entitled Mr. Spock's Music From Outer Space. The one tract that keeps going through my head is "Highly Illogical".
9. Sentinel Prime – Nimoy voiced two characters in two separate Transformers movies: Galvatron in the original animated movie, and Sentinel Prime in the more recent “Dark of the Moon”. I cheered when his character used a line from “Wrath of Kahn” saying that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
8. Voice of Tiny Spock in The Big Bang Theory – We will never get Leonard Nimoy on the screen with Jim Parsons, but we did have him voice a Spock doll that messed with Sheldon’s mind. A great way to have such an iconic actor as part of another iconic show.
7. The Challenge - A great car commercial had the two actors who played Spock in a duel of wits. I loved Nimoy's tribute to his song of Bilbo Baggins.
6. Amok Time - I had a tough time choosing the best Trek episode that focused on Spock. There are so many good ones. I like this one the best. It might not be the greatest, but it is one that I can watch again and again. It shows Nimoy's great range of emotions (and for an actor playing an unemotional Vulcan, that's something)
5. Monorail Episode of the Simpsons – I think that not only is this one of my favourite episodes of the Simpsons, but it is also my favourite guest star cameo of the series. My favourite line is “The world needs laughter”
4. Spock in the Future - In my favourite episode of Futurama "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", Leonard Nimoy (or his head, actually) is reunited with his old cast mates. It is a great episode in and of itself.
3. How to Deal With a Punk - The Voyage Home is one of my all time favourite movies. I think my favourite part was his scene with the punk on a bus, Best way to deal with the obnoxious.
2. Generations Unite - Seeing Spock in the TNG episode "Unification" was great. Having him work with Picard and Data was stellar.
1. I Have Been and Always Shall Be Your Friend - The bond of family is strong, but the bonds between close friends can become just as strong. I have two friends that I see as brothers. In my favourite movie "The Wrath of Kahn", Spock makes the ultimate sacrifice for his crew. His last words to his closest friend, James T. Kirk, are the words I offer to Dan and Matt (and hopefully never after receiving a full dose of radiation).
I will finish with his last message sent out via Twitter prior to his passing.
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
