Star trek nerd awaits prequel
Okay, I admit it: I’m a Star Trek nerd.
I’m planning to see the new
”
Star Trek
”
movie that’s opening this weekend, although not on opening day,
because I’m not that much of a nerd.
I’m enough of a nerd, though, that I know what a tribble is, who
Captain Pike is, and what Dr. McCoy’s favorite phrase is. (Answers:
a rapidly multiplying cute, furry space critter, the first USS
Enterprise commander, and
”
He’s dead, Jim.
”
)
Star trek nerd awaits prequel
Okay, I admit it: I’m a Star Trek nerd.
I’m planning to see the new “Star Trek” movie that’s opening this weekend, although not on opening day, because I’m not that much of a nerd.
I’m enough of a nerd, though, that I know what a tribble is, who Captain Pike is, and what Dr. McCoy’s favorite phrase is. (Answers: a rapidly multiplying cute, furry space critter, the first USS Enterprise commander, and “He’s dead, Jim.”)
True, I have not donned pointed ears and spoken Klingon at a Trekkie convention, but I do understand the attraction – well, to a certain extent, although not the convention thing.
I do think “Star Trek” is one of the most interesting TV series ever made, both in its world view and in the unique swath it has cut through American culture. I don’t begrudge any of the attention “Star Trek” gets because it’s warranted.
It’s difficult to remember life before “Star Trek,” really.
I first discovered the series as many baby boomers did – not in its initial run from 1966-69, which flopped – but in syndication. It was the show that was on from 4-5 p.m. every weekday on Channel 8 when I was in junior high and high school.
I’d get off the bus about 3 p.m., walk home from the bus stop, and be there in time to fix a snack and settle in front of the TV set.
There, I thrilled to the ongoing adventures of the Starship Enterprise and its stalwart crew, as they went in search of … well, stuff … and along the way battled aliens, investigated weird planets (which always looked suspiciously like the Mojave desert), solved strange riddles and in general, embraced that whole going-where-no-one-has-gone-before thing.
Of course, the crew had their quirks. Captain James T. Kirk could be counted on to chase women and employ bold strategies that always seemed crazy, but worked. First officer Spock was the voice of calm, unemotional logic. Engineer Scotty complained a lot, but kept the warp drives moving.
The sets were cheesy, the costumes sometimes ridiculous, the special effects as bargain-basement as they come.
And yet, there was something about “Star Trek” that captured many imaginations.
Perhaps it had something to do with the characters, or the stories, or the thrill of adventure in the uncharted wilderness of space. The stories themselves were allegories for many of the issues that bubbled up during the 1960s.
Creator Gene Roddenberry told an interviewer once, “[By creating] a new world with new rules, I could make statements about sex, religion, Vietnam, politics, and intercontinental missiles. Indeed, we did make them on ‘Star Trek’: We were sending messages and fortunately they all got by the network.”
It was that 1970s syndication that actually saved the show. Someone came up with the bright idea of having a “Star Trek” convention. The Trekkies came, and came back, and came back again.
Then there were other series, like “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” There was a string of movies that continued the Star Trek legend. There were Star Trek sci-fi novels, some written by none other than William Shatner, Captain Kirk’s alter ego.
“Star Trek” became an industry. And an obsession. And for some, a way of life.
It has been a while since there was a “Star Trek” movie. This one goes back to the origins of the “Star Trek” crew and how they came together – a prequel.
Why more “Star Trek,” and why now? By and large, the stories are hopeful and optimistic. The future is not without its challenges, but neither is it a scary place to be. We need that kind of optimism right now. And that’s why I think there’s so much buzz about this particular film.
And maybe it has something to do with the fact that our president is also an admitted fan. And has himself been compared to the logical Mr. Spock.
As you go boldly forth this weekend, live long and prosper.
