Spock's Presence

Just watched the new Star Trek film by J. J. Abrahms at the Cinema 1. And Al Roker was right to say that no a single frame was wasted in this film. He made this comment as he was exchanging words with Matt Lauer on the “Today Show” this morning. They had the original Mr. Spock as guest in that program… of course, I stayed on long enough to watch the interview.

Al Roker briefly talked to Leonard Nimoy about the new film. Nimoy said that he accepted to do the appearance after he had read the script. He probably found logic in the “return” after 129 years.

Yup, according to the film, Spock returned 129 years to the film’s presence. In the film, he is “trapped” in a icy, cold planet where the young Kirk (played by Chris Pine) is also “dispatched” by Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) after being accused of insubordination. At these times, both Spock and Kirk have not yet established the friendship that journeyed to strange new worlds and discovered new life forms.

In the film, the paths of Kirk and Dr. McCoy aka “Bones” (played by Karl Urban) is established and Spock and Kirk are at odds with each other. I was surprised to learn that Spock had become captain of the newly-built Enterprise after Captain Pike had “surrendered” to the Romulans?

Gene Roddenberry in 1964 described Spock as "probably half Martian, he has a slightly reddish complexion and semi-pointed ears.” Back in the 60s, NBC officials were reportedly "afraid" to a have an alien with pointed ears as it would scare away children. But Roddenberry prevailed.

Leonard Nimoy, who played the original Spock in the first TV series said that “he liked the character's newly logical nature, observing that the character is struggling to maintain a Vulcan attitude, a Vulcan philosophical posture and a Vulcan logic, opposing what was fighting him internally, which was human emotion." Trek historians say that if Nimou turned down the role of Spock, Roddenberry would have opted for Martin Landau. Remember, Space 1999?

I was surprised to learn of a romantic relationship between Uhura and Spock? Which will probably be the ultimate test for Spock’s emotion in the next movie.

Another surprise was to see Winona Ryder play the role of, Amanda Grayson, Spock's mother. Did she really fall and die when the planet exploded?

Today, Spock is one of the most famous and intriguing TV characters and his presence will continue to resonate across TV and cinema.

Live long and prosper!