Exploring a brave new frontier

"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3) 02/27/2015 at 12:46 • Filed to: Off topic, Leonard Nimoy

22

13

Leonard Nimoy, famous for his role as the stoic Vulcan who stood as second in command of the Starship Enterprise on the mid-1960s sci-fi television classic, Star Trek, has died. He was 83 years old.

His death was the result of a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy. Nimoy himself attributed the disease to the years he spent as a smoker.

Star Trek, the original series, was a groundbreaking television series in its time. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the show depicted an idealized future where patriotic political affiliations and race and gender lines were not the divisive barriers then (and still) present in the American landscape and beyond.

The show's cast and themes made especially poignant points since it aired at the height of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement, when such barriers were evident in stark relief.

Nimoy, as Spock, served as a logical, rational counterpoint to Capt. James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, who often led with brash and bravado. As a half-human, half-Vulcan, Spock often struggled with the concept of reconciling his humanity, and the inherent emotion therein, with the strict emotional control customary to the Vulcan race.

The quest for humanity was a theme repeated in later Star Trek franchises, such as with the character of Data (Brent Spiner) on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Indeed, Nimoy flawlessly gave face to a trope often explored in science fiction at large.

Mr. Nimoy's death brings a great loss to the science fiction fan community, to the art of acting, and to this deeply saddened Opponaut. Rest in peace, Mr. Nimoy. You didn't live long enough, but you most certainly prospered.

Tohru > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 12:57

5

Goodbye, Leonard Nimoy. Your katra will live on.

GlenBenetton > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 13:02

1

Xyl0c41n3 > GlenBenetton 02/27/2015 at 13:07

1

Thank you, Glen.

Also, I tried to follow you for Oppo but I'm not sure it took. My phone is being wonky.

fleur de livres > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 13:09

3

This is a lovely sendoff. For a lovely person.

Xyl0c41n3 > Tohru 02/27/2015 at 13:11

2

Ok.... And now I really AM crying and my coworkers are starting to give me funny looks.

Thank you for sharing, Tohru. It was lovely.

GlenBenetton > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 13:11

2

Thanks.

Am sad.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 13:12

5

We have to go to Genesis to get him back... ;_;

Tohru > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 13:16

2

I'll never be able to watch Star Trek II the same again.

Xyl0c41n3 > GlenBenetton 02/27/2015 at 13:21

1

Same.

GlenBenetton > Tohru 02/27/2015 at 13:35

1

Wow. You bastard.

Thank you.

Youguise > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 14:19

1

A wonderful tribute, and a sad day, indeed.

Daddy’s Home > Xyl0c41n3 02/27/2015 at 18:42

1

I'm not sure how I'm going to break this to my BF- he is a major Trek nerd and has several photos with Nimoy. Grr. Gotta find the Star Trek movies that are packed up at th moment.

ly2v8-Brian > Xyl0c41n3 02/28/2015 at 00:38

1