Ok, since this thread had a Trek vibe to it, I had to comment on the recent news that Scotty has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. There is a convention that this group is having in August called "Beam Me Up Scotty One Last Time" in his honor. I guess he is pretty far along. James Doohan will be the guest of honor and both Kirk and Spock are gonna be there, along with the rest of the surviving crew from TOS. It seems like a fitting tribute. Jeez I'm getting choked up writing this.

I know this isn't Whedon-y. But TOS is the reason that I can love and appreciate and care so much about Joss' vision, celebrate his talent, and realize good shit when it looks me in the face.

If you mods remove this, I will totally understand. It's just that Whedonesque is my go-to-guy for everything that I care about in the entertainment field, and I KNOW that most of your people are Trek fans too.

I don't know how to post links, so if you just google the thing I have in quotes above, you will find info, if you are interested.

Willowy | July 12, 05:14 CET

Yeah, this isn't particularly Whedon-y, but I'm another ST:TOS fan who owes their appreciation for Joss's excellent writing and creative vision to Gene Roddenberry's earlier contributions to the genre field. The original Star Trek opened my eyes to other worlds (and other possibilities for women) at a very young age, and I hold it dearest among all my childhood influences because the wisdom I took away from it will last me a lifetime. It was my first grand genre obsession, and my first real exposure to the power and wonder of great, lovingly made TV.

Quite coincidentally, I've just spent the last few hours watching some of my favorite old ST episodes -- 'Operation: Annihilate!', 'Mirror, Mirror', 'Amok Time' -- and James Doohan's recently revealed condition was never far from my mind. I've only been to a few very small conventions in my life, and he remains the only ST:TOS actor I've ever met in person. He signed a copy of an ST novel for me, and was gracious and kind enough to speak to everyone waiting in line, even though there were probably at least a hundred of us. (This was not long after he'd had a major heart attack, if I recall.)

I was heartbroken when DeForest Kelley died a few years back, and while I know everyone has to make that final passage eventually, it's especially poignant to see these heroes who towered so hugely in my young mind stricken down by illness and time like any other mortals.

For those who can't see past the sometimes flimsy sets, dated costumes and cheap special effects, ST:TOS must seem the poorest of the franchise's offerings. But with its big-heart-overcomes-small-budget chutzpah, its bravery in taking on the controversial issues of its time, and its immense hope for, and belief in, mankind, I'll always see it as the standard by which all other Trek-verse ventures must be measured.

The genuine warmth among the ST:TOS actors (in spite of some well-documented friction) is still evident; if you haven't seen Mind Meld, the Shatner/Nimoy documentary, I highly recommend it. I wish I could go to the August convention, but I'll have to be content knowing that others who can attend will honor the actors and ST's incredible legacy on behalf of all of us who can't be there.

Go ahead, call me a 'Trekkie'. Of all my old-school geek merit badges, it's the one I'm most proud to wear.

Wiseblood | July 12, 09:55 CET

I think it's fitting to mention it on this site seeing that Joss himself wrote many, many lines referring to ST:TOS. Xander and his twin saying "Spock, kill us both" will always be one of my favorite funniest moments.

My oldest loves all the movies starring the original cast but didn't quite like the TOS as much as The Next Generation. I guess because it's the show she grew up with but to me, none of them ever captured the magic that the original show had.

At least James Doohan seemed to have a happy and succesful life and is now in his eighties. I have an aunt who got alzheimer's in her early 40s and quickly went downhill. It's a horrible disease and it's devastating for families to deal with. I feel for him and his family.

Firefly Flanatic | July 12, 10:18 CET

I realize this is OT as well, but my mom has Alzheimer's and believe me, its not easy. The hardest part is knowing that it is only going to get worse and there's no cure. My heart goes out to any family dealing with a loved one having this disease.

aresnz | July 12, 16:38 CET

"I was heartbroken when DeForest Kelley died a few years back, and while I know everyone has to make that final passage eventually, it's especially poignant to see these heroes who towered so hugely in my young mind stricken down by illness and time like any other mortals." - Wiseblood

I couldn't have put it any better myself. I felt exactly the same way (heartbroken) when "Bones" passed. I remember also having this feeling of dread, like, oh here we go. They are all gonna start dying now. Morbid, I know.

"Go ahead, call me a 'Trekkie'. Of all my old-school geek merit badges, it's the one I'm most proud to wear."

Also me! I never warmed to the later "Trekker" label. Always felt like a Trekkie through and through.

"I think it's fitting to mention it on this site seeing that Joss himself wrote many, many lines referring to ST:TOS. Xander and his twin saying "Spock, kill us both" will always be one of my favorite funniest moments." - blwessels

That's right, isn't it? And thanks for that, bl.

Willowy | July 12, 19:25 CET

I was at Toronto Trek this year. I even went to the Prime Directive forum (thinking about that one gives me a headache). A fair majority of the forums where Buffyverse (one for Firefly :)) related. But Buffy fans are viscious. I still have scars from the SPIKE/BUFFY vs ANGEL/BUFFY debate forum. All in all I had fun. The musical sing along rocked!!!!!

[ edited by Hembie on 2004-07-12 17:37 ]

Hembie | July 12, 19:37 CET

I love all your tributes to the ST founders, guys (by which I mean the inclusive male and female "guys"). Guess the mods realized just how on topic the thread actually was, Willowy!

BTW: I may be one of the few who has actually never watched a Star Trek other than the original show - I went through an anti-TV period in the late 80s/90s, and, despite some frantic VCR/DVD replacement therapy for shows like Twin Peaks or the X-Files, there are many that I haven't seen, and frankly, don't particularly care to. My wife tells me that TNG is pretty worthwhile but, you know, ST for me will always be "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer!" and "This may be the antidote - or it may be a BEAKER OF DEATH!", and I don't mind it that way. (Call me a reactionary, I dare ya...). It was Joss wot brought me back into the TV fold, for a brief few years at least.

SoddingNancyTribe | July 12, 20:17 CET

I went through an anti-TV period in the late 80s/90s, and, despite some frantic VCR/DVD replacement therapy for shows like Twin Peaks or the X-Files, there are many that I haven't seen, and frankly, don't particularly care to.

I did the same thing, with college and my discovery of '80's era nightclubs the responsible factors. The only concessions made to my otherwise TV-free lifestyle were for TP and XF. The rest? (Eight is Enough, Doogie Howser, Saved By the Bell, etc.) Never saw 'em. Don't miss 'em.

...ST for me will always be "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer!" and "This may be the antidote - or it may be a BEAKER OF DEATH!"

And I'm laughing so hard right now (with a little something in my eye...) Ah, Bones... Thanks for that. :)

Wiseblood | July 12, 23:08 CET