Leonard Nimoy is dead at the age of 83, and Sunday he was buried in a private ceremony.
May I assume that all my readers know who he was? Y'know- actor, director, poet, etc. Best known for playing Spock on Star Trek.
So why bring it up? What does this have to do with being Trans? Or am I just rambling?
Well, it's like this: I've been a Trekker all my life. Yes, I'm a Star Wars Fanatic as well, but Trek was first. And for me, Trek will always be all about Kirk and Spock, etc. No disrespect Jean-Luc, you're cool and all, but Kirk was the Man! Besides, Star Trek debuted a mere five days before I was born so we are the same age!
So. Spock. Why would I identify with him? I admit that I was/am more of a Kirk fan (he's such a ham) but I identified more with Spock. Why? Duality.
Spock was half Vulcan, half human, and that was the entire basis of everything the character did. Through the TV series it was explored, but it wasn't until the movies that Spock really embraced his duality.
Duality is something we as transpeople have plenty of experience with surviving. After all, Spock tried to keep his human side repressed, but eventually allowed it to show through and blend with his Vulcan side. I kept my female side repressed, and now I show it to everyone, as it is who I am.
Spock's human side was where he held his emotion, and so it was with my feminine side.
Of course, Leonard Nimoy was far more than Spock, but it is as Spock that so many people, including me came to know him and appreciate his work.
Star Trek has come a long way since that Original Series (where a woman was scoffed at for wanting to be a starship captain in the episode "Turnabout Intruder".) The characters grew and become more rounded (not just discussing Scotty's waistline!) and then other crews expanded the meaning and scope of the series. For example, my dear friend Sirena insists that Deep Space 9's Sisko was the best of all Captains. Women became captains. (First in Star Trek IV, then later again in Voyager.) All the stories weren't winners (Star Trek V was horrible) but most were.
Star Trek spoke to the child I was, and still speaks to the adult I've become. It taught me that there WAS hope for a great future. And one of the biggest parts of Star Trek is now gone.
Sleep in the stars, Leonard Nimoy. And thanks for everything.
May I assume that all my readers know who he was? Y'know- actor, director, poet, etc. Best known for playing Spock on Star Trek.
Leonard Nimoy as Spock.
So why bring it up? What does this have to do with being Trans? Or am I just rambling?
Well, it's like this: I've been a Trekker all my life. Yes, I'm a Star Wars Fanatic as well, but Trek was first. And for me, Trek will always be all about Kirk and Spock, etc. No disrespect Jean-Luc, you're cool and all, but Kirk was the Man! Besides, Star Trek debuted a mere five days before I was born so we are the same age!
Enterprise has better shields, and wins easily.
So. Spock. Why would I identify with him? I admit that I was/am more of a Kirk fan (he's such a ham) but I identified more with Spock. Why? Duality.
Spock was half Vulcan, half human, and that was the entire basis of everything the character did. Through the TV series it was explored, but it wasn't until the movies that Spock really embraced his duality.
Duality is something we as transpeople have plenty of experience with surviving. After all, Spock tried to keep his human side repressed, but eventually allowed it to show through and blend with his Vulcan side. I kept my female side repressed, and now I show it to everyone, as it is who I am.
Sept 2013
Spock's human side was where he held his emotion, and so it was with my feminine side.
Of course, Leonard Nimoy was far more than Spock, but it is as Spock that so many people, including me came to know him and appreciate his work.
Star Trek has come a long way since that Original Series (where a woman was scoffed at for wanting to be a starship captain in the episode "Turnabout Intruder".) The characters grew and become more rounded (not just discussing Scotty's waistline!) and then other crews expanded the meaning and scope of the series. For example, my dear friend Sirena insists that Deep Space 9's Sisko was the best of all Captains. Women became captains. (First in Star Trek IV, then later again in Voyager.) All the stories weren't winners (Star Trek V was horrible) but most were.
Star Trek spoke to the child I was, and still speaks to the adult I've become. It taught me that there WAS hope for a great future. And one of the biggest parts of Star Trek is now gone.
Sleep in the stars, Leonard Nimoy. And thanks for everything.
Sophie -
ReplyDeleteLet's put it simply - Nimoy played Spock, the Vulcan, as the human we all would like to be - completely logical, yet affecting a humanity that few humans could reach. Unlike many people whose roles typecast them and hurt their careers (and lives - see George Reeve, the first major Superman), Spock benefited Nimoy in many ways, as it exposed him to a way of thought that he might not have encountered otherwise.
We have lost a good man. The world is better off for him having been here. May he rest in peace.
M