• Latest

Max’s View

December 12, 2016
F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

January 19, 2021
Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

January 19, 2021
This Old House

Mouse in the House

January 19, 2021

Buffalo Plaid Fundraiser to Support Local Nonprofits

January 19, 2021

Free Tax Filing at Capstone Community Action for Tax Year 2020

January 19, 2021

Leahy-Led Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Is Signed Into Law

January 19, 2021

Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Hires First Female Executive Director, Signaling New Direction for VT Labor Movement

January 12, 2021

Vermont Mutual Distributes $1,000,000 to COVID-19 Relief Efforts

January 12, 2021
Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

January 12, 2021
Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

January 12, 2021
One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

January 12, 2021

Unemployment Benefits Extended with Authorization of Federal Relief Bill

January 5, 2021
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Max’s View

vt-world by vt-world
December 12, 2016
in Max's View
0

For the Love of Spock
**1/2
A couple of weeks ago, my wife informed me that she had a conversation with Comcast while I was at work. Without consulting me, she drastically altered our cable agreement. Suddenly, we have a fraction of the channels we had before. Now we have the networks and little else.

“Kelly,” I exclaimed, “thank you! This will absolutely make our lives better.”

Giving up cable hasn’t been a sacrifice at all. The truth is: I don’t watch a single scripted show that’s on television right now.

However, I am watching one old TV show these days. Star Trek.

Growing up, I dismissed Star Trek as irredeemably geeky – the television equivalent of Dungeons & Dragons. I was flat-out wrong. When my wife bought the 50th Anniversary DVD box set, I became hooked.

The original Star Trek series isn’t just good for the sake of nostalgia. It isn’t just good by 60s standards. It isn’t just good by sci-fi standards. It is an excellent program by any standard.

Part of what makes Star Trek great is Leonard Nimoy’s unique character Mr. Spock.

“For the Love of Spock” is a documentary about Mr. Spock made by Leonard Nimoy’s son.

It is half about Mr. Spock and half about the late Leonard Nimoy’s life. The film is sentimental and unfocused, but ultimately it is educational and enjoyable for Trekkies. Even brand new Trekkies like me.

A diverse group of interviewees (including Jason Alexander, JJ Abrams, and Neil Degrasse Tyson) share their memories of Star Trek and explain what Mr. Spock meant to them.

For some, he represents nobility. For some, science. Some love Spock because he represents the ultimate outsider – a half-breed alien at war with the two sides of himself.

In old interviews, Nimoy explains that his goal wasn’t to portray Spock as an emotionless drone. He played Spock as a disciplined man who is always working to keep his human emotions in check.

Apparently, Leonard Nimoy was an unusually sensible celebrity. When Star Trek was picked up by NBC in 1966, Nimoy was eager to squeeze every penny out of his fame while it lasted. He recorded several albums of hideously dated-sounding pop music. And he flew to New York on weekends to do talk shows, variety shows, commercials, or anything that earned a paycheck.

It wasn’t a surprise to Nimoy when Star Trek was cancelled after three low-rated seasons. He began earning a meager living as a theater actor, doing plays in San Diego, Milwaukee, or wherever he could get work.

It was a big surprise to Nimoy when Star Trek came roaring back to life. In the early 70s, Star Trek began running in syndication. A new generation of kids and nerds discovered the once-unpopular program. And now they could watch the original 79 episodes over and over.

Star Trek was transformed from a forgotten flop into a beloved part of our pop-culture universe. I don’t know why it was a surprise to Leonard Nimoy; to me it’s obvious.

Star Trek is a first-rate show. It has intriguing, suspenseful, Twilight Zone-esque plots. It has interesting, lovable characters. And it has a sense of humor.

I feel grateful because I am getting to do what Trekkies my age can only dream about: I am watching the entire series from beginning to end for the first time.

The Golden Age of television drama (“Sopranos,” “Mad Men”) is behind us. But that’s okay. Thanks to Netflix and Blu-ray, we can enjoy the great shows of the past. And save money on cable to boot.

Previous Post

Poetry Corner

Next Post

Visiting a National Park Could Change Your Life

Next Post

Visiting a National Park Could Change Your Life

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Dining Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In