Spock and Uhura [SPOILERS]

What are you talking about?? I guess that episode slipped my mind... That's a line that didn't need repeating if so and it hardly compares with having Uhura being shown as having a relationship with Spock and being OPENLY wanted by BOTH of the main characters. Main characters. When I got it that they'd done this it really wowed me! That it something you'd rarely if ever see for a WOC in tv/movies, especially for a BW. It just doesn't happen. So in their own way, the writers were breaking a little barrier as GR had before them. I know that this is meaningless to you and many others and might even seem absurd, but I saw it and took note as some other WOC did.

Of course it's relevant. I back Ashrams girl up 100%. Please, I've been living in the good ole US of A 40+ years and watching tv for most of that time. What she says is true. Ignoring or being unaware of evidence doesn't change that fact.
Isn't it possible that since you haven't lived as a WOC there could be issues you don't see or feel impacted by and therefore don't understand in the same way? At the very least you could listen and see that there is another viewpoint instead of dismissing it out of hand.

Glad I could help out. But it's debatable whether or not others will find "wisdom" in those statements.

Yes I saw it, but didn't come to the same conclusion as you. Being a love interest is ONE thing she's doing. And obviously I find more worth in that than you for many of the reasons AG and Seniorsleuth have spelled out. I also think it worked in the story and that the actors had good chemistry. So we'll agree to disagree. Saldana is not one of the screen writers and although I like her in this role I don't always find her interviews particularly serious or insightful. Don't confuse the character with the actress. But in her defense she had to answer the question she was asked, and maybe she wanted to show admiration for both leading men and their characters.
Look, I didn't like each and every choice they made, but neither did I see her as just a sex object they were using. Far from it. Some posters insist on reducing her to that, conveniently ignoring other things in the script. And I feel and hope they intend to create a well-rounded character for her in this series. There is nothing wrong with her having a love interest-especially after 43 years. In fact, I welcome it. Her relationship with Spock was presented in a sweet, meaningful and caring way, and not as just some inconsequential Black chick he happened to be screwing. I thought it was beautiful and I thank JJ, Orci and Kurtzman for doing it.

Yes, I think that's the root of it too. I'm glad you said that. Now we're getting somewhere. It's an interesting word choice. Why is it "unnatural"? If Uhura were played by "the barely glimpsed hottie" or Nurse Chapel, would you find it more "natural" and believable and if so why?

Yes, indeed. I'm just surprised and dismayed to still be seeing this attitude. I especially can't fathom why women would have this attitude given that most of them are themselves a living example of how a woman can be sexual in whatever way she chooses, have wonderful values and be a competent career woman, if that is her choice.

 

I don't think she was reduced to just sex object in the movie. I saw her as a bright, strong woman in a caring relationship with another man.

 

EXACTLY, Trahlah This is what I saw as well. I wonder if those that see her as just a sex object in the film do so because they themselves can't see a character like Uhura as much more. I guess we all notice what we believe..

 

How very odd. I didn't get that vibe from the film at all. Granted she's pretty (but most female leads are these days) and she worked on her job on the bridge as well as at academy. I'm failing to see the issue

 

Greetings, all. Maybe Roddenberry's vision has come to fruition with me, as I don't see Uhura as being black. I just see her as "Uhura." And, in the movie, I did not get the impression of her as being anybody's sex object, otherwise she would have gone off with that charming farm boy from Iowa who she met in a bar.

No, she was a determined, confident, intelligent, vibrant young woman who happened to fall in love with an exotic, brilliant, upstanding, though sometimes socially awkward young man who happened to be from Vulcan. This relationship is believable because the two intellectually match one another. Not all love is based on physical attraction and lust. In fact, I believe that the best romances are based on the consistent discovery and rediscovery that result when complementary intellects "meld" as Spock and Uhura's do. The physical attraction is a bonus.

I admit, when I first saw the shuttle bay scene and heard the mention of "favoritism," I was sitting there going "WTH?" But how the relationship unfolded was touching, believable -- much like the way my relationship with my husband began. (I would be Spock's counterpart, by the way.)

And, yes, when my husband and I have lost people close to us, each of us offered comfort to the other the way Uhura did in the turbolift.

(My first post. Love this board.)

 

Thanks Aashlee and welcome. I'm fairly new here too. You are absolutely correct that Uhura's unwillingness to be charmed by Kirk's sense of entitlement and embarrassing come-ons is about as non-sexist a portrayal as it gets. She prefers the guy who actually sees her as something more than a body. Notice how Kirk's head was (literally) turned by anything in a skirt.

 

Uhura preceded Julia, though, by a hair.

As for the underwear scene that continues to be discussed above, it says way more about the filmmakers than about Uhura. She DID NOT disrobe in front of Kirk on purpose. It is NO reflection on her character. And, the fact that a bunch of guys are making crude remarks about her character on this board is no reflection on her either. If that scene had not been in there, they would still be doing it, because that's the lense they see through, and it's their way of diminishing women who are otherwise threatening.

 

Aashlee, lovely and very well said. I can only hope most viewers see things as you do.
I'm also pretty new here. I liked the quality of the discussion( er, outside of few bad examples) and this seemed like the very best board on this topic.

 

Shimmering and seniorsleuth, thanks for your welcomes. I, too, am happy to be here and look forward to some interesting discussions. And I completely agree about the underwear scene. Uhura did not dwell on anything other than the fact that an annoying (to her) male had to be removed from her dorm room.

 

"hi" to y'all from an oldbie here

great discussion! glad to see such a spirited, fierce discussion going on. I agree with you all... Uhura and Spock... the writers finally fulfilled GR's wish. the old dude must be pretty happy...

one thing: I'm not sure if anyone else is noticing this. I'm an Indian-American (been in this country 30+ years and watched TOS in syndication during those latenight showings in NYC).

well, I've watched this movie oh.. about 6 times now . I didn't notice it the first couple of times because of my excitement and also I guess because of the crush around us. but since then, every time I've watched the movie, I've seen more than the usual number of WOC in the theatre. they're usually there in bunches... as if it's a girl's night out... I say that because I've watched every Trek movie since TMP in the theatre, and this is indeed a departure, at least where I am concerned. I love it... a couple of times, I've said hi to them or they have to me... and for some reason it makes me inordinately happy. this movie has seen its share of chicas in the theatre, as in, it's also turning out to be a chick-flick on top of everything else that it is. a LOT of women love this movie but when I see the WOC, something indefinable and inexplicable passes between us... maybe because I am also a WOC... that little twinkle in the eye, that smile of recognition, that subtle nod of triumph... saying yep, we see us... we are in it too... we are here!

I think more than any of the uniquitous Spock/Obama comparisons that abound these days, it's Uhura and the way she has been written and played in this movie that holds the biggest sway in terms of a "step forward". I might be wrong, but I think I'm right

 

Hi Aashlee, indranee, shimmering, and senior, and everyone else .

I'm new too.

I just wanted to say, thanks for this disscussion. Even though we don't agree, it's important to hear all opinions to keep us sharp.

BTW, I'll admit I'm a biased JJ / Lindorf supporter. Yunjim's character on Lost (Sun) is my absolute favorite, and to me will go down in history as the most dynamic female dramatic character ever. IMO, these men know what their doing when it comes to character writing. And their ablity to write females and ethnic characters who are believable and not annoying coninues to astound me.

Anyway, I think that Uhura deserves to be swept up into the Darcy Effect that Spock gives off. I still can't believe he was gonna tell Jim that he loved her.

OMG, how sweet is that!!!

 

^I know!!! if NOTHING ELSE then THAT scene should have done it.

not his father... but Uhura.

"Please tell Lt. Uhura..."

I love that scene not only for that but for Kirk sooo being Kirk and Spock sooo being Spock. what was once old is new again.

oh, and ITA about Lost and JJ and Lindelof. I've wondered that too. it's so unusual. I wonder how that happened? how do they know how to write me (in a way)?

good stuff...

 

^-made of awesome sauce. I love the fact that people see it and it's not a big deal. Having a marcher for a Mum, and being one myself (MARRIAGE FOR EVERYONE DAMMITTTTT!!!!), it's so nice to see the fruition of hard work, and to see people happy about it!

Lol, and geeks should always get the girl, and every girl deserves her Darcy!

Tee hee, in another post I listed random things he could have told her. Hmm: Please tell Lt. Uhura

I am out of eggs milk and bread
not to forget to set the DVR
to drop the dog for day care
ninjas are better than priates
etc...

 

... that I am actually gay.

*runs and hides*

 

^- only during her work shifts

Nya!

 

hehe

 

Pshst, Kirk wishes he could get in on that. He wouldn't know where to start, poor guy.

 

that's okay. he's got 40-plus years of K/S slash zines to help him out in a pinch

 

Now I'm starting to feel for Spock (for him, um on him....), cause he has to deal with pent up Uhura too.

I dunno, who's gonna have it harder.

Haha, I made a funny.

 

yep i mean it came out pretty well she was damn good at her chosen field.

oh some place earlier i mentioned charlie x..
well here is the song from it..