Theres Something About Spock

[Computer]

Hello all,

I'll be honest, I grew up with TNG and never really cared for TOS (oddly enough I love their movies though) There is no argument that TOS is a cultural icon however it seems as though Spock or "Mr. Spock" has become a cultural icon in himself. I too really enjoy his character but what is it that makes his character so legendary? Im sure if you read his character description when pitching the show it wouldn't sound very interesting at all, so what was it about him that everyone loved?

 

[Alyssa]

well have you seen him?

Also he may not be interesting on paper but then again Kirk probably sounded like a relatively nice guy when pitched to producers and look how that turned out!
He is just the most likeable character on the show and he also was the only one who's character ever developed in any way on the show and the movies. he grew and found balance while the others stayed exactly the same.

 

[xortex]

The character had stoacism and a sharp wit plus he was way cool before the fonz.

 

[Steven Of Nine]

Computer said:
I too really enjoy his character but what is it that makes his character so legendary?

 

[A beaker full of death]

Aside from the performance, he came to symbolize Star Trek to the masses because the character was an alien. His whole raizon d'etre, initially, was so audiences would be reminded with every episode that this took place in space, in the future, and there were space aliens aboard.

 

[Sisu]

And in the 60's / 70's, he represented what many thought was the pinnacle of human expression: logic and rationality. Many people thought that the world would soon end in nuclear bombing (this was a big fear of mine growing up) - and Spock suggested that controlling our base emotions would be a way to avoid this.

So we grokked Spock.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

It's the duality thing that makes Spock so great. Yeah, he's a cool emotionless Vulcan blah blah but we know that's all a fraud and the way Nimoy played Spock (and the way Quinto should) made it subtlely, but undeniably, clear. The funny thing is, the tension would be there even if Spock weren't half human, since all Vulcans have this duality.

There's an internal tension that makes him the focus of our attention - it's like watching a guy on a high wire and wondering when he's going to fall. And I don't mean we're rooting for him to fall (well maybe a little ). We can root for him to keep his balance, but as long as the threat of falling looms, we'll keep watching. The key is to set up an unresolvable tension so that there's no artificial element that keeps the tension going that the audience will pick up on and say, "that's fake."

That's the same quality that makes many of the interesting characters on TV interesting, across all genres. John Crichton, Ari Gold, Dexter Morgan, Sylar, Sawyer, they've all got the internal-tension dynamic...it just so happens that through writing and acting, Spock was an extremely good example of the type - maybe the best ever (tho Dexter's giving him a run for his money).

That's one reason I think Zach Quinto will do well as Spock. He's already demonstrated that he can pull off the high-wire act that is the key to Spock's appeal. Sylar and Spock are utterly different characters but the fundamental source of their attractiveness is identical. Plus he's hot, gotta have that.

 

[Alyssa]

^^ I couldn't have said it better myself. you are right on the mark. ( about the hot thing too!! )

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

Possibly because despite his steely resolve and cold logic, he was quite a vulnerable character, his human emotions bubbling away just beneath the surface.

Everyone seems to ride him, his friends gently poke fun at him, other crew members just don't get him at all and Vulcans frown upon his shared ancestry.

We feel for the guy, he can jump in and save the day with such aplomb when a human might have folded, but then he needs to fall back upon those same humans for such basic needs as friendship.

His character is as Spock himself would say, "Fascinating."

 

[Kegek]

There's an internal tension that makes him the focus of our attention - it's like watching a guy on a high wire and wondering when he's going to fall.

And Spock losing cohesion is the premise for some of the best episodes of the series - "This Side of Paradise", "Amok Time." It says something about the show that having Spock come out from under his skin was so compelling they kept recycling the idea.

 

[Admiral2]

Computer said:
Hello all,

I'll be honest, I grew up with TNG and never really cared for TOS (oddly enough I love their movies though) There is no argument that TOS is a cultural icon however it seems as though Spock or "Mr. Spock" has become a cultural icon in himself. I too really enjoy his character but what is it that makes his character so legendary? Im sure if you read his character description when pitching the show it wouldn't sound very interesting at all, so what was it about him that everyone loved?

I honestly have no idea. Personally, I would have dumped "the guy with the ears" as soon as I saw the first pilot. But that's just me.

 

[Gary7]

Have you really watched the original series? I wouldn't doubt it if you hadn't... the low tech special effects would make anyone under 30 cringe. And astronauts gallivanting about space in pajamas? Ridiculous.

But you have to look past all that. You can't watch TOS without keeping in mind the timeframe of its creation. Just like watching a black & white movie and tolerating the lack of color. However, there is hope--the remastered episodes are introducing updated special effects that will make it much more palatable.

Spock was a foundational figure in TV series sci-fi. Nimoy did a great job with the character too. I can't think of anyone else pulling it off like he did. To really love Star Trek means that you must have respect and admiration for Spock. Grok Spock, man!

 

[A beaker full of death]

Gary7 said:
Have you really watched the original series? I wouldn't doubt it if you hadn't... the low tech special effects would make anyone under 30 cringe. And astronauts gallivanting about space in pajamas? Ridiculous.

But you have to look past all that. You can't watch TOS without keeping in mind the timeframe of its creation. Just like watching a black & white movie and tolerating the lack of color. However, there is hope--the remastered episodes are introducing updated special effects that will make it much more palatable.

I assume you're trying to make TOS relatable to kids, but COME ON. Low tech? Pajamas? TOLERATE black and white??? Why not go all the way and say they have to get used to music that doesn't drone and actors who... well, don't drone.

Yeesh.

 

[Kegek]

I believe it was Orson Welles who said that black and white was the actor's medium.

Now, if you don't mind, I've got some B&W films I'm off to 'tolerate'...

My smug condescenion aside, though, and whatever one things of the flashy 60s TV aesthetic of TOS, Nimoy gave a truly magnificent performance as Spock. See any one of the best episodes of the show and you'll see why.

 

[xortex]

In the beginning he had a wicked wit, as in the line - I think you should look into having your adrenal gland removed. Sulu says - Try to cross brains with spock and he'll cut you up every time. I liked that spock who was 'tuned in' and more Human, understanding humor and such. Plus he brought us altruism when the world really needed it. I want to see him compute some more odds in this next movie too, though.

 

[A beaker full of death]

^ That was the same Spock who had a certain power over women (and knew it). In the beginning they were playing up his devilish nature (hence "Vulcan").

 

[xortex]

Yea, in Omega Glory he could influence minds too and in the Immunity Syndrome he knew things he and the rest couldn't have known yet.

 

[xortex]

And in By any other name he telepathically 'ordered' a guard to open up the force field through a wall !!

 

[Bones1864]

Spock was mysterious. I think he should have dumped Arlene Martel first and then hooked up with Christine Chapel. It would be logical since theyw ere both on the same ship.
I don't know why Captain Kirk did't chase Nurse Chapel. Kirk should have Nailed the other blond, Janice Rand ?, in the first episode.

 

[Gary7]

A beaker full of death said:
I assume you're trying to make TOS relatable to kids, but COME ON. Low tech? Pajamas? TOLERATE black and white??? Why not go all the way and say they have to get used to music that doesn't drone and actors who... well, don't drone.

No... relatable to young adults that have grown up in an oversaturated computer graphics Internet connected world. I know plenty of people in their 30's that don't care for black & white and welcome colorized versions.

Star Trek TOS special effects are very low tech compared with today. I don't think that's debatable. Even their uniforms were so damned simple and impractical--no space military would dress their crew like that. I've heard plenty of people call them pajamas (even first season of TNG had that going for it, until they upgraded to collars).

Thankfully the show had some amazing people on staff... the ships, props, backdrops, and some sets were great.

So, considering all that, I think the new special effects will have a strong appeal to the pre-30 generation--more people will buy this updated HD version than if it had the old effects.