SPOILER!!- Star Trek movie details/discussion

WARNING-- LEAVE NOW IF YOU PLAN ON SEEING THE STAR TREK FILM!!!

We're going to talk about the fun stuff we enjoyed--

But this movie won't be anything CLOSE to as fun if you know some of the cool stuff ahead of time.

SO HIT THE BACK BUTTON-- PLEASE!!!

Go see the movie, then c'mon back.

-Russ H.

Loved the "Jim, how did you find me?" part where he meets Spock.

-Russ H.

Yeah.... I'm glad they got Nemoy in there.

I thought they got Bones down pretty well.

I'm wondering how they are going to restore the original timeline. They did send the craft back as it blew up..but to when?

Why restore the original timeline?

Why not make a series of blockbuster films based on the tried-and-true chemistry of the original crew-- but w/new, younger (cheaper) actors?

Totally new/alternate timeline.

Kind of like a remake of the original classic show.

New plots, using fully developed (and much loved) characters.

In this new timeline, Spock's mom is killed by Romulans.

So is Kirk's dad (OK, not really-- he chooses suicide to save his crew from the Romulans).

Uhura and Spock are doing the nasty.

Makes for a great mix of old and new.

Anyone want to bet they signed these new folks on for 4-6 picture deals, w/increasing profit shares?

I for one would *love* to see some pre-sequels of the classic days-- Kirk w/Pike, Spock/Kirk/McCoy as they become good friends, etc.

-Russ H.

I really enjoyed this movie. Took me back many years through a time warp. I almost thought I was going to meet myself on the way out of the theater.

Hmmm . . . an interesting paradox.

I guess the big question is: Would young SteveO have gotten in a fight w/Today's SteveO?

If yes, who would have won?

-Russ H.

OK, better question:

If Today's SteveO could pass on to young SteveO ONE BRIEF MESSAGE-- say, 124 characters long-- what would it be?

-Russ H.

I would bet you are right in that they leave the timeline as is. That would open up many new possibities like you said. I also think they will get at least one more movie out of this; more depending on how well the younger generations like it.

As far as Pike goes, I was unfamiliar with his character before this movie. Was he a main figure in the books? I never read them.

(time for me to put on my Geek hat)

Captain Christopher Pike was the prior captain on the Enterprise. Kirk served under him.

The first series pilot was actually filmed w/Jeffrey Hunter as captain of the Enterprise. As I recall, in the original pilot Pike had a "#1" (first officer, like in TNG), but the #1 was a woman! (remember, this was the early 1960s). Majel Barrett was #1--she went on to become Nurse Christine Chapel in the original series, then Deanna Troi's mom in TNG, and she was also the voice of the computer in all of the TV shows and movies.

Did I happen to mention that Majel caught the eye of young Gene Roddenbery? He married her after the first series was canceled.

That's why you'll see the dedication at the end of this film is to Gene and Majel (Majel passed away last year, I think).

Anyways, NBC liked the pilot, but wanted some changes. Away went a woman as the first officer-- in that place, a green-blooded pointy-eared guy name of Spock.

And they couldn't get Plumber back, so they got this young Shakespearean actor by the name of Wm Shatner.

They did a second pilot w/the newer cast, and it stuck. And they used the *first* pilot for a retrospective 2-parter called "the Menagerie"-- where you got to see Plumber as Captain Pike (in the flash backs). The wrinkled up guy in the power chair in Menagerie was *not* Christopher Plumber-- that's why they made him so bashed up looking (different actor).

OK, some of these details may be wrong. It's been awhile since I've put on my pointy ears and talked about this stuff.

Used to be a big time trekkie, though. Went to the 20th Anniversary of the show, down in LA. Met some of the original cast (Nimoy is amazing in person). TNG was announced at that meet-up (that was 1986, TNG premiered in 1987).

Back in my (ahem) smoking days . . . so things may be a bit hazy . . .

-Russ H.

Oh, another great line from the new movie:

Spock looks at his younger self and says, "I hesitate to give you my traditional farewell*, as it seems a bit self-serving. So I shall say "Good Luck".

Great humor, and totally over-analyzed. Classic Spock.

-Russ H.

(*"Live Long, and Prosper")

Thanks for the explanation. Wow! you really do know about this stuff. I know that Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) was particularly proud to play a role as fourth in command. She said in an inteview that it was a great statement for that time (60's) to have a woman in a leadership role, especially one that was an African American.

Let's see, from the movie some of the lines that made me laugh were when
Scotty said, "I like your ship" or words to that effect (had to be there) and then the other time when he was bragging about transporting three people from two moving targets, "I've nevr Dun tdat beforrre".

My claim to fame, working at an upscale hotel back in the late 90's, James Doohan stayed there as well as Deforest Kelley (I believe). I remember seeing James but a little hazy on Deforest. The reason I remember James specifically is because he went into the bar and came out several hours later with a bunch of new friends. There were the Trekies (there for the convention) but then there were just regular folks that happened to be at the restaurant. That's what I used to like about my job, you could watch celebrities walk right by people and then saw the light bulb come on once they realized who it was. Usually by then, the actor was gone.

Did you know that Whoopi Goldberg *asked* to be on Star Trek? (they made a special role for her-- Guinan, the bartender, on TNG).

She wanted to be part of a show that was an inspiration for her growing up-- seeing Nichele Nichols was pivotal to her view of success.

Whoopi: "When I was a kid in the 60s, I was really bummed out-- in all of the shows about the future, black people didn't make it. There were only white people. Then I saw this TV show-- Star Trek-- with a woman in command of the entire communications system. And I wanted to be a part of that future."

Little known fact (OK, it's well known now, was little known when Nichele Nichols first shared this w/me): She was considering quitting the show (original series)-- didn't think she had enough of a role.

Was at a fundraiser, and heard a voice say how proud he was to meet her, and what an inspiration she was for other black people.

Thinking it was just another fan, she turned around to thank the man for his kind words.

It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

She stayed on the show.

-Russ H.

Wow, hadn't heard those stories. Isn't it amazing how one person can profoundly affect the lives of those around them and not even realize it. It's also amazing how an inaccurate view of oneself can cause one to make bad choices (leaving the show). Makes you think about how you think of yourself and the influence you have on people.


Quote,"was little known when Nichele Nichols first shared this w/me". Was that an intentional name drop? lol (jk)

I was really surprised by how much I liked it! Startrek was never really for my generation, but having no background info, the movie was still very much enjoyable. (And this is coming from someone who hates anything and everything sci-fi)

Come Brethren, let us make the Vulcan sign, for a Trekie is born!

Oops-- should have said "us". I was with some other people when one of them asked what prompted her to be on Star Trek, and when she gave the MLK part of her answer, she prefaced it with, "You know, I really haven't told many people this story, but-"

Just writing it up there gave me chills. Can you imagine? Wanting to quit your JOB b/c you don't think what you're doing is worth it (esp when so much is going on w/civil rights, and you're just mugging in front of a camera at the studio every day). Then having a civil rights *leader*--someone who has dedicated their life to improving the lives of others--thank YOU for the work-- and inspiration-- you are giving to so many?

Great stuff.

-Russ H.

MJ, did you see the movie?

-Russ H.

Please tell me you have a klingon to english dictionary..

This had to be the best film I've seen in years! It was exciting, I liked kirks attitude, I really wanted him to come out of it alive, but through the whole movie I was always thinking, "how are they going to get out of that!" I like how star trek always delivers a good message in all of its stories.

Ah . . no . . . but I was given a cassette tape set once (Conversational Klingon ) as a gag.

Klingon is hard to do-- hurts my throat!

Klingon Pocket Dictionary: Lexicon.

-Russ H.