Spock is dead.
And I am crying.
When I was growing up, Spock was one of my favorite characters on Star Trek. I loved that he was smart and didn’t have to hide it, and I loved the humanity that lurked beneath the cool Vulcan exterior. I loved the usually unspoken friendship between Kirk and Spock, and the way he and Bones traded barbs but you could tell they were friends, too. I loved how Spock’s presence on the Enterprise showed that the Federation embraced diversity even beyond racial diversity. And I was so taken with his single raised eyebrow that I spent hours in front of the mirror learning how to raise one of my own. 40 years later, I still raise one eyebrow to indicate interest, surprise, skepticism, and polite disbelief.
Leonard Nimoy died today, at the age of 83. He brought a surprising depth to a character supposed to be without emotion. He didn’t just play Spock; he was Spock – in my eyes and those of his many fans (sometimes to his annoyance, though he was usually gracious with fans.) Star Trek is pretty much the only thing I ever saw Nimoy in, and yet I felt that I knew him through Spock. My world feels diminished by his death. Scotty… Spock… the icons of my nerdy childhood are disappearing, one by one, and I am startled by how much it hurts.
Farewell, Mr. Spock, and rest in peace. You are, and always will be, my friend.
Lark
Now I feel like crying! Spock was always my favorite character on Star Trek, too. What are we going to do without Leonard Nimoy in the world?
Lark recently posted…Bookish First Impressions
Lark_Bookwyrm
I don’t know. I’ve been tearing up on and off all afternoon.
Bea @Bea's Book Nook
Spock was an amazing character and Nimoy gave him so much depth. I had the chance, many years ago, to hear him speak; once at a lecture and years later at a con. He was smart, funny, and passionate. This weekend, I will be re-watching my ST movies and I may have to watch TOS on NetFlix.
Bea @Bea’s Book Nook recently posted…Bea Reviews The Lost Empress by Steve Robinson
Lark_Bookwyrm
What a wonderful tribute, Bea! I might have to do that too. Although The Search for Spock might be a little too emotional for me right now.
Kelly
THE EYEBROW! I did that, too. Spock was my first TV crush.
Lark_Bookwyrm
We will really miss him.
Heather
No matter what else he was in he was always Spock.
Heather recently posted…About Last Week
Lark_Bookwyrm
🙂