A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
|
|
|
A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
|
July 20, 2005Beam him up...Those of us who are Star Trek fans have lost a dear friend today. Actor James Doohan passed away of pneumonia and Alzheimer's. As Commander Montgomery Scott, Doohan was the perfect irascible engineer, overly protective of his beloved Enterprise so that it could protect his fellow crew. The Enterprise's five year mission may have been exploring new life and new civilizations, but Star Trek's mission was exploring our own life and our own civilization, boldly going where few TV shows had gone before. How do "human beings" of different races and even species live and work together? How do we deal with threats to our way of life both from without and from within? What obligations does an "advanced" society owe to one which is not so advanced? Star Trek explored all of these questions, always searching for answers which balanced fundamental humanity with self protection, respecting others but making sure the others returned that respect. As Scotty, Doohan was the one who reminded us that sometimes right needs technological might to back it up, that sometimes philosophy must needs give way to pragmatism, and most importantly that the first requirement is to work hard and get the job done. He always stayed at his post, he always got the job done (no matter how many of his red-shirted deputies were killed within 5 minutes of landing on the new planet). To James Doohan, who was himself beamed up to a safer place today, thank you for the memories and the lessons. Posted by PatHMV at July 20, 2005 03:15 PMComments
Well, if we have to have a Treki post, this is a good reason for it. My dad, gone for a while now, loved Star Trek. I didn't, at all, but I thought of him today when I read Mr. Doohan. He liked the Scotty character for the reasons you stated, Pat. It's funny, the things that bring back good memories. Posted by: Mathew at July 20, 2005 03:22 PMThe obit said he was Canadian. I had no idea! He's probably the most famous Scot in the world, and he ain't even from there. Very impressive accent. Posted by: Staunch Moderate at July 20, 2005 03:37 PMThe original Star Trek series (Original Series in Trekkie jargon), featuring Scotty, was, IMO, by far the best of all the Star Trek series, despite the cheesy special effects and Bill Shatner's overacting. It had some really good plots and writers and dealt with some serious issues in thought provoking ways. It was much more than just an action show. Posted by: MWS at July 20, 2005 03:43 PMMathew, your moving comment reminded me of that old saying, life is what happens when you're too busy to pay attention. I lost my grandmother last year, and every now and then something unexpected sparks a flood of warm memories. There are a lot of very moving tributes to Mr. Doohan over at Slashdot, as one might imagine. His character apparently inspired many of them to become the technogeeks they are today. Being Slashdot, of course, there are also a whole lot of "He's dead, Jim" and other humorous posts. I was particularly moved by how he went far beyond the extra mile to help save a suicidial Trekkie, a man who (with Doohan's help) overcame his teenage depression to become a successful, independent engineer. Posted by: PatHMV at July 20, 2005 04:18 PMOch, me poor bairns...(Sorry, that had to be said...;-) You're right, of course; it needs a major talent to take what is essentially a one dimensional role and make memorable, even unforgettable. (especially when, as you say, everyone in a red shirt /red skirt gets killed somewhere along the course of the show each week) Doohan missed out on the Star Trek reunion in the last episode of Futurama. As Nichols put it "The guy who played Scotty couldn't yodel very well, so we replaced him with Welshie." Welshie, true to the red curse, was killed halfway through the show, so Fry could cry "WEEEEELSHIEE!" Posted by: Blue Jean at July 26, 2005 10:54 AM |
Archives
March 2006
February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003
Recent Entries
Dubai Out
Why So Long Between Democracies? Round One, Centrism Rock Lobster? Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List "IRV" used in Burl., VT for mayor election. Great idea! Random Thread Election 2006: Round One A Proper Multiculturalism Bush proposes line item veto act - what's changed?
|
