Leonard Nimoy has passed away. He lived long and prospered, and it's only logical that we pay tribute.
He leaves behind a legacy that will forever be remembered.
His work took us where no man had gone before and he is, and always will remain immortalized in pop culture.
With First Officer of the Starship Enterprise Mr. Spock, Nimoy leaves behind one of the most memorable characters in not just science fiction, but fiction in general. Spock's bravery, adherence to logic and above all, his fierce friendship with Captain Kirk made every rerun of Star Trek unforgettable.
As the half-Vulcan, half-human said, 'Change is the essential process of all existence'. With these words in mind let us look back at the various memorable incarnations of our favourite pointy-earned . Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 -1969)
This was the real deal. Gene Roddenberry created an immersive, cerebral and philosophically rich commentary on humanity and our myriad flaws. The show ran from 1966-69, 3 seasons of divisive reactions by viewers and ratings not good enough to sustain the high production costs. It would soon be cancelled, but the allegorical genius of show and Mr. Spock's growing popularity helped it become a cult classic and it is now regarded as one of the greatest works of modern sci-fi.
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 1974)
Years after cancellation, a hugely successful stint on network syndication and extreme pressure by the fans, Star Trek was back. In 1973 the original cast returned for new adventures on the Starship Enterprise, but in cartoon form. These were the days when fans would write long manifestos to NBC, condemning the cancellation of their favourite show and demanding a swift renewal, an act made all the more special by the fact that the network actually complied.
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 1974)
Years after cancellation, a hugely successful stint on network syndication and extreme pressure by the fans, Star Trek was back. In 1973 the original cast returned for new adventures on the Starship Enterprise, but in cartoon form. These were the days when fans would write long manifestos to NBC, condemning the cancellation of their favourite show and demanding a swift renewal, an act made all the more special by the fact that the network actually complied.
The Star Trek film series (1979 - 1991)
Bolstered by success, Paramount Pictures courted Roddenberry to create a new live-action series, but soon put the project on hold. But a rival franchise would ignite the interest of fans and the studio. Star Wars took the world by storm, changed the face of filmmaking and proved that what was initially thought of as a niche geek-friendly genre could sustain the entire industry. Star Trek: The Motion Picture was greenlit, and while it was a financial success, it wasn't acclaimed critically. But 5 sequels with the original cast followed, with The Wrath of Khan being widely acknowledged as the best of the lot. It also gave us our favourite Spock moment, and the immortal quote: 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few'.
Star Trek comics (1967 - present)
While all this drama was unfolding on our screens, Star Trek comics (and novels) were the only thing satiating the hunger of fans. The comics were published consistently and by different publishers. Starting out with Gold Key, moving to Marvel, floundering in DC, going back to Marvel again and now finding a home at IDW, the comics are still going strong.
Star Trek reboot (2009 - present)
JJ Abrams put new life in the franchise in 2009 with Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), although he was accused by the die-hard fans of treason (he sprinkled his films with numerous references to Star Wars, even hiding R2D2 in some frames). But he created something fresh and vibrant. By introducing an alternate timeline, he achieved something magical: the onscreen appearance of two Spocks, one for each generation, simultaneously. His films showed us that no matter how many years go by, and no matter how good Zachary Quinto is in the role, fans will always miss Leonard Nimoy. And that's what Abrams gave us.
So even though Leonard Nimoy has passed, we know the world will keep paying tribute to his legacy. Sheldon will vehemently oppose anyone who says otherwise.
And what better way to end than that inspirational opening: