Leonard Nimoy, Spock, and Prospering

The Vulcan and The Art of Living Long

Leonard Nimoy passed away today. I tweeted him yesterday, hoping that he'd read my careful request that he "LLAP" (Live Long and Prosper), and at that moment I felt a pang of worry. What would Bill Shatner feel if Nimoy were to pass before him? I didn't think of myself. I'm not a close friend. I didn't spend much of my adult life with him. I know that he helped shape who I am today, but that doesn't give me reason to grieve. For Bill, however, it will be a terrible blow. 

Courtesy of fanpop.com

We Trekkies and Trekkers were informed that "Len" had gone to hospital with chest pains a few days ago, that it might be COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), but look - today's medicine - they can usually perform an amazing operation, bypass everything, and whoosh, you're home in a week or two. That is, if you haven't had it for a terribly long time. A "little bird" told me that Len had been suffering from COPD for years, but didn't want to alarm anyone. How just like Len to do that!

Courtesy of Sitcomsonline.com

Spock (or, let's be formal) Mr. Spock meant so much to the world of Star Trek that Star Trek couldn't have been Star Trek without him. It's true. Spock was an invention of the minds of Gene Roddenberry, Leonard Nimoy and a horde of writers who objected when Len said, "I really don't think Spock would do that." Yes, there were times when he had to march into Roddenberry's office and practically threaten to leave. Yes, there were times when his agent had to negotiate for him. 

Most of the time, though, Len learned how to give and take, and when to take what was his due. In this way he shaped and honed Spock into the beloved character that we all know so well. 

I won't go into the details of Leonard's life - if you search on the web you can find a wonderful sort of autobiographical tour of the area of Boston when he grew up, went to school, and got his first real break. It made me want to go there right away. But his struggle to gain notoriety, to become a respected actor - this took him decades to achieve.

Source: Tumbler.com

From "Kid Monk Baroni" to "Star Trek: Into Darkness", every part that he played, he played with an intensity that I've rarely seen in actors. He wanted to be the characters he portrayed, and he did so in a method manner. It's been said that there were days on the Star Trek set when he refused to break character, even going home and staying in that Spock frame of mind. And then there was the alcohol, the break from it, sobering up, and finding himself again as an art photographer, director, and producer. All this time he was doing conventions, speaking engagements, anything he could to build up his portfolio. He provided for his family, gave to charitable causes, and fought for women's rights. 

How could we not love him? 

What's left is a society without our "elder" Spock. I find myself grateful that Zac Quinto was brave enough to take on Spock, for now we have a youthful Spock who will continue to enthrall us, and one who had acted with and had fun with Spock the Elder. Spock the Elder approved of him. That's all we really need to know.

What would Spock say? Probably something like "Do not sorrow. Do not feel regret. I understand grief is a part of human psychology, but Mr. Nimoy would probably prefer that you continue to work and struggle and reach for your aspirations rather than holding vigils. Mr. Nimoy lived a long and prosperous life. What more could he have wanted? He would wish the same for you."