To Boldly Go...

My love of Doctor Who is well known amongst my Twitter followers. It is, perhaps, one of the main reasons so many of us follow each other. Less well known, however, is my love of Star Trek. There isn't a single episode, out of any of the five television series I haven't seen. Likewise, the twelve Trek Movies. My Kobo has every Star Trek novel published on it. 

Throughout my life, Star Trek has brought me an enormous amount of pleasure. Today, it brings an enormous amount of sadness, as we learned of the death of Leonard Nimoy, best known, of course, for his portrayal of Mr Spock.

Spock was, arguably, the most iconic, enduring Trek character created. He appeared in the very first episode, before the character of Kirk had been conceived. He reprised the role in The Animated Series, and again in two Next Generation episodes. He also starred in six movies, two of which he directed. Twenty years after the final "classic" film, he appeared in both of the J.J. Abrams movies. As Mr Spock, he even appeared in two episodes The Simpsons.

Spock was often portrayed as cold, logical, dispassionate, even aloof, and yet Nimoy made his character uniquely loveable and memorable, in equal measure.

Aside his portrayal of Mr Spock, Nimoy had a long acting career, and was an equally accomplished director. He was a qualified pilot, a poet, a highly accomplished photographer. 

No words I can write can do credit to Mr Nimoy's long and prolific career. There are biographies on numerous sites, more detailed and more appropriate than anything I could write here. Nor can I do justice to the impact he has made on so many people, on the lives he has touched, both as Mr Spock, and as a fellow human being. 

I followed him on Twitter, and he always seemed to me, an outside observer, as a kind, peaceful, gentle, warm, funny and intelligent man. His wisdom and dignity far surpassed that of his highly logical screen persona. He was, quite simply, a true legend. 

Mr Nimoy's final tweet read "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.  LLAP". Perhaps, he knew his time was coming to an end. Perhaps, he was simply a poet, wise and gentle. Perhaps both.

On this, the saddest of days, I know this much. He leaves a legacy unique to the world of science fiction. A truly alien character, portrayed by the most human of men. Millions of Star Trek fans will be mourning his loss today. I am one of them. To his family, I am sure you will join me in extending our deepest sympathy and condolences at their loss. To Mr Nimoy, I can only say thank you. You brought joy into the hearts of millions across the world. You were loved, and you will be missed, as you go on your journey into The Final Frontier, to The Undiscovered Country. 

Leonard Nimoy

March 26th 1931 - February 27th 2015

He lived long. He prospered. He has boldly gone..