I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because... |
...of Kirk, Captain James Tiberius--the only man to ever win the no-win scenario. (And in two different timelines!)
Back in the 1960s, sci-fi wasn't exactly mainstream. Gene Roddenberry pitched the concept of Star Trek to NBC as a wagon train through the stars. The "western" setting even surfaced in an episode or two.
William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk |
He was a worthy competitor at chess, but poker was his game. And he bluffed the best of them.
Roddenberry, through Kirk and his crew, opened the door for science fiction to go mainstream. Yet another reason I love science fiction and fantasy.
I never thought of Star Trek as "a wagon train through the stars," but it does make sense. I agree that Star Trek paved the way for so many science fiction shows to come. Great post Jeff!
ReplyDeleteJulie
We owe a great debt to Gene Roddenberry.
DeleteI was never a huge Star Treck Fan (sorry, I know that is a crime punishable by death to some "Trekkies") BUT, that being said, I do remember James Kirk because I had a ridiculous crush on him when I was about twelve. I convinced myself that one day we'd pilot the stars together. And yes, I was a weird kid. :)
ReplyDeleteTamara~Behind these Pages
LOL. I guess we all have had crushes on someone.
DeleteSo glad Star Trek helped mainstream science fiction.
ReplyDeleteOh Kirk, how I love you and your Kirking ways.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Kirking is a word ;D
I would have guessed a verb, but it looks as though it's an adjective. ;-)
DeleteI have a soft spot for Kirk after growing up watching him. And a train wagon through the stars makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteIt does, I suppose. A high-tech wagon train.
DeleteAh, Kirk - he commanded the coolest spaceship around, could kick some serious butt, and always got the girl. Not even Shatner's self-mockery of later years can tarnish the aura that is Kirk.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Kirk always hogged the alien females.
DeleteI'm fan of Captain Kirk and the whole Enterprise crew. Never missed an episode!
ReplyDeleteAs they're fond of saying... "The finest crew in the fleet."
DeleteKirk was awesome! Loved growing up with Star Trek.
ReplyDeleteThose were the days.
DeleteNot to mention how many astronauts the show inspired!
ReplyDeleteHow true! I should have mentioned that.
DeleteNot a huge Star Trek fan. But Kirk is indeed awesome.
ReplyDeleteI always thought he was at his best when pitted again Khan. Best movie in the series.
DeleteHe's bested every bad guy and done every hot girl, even the green gal. Got to love Kirk! My dad was a huge Trekie (forgive the spelling!) so I have grown up on it and come to love it too!
ReplyDeleteI was never a Kirk fan, but loved the dynamic between him, Bones, and Spock on the show.
ReplyDeleteVery well done indeed. Excellent character interplay there.
DeleteKirk isn't my favorite captain, but I love how even though it was marketed as a Western-style story in space, Star Trek: TOS was still pretty revolutionary.
ReplyDeleteIt broke ground on several fronts, including the first televised interracial kiss, if I remember correctly.
DeleteAh yes human,
ReplyDeleteAnd no, we wont go on about his mission to seek out new 'words'. Anyway, William Shatner aka Kirk, is just another example of Canadians sorting out the universe. Lorne Greene as Commander Adama in 'Battlestar Galacticanada', being the other example.
Happy alphabeting, human, Jeff.
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)
I guess that's one way of saying Canadians are cool? I almost forgot about Lorne Greene.
DeleteHuman Jeff,
DeleteWe could supply you with a "Bonanza" of info regarding Lorne Greene! Take care, eh :)
His character is a true pioneer. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOne that will be remembered for a very long time.
DeleteStar Trek and Star Wars are true pioneers of the science fiction genre.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
And the science fiction genre is so much better because of them. It's good to see you again, Gina!
DeleteYup! Love him! How can you not? Can't wait for Into Darkness. P.S. Have you seen the commercial Shatner did recently? I think it was for Star Trek Video Games but it involved him "playing" against the Gorn. Hilarious! If you haven't seen it, youtube it! :D Have a great weekend, Jeff!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the commercial. (I watch so little television these days--simply because of time.) I am so looking forward to the next ST movie though.
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