Friday, April 12, 2013

K is for Kirk

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
But everyone knows Captain James T. Kirk. He's bested everyone from Harry Mudd to the Klingons and done so in more places and in more time periods than almost anyone.

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.

33 comments:

  1. 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!

    Julie

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  2. I 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. :)

    Tamara~Behind these Pages

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    1. LOL. I guess we all have had crushes on someone.

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  3. So glad Star Trek helped mainstream science fiction.

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  4. Oh Kirk, how I love you and your Kirking ways.

    And yes, Kirking is a word ;D

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    1. I would have guessed a verb, but it looks as though it's an adjective. ;-)

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  5. I have a soft spot for Kirk after growing up watching him. And a train wagon through the stars makes perfect sense.

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  6. Ah, 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.

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  7. I'm fan of Captain Kirk and the whole Enterprise crew. Never missed an episode!

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    1. As they're fond of saying... "The finest crew in the fleet."

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  8. Kirk was awesome! Loved growing up with Star Trek.

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  9. Not to mention how many astronauts the show inspired!

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  10. Not a huge Star Trek fan. But Kirk is indeed awesome.

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    1. I always thought he was at his best when pitted again Khan. Best movie in the series.

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  11. He'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!

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  12. I was never a Kirk fan, but loved the dynamic between him, Bones, and Spock on the show.

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    1. Very well done indeed. Excellent character interplay there.

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  13. Kirk 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.

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    1. It broke ground on several fronts, including the first televised interracial kiss, if I remember correctly.

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  14. Ah yes human,

    And 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! :)

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    1. I guess that's one way of saying Canadians are cool? I almost forgot about Lorne Greene.

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    2. Human Jeff,

      We could supply you with a "Bonanza" of info regarding Lorne Greene! Take care, eh :)

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  15. His character is a true pioneer. Love it!

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    1. One that will be remembered for a very long time.

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  16. Star Trek and Star Wars are true pioneers of the science fiction genre.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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    1. And the science fiction genre is so much better because of them. It's good to see you again, Gina!

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  17. Yup! 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!

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    1. Haven'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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