Love this rendition of Amazing Grace. I wasn’t born in the 60s, but watched Star Trek with two of my brothers (several older) from a very young age. Spock was ALWAYS my favorite.
I love that moment where he takes in the import of what's happening, takes a split second to decide, stands up and moves. That's the crux, and what absolute sovereignty and freedom to choose looks like. Nothing can shake the certainty in that right decision. Wrecks me every time, in a good way.
No. No. I won't take anyone's guilt. I have just enough about now thank you. As far as true love goes, it would seem it is more rare than one might think. It's so much easier to zone out on automatic and pretend your life is real.
Humanity is what makes Spock so appealing, although Scotti is right up there with his accent and Sorean brandy.
Thank you, Phisto, for this remarkable piece! True from start to finish and Spock was always my hero in Star Trek, all the way through, in his quiet dignity and formality . This is what Christ did as well, as our Substitute on that terrible tree of Calvary. We never forget His gift to all who will accecpt it. Blessings overflowing to you, Phisto. You are inspiring.
“When a man takes guilt upon himself in responsibility, he imputes his guilt to himself and no one else. He answers for it. Before other men he is justified by dire necessity; before himself he is acquitted by his conscience, but before God he hopes only for grace.” 🔥
Remarkable write up! In that moment spock resolved himself to what needed done, knowing the cost was death. How you used that to present the importance of individual choice was brilliant. Some things have to be chosen, bravery, courage, faith. Without choice these words have no form, nor their second order effects.
It’s ok, he comes back in the next movie. So why am I crying?
Haven’t rewatched that movie since I saw it in the theater, but the two lines I remember are the one about two-dimensional thinking and the one about the needs of the many.
Yes, of course Spock chose the course of self sacrifice, and it would have to be Spock. He realizes the dilemma, ponders it for a few seconds, reaches the only logical conclusion, and quickly gets to work implementing his solution. No time for emotion or goodbye. Or asking for permission.
"He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human."
The “remember” bit was a giveaway though, and everyone who saw it guessed that we had not seen the last of his character, long before we learned what the title of Star Trek III was going to be…
Any list of essential Star Trek characters that does not begin with Spock is a list created by a madman whose mother … is probably a very nice person, regardless. No need to bring her into this.
I really enjoyed this essay brother! I’ve never watched the show, but my partner in crime has. I’m sure he’ll appreciate this even more when he reads it.
Phisto, well done. A very timely message, and excellent work honing in on choice - as an exercise in personal autonomy - as the key component of sacrifice for "the greater good." Plus, you tied in the Bonhoeffer. I was not disappointed.
Love this rendition of Amazing Grace. I wasn’t born in the 60s, but watched Star Trek with two of my brothers (several older) from a very young age. Spock was ALWAYS my favorite.
There was a book I meant to read… in it the world is always at peace, everyone is healthy and happy.
It’s all possible because there’s a kid in a jail cell that’s being constantly tortured. And everyone in the world knows it.
What would you do?
Get that kid out, obviously.
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
I love that moment where he takes in the import of what's happening, takes a split second to decide, stands up and moves. That's the crux, and what absolute sovereignty and freedom to choose looks like. Nothing can shake the certainty in that right decision. Wrecks me every time, in a good way.
No. No. I won't take anyone's guilt. I have just enough about now thank you. As far as true love goes, it would seem it is more rare than one might think. It's so much easier to zone out on automatic and pretend your life is real.
Humanity is what makes Spock so appealing, although Scotti is right up there with his accent and Sorean brandy.
Thank you, Phisto, for this remarkable piece! True from start to finish and Spock was always my hero in Star Trek, all the way through, in his quiet dignity and formality . This is what Christ did as well, as our Substitute on that terrible tree of Calvary. We never forget His gift to all who will accecpt it. Blessings overflowing to you, Phisto. You are inspiring.
Agreed. True love is only proven by sacrifice. Ironic given that it's the character that's supposed to have no emotion, yet has the greatest Love.
“When a man takes guilt upon himself in responsibility, he imputes his guilt to himself and no one else. He answers for it. Before other men he is justified by dire necessity; before himself he is acquitted by his conscience, but before God he hopes only for grace.” 🔥
Great piece Phisto! I picked this very scene as one of my first Stranger Worlds pieces back in January 2023 (my first month writing it):
https://strangerworlds.substack.com/p/spocks-needs-of-the-many
Stay wonderful!
PS: I'm also writing a weekly journey through TNG, one episode at a time. I'm in season four right now, with two years still ahead:
https://wamtng.substack.com
Remarkable write up! In that moment spock resolved himself to what needed done, knowing the cost was death. How you used that to present the importance of individual choice was brilliant. Some things have to be chosen, bravery, courage, faith. Without choice these words have no form, nor their second order effects.
Thanks! I'm glad it's resonated so very much with folks.
Death, is lighter than a feather, Duty, is heavier than a mountain. My Soul, Unto the mountain.
Wow. Yes! The one must choose! The difference between hero and mob.
It’s ok, he comes back in the next movie. So why am I crying?
Haven’t rewatched that movie since I saw it in the theater, but the two lines I remember are the one about two-dimensional thinking and the one about the needs of the many.
Yes, of course Spock chose the course of self sacrifice, and it would have to be Spock. He realizes the dilemma, ponders it for a few seconds, reaches the only logical conclusion, and quickly gets to work implementing his solution. No time for emotion or goodbye. Or asking for permission.
"He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human."
I held out till now but now I'm choking up, dang it.
The “remember” bit was a giveaway though, and everyone who saw it guessed that we had not seen the last of his character, long before we learned what the title of Star Trek III was going to be…
Any list of essential Star Trek characters that does not begin with Spock is a list created by a madman whose mother … is probably a very nice person, regardless. No need to bring her into this.
I've always wondered what would've happened had Nimoy not continued.
I suspect the "remember" would've been played off as Spock consoling McCoy, who would've blamed himself very badly.
It would have diminished the fan base. Might have been the end of the original cast movies -unless they did one featuring McKoy.
I agree. Looking back, it's wild to imagine Star Trek without Spock.
Heck, have you heard the story of how Abram's got him involved for the reboot? Literally wrote with Nimoy at that center.
I really enjoyed this essay brother! I’ve never watched the show, but my partner in crime has. I’m sure he’ll appreciate this even more when he reads it.
I'd love to know his thoughts. This movie stands on its own, so jump right in.
great post - really dovetails into the post I'm dropping today. Would love to link to it
Phisto, well done. A very timely message, and excellent work honing in on choice - as an exercise in personal autonomy - as the key component of sacrifice for "the greater good." Plus, you tied in the Bonhoeffer. I was not disappointed.
Did you catch the "Death of Stalin" reference?
"She fucked the Imperial Japanese Navy..."
Lol, nice touch.
Brought a tear to my eye, Nimoy was always the standout class act in that iconic series.