Visions of The Future- Top 5 Most Iconic Sci-fi Characters of the 20th Century

Remember way back in April, when I made a similar post about the characters of the 19th century? Well, this is like that but with 20th century characters. Sound simple? I thought so too, until I sat down to write the list.

Here is what I managed to come up with after weeding out some characters that I thought were iconic, and leaving what are,(hopefully), the legends of modern mythology.

5. The Doctor (Doctor Who)-

A character that has survived on television over a span of fifty-three years and twelve main actors certainly deserves a spot on this list. What is about the Doctor that continues to compel us? Is it the mystery? The quirkiness? The compassion? Perhaps it is that perfect blend of elements that keeps us asking the question “Doctor Who?”

4. Captain America (Marvel Comics)-

Even as the product of the Second World War, Captain America draws in readers and viewers from all generations. His belief that goodness and nobility still exist, and that there is still a right thing to do is particularly striking in an era of postmodern anti-heroes.

3. Darth Vader (Star Wars)-

I really wanted to put the entire original Star Wars crew at this spot in the list, but eventually, I settled for Darth Vader. Ultimately, the first six films are about his fall and redemption. And aside from R2-D2, no other character designs have reached quite the level of public recognition as that sinister, black mask.

2. Spock (Star Trek)-

Once again, I wanted to put the entire original crew on the list. They embody space age optimism, and the hopes and fears of the final frontier. But Spock is the most iconic, and the most, well, fascinating.

1. Batman and Superman (DC Comics)-

I tried to pick one. I really did. You can’t separate Batman and Superman, though. They represent the two sides of human nature- cynicism and hope. And yet both work together, (ideally), to fight injustice and promote peace.

I’m really interested to hear your opinions on this subject. Who do you think were the most memorable sci-fi characters of the 20th century? Who are your favorites? Take a moment to comment if you feel so inclined.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Character Analysis, Mr. Spock

It was the opening day of my show when I found out about Leonard Nimoy’s passing. I shared some brief words on social media, that day, then expounded on them on my radio show, SpaceTime, that Tuesday. This post is going to be very similar to what I said on SpaceTime. However, it is my first time organizing my thoughts on paper. So, I hope you enjoy this exploration of the character arc of Spock.

How does a character created for a rejected 1960s television pilot become a respected figure in a 2013 blockbuster? How does a an alien from an early sci-fi show that got cancelled after three seasons become a household name- a part of our modern mythology? I’m sure every creative wants to know.

As impossible as it may seem, we find this transformation in the character of Spock. I’m going to briefly explore Spock’s character arc from “The Cage” to Star Trek Into Darkness, and see what has made Leonard Nimoy’s Spock one of the most loved sci-fi characters of the past fifty years.

When we first meet Spock in the unaired Star Trek pilot “The Cage”, he hasn’t quite grown into the stoic-yet-conflicted, logical first officer we know and love. Beginning in 1966, when he is brought back onto the show with Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy , he represents the intellectual side of the holistic human portrayed by these three men. I discussed the relationship and conflict between them in this past post.

Though Spock represents one aspect of a complete human, as part of the main trio, he also represents a complete human in and of himself. Though Spock is only half-human, he shows the very human struggle between logic and emotion very clearly. Do I listen to my heart or my mind?

While Captain Kirk has to struggle over who on the outside to listen to- Spock (logic), or McCoy (emotion)- Spock has to choose who on the inside to listen to- his human (emotional) half, or his vulcan (logical) half.

This is a struggle that we as humans can all relate to, and it is the struggle we see all throughout The Original Series.

The Animated Series, as goofy as it is, sees the same basic relationship between the three main characters, and the same internal struggle in Spock. However, we also get a peek into Spock’s early experiences that let to his development in TOS in the episode, “Yesteryear”. (Also, there is a seventy-foot Spock clone out there somewhere, that the reboot series should totally revisit. Just saying).

In The Motion Picture, Spock has made his decision. He is going to purge himself of all emotion through the kolinahr ritual. But he fails. This failure plunges him back into the turmoil he experienced in the original series, and he casts his lot with the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew once again. It really seems like he’s happier that way, though.

By The Wrath of Khan, Spock has learned to accept the dichotomy of his existence. He is logical and emotional- Vulcan and Human. He can not dismiss or repress either side of himself. Then, of course, he dies. When his soul is reunited with his body in The Search for Spock, he has to start from scratch.

In the beginning of The Voyage Home, we see a Spock who does not find any relevance in retraining the human part of himself. However, by the end of the movie, he sees the importance of rescuing Chekov from the hospital, even if it is not the most logical move.

The Final Frontier...happened. Alright, ok. Bear with me. Even though Star Trek V isn’t very good, there is an important character moment for Spock- it doesn't even involve gravity boots. His weird half-brother Sybok shows him his greatest pain, a scene which demonstrates the dichotomy between his humanity and his vulcanness. Spock, however, has already come to terms with his deepest pain. He was able to once again reconcile the logic and emotion deep down inside of him.

In Star Trek VI, Spock faces the consequences of his own failure. The young Vulcan officer Valeris, whom he trained to be his successor, turns out to be a warmonger and a spy. Despite this mistake, is Spock still relevant and useful?

It would appear so. In the 2009 Star Trek reboot, Leonard Nimoy’s Spock serves as a mentor and and a counselor to the alternate versions of both Kirk and Spock. His advice to new Spock- to follow his heart and not just his head, not just his head- mirrors the journey Prime Spock took throughout his life.

In Star Trek Into Darkness, Nimoy’s Spock goes against reason, and better judgement, and tells the new Spock how to avoid some of the Khan-related mistakes of his past. The punching and yelling that ensued cannot be blamed on Prime Spock at all.

Logic, emotions, uncertainty, mistakes- these are all things everyone has to sift through and deal with. The thoughtful and nuanced way that Leonard Nimoy portrayed these conflicts in Spock ensure that his character will continue to live long and prosper even after the beloved actor’s death.

Keep on glowing in the dark ,

Elora

kolinahr

Top 5 Tuesday- Sci-fi Trios

    Some of the best characters come in sets of three…

    Now, I suppose I’ve already spoiled the top entry of this list in my sci-fi duos post. However, you don’t know what else I’ve got on here. For example, you don’t know that I’m including another trio from TOS, do you? (Well, now you do). Also, you didn’t know that this list directly ties in to my post for next Wednesday until I just told you.

    Alright, I’d best let you experience the rest of the list for yourselves:

5. Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura (Star Trek):

    These three are probably only on the list because they are my favorite. From the little we get to see of these Enterprise sidekicks in the show, and the little bit more we get to see of them in the movies, we can tell they are not only co-workers, but close friends. Though they may not be very influential on many of the storylines, the diversity they brought to the crew was part of what made Star Trek so influential.

4.  The Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory (Doctor Who):

    The Doctor had the experience (and the time machine), Amy had the adventurous spirit, and Rory had the level-headedness. The three of them were always best together. And, though bizarre, their family relationship was endearing. Yes, I cried watching “The Angels Take Manhattan”. And so did you.

3. Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo (MST3k):

    I need to write about this show on the blog more. It’s pretty great. I picked Joel over Mike for this list, because I love the dynamic between Joel and the robots. And what’s a trio about if  not character dynamics? Joel is the calm, relaxed father-figure, and Crow and Tom Servo are his bickering kids. Knowing their personalities makes it all the more fun to watch them tear apart awful movies.

2. Luke, Han, and Leia (Star Wars):

    The three human protagonists of the original Star Wars trilogy are some of the most iconic fictional characters of the past century. Han is the selfish scoundrel who changes his ways; Luke is the noble hero who grows in power and knowledge, and Leia is the “damsel in distress” who is far more competent than either of them could have expected.

1. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy (Star Trek):

    This isn’t a Star Trek blog. I promise. Star Trek is just so full of good sci-fi things that I have to bring it up a lot. Also, I love it. At least I warned you this was coming. You see, together, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy make up the main character of Star Trek. How do they do this? Why is this trio of characters such an interesting study in the nature of humanity? For that, you’ll have to read next week’s post. A cliff-hanger? A cliff-hanger?! Oh NO!!

This may be one of my more controversial lists among sci-fi fans. What do you think? Do these characters make the cut for  you? Explain yourself civilly in the comments. Also, tune in next Wednesday to hear the conclusion of this post!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top 5 Tuesday- Iconic Things That Didn't Happen Until the Second Season

They say good things come to those who wait... And it definitely applies to those who follow a show into its second season...

5. Beaker was created for The Muppet Show

  

 

What would the Muppet Labs sketches have been like without the hapless, meeping, undefinable orange thing, Beaker? Well, they would have been a lot like season one Muppet Labs sketches, where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew had to test his exploding neckties and earmuffs on himself. (Beaker is my favorite Muppet, and when I realized he was also a second-season stroke-of-genius, I was inspired to write this list.)

4. David Tennant became the tenth Doctor on Doctor Who

He wasn’t the first Doctor of the series, or even of the relaunch, (technically, the series two he came in on was actually season 28). However, David Tennant’s iteration of everyone’s favorite Time-Lord is definitely a fan-favourite. Doctor Who picked up many new audience members during the tenth Doctor’s run. Which is good.

3. The theme music for The Twilight Zone

Because you know you whistle it whenever something even vaguely eerie or bizarre happens. The first season theme is a lot harder to whistle if you ask me, and it’s just not as memorable. (But it is still good. Go listen to it on YouTube or something).

2. Chekov!

(I’ll admit, if this was a list of my favorite things that happened in the second season, Chekov would be number one. He’s one of my favorite fictional characters ever.) For the second season of their popular space show, Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry and company decided they needed a character on the bridge of the Enterprise who would appeal to a young adult audience. Noting the popularity of The Monkees, they decided to style their new navigator after Davy Jones. The character was almost British, but for some reason or other (exactly what this reason was is debated), Roddenberry came to the conclusion that the character needed to be a Russian, since the U.S.S.R. sent the first human into space. So, Chekov joined the crew of the Enterprise, and his zealous patriotism, proclivity toward switching the letter v with the letter w, and his youth and excitement have been a staple of the legendary group ever since. Oh, and they did decide to keep the Davy Jones hairstyle, but since Walter Koenig’s hair wasn’t long enough when he first came on the show, he wore a really terrible wig.

1. The Vulcan salute

People know the Vulcan salute. People who have no idea who Chekov or Sulu are know the Vulcan salute. People who think Star Trek is Star Wars know the Vulcan salute. People who don’t know what a Vulcan is know the Vulcan salute. And it wasn’t used until the second season of Star Trek. It’s use on the show originated with Leonard Nimoy.He based it off of a blessing he saw the priests do in synagogue as a young boy when he wasn’t supposed to be watching. The salute was first used in season 2, episode 1- "Amok Time".

So, what do you think? Do you have any other examples? More pieces to these stories? Did I include too many Star Trek examples? I'd love to hear from you! 

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora