Friday, April 27, 2007

Goodbye, Scotty

James Doohan’s ashes are being sent into space tomorrow.
(Read more here http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/04/02/doohan.ashes.ap/index.html)


It’s a poignant and fitting tribute to the man best known and loved as Lt.-Cmdr. Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise on the original Star Trek.

The original series was the best. It was never about space or special effects or science fiction. Because of that it stays in reruns and the episodes can be watched over and over again.

Star Trek was more real to me than anything on television.
I hadn’t realized how much of an impact the show had on me until one day in the early 1980s. I had a government drone job and was on my way back to the hive by way of a shortcut through The Bay store. A radio station was announcing a contest and I swear the prizes included “one of 10 Air Canada trips to the Neutral Zone!”

I’d go in a heartbeat.

Doohan’s death took a wee bit of my childhood with it. It’s a reminder of mortality and the bittersweet passage of time.
Consigning his ashes to the stars makes it real to me all over again.
Of course Mr. Scott is in space.
Where else would he be?

5 comments:

Dawn said...

I hadn't heard of James Doohan's death and it does sadden me. I think Star Trek was part of everyone's past.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Hiya Goat*,

I grew up with Star Trek too and this was a very sweet tribute to Scotty. (Though I think Spock was actually my favorite). Nicely done.

*You said I could.

Michael said...

That's definitely where he belongs. I loved that show, although I can't agree that it wa the best. TNG beats it by a longshot.

RIP Scotty. We'll miss you.

Michael said...

Looks like you may not have been "tagged" yet, so I thought maybe I could pass Crabby's gift along to you, Leah. As you probably already know, it's a game for charity. Feel not to participate if you don't want to.

Dawn said...

I tossed my blog apocalypse tags into the air for anyone interested to catch. No one said they did so maybe they're floating up in space with James Doohan now.