A Whole New Frontier

It was 102 yesterday (according to the electronic billboard at the doctor’s office where they make money by encouraging women to feel inadequate about themselves) when Cal and I went out for dinner. Thursday was our 21st wedding anniversary, but since we were too busy on Thursday, we celebrated yesterday. After dinner, we went to see the new Star Trek movie.

Let me say upfront that while I do appreciate some sci-fi (I’ve read Ender’s Game, Dune, and Interstellar Pig—if you haven’t read it, you must even though the book is middle grade), I am by no means a “trekkie.” I’ve only watched some reruns of the original series, some episodes of ST: the Next Generation, and a few of the assorted movies. I went to this new movie thinking, “How are they (the writers) going to breathe new life into a series that’s already been beaten to death?” After all, the second batch of Star Wars movies should be ample evidence that you “can’t get blood from a turnip.”

But these writers didn’t need a turnip, they got a whole new warm body. Without giving any spoilers, let’s just say that alternative realities can shake a lot of things loose. And Iowa never looked so cool. Not to mention Mr. Sulu—who went from being scary-happy to a fencing dude: Mr. Sulu gets assigned to a mission because he has “advanced tactical weapons training.” Just before Kirk and Sulu “space jump”, Kirk asks Sulu what kind of weapons training he had. Sulu says, “Fencing!” How can you not love that?! Especially since it comes in handy. Not to mention Scottie, who comes in halfway through the movie with all of his Gaelic “charm.” (Is it Gaelic—if not, I’m sure I’ll get lots of comments.)

My only issue with the movie is Spock. In the original series, Spock always lifted his eyebrow with ironic charm and an only barely concealed twinkle in his eye. This Spock has none of that. Of course, there’s a reason, and by the end of the movie there’s hope that in the next movie the Vulcan-human paradoxical sense of humor will be back. I’ll be waiting!

ps You even find out why McCoy is called "Bones", and it's not because he's a doctor.