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thefourthvine) wrote2009-12-20 06:44 pm
thefourthvine) wrote2009-12-20 06:44 pm
Entry tags:
The Search for Spock
Okay. This is going to be pathetic. I know that. I can't help it.
A little less than two weeks ago, I watched Star Trek XI, a departure from my normal non-canonical reading policy occasioned entirely by my love of Spock. We will not speak of the 94 pages and counting of STR drawerfic I have written in the last ten days (while having my Yuletide story beta-read and beta-reading another, and of course taking care of the earthling, and celebrating Hanukkah). What we will speak of, in sad, sad tones, is the lack of Spock in my life.
This is causing me to contemplate something entirely unprecedented: watching original Star Trek. For more Spock. (Actually seeing the movie gave me an unholy love not just of Reboot Spock but of Nimoy Spock, too. He is so awesome! He loves Jim so much! I want to squeeze his pointy ears OMG!)
But watching the whole series is entirely out of the question. I don't have the time, and I really really don't have the tolerance for television. So, dear people who have already seen the original series - if I'm only going to watch eight episodes, which is generally my max for any series, what should they be? (I am willing to watch both Spock-intensive and just generally awesome episodes. Also anything really slashy, of course. And if you want to include notes about why I should watch them, my love for you will be that much greater.)
Also helpful: any episodes that I should definitely avoid, for reasons of animal harm, child harm, or massive suckiness.
I thank you in advance. And so does Best Beloved, who will have to watch all these episodes at least twice - once without me, once with, so that she can explain what the hell is going on - and who is, frankly, just not that into Spock. If you want, I can even post episode reviews of the ones I end up watching, as an expression of my gratitude (and total Spock-driven insanity).
A little less than two weeks ago, I watched Star Trek XI, a departure from my normal non-canonical reading policy occasioned entirely by my love of Spock. We will not speak of the 94 pages and counting of STR drawerfic I have written in the last ten days (while having my Yuletide story beta-read and beta-reading another, and of course taking care of the earthling, and celebrating Hanukkah). What we will speak of, in sad, sad tones, is the lack of Spock in my life.
This is causing me to contemplate something entirely unprecedented: watching original Star Trek. For more Spock. (Actually seeing the movie gave me an unholy love not just of Reboot Spock but of Nimoy Spock, too. He is so awesome! He loves Jim so much! I want to squeeze his pointy ears OMG!)
But watching the whole series is entirely out of the question. I don't have the time, and I really really don't have the tolerance for television. So, dear people who have already seen the original series - if I'm only going to watch eight episodes, which is generally my max for any series, what should they be? (I am willing to watch both Spock-intensive and just generally awesome episodes. Also anything really slashy, of course. And if you want to include notes about why I should watch them, my love for you will be that much greater.)
Also helpful: any episodes that I should definitely avoid, for reasons of animal harm, child harm, or massive suckiness.
I thank you in advance. And so does Best Beloved, who will have to watch all these episodes at least twice - once without me, once with, so that she can explain what the hell is going on - and who is, frankly, just not that into Spock. If you want, I can even post episode reviews of the ones I end up watching, as an expression of my gratitude (and total Spock-driven insanity).
no subject
"Amok Time" and "Mirror, Mirror" for reasons stated above.
"Empath" is actually a Kirk, Spock, McCoy friendship ep, they're stuck in a bad situation and have to help each other to get out, it's one of my very favorite episodes (my favorite is not Spock-centric) and shows each of their strengths and failings. It does involve torture, but only of adults.
"City on the Edge of Forever" is one of the best hours of television ever made, and features one of the best female guest stars Star Trek ever had (the character's name is Edith Keeler, you may have heard of her elsewhere) and Spock plays several important roles in that storyline.
"Balance of Terror" which features Romulans, who in TOS are like Vulcans with emotions and a raging Napoleon complex. (Be warned, these are not your Reboot Romulans.) Spock has some severe identity issues.
Both episodes of "The Menagerie" which has Spock basically committing mutiny against Kirk in order to help his former mentor. The message about women in this two-parter is pretty horrific, but Spock is in rare form.
And finally... I'll go with "The Tholian Web" which really is an excellent ep for several reasons, but Spock is perfect as well. Spock and McCoy also have to learn to work together, and that's beautiful to watch.
Of course, mix those up until they're in the correct order....
Also, movies 3, 4 and 6 are particularly good for Spock. 6 is my favorite of all the Trek movies, including the new one, and I love Reboot.
Good eps that won't really help you with Spock: "The Trouble with Tribbles"- yeah, I love it, everyone does, you should see it, but not because of Spock's role (though he does have a hilarious scene all of his very own, it's just not enough to make the top 8 for him). "Devil in the Dark" which does let Spock save the day but we don't get a lot about what makes him tick.
Stay away from: "All Our Yesterdays" which is Spock-centric but has him regressing to caveman-ness; "Miri" which features Kirk as a creepy pedophile; "This Side of Paradise" which involves alien spores that kill logic; "The Way to Eden" which has Spock in a jam session with hippies; "The Cloud Minders" which has yet another blonde fall for Spock.
no subject
*notes notes notes*
And I feel you on the surprise of finding slash in your childhood loves. You are excused from seeing it if you want to be!
is one of the best hours of television ever made
Everyone is saying this! I have got to see this thing.
no subject