Welcome to Star Trekking, my attempt to share points of interest and random intersections in the final frontier.
Last week I found some time to start in on the current season of the Great British Bake Off (Baking Show as they say here in the colonies because Pillsbury is a bully).
Lo and behold, our favorite franchise came up in conversation.
Two Enterprises kissing.
I want to see that cake.
So I googled “kissing enterprises.” This was the closest thing I got.
Not a cake but certainly kissing.
The ongoing thesis of this newsletter is that Star Trek is everywhere, whether you’re actively looking for it or not, and after the cake incident, I ended up getting a Trek clue in the crossword app I spend too much time using (trying to keep myself from going senile). I did not snap a screenshot of it but the clue was this.
“Star Trek units.”
The answer was 8 letters. Can you guess the correct answer?
On Friday was reading a ranking of Vangelis albums - as one does - and came across this description of the album Invisible Connections.
It's understandable how fans of his livelier works would be enraged at having wasted their money buying such a nonish LP. But in the age of streaming, this spacious ambience sits comfortably between the early electronic pioneers and 24 hours of Enterprise-D engine noise. It's main crime is that it came several decades late to be truly innovative.
I remember buying that album (on LP because it was still the 80s) and playing it maybe once. I no longer own it, even though I still have all my other Vangelis LPs. Also, maybe I should give it another chance because honestly, there’s something soothing about the Enterprise D engines.
I don’t have a lot of additional material for you today, since I have not spent much time on Twitter or on the internet in general this week. I am deep into the final rehearsals for a production of Annie in which I am appearing and it takes a lot of time - physically and emotionally. I am not playing Daddy Warbucks. Or Sandy. Or Annie. I am playing Drake the butler and you will be shocked I tell you shocked to learn that my interpretation of the character means that I am often standing with a neutral expression on my face, hands clasped behind my back.
It’s a shame I can’t really raise a single eyebrow.
MEANWHILE…
Anybody get this magazine yet? I’ve been planning to subscribe but haven’t had a chance. How is it? Should I buy a copy?
I think we’ve all been there.
“This simple feeling” does not get enough credit for being the HUGE character moment that it is.
And speaking of ST-TMP, this is fantastic.
Another must-see.
Yet another gem from the archives - out takes from The Cage.
If I had been at DST I might have bought this (assuming my wife was not looking).
ONE LAST THING
In that same crossword puzzle, one of the clues was “Israeli Golda” (4 letters, MEIR). And today I saw a photo of Helen Mirren as Golda for an upcoming movie. And all I could think of both times was the miniseries A Woman Called Golda which I watched for one reason - because Leonard Nimoy appeared as Golda’s husband. I even bought the novelization for the same reason. Maybe there was a photo of him inside.
That simple feeling, of loving a character so much that you watch any crazy thing the actor appears in? Better than any number of Enterprises kissing.
BY THE WAY
Crossword answer to the clue “Star Trek units:” Episodes.
Here is this issue’s end credits music.
Until next time,
LOVE long…and prosper.