RIP Leonard Nimoy

A couple of days ago, it was reported that Leonard Nimoy had been admitted to hospital. Today he died as a result of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. My condolences, for what they are worth, go out to his family and friends.

For me, as a fan, this is an end of an era moment. Partly it feels like a tipping point for the cast of classic Trek, but also just that Nimoy himself was such a presence. His height, that face, and the voice. He could really sell the technobabble, and that was a big part of what made the whole thing work.

Who else is there like him? I guess Patrick Stewart was the Nimoy of TNG, with Jonathan Frakes as his Shatner. I can't think of anyone with the same kind of oomph below the age of 65, which bodes ill for future Trek. Zachary Quinto does his best in the reboot, but it's not the same.

Live long and prosper.

He was also the link between the various incarnations of Trek, with his appearances in The Next Generation and the reboot movies grounding them to the 'real' Trek. Again, that was all about the presence. The reboot used a time travel gimmick and he sold it to us.

Leonard Nimoy was a true original. He will be missed.