Star Trekkin’ Across the Universe!

Despite spending about four hours last night playing Star Wars: The Old Republic (very fun game, and more immersive than any other MMO, in my experience), I find myself unexpectedly in a Star Trek mood today. This happens a lot. It usually only takes a glimpse of something Star Trek-related, and my brain is off and running. I think today it was an ad for StarTrek.com.

Anyways, I got to thinking about my favorite parts of Star Trek; shows, characters, ships, quotes, etc. So, here are some of my favorites in a few different categories. No doubt a lot of this will get me hazed to no end by my Trekkie (and Trekker) friends. But, as always, I likes what I likes. Sue me.

*Note: None of my list includes anything from Enterprise. For some reason, that show never caught on with me, and I don’t think I ever watched more than a couple of full episodes. I’m not saying that it was bad show, I’m just saying that I never watched it, and therefore can’t comment on it.

Favorite Captain: James T. Kirk

This was actually a tough one. Each of the Captains has brought something new and different to that chair. Even some of the peripheral Captains are pretty damn cool (Captain Sulu of the Excelsior, anyone?). But, when it all comes down to it, it was Kirk’s rogue attitude, his penchant for thumbing his nose at regulations to get the job done, and his loyalty to his crew and friends that made him an amazing character, and the greatest Starship Captain to grace the screen. He is iconic, and sets the standard that all of the rest must measure themselves by. I thought Chris Pine NAILED the character perfectly, but I will always be a Shatner-fan.

Favorite Series: Voyager

This is where the booing, hissing, and eye-rolling occur. But what can I say? Star Trek meets Lost in Space is a pretty cool concept. Add to that a neat ship, some great and memorable characters (Janeway is my second favorite Captain), and the best uses of the Holodeck to date. Voyager tread new ground, while still holding true to the original spirit of Star Trek. More so than any other show, IMHO.

Favorite Ship: Constitution-refit

It may be nostalgia, since my love of Trek began with the TOS-era movies, but this ship still gets me excited for Trek. It has the sleek lines and flowing style that I like, without excessive details (like the Enterprise-D's windows). It’s not a huge ship, but it can hold its own against just about anything in the Galaxy. All-in-all, though I like many other ships in the Trek-verse, this one is the one that I always enjoy looking at the most.

Favorite Supporting Character: Ensign Kim

This was a REALLY tough choice. Tougher than the Captain. There are so many great characters. Even if I were to narrow it down to just Voyager, it would still be a tough choice. But I always liked Kim, because I could relate to him more than anyone else. He was young, naïve, wet-behind-the-ears, and yet had a lot of common sense, intelligence, and ingenuity. Plus, he had a holodeck program of Beowulf. You just don’t get any cooler than that!

Favorite Quotes:
All my favorite quotes come from the TOS-era movies. And usually involve Bones. He always seemed to have the best lines.

Kirk: *Giving the Vulcan hand sign* How many fingers do I have up?
McCoy: That’s not very damn funny.
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Kirk: Spock, where the hell's the power you promised?
Spock: One damn minute, Admiral.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

McCoy: My God, man. Drilling holes in his head isn't the answer.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

General Chang: I am constant as the northern star!
McCoy: I'd give real money if he'd shut up.
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

So, what are your favorite Star Trek elements?