Paramount
Have you ever visualized the universe of “Star Trek” without the presence of Leonard Nimoy as Spock? Interestingly, it was a possibility at one point.
The 2016 documentary “For The Love of Spock,” directed by Nimoy’s son Adam, delves into Nimoy’s intriguing life journey and the evolution of Spock into a cultural symbol. The documentary underscores the intertwined nature of these two narratives, while also shedding light on Nimoy’s initial challenges with the character.
Nimoy had previously worked with “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry on the series “The Lieutenant.” Hence, his transition to “Star Trek” was smooth, as Roddenberry had specifically envisioned him for the show. As revealed in an interview clip from “For The Love of Spock,” Roddenberry believed Nimoy’s prominent cheekbones were perfect for an extraterrestrial character. Spock’s distinctive pointed ears, a key aspect of his Vulcan (initially Martian) lineage, were designed to accentuate Nimoy’s facial features.
In a separate interview featured in the documentary, Nimoy discusses his initial discomfort with the prosthetic ears. As a result, he and Roddenberry agreed to a compromise: they would film 13 episodes with Spock’s pointed ears. If Nimoy still found them bothersome, Roddenberry would script a storyline where Spock undergoes an “ear-job.” However, this situation never arose.
Despite this, Spock was nearly ousted from “Star Trek” for a completely different reason. NBC took issue with Spock’s appearance, deeming his pointed ears and eyebrows as Satanic, and feared viewer backlash. Nimoy recollects NBC’s concern, “We rely heavily on viewership in the Bible Belt, and they will not welcome a character with a devilish appearance and pointed ears in their homes.”
Spock from Star Trek: Not a Devil Despite the Ears
Paramount
Nimoy recollects the first indication of NBC’s apprehension with Spock’s character. It was visible in an early black-and-white “Star Trek” promotional image, where Spock’s ears and eyebrows were altered to eliminate any “devilish” semblance.
NBC
Following the failure of the original pilot “The Cage,” Roddenberry fought to retain Nimoy/Spock on “Star Trek” and succeeded in preserving Spock’s ears. Known for his atheistic beliefs, Roddenberry’s negative stance on religion was reflected in the futuristic world he envisioned. This entire controversy might have been either amusing or frustrating for him.
Evidently, Spock’s devilish appearance did not hinder his popularity. “For The Love of Spock” highlights how Spock’s distinctiveness made him iconic, with his unique, almost inhuman look playing a significant role. According to Nimoy, NBC soon reversed its stance and started urging Roddenberry to give more screen time to the “Martian” on the show.
This controversy might have inspired a joke in the “Star Trek” episode “The Apple.” After Captain Kirk (William Shatner) liberates a primitive civilization from their god “Vaal,” Spock cites the Book of Genesis and wonders if they robbed the aliens of their blissful ignorance. Kirk retorts by asking if there’s “anyone on this ship who remotely looks like Satan?”
In contemporary times, with Spock’s fame, we no longer associate him (or other Vulcan characters) with the Devil, but simply as Spock.
FAQs
Q: Why was Spock’s character almost removed from Star Trek?
A: NBC was concerned about Spock’s appearance, particularly his pointed ears and eyebrows, which they deemed satanic. They feared that viewers, especially those from the Bible Belt, would reject his character.
Q: How did Spock’s character survive on the show?
A: Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, fought to retain Nimoy/Spock on the show, even after the failure of the original pilot. He succeeded in preserving Spock’s distinctive pointed ears and the character’s unique appearance.
Q: How did Spock’s appearance contribute to his popularity?
A: Spock’s unique, almost inhuman look played a significant role in his popularity. His “otherness” made him an icon, as documented in the 2016 documentary “For The Love of Spock.”
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
