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Why I'm thankful for George Takei
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Ubiquitous
Jan 5, 2012, 4:53:42 AM1/5/12
to
Editor’s note: George Takei, best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in
"Star Trek," was gracious enough to speak with Geek Out for nearly an
hour and a half. We discovered that he had more than one story to tell.
Check back with us next week to see more of Takei's heroism at work.
When you talk to people about George Takei, they often begin with a sigh
and follow up with, “I just love George.”
It’s the kind of love that anyone involved in a fanbase or subculture
can relate to – supportive, intuitive and unconditional.
When Takei expressed his wish that I'd “live long and prosper” and
tossed in a nice “Oh, my!” for good measure during our conversation, I
could feel my heart tingle a bit. Takei is so amicable that you
immediately feel as though you’re receiving the confidences of an old
friend.
But I wanted to know: Why exactly do we love Takei so much? Brokering
“Star Peace” after William Shatner and Carrie Fisher began a "Star Trek"
vs. "Star Wars" social media feud is just one feather in his cap.
Is he a geek hero? Fan Dorinda Paige says, "Amen to that!”
Paige first encountered Takei on TV reruns of The Original Series and
then followed helmsman Sulu in the first six films of the "Trek"
franchise. Even in Sulu's early days on the Starship Enterprise, Paige
could identify with his character. He piloted a massive starship, but he
was considered a supporting character.
“Sulu wasn’t the main focus of any episode really, but he was always
that cool guy in the background that you could identify with,” Paige
said. “If you aren’t the main one on stage, there is always someone in
the background that is important and represents the glue that holds
everything together, and he did that for me.”
“She is very discerning and has high standards and good taste,” Takei
told me, laughing. “But she has also got to have a keen eye and ear,
because I didn’t get that many opportunities to shine. I was more one of
those art deco reflective globes. You can’t say Sulu is a shining
character.”
Paige continued to see “Sulu” everywhere. When he showed up on the TV
series “Heroes” as Hiro’s dad, Kaito Nakamura, it was all Paige could do
to keep from “squeeing like a fan girl.” The show referenced "Star Trek"
on several occasions while Takei was part of the cast, even showing his
character’s license plate as “NCC1701,” referring to the Starship
Enterprise.
“Heroes” revealed a different side of Takei’s acting range, and what
Paige calls a “forceful side to Sulu that we never saw.” She also
believes that other actors would have shied away from obvious references
to their previous work.
As Trekkers, we love Takei because he returns that affection
wholeheartedly, which isn’t always the case when we encounter our
favorite member of Starfleet in plainclothes. To find someone who
recognizes the importance of what he is associated with, and not only
understands but embraces it, is a gift. It is an affirmation that we
made the right choice, falling in love with a show or a character.
“I love Shatner and Nimoy, but you get the idea that, at times, they
wanted to distance themselves from 'Star Trek,'” Paige said, which ends
up a hurtful experience for fans.
“What we want to tell them is, ‘You don’t seem to get that I love you
for who you were in this role.’ I think George Takei gets that. He
always seems to truly appreciate the fans and their enthusiasm for the
show, his role and him, personally.”
Takei doesn’t understand “biting the hand that feeds you.” “'Star Trek'
has fed me this wonderful opportunity to do and talk about the issues
that I’m passionate about,” he said.
During his time on "Trek," Takei could appreciate show creator Gene
Roddenberry’s boldness. No one else was exploring the allegorical
implications of the turbulent 1960s on television.
“Gene felt that television was a medium that was being wasted,” Takei
said. “It was a time when there was such anger, confrontation and
anguish, and he wanted to look on the better angels within us and
project that into the future – to say that all of these issues we’re
struggling with are overcome-able.”
At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
acceptance where there was none.
“What makes that starship so engaging and powerful is its diversity,
finding strength in that diversity and making our collective strength
even better,” Takei said.
Trekkers everywhere have connected with Takei’s accepting nature. He
isn’t afraid to be enthusiastic and optimistic (“It’s the optimists that
get things done”) and although Takei doesn’t identify himself as a geek,
he’s completely happy being himself, and encourages others to follow
suit.
“I consider myself to be me. I embrace everything! There is no need for
us to wear labels – we are capable of so many things.”
Takei maintains his fanbase by respecting fans' integrity as well as his
own.
"Because of someone like George Takei, it’s OK for us nerds, geeks and
Trekkers to be out there,” Paige said. That's a good reason to be
thankful.
--
"If Barack Obama isn't careful, he will become the Jimmy Carter of the
21st century."
"Star Trek," was gracious enough to speak with Geek Out for nearly an
hour and a half. We discovered that he had more than one story to tell.
Check back with us next week to see more of Takei's heroism at work.
When you talk to people about George Takei, they often begin with a sigh
and follow up with, “I just love George.”
It’s the kind of love that anyone involved in a fanbase or subculture
can relate to – supportive, intuitive and unconditional.
When Takei expressed his wish that I'd “live long and prosper” and
tossed in a nice “Oh, my!” for good measure during our conversation, I
could feel my heart tingle a bit. Takei is so amicable that you
immediately feel as though you’re receiving the confidences of an old
friend.
But I wanted to know: Why exactly do we love Takei so much? Brokering
“Star Peace” after William Shatner and Carrie Fisher began a "Star Trek"
vs. "Star Wars" social media feud is just one feather in his cap.
Is he a geek hero? Fan Dorinda Paige says, "Amen to that!”
Paige first encountered Takei on TV reruns of The Original Series and
then followed helmsman Sulu in the first six films of the "Trek"
franchise. Even in Sulu's early days on the Starship Enterprise, Paige
could identify with his character. He piloted a massive starship, but he
was considered a supporting character.
“Sulu wasn’t the main focus of any episode really, but he was always
that cool guy in the background that you could identify with,” Paige
said. “If you aren’t the main one on stage, there is always someone in
the background that is important and represents the glue that holds
everything together, and he did that for me.”
“She is very discerning and has high standards and good taste,” Takei
told me, laughing. “But she has also got to have a keen eye and ear,
because I didn’t get that many opportunities to shine. I was more one of
those art deco reflective globes. You can’t say Sulu is a shining
character.”
Paige continued to see “Sulu” everywhere. When he showed up on the TV
series “Heroes” as Hiro’s dad, Kaito Nakamura, it was all Paige could do
to keep from “squeeing like a fan girl.” The show referenced "Star Trek"
on several occasions while Takei was part of the cast, even showing his
character’s license plate as “NCC1701,” referring to the Starship
Enterprise.
“Heroes” revealed a different side of Takei’s acting range, and what
Paige calls a “forceful side to Sulu that we never saw.” She also
believes that other actors would have shied away from obvious references
to their previous work.
As Trekkers, we love Takei because he returns that affection
wholeheartedly, which isn’t always the case when we encounter our
favorite member of Starfleet in plainclothes. To find someone who
recognizes the importance of what he is associated with, and not only
understands but embraces it, is a gift. It is an affirmation that we
made the right choice, falling in love with a show or a character.
“I love Shatner and Nimoy, but you get the idea that, at times, they
wanted to distance themselves from 'Star Trek,'” Paige said, which ends
up a hurtful experience for fans.
“What we want to tell them is, ‘You don’t seem to get that I love you
for who you were in this role.’ I think George Takei gets that. He
always seems to truly appreciate the fans and their enthusiasm for the
show, his role and him, personally.”
Takei doesn’t understand “biting the hand that feeds you.” “'Star Trek'
has fed me this wonderful opportunity to do and talk about the issues
that I’m passionate about,” he said.
During his time on "Trek," Takei could appreciate show creator Gene
Roddenberry’s boldness. No one else was exploring the allegorical
implications of the turbulent 1960s on television.
“Gene felt that television was a medium that was being wasted,” Takei
said. “It was a time when there was such anger, confrontation and
anguish, and he wanted to look on the better angels within us and
project that into the future – to say that all of these issues we’re
struggling with are overcome-able.”
At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
acceptance where there was none.
“What makes that starship so engaging and powerful is its diversity,
finding strength in that diversity and making our collective strength
even better,” Takei said.
Trekkers everywhere have connected with Takei’s accepting nature. He
isn’t afraid to be enthusiastic and optimistic (“It’s the optimists that
get things done”) and although Takei doesn’t identify himself as a geek,
he’s completely happy being himself, and encourages others to follow
suit.
“I consider myself to be me. I embrace everything! There is no need for
us to wear labels – we are capable of so many things.”
Takei maintains his fanbase by respecting fans' integrity as well as his
own.
"Because of someone like George Takei, it’s OK for us nerds, geeks and
Trekkers to be out there,” Paige said. That's a good reason to be
thankful.
--
"If Barack Obama isn't careful, he will become the Jimmy Carter of the
21st century."
Martin Phipps
Jan 5, 2012, 7:36:58 AM1/5/12
to
On Jan 5, 1:53 am, Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
> thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
> Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
> accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
> previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
> acceptance where there was none.
I read somewhere that Roddenberry originally had the idea that Sulu
> At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
> thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
> Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
> accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
> previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
> acceptance where there was none.
was Chinese. There was a student of Confucius named Tsu Lu that was
said to be the basis of the character. In "Where No Man Has Gone
Before" he was a bit of a stereotype: he was the "mathematics
officer"! Later he became part of the bridge crew. As helmsman, he
really should have been third in command after Kirk and Spock but I
guess America wasn't ready for that. I assume he was next in line
after Scotty.
Martin
Professor Bubba
Jan 5, 2012, 8:49:20 AM1/5/12
to
In article
<cb542913-651d-4fb2...@g41g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,
A helmsman wouldn't be third in command of anything, and of course
there was more than one helmsman aboard. A helmsman doesn't even have
to be an officer. I don't think we ever actually had it pointed out to
us who was fourth in line. I suppose command would fall to the
highest-ranking senior officer aboard, whoever that was. Probably not
a lieutenant.
Scotty had the rank and position to be third, and of course he was the
third of three when it came to initiating the ship's self-destruct
sequence.
Interesting bit about Sulu was originally intended to be Chinese.
Thanks.
<cb542913-651d-4fb2...@g41g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,
there was more than one helmsman aboard. A helmsman doesn't even have
to be an officer. I don't think we ever actually had it pointed out to
us who was fourth in line. I suppose command would fall to the
highest-ranking senior officer aboard, whoever that was. Probably not
a lieutenant.
Scotty had the rank and position to be third, and of course he was the
third of three when it came to initiating the ship's self-destruct
sequence.
Interesting bit about Sulu was originally intended to be Chinese.
Thanks.
trotsky
Jan 5, 2012, 8:55:36 AM1/5/12
to
On 1/5/12 3:53 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
Because you're gay?
Because you're gay?
Ian J. Ball
Jan 5, 2012, 11:00:03 AM1/5/12
to
In article <050120120849200116%bu...@nowhere.edu.invalid>,
I'm pretty sure Sulu 'manned the chair' in TOS at least once, probably
some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
somewhere.
--
"I'm untouchable, bitch." - Rob Lowe as Drew Peterson,
in "Drew Peterson: Untouchable", on Lifetime, 01/21/11
some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
somewhere.
--
"I'm untouchable, bitch." - Rob Lowe as Drew Peterson,
in "Drew Peterson: Untouchable", on Lifetime, 01/21/11
SparkoHeaps
Jan 5, 2012, 11:05:42 AM1/5/12
to
>
> I'm pretty sure Sulu 'manned the chair' in TOS at least once, probably
> some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
> somewhere.
Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
> I'm pretty sure Sulu 'manned the chair' in TOS at least once, probably
> some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
> somewhere.
and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns. In both
cases, Sulu performed competently.
Professor Bubba
Jan 5, 2012, 11:38:57 AM1/5/12
to
In article
<cbfc8241-c7df-4b7a...@32g2000yqp.googlegroups.com>,
Sulu (or Uhura or Chekov or anyone) could be given the conn without
being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway and was (probably) senior
officer on the bridge in the absence of Kirk and Spock.
I think Kirk usually gave it to Sulu because he trusted him with the
ship.
<cbfc8241-c7df-4b7a...@32g2000yqp.googlegroups.com>,
being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway and was (probably) senior
officer on the bridge in the absence of Kirk and Spock.
I think Kirk usually gave it to Sulu because he trusted him with the
ship.
David Johnston
Jan 5, 2012, 11:39:55 AM1/5/12
to
On 1/5/2012 5:36 AM, Martin Phipps wrote:
> On Jan 5, 1:53 am, Ubiquitous<web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>> At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
>> thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
>> Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
>> accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
>> previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
>> acceptance where there was none.
>
> I read somewhere that Roddenberry originally had the idea that Sulu
> was Chinese. There was a student of Confucius named Tsu Lu that was
> said to be the basis of the character. In "Where No Man Has Gone
> Before" he was a bit of a stereotype: he was the "mathematics
> officer"! Later he became part of the bridge crew. As helmsman,
Navigator. Helmsman is actually the bottom of the bridge totem pole
> On Jan 5, 1:53 am, Ubiquitous<web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
>> At convention after convention, fans have approached Takei and shared
>> thousands of inspiring stories with him about what Sulu did for them.
>> Takei’s character didn’t fall into a stereotype – he spoke without an
>> accent and didn’t represent “a villain or a servant,” as media had
>> previously treated Asian-Americans. "Trek," and Takei, have taught
>> acceptance where there was none.
>
> I read somewhere that Roddenberry originally had the idea that Sulu
> was Chinese. There was a student of Confucius named Tsu Lu that was
> said to be the basis of the character. In "Where No Man Has Gone
> Before" he was a bit of a stereotype: he was the "mathematics
> officer"! Later he became part of the bridge crew. As helmsman,
because people are always telling him where to go.
he
> really should have been third in command after Kirk and Spock but I
> guess America wasn't ready for that.
it was, meant that Scott was going to be the one left in charge all the
time anyway so it made sense to make him as high on the totem pole as
possible.
Captain Infinity
Jan 5, 2012, 12:47:31 PM1/5/12
to
Once Upon A Time,
>In both cases, Sulu performed competently.
Rumor is that he had the captain's chair set to "vibrate".
**
Captain Infinity
SparkoHeaps wrote:
>Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
>and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
>Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns.
Spock never fought a Gorn.
>Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
>and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
>Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns.
>In both cases, Sulu performed competently.
**
Captain Infinity
David Johnston
Jan 5, 2012, 12:49:04 PM1/5/12
to
On 1/5/2012 9:38 AM, Professor Bubba wrote:
> In article
> <cbfc8241-c7df-4b7a...@32g2000yqp.googlegroups.com>,
> SparkoHeaps<spark...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure Sulu 'manned the chair' in TOS at least once, probably
>>> some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
>>> somewhere.
>>
>> Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
>> and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
>> Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns. In both
>> cases, Sulu performed competently.
>
>
> Sulu (or Uhura or Chekov or anyone) could be given the conn without
> being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
> give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway
Navigator. Not helmsman. Navigator.
> In article
> <cbfc8241-c7df-4b7a...@32g2000yqp.googlegroups.com>,
> SparkoHeaps<spark...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure Sulu 'manned the chair' in TOS at least once, probably
>>> some time when Kirk, Spock and Scotty all went on a landing party
>>> somewhere.
>>
>> Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
>> and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
>> Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns. In both
>> cases, Sulu performed competently.
>
>
> Sulu (or Uhura or Chekov or anyone) could be given the conn without
> being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
> give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway
GeneK
Jan 5, 2012, 12:51:14 PM1/5/12
to
"Professor Bubba" <bu...@nowhere.edu.invalid> wrote
this is usually Department Heads, order of priority assigned by the CO based
on the vessel's primary role. In a situation where the CO is assigning the
duty temporarily, it could be anyone the CO thinks is best suited for the
situation.
Helmsman on the TOS Enterprise was also Weapons Officer. If Sulu was
Weapons Department Head, that would have made him a potential slot in the
CoC. In STIII, the self-destruct chain after Spock's death was Captain,
Chief Engineer and Weapons/Security Officer, which would tend to support
that possibility.
GeneK
> Sulu (or Uhura or Chekov or anyone) could be given the conn without
> being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
> give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway and was (probably) senior
> officer on the bridge in the absence of Kirk and Spock.
>
> I think Kirk usually gave it to Sulu because he trusted him with the
> ship.
The only fixed CoC on most contemporary Naval vessel sis CO, then XO. Below
> being made fourth in the official chain of command. It made sense to
> give it to Sulu, since he was driving anyway and was (probably) senior
> officer on the bridge in the absence of Kirk and Spock.
>
> I think Kirk usually gave it to Sulu because he trusted him with the
> ship.
this is usually Department Heads, order of priority assigned by the CO based
on the vessel's primary role. In a situation where the CO is assigning the
duty temporarily, it could be anyone the CO thinks is best suited for the
situation.
Helmsman on the TOS Enterprise was also Weapons Officer. If Sulu was
Weapons Department Head, that would have made him a potential slot in the
CoC. In STIII, the self-destruct chain after Spock's death was Captain,
Chief Engineer and Weapons/Security Officer, which would tend to support
that possibility.
GeneK
SparkoHeaps
Jan 5, 2012, 1:27:40 PM1/5/12
to
>
> SparkoHeaps wrote:
> >Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
> >and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
> >Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns.
>
> Spock never fought a Gorn.
>
In the first half of the episode, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, O'Herlihy,
> SparkoHeaps wrote:
> >Two instances that come to my mind are in Errand of Mercy when Kirk
> >and Spock beamed down to a planet in an attempt to sabotage the
> >Klingons and in Arena when Kirk and Spock had to fight Gorns.
>
> Spock never fought a Gorn.
>
Kelowitz, and Lang engage in a Shelling battle with unseen Gorns.
Captain Infinity
Jan 5, 2012, 5:23:01 PM1/5/12
to
Once Upon A Time,
SparkoHeaps wrote:
SparkoHeaps wrote:
the existence of invisible Gorns on just your word alone, no offense
intended.
**
Captain Infinity
David Johnston
Jan 5, 2012, 5:34:02 PM1/5/12
to
Dr Nancy's Sweetie
Jan 5, 2012, 6:20:23 PM1/5/12
to
[ on "Arena": ]
"SparkoHeaps" wrote:
> In the first half of the episode, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, O'Herlihy,
> Kelowitz, and Lang engage in a Shelling battle with unseen Gorns.
> In the first half of the episode, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, O'Herlihy,
> Kelowitz, and Lang engage in a Shelling battle with unseen Gorns.
"Captain Infinity" wrote:
> Hmmmm. I'm gonna hafta watch that one again. I'm not sure I can
> accept the existence of invisible Gorns on just your word alone, no
> offense intended.
> Hmmmm. I'm gonna hafta watch that one again. I'm not sure I can
> accept the existence of invisible Gorns on just your word alone, no
> offense intended.
"David Johnston <Da...@block.net>" wrote:
> Not so much invisible as just hiding behind a hill and mortaring the
> area.
Dramatically, it's important that it was done this way because it means
> Not so much invisible as just hiding behind a hill and mortaring the
> area.
we never see the Gorn until Kirk is down on the planet and comes
face-to-face with it.
Darren Provine ! kil...@elvis.rowan.edu ! http://www.rowan.edu/~kilroy
"An infallible method of conciliating a tiger is to allow oneself to
be devoured." -- Konrad Adenauer
GeneK
Jan 5, 2012, 11:12:00 PM1/5/12
to
"Dr Nancy's Sweetie" <kil...@elvis.rowan.edu> wrote in message
> Dramatically, it's important that it was done this way because it means
> we never see the Gorn until Kirk is down on the planet and comes
> face-to-face with it.
Cheaper to film, too.
> we never see the Gorn until Kirk is down on the planet and comes
> face-to-face with it.
GeneK
Daryl
Jan 5, 2012, 11:36:01 PM1/5/12
to
--
http://tvmoviesforfree.com
for free movies and Nostalgic TV. Tons of Military shows and
programs.
GeneK
Jan 6, 2012, 1:19:31 AM1/6/12
to
"Daryl" <dh...@nospami70west3.com> wrote...
> Actually, the Kirk/Gorn battle was about as cheap as it can get.
One Gorn on the screen is still more than no Gorns on the screen.
GeneK
Daryl
Jan 6, 2012, 1:54:32 AM1/6/12
to
the bush, eh
AC
Jan 6, 2012, 6:27:01 AM1/6/12
to
trotsky wrote:
> On 1/5/12 3:53 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
>
>
> Because you're gay?
LOL, PMSL. Fuck me, you are so funny. Ever though of standup? What
> On 1/5/12 3:53 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
>
>
> Because you're gay?
material. Wow. So origional and punchy. I mean, any one else see that
coming? Or, nudge, nudge, cumming? LOL!!!!!!!!
You fucking immature cunt.
--
AC
Captain...@savestheuniverse.com
Jan 13, 2012, 3:31:27 AM1/13/12
to
On Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:54:32 -0700, Daryl <dh...@nospami70west3.com>
wrote:
>On 1/5/2012 11:19 PM, GeneK wrote:
>> "Daryl"<dh...@nospami70west3.com> wrote...
>>> Actually, the Kirk/Gorn battle was about as cheap as it can get.
>>
>> One Gorn on the screen is still more than no Gorns on the screen.
>>
>> GeneK
>>
>>
>
>Oh, I see, a Gorn in the hand is worth more than a dozen Gorns in
>the bush, eh
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