As my family and friends know, I have been a dedicated and maybe even rabid Star Trek fan since I was a wee lad, as Scotty might say. As I mention in my entry about the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise and the end of the Trek franchise on television, I gained a love and appreciation of Star Trek through my brother, who was an avid fan himself back in the day. With Jarrod, I watched reruns of the original Star Trek series (still the best) and, of course, the film series with the original series cast. Star Trek has been a constant in my life for over twenty years. It has been a source of comfort and inspiration, of security and hope. Whether it was The Original Series or the The Next Generation, Star Trek was always there for me.
When I heard the news that James Doohan died, I didn't quite know how to feel. I know this will sound a little creepy for you non-Trek fans out there. But let me put some things in context for you. The Star Trek films featuring the Original Series cast and the Next Generation weekly episodes helped me pull through some difficult times in my life. The particulars of those struggles aren't important, but the fact that this mere "sci-fi show" was a part of how I coped is very critical. I remember shedding tears after viewing the last Star Trek film to feature the Original Series cast, "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." It was 1991, and I was fourteen or fifteen. But the characters of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Chechov, Uhura, and last but not least, Scotty, had been like an extended family to me. And by extension, so too had the wonderful cast who brought these characters to vibrant life. Of that cast, James Doohan was one of my favorites, both as the person he was and as Scotty.
I've taken my time to write this entry about James Doohan's passing because, quite frankly, I don't know that there are words. I didn't know Mr. Doohan personally, nor was I ever fortunate enough to meet him. But in various interviews I've read and watched over the decades, Mr. Doohan--along with his colleagues--has repeatedly stated that much of the character of Scotty came from the person James Doohan was.
I could list his accomplishments as an actor and as a war hero. I could tell you my favorite scenes featuring Mr. Doohan's "Scotty," as well as my favorite lines. Instead, I thought I'd share with a transcription of a brief interview with Mr. Doohan from the Star Trek documentary, "Trekkies." I watched this film for the first time last week after Mr. Doohan passed on. There are a few snippets of interviews with Mr. Doohan, but the one below is representative to me of who this man was as a human being and as an actor. And in the role he is best known for, good ol' Scotty, miracle-worker and engineer extraordinaire.
I got a fan letter from a young lady. It was a suicide note. So I called her, and I said "Hey, this is Jimmy Doohan. Scotty, of Star Trek. I'm doing a convention in Indianapolis. I want to see you there." I saw her, boy I'm telling you, I couldn't believe what I saw. It was definitely suicide. Somebody had to help her, somehow. And obviously, she wasn't going to the right people. Anyhow, I said to her, "I'm doing a convention two weeks from now, in St. Louis. And two weeks after...she also came to New York. She was obviously able to afford to come to these places. And this went on for two or three years. Maybe eighteen times. And all I did was talk positive things to her. And then all of a sudden, nothing. I didn't hear anything. I had no idea what was happening, because I never really saved her address. Eight years later, I get a letter saying, "I do want to thank you so much for what you did for me. Because I just got my Master's Degree in Electronic Engineering." You know, to me, that's the best thing I've ever done in my life. And it brings tears to my eyes every time I even talk about the story."
I don't have much to add to that. Every interview and message board response I've read about Mr. Doohan matches up with this story. A good man has been lost. May God bless Mr. Doohan and his family in this time of mourning. Christopher Meaux
James Doohan as "Scotty" in the final Star Trek feature film to feature the entire Original Series cast, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Photo courtesty of http://www.trekpulse.com Click on the picture to see a larger version.
Tribute art created by Mr. Geoff "Ptrope" Edwards, moderator of the Trek Art forum of the Trek BBS. Geoff is one of the ridiculously talented guys over in the Trek Art forum who create some of the most beautiful computer-rendered sci-fi art you'll ever see. Head on over to http://www.trekbbs.com/threads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB20 to glimpse some truly othewordly work. Art used by permission, Geoff Edwards, 2005. Click the picture for a larger version.
