“I don’t believe in the no-win scenario.”
Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Some of us have been watching some version of Star Trek since the 1960s. Some first came on board in 1987 with Star Trek: The Next Generation. Many are brand new to the franchise. But, back in 1980, all we had were three seasons of the original television program, an animated series, and one so-so movie. It’s no stretch to say the future of Star Trek was uncertain. Maybe even unlikely.
In fact, in 1980 Star Trek was facing a no-win scenario of its own. If things didn’t change, almost everything we know as Star Trek would never come to be. No Jean Luc Picard. No Data. No Captain Janeway. No Seven of Nine. No Ben Sisko. No Quark. No Captain Archer. No T’Pol. No Star Trek Discovery. And so much more.
The problem? No Spock.
As plans were being laid to film what would eventually be Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, Leonard Nimoy made it clear he no longer wished to portray Mr. Spock. That was a true show stopper. Unless Nimoy changed his mind, the second Star Trek film would never be made. The studio was unwilling to put money into a Star Trek film that wasn’t headlined by both William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock.
Without this film, there would likely be no future Star Trek films. And without those, none of the future versions of Star Trek would ever come to be. As we now know, something changed. Nimoy did return to play Spock. What happened? How did we go from a real life no-win scenario to making what many consider the best Star Trek film of all time?
You can thank Jack B. Sowards.
As the person tapped to write the screenplay, Sowards believed he had just what was needed to change Nimoy’s mind. It’s a long-ish tale, so I won’t go into great detail. For those who are interested, there’s a link to the full story, below. Suffice to say that, with deft writing, Sowards slowly won Nimoy over. It was a process; and there was always the possibility Nimoy would bolt. At each stage of the process, though, Sowards continued to have faith that all would be well.
And it was.
You see, to Jack Sowards, those were not just words he wrote for a screenplay. To him, not believing in no-win scenarios was real life. He lived that philosophy. And because he did, we are still watching and enjoying what has become the Star Trek universe.
There’s a lesson in here for us.
In this week’s passages from Daniel and Revelation, we learn that Jesus will have “dominion forever” and His “Kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.” Yes, we have an adversary, one who employs countless schemes seeking our downfall. But, he cannot win. The outcome is already known.
Believe in Jesus. Reject the no-win scenario.
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Graphic:
“The Man Who Saved Mr. Spock”
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Friday morning is our last Lectionary Breakfast before Thanksgiving. Join us at Our Breakfast Place restaurant or on Zoom.** We start at 8:00 for an hour that goes by way too fast. It’s Bible, food, discussion, coffee, prayer, laughter, and fellowship. Now, that’s a great way to start the weekend!
Blessings,
Steve
**Contact me the Zoom link
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera if you don’t wish to be seen and to mute the microphone if you don’t wish to speak.
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY & THE COMING WEEK
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
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