The Sheldon-Spock Expansion - Part 2 of 2

[evelynvaughn01]

(continued from Part 1)

Spock is different from Everyone Else. EVERYONE.

During Star Trek: The Original Series, Spock is the only Vulcan serving amidst humans on the Enterprise, making him a literal "alien." But his estrangement goes deeper than that. From all indications, he is the only half-Human, half-Vulcan in existence.

In other words, Spock

Comments

[misskoum]

I only have one thing to say:

You must be the most awesome teacher ever.

Thank you.

:D

[evelynvaughn01]

Hee! Thanks, misskoum. (And another great icon... warrior Sheldon!) If I could teach classes on Star Trek and TBBT, maybe I would be :-)

[jl_in_the_lane]

This was lovely, thankyou.

Someone tried to tell me the other day that the writers had specifically *refuted* the idea that Sheldon's an aspie - but they didn't provide me with asny links to that. He seems so clearly aspie to me that for them to have created the character unintentionally seems improbable.

I really like seeing the parallels with Spock! Particularly the way Star Trek dealt with Vulcan romance...

[evelynvaughn01]

I think I know where your friend got the idea the writers had refuted Sheldon's Aspie-ness. TVSquad posted an article stupidly "Come up with a new theory: Sheldon does NOT have Asperger's."

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/14/come-up-with-a-new-theory-sheldon-does-not-have-aspergers/

Now within the article, they then provide quotes saying that he's never been tested, not that he does not have it, so it's a combo of bad logic (if he's never been tested, he doesn't have it?) and stupid-headline-disorder. A lot of people will see the headline and not read the article, you know?

I hope the show never confirms either way, and not just because "if he's afflicted with a real disease, how can his friends mock him the way they do?" Because I don't like mocking humor in the FIRST place! But because by leaving it ambiguous, the show allows more freedom among the audience to speculate.

[evelynvaughn01]

Er... I mean, "stupidly TITLED" :-)

A Beautiful Mind

[ninasmusings]

Not having a prior knowledge of Spock, this essay is essential to my TBBT viewing. It gives another view of Sheldon that makes his actions understandable if not acceptable. Your writing is well researched with appropriate citations, incredibly synthesized to where the wonderful writing flows like a river wild where no one would dare get in its way or impede its progression to the ultimate goal of understanding two distinct characters from TV. I want to ask how long it took you to bring this essay to fruition, but I'm afraid it might boggle the mind. I have so many outlines and notes on subjects, but putting them in a cohesive order is such a challenge. I wish I had the clarity that it takes to paint the vivid pictures that you do with your words

Re: A Beautiful Mind

[evelynvaughn01]

Beautifully argued, NinaMusings (aka PB). I'm glad you found this usefull, and recommend you check out Spock, at least in the 2009 Star Trek reboot. I especially liked your insight about Sheldon seeing the sharing of his knowledge as a duty--I feel very much the same way about him! And yes, Spock was all about duty (although he usually defined that as the rules of Starfleet. Usually). Our Sheldon, indeed!

[mrssnape13]

There you go again, getting my wheels turning! Admittedly, and I say this with shame, I do not know much about Spock. (I intend to remedy this, because by all accounts he is FASCINATING.) But this was really, really, really good! To me, it just brings forth how vulnerable and human Sheldon really is, despite the robot/alien jokes. I'm hoping that this is another instance of "look harder!" :)

[evelynvaughn01]

Can I join you in hoping this is another "look harder" example? It really would be a shame for any television show to punish viewers who pay attention with the cognitive dissonance of not being at least a little consistent!

As with NinaMusings, above, I recommend you at least check out the 2009 Star Trek reboot to get the Cliff's Notes version of Spock. If you go to the Original Series (where I first learned to love him), "Amok Time" is a classic, but it's better to watch something in which he's not experiencing a psychiatric break first, so you recognize it when you see it. "Journey to Babel" gives us a great deal of Spock's background. And if you want some grins, try "The Trouble with Tribbles."

[mrssnape13]

Thanks! I will definitely have to make some room for more "Star Trek" in my life. :)

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[anonymous]

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