Not to nitpick, but would the Romulans be a better parallel for the Romans?
I mean hey, Kirk was pretty much hated by everyone…
You should post more often! This is an awesome comparison. I would never have thought of it. Thanks!
I’m old enough to have a collection of promo materials and interviews (Starlog, etc.) from STII and Kirstie Alley and others involved in the production definitely state she’s Vulcan/Romulan.
Frakin great podcast!
Don’t trust Google. Saavik is never, never identified as half-Vulcan on screen. The only references to this are in the original script of TWOK and Vonda McIntyre’s novelizations of ST II-IV.
Yes, but, again, never on screen in the finished product. Not even in the Director’s Cut. (There is some hypothetical completed scene floating around YouTube, and it sure as heck sounds like Shatner and Nimoy’s voices, so I don’t know the origin of that – but it has never been official canon).
And Robin Curtis, in ST III, plays her as a 100% Vulcan. No swearing, no tears – no hotness, but that’s another argument. 
Thanks for this arc, gang, I am sure I will enjoy it. (But bring back the old GWC music – please?)
By the way, thanks also for the interview with Roger Nygard. He is so on target about the definition of what’s “normal,” it’s not even funny.
Hey, maybe it didn’t look that way to you, but Persis Khambatta was bald, bald, bald for the filming of ST-TMP. In his memoirs of the filming (yeah, I’m that much of a geek), Walter Koenig writes about being fascinated by her bald head and asking her if he could kiss it. She let him. He did not think he had made a wise choice. 
So no bald caps on her.
And related to hair issues – the “bowl cut” was a TNG-era innovation for Vulcans. Like the Romulans’ ridiculous shoulder pads and eyebrows. I’ve never accepted the TNG-era make up for Vulcans and Romulans. It sucked. (How’s that for open-mindedness? <g>)
No, Spock was rockin’ a bowl cut LONG before TNG came around. I never did like that they added forehead ridges to the Romulans in TNG and thereafter, but apparently in the new movie they’ve done away with Romulan ridges, favoring cool face tattoos.
Yes, Spock had a bowl cut, but not every Vulcan we saw did. Granted, we saw previous few – but Stonn didn’t. T’Pring didn’t. I’m not even sure Sarek did.
I’ll take the killer face tatoos over dumb eyebrow ridges any day, although I’m not sure that Nero won’t turn out to be some sort of renegade Romulan, and we probably can’t infer from him something about the whole society.
Oh, I wasn’t suggesting that all or most Romulans would have the tats, just that they’re cool looking. FYI, IDW has published the frist three issues of a four part comic book miniseries called Star Trek: Countdown that marries post-Nemesis TNG continuity to the new film in a very creative way with what I consider really great illustrations. Worth a look.
Oh, gotcha – I misread your post.
Yeah, I wil be picking up the trade collection of Countdown out of intrigue – I resisted when it was (is) in single issues, but am giving in.
By the way, Chuck (this is what I get for not listening to the whole 'cast first before posting) – has anyone given you grief yet for misquoting Spock in Star Trek VI? It’s Klingons that supposedly don’t have tear ducts, not Vulcans. Geek demerits for you!
Actually, I say “supposedly” because we clearly see Commander Kruge tear up when he is about to destroy Valkris in ST III. So, wtf? <G>
Saavik doesn’t look disgusted at Admiral Kirk’s comment, imo (although I had never, in umpity-ump viewings of this film) connected that line at the funeral with Spock and Saavik’s exchange about “so human.” Wow. But you can see Saavik recoil in physical disgust after restraining David when Khan beams up Genesis – watch her hand on his shoulder. As soon as the coast is clear, that hand flies off David’s shoulder like he is toxic. It is a great little touch, and I wonder if she was directed to do it or if Kirstie Alley (always Saavik in my book!) came up with it on her own.
We sure do like Pon Farr and koon-ut-kal-if-fee and kal-if-fee. And a few times throughout the series like Tal-Shaya (fighting strike) and selat from ‘Journey to Babel’. But TMP was the first time they used sub-titles and a spoken language for both the Klingons in the opening sequence and the Vulcans on the planet.
Stroika! Stroika!
In the novelization of ST III (and early editions of the movie script…not sure if they ever filmed any of it), Saviik and David are actually lovers and have a few scenes together in bed. At least we know that Kirk’s mojo didn’t fall far from the tree…
OMG, that is beyond creepy !
Memory Alpha and Startrek.com both list her as half-Vulcan. It may not be cannon, but if the issue ever comes up again I’m guessing they’re going with that.
I enjoyed them both too. Though the first one did seem to go after the extreme fans to show.
Ringers was great!
Just listening to the podcast now, and as usual I’m enjoying it…
I have to say I really miss the old intro.