1968 Article "Spock: Teenage Outcast"

Hello all, Frederick beaming back in for a quick post! I hope to be able to start posting again (more often) so check back in soon for more! I have always kept to my own personal collection for this blog, but when reader Bluejay Young, a Trekker since November '67, emailed me these scans, I knew I would make an exception. His journey into fandom began before mine, as I didn't truly discover the show til about 72, when I became a Trekker myself. This article titled "Spock: Teenage Outcast" came from the May 1968 edition of the teen mag FAVE.

The article is interesting in that it was Nimoy's response to a fan letter from a mixed-race girl that was struggling with fitting in. There is real concern and thoughtfulness in his response, and it was both interesting and compassionate; as he framed his advice in the form of telling how young Spock might have dealt with the stresses of feeling excluded from the group and being bullied. He used the fan's interest in the character, and how they related to the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock, to share some down-to-earth encouragement. The thoughts he attributed to Spock also demonstrate his ongoing interest in the development of the character, and prefigure the scenes of Spock's difficult youth and struggle with bullies and prejudice in the animated series episode "Yesteryear" and the '09 Star Trek film.

Enjoy!

Bonus: Speaking of inter-racial relationships; below is a fantasy moment made real; Kirk and Uhura making out! It looks like a behind-the-scenes moment from "The Wrath Of Khan," but I'm not sure. One thing that is clear, however, is that Nichelle and Shatner were close enough to kiss on the lips at one time, and there seemed to be none of the antipathy toward Bill  that showed its head among the secondary cast later on.