Something Non-Mythical for a Change

So I've been filling this blog with mythical brain candy, trivia and other delightful non-essentials.

Let me take a minute to focus on something else.  Something non-mythical for a change, although increasing numbers of people around the world are starting to see it as a myth.

The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

At this time of the year, many people celebrate the Savior's birth at Christmastime.  I proudly count myself among that number.  And I love to buy gifts for my loved ones, and hang up tinsel and holly, and decorate the tree and crunch through the snow - but that is not all there is to Christmas.

Let me tell you.

Two thousand years ago, give or take a few, the Savior of the World was born in Bethlehem - a tiny city in what we now call the Middle East.  He was and is the Son of God, come to show us the right way to live, teach us love and understanding and truth, and ultimately take our sins upon himself.  This means that if we turn to Him, even our darkest and deepest mistakes and sins can be forgiven and taken away, as if they never happened.  He died a tragic death, and then became the first man ever to defeat death and rise to live again, making it possible so that we all can live again, after we die.  Jesus Christ is now with His Father, actively watching over us.  He will return to this earth again someday, with power and great glory, on a day full of joy and gladness.

This is no myth.  This is the truth - God's truth.

Merry Christmas!


Click to learn more about the story of Christmas.

Mythical Morbid Mantra

We've all heard it: "He's dead, Jim."

At least, those who are Trekkies have heard it.  Even post-60's Trekkies like myself have heard it.  Whenever people say "Dr. McCoy," that's one of the first things that comes to mind.  It's in a hundred places, quoted a hundred times, sprinkled throughout our culture.  On Google Chrome, Google's web browser, that's what pops up if the internet connection goes bad.

"He's dead, Jim."  We've all heard it.  So how many times does Doctor McCoy actually say it?  That's what I wondered, so as I watched the episodes of the Original Star Trek TV series, I kept my ears open.  I did my very best job, and can report with pride that I scrutinized all but two of the original episodes for the morbid mantra.  ("Wolf in the Fold" and "Catspaw" are too spooky for me to watch - why put myself through something I won't enjoy?)

Here's what I found.

In the Original Star Trek TV series, in all but the two I didn't watch, McCoy only says "He's Dead, Jim" three times.  That's it!  Three times, to make a memory that's been known and loved and quoted and misquoted since the 60's!  I call that impressive.

Of course, I'm also being a little bit misleading.  McCoy doubtlessly has been quoted as saying his famous mantra in countless books, movies, fan fictions, and other interpretations of the Star Trekkian story.  As a matter of fact, he also used a number of variations of his most famous line in the original series itself.  "He's Dead, Captain," "He's Dead," "She's Dead," and even "The Captain is Dead."  Most of the time he was addressing Captain Kirk.  (Except for the last time, when he was talking about him.  But that's a different story, and if you want it, you'll have to watch the episode.  "Enterprise Incident."  About 24 minutes in.)

A lot of times, McCoy seemed as if he was trying to consciously avoid repeating his most famous quote.  Again and again, especially later on in the series, he would crouch beside whoever had just collapsed, feel for their pulse or scan them with his tricorder, and sadly shake his head at Captain Kirk, or say something nonquoteable like "It's too late."  It might have worked better, except that every time he did it, something incorrigible in my brain would gleefully chant, "He's Dead, Jim!"

The same thing must have happened to hundreds of other Star Trek fans, because the phrase that was only said three times became a legend.  The ultimate mythical mantra.

"He's Dead, Jim."

In case you're interested, I compiled a little chart of "He's Dead, Jim" and other similar announcements, including the episode and the rough time of announcement.  And in case you're like me, and don't have the entire series on tape, go to the Star Trek Website and you can find the entire original series online, for free.  (That is, if you can make it work.  I confess it has a few issues, but on the whole, it was great!)

Words Said	Episode and Approximate Time
He’s Dead, Jim	The Enemy Within 36:19 Changeling Is There in Truth No Beauty? 23:55
He’s Dead, Captain	Dagger of the Mind 47:35 And the Children Shall Lead 1:20
He’s Dead	I, Mudd Return to Tomorrow 27:30 For the World is Hollow 49:50
She’s Dead	The Deadly Years 26:20 A Private Little War 47:00 The Lights of Zetar 16:17
The Captain is Dead	Enterprise Incident 24:40