Star Trek

I voted Kirk and I am a completely 100% straight guy!

But if I weren't - then it would have to be the young William Shatner.

Seriously, just as women can recognise beauty in other ladies, I can see that Kirk/Shatner was a good looking bloke and had that charisma, charm and profile that the camera loves.

As a young boy he was certainly a hero and somebody to be emulated, slightly knocked into second place when I got into rock and roll and discovered a young Eric Clapton - also a ladies' man and a source of inspiration to me.

I can't imagine anybody finding Data/Spiner attractive in that way. He is interesting and likeable but tell me ladies, does he really have any animal magnetism? I can't see it. I can see it in the obvious leading men like Kirk, Riker, Decker, Archer, and perhaps even Spock ... but not Data.

I agree that Kirk had sex appeal, and a whole lot of it.

Data's (Brent Spiner's) sex appeal is not as overt, but believe me, it's there. When I first saw him, I thought the same as you. Couldn't understand why they hired a guy who looked like him to play a lead character. He's a bit squirrelly looking at first glance. But then he moves and talks. Spiner's movement is like silk. The way he walks, stands, moves, turns, the little gestures he makes with his hands. It's all riveting.

He may not be a big guy, but he's a perfectly proportioned man. Wide shoulders tapering to a narrow waist and hip, flaring out to powerful thighs, and long legs. He's not a body builder, but he looks very fit with a well-developed chest. Sure, it's not Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Brent is pleasing as in every way that counts. His every movement is graceful to go with it.

His face is a more complicated matter. There are times he just doesn't look right with that rubbery face of his, but then, it can suddenly resolve itself into the finely chiselled features of a statue of an ancient god. All in all, a very appealing face... kinda like a young Gene Wilder without the curly hair. He's an interesting mix of handsome, expressive and odd. I think that keeps him fascinating to watch. Again, he knows how to use his face to convey anything without words. Women love that stuff, believe me.

Then, he's got a marvelous voice. It's musical in tone, a velvet caress when he wants it to be, and again, oh so expressive. Most of us have said that we'd love to sit for hours and just listen to Data talk.... it's a sexy voice.

Taken all together as a package... adding intelligence, wit and a gentlemanly elegance, and you have something very special. Women take notice, in droves.

Tal, you really hit the nail on the head. What more could you really ask for from a man when he has all that?

Nothing wrong with you, Nurse Marmalade. Everyone's taste is different. Brent just fit all the criteria I didn't know I ever had. He's fun as hell too. Constantly playing with his voice, doing funny little dippy things. Who can resist that?

Apparently, The Nurse can. Obviously, you prefer a more rugged, dignified, genteel gentleman, Marmalade!

@Tal, I know at first glancing over who Brent is, I would never think that I would appreciate him as much as I do, so much to offer, I just...there are not enough words. I find he brings sanity, and realization. He opens you eyes in so many ways you never even thought were possible, in ways you’ve never even thought of. 

@Marmalade, HA! Yes, I have noticed that some of my most intelligent conversations have been with fans of Data/Brent. And some of the most hilarious, which I find appropriate for our fandom.

I hope some day to master humor myself.

Thank you so much for the generous compliment, Nurse Marmalade!... and for your lovely compliments as well, Elfie. I've certainly enjoyed this place. There are many intelligent, fun, well-spoken and thinking people here... not only among the Data fans. I always knew that if I could only meet some fellow Trekkies, I'd have a chance at finding equals and those of a similar spirit. As I get to know those of you here, I'm more and more convinced that I was right.

Nurse Marmalade... you do a very fine job of representing our dear Doctor too. You're one of the friendliest, most enjoyable people to talk to that I've found. And it doesn't hurt that your ava is always smiling at me with that gentle face of Bones. It warms my heart and makes me smile. Oh, and you're funny too. The pseudo-fight between you and Nacht on the Guy101 thread was a scream. I intend to re-read it.

You should hear me speak in person. If anything, I'm smoother and funner... and maybe, even more obnoxious! Everything I needed to know, I learned from Star Trek. Wee!

I suspect we're all attracted to the character we're the most like... just a working theory of mine.

Who would have thought that a real actor could be more interesting than the character he played, and yet, he is. I think what I admire most is the underlying wisdom he has gained. It's always great when a little piece of it pops out in his conversations. We just wanna hang with the dude!

...At first I was about to disagree, but then I realized that I do see some of my qualities in Data. However, I really started off as a Picard fan, with Data a close 2nd. I suppose we all might see a bit of ourselves in all of the characters.... Well for me that is true, with Worf and Riker ... and Deanna being the exceptions. 

Tal, the interview I tweeted about, when he talks about ST fans in comparison to sports fans, I found it very true. We seem to get a bad rap, for no real reason. I have found much understanding and intelligence here and with almost all Trek fans I have met in real life. Every time I post something on facebook about the forums here and how much I love them I always get one skeptical if not pitying response (usually from the same person) as if all we talk about is our favorite phaser setting or command chair, or something more obscure or without merit.

And then I find myself feeling sorry for those (or, really that) person, for they do not understand or seek to see how marvelous and wonderful this place is and how many great intelligent, enlightening discussions are constantly taking place here. Also, hilarious, StarTrek.com has brought me more laughter in the past month than ever conceived.

In short, I love it here, the people, the conversation, all of it, including the craziness!

I find he has inspired my life in was I never knew anyone or anything was capable of, constantly surprising and amazing. So close to Comic Con, it seems but a far-fetched dream, bigger than any I have ever imagined, has become reality.

Actually, I was gonna say, except you, Elfie... You are possessed of a quiet dignity that is quite like Picard. I've often been confused when you quiety make an exit rather than answering an awkward post, but I understand. I'm all about expression, and as Brent said, I'm only here to amuse. That's been the driving force in my life as well. Too bad I didn't go into the entertainment industry.... but jobs are kind of tight there, obviously. Some times, I'm so driven to express a feeling, that I don't withhold enough. I apologize if that's uncomfortable for you or others. I will try to keep emo moments to a minimum., drama queen that I am.

But you, Elfie... if you don't mind me saying, are far more of a philosopher and thinker than I ever was, although I enjoy those aspects too. I admire that and hope it will take you far.

Brent's ability is just vast... and yes, he never stops surprising us with something new. I like it.

I do sometimes leave threads, when there just is no good reason to respond, sometimes I find it better to let something be and maybe come back to it later, if there is something to be said upon returning, so be it, if not, the same. I never really find you make others uncomfortable, and if you do indeed make others, then it is probably for the best, a life only of ease, to let your thoughts stagnate, no room for discovery or greater understanding and knowledge there. So please, continue to make us all uncomfortable, so we can strive to better ourselves. (There I go being philosophical! lol)

And I don’t mind you calling my philosophical, I take as a huge compliment, I would like to believe that I am, hearing it from others makes it that much more real. Gratifying to know I am not just being pretentious or egotistical.

....Hmmm, I need to start a blog. There is much to be said, to be written about the wonderful inspiration of Brent. And to put down all of these rambling ceaseless thoughts of mine.

We have the ammo to open up our own fan site for him, don't we?

For sure! It would be much better than that other one you found, which I was somewhat disappointed with after searching around further.

I kind of agree with you. It's not all it could be... hmm, it's a matter of finding a service with forum support for a website. Any ideas?

Eh, not really, I’ve never been one for making my own websites or knowing how. Have yet to really see any with a good forum system, but then I never really looked either.