Loss of an Original

Majel Barrett has passed away.

Even casual Trek fans would recognize her voice immediately: she's been the voice of the computer since the original series.  She, of course, also played Nurse Chapel in the original series, as well as the Enterprise's first officer in the unaired pilot "The Cage," known only as Number One.

But -- maybe because Next Generation was the first Trek series I watched during its first airing and not on tape or as reruns, or maybe just because I found the character more memorable -- she will always be Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed.

My favorite delivery of that began with a proud "I am . . . " and ended with a muttered " . . . and who are you?"

She, of course, went on to produce two of Gene Roddenberry's long-abandoned projects: Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda.

You know, it's funny -- when DeForest Kelley it was a bit sudden but not really shocking. Reports had circulated that he had really struggled even during the filming of Star Trek VI several years before.  When James Doohan passed, it was after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

I dunno...I think I'd have been less surprised had it been Leonard Nimoy, or even Nichelle Nichols, who looks spunky but frail at the same time.

Rest in peace.  Be assured that you'll be remembered.