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Roy Thomas Baker, the prolific producer who worked with the likes of Queen, The Cars, David Bowie, Devo, Journey and The Smashing Pumpkins, has died according to The New York Times. He was 78.

Baker is best known for his work on one of rock’s greatest and most enduring anthems: Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The sprawling operatic song proved a challenge to record, especially given the technology of the time. Baker and the band had to transfer the tune’s many overlapping tracks across eight generations of 24-track tape, which required close to 200 tracks for overdubs.

“We had to record it in three separate units,” Baker later recalled. “We did the whole beginning bit, then the whole middle bit and then the whole end. It was complete madness. The middle part started off being just a couple of seconds, but Freddie kept coming in with more ‘Galileos’ and we kept...

Star Trek may be symbolized by the Starfleet icon that is often seen on the crew members’ uniforms, but it is best represented by one sign that was reportedly created on a whim. Neither Gene Roddenberry nor any of the writers is credited with the Vulcan hand salute, the popular greeting that is one of the most recognized pop culture symbols.

The Vulcan hand salute was reportedly envisioned by actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original series. The actor used the symbol for the first time in the second season, and it has since become part of sci-fi history and has even made its way into Asl. Nimoy reportedly based it on something he saw as a kid at Jewish synagogues.

Leonard Nimoy was inspired by a Jewish ceremony for the Vulcan hand salute in Star Trek Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount

Though other actors have played Spock,...

The Borg collective is arguably Starfleet's most dangerous foe and arch-nemesis. Their technology to adapt to weapons, superior collective hive mind, and the ability to assimilate alien species into their collective to gain "perfection", are formidable. Most often, Starfleet has to outwit or resort to escaping The Borg to survive their attacks. What if The Borg were even more dangerous a threat to the Federation than usual?

In Star Trek canon there has only been one instance (movies and series) in which The Borg assimilated a Vulcan. It occurred in the two-part series event in Star Trek: Voyager. In this two-part episode, we learned that some Borg Drones have a mutant strain that allows them (while in their regen chambers) to mentally leave the collective for a lush utopia called "Unmatirix Zero".

In the Unimatrix, the Drones can live out their lives away from the collective, form individual relationships, and even fall in love.

Evil Vulcans became the enemy in Star Trek: Enterprise, just as corrupt Klingons were often the enemies in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Vulcans and Klingons both made their debut on Star Trek: The Original Series, which established many elements about their species. However, with the episodic nature of 1960s television, Tos did not spend much time developing complex cultural histories for the alien species it introduced. Tos would reveal hints about the Vulcans when it pertained to a specific storyline involving Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the Klingons served as general enemies for Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) to oppose.

Initially, Gene Roddenberry wanted Star Trek: The Next Generation to steer away from aliens like Vulcans and Klingons to differentiate itself from Star Trek: The Original Series. For example, Roddenberry did not want Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) to be a main character, but the Klingon nevertheless proved popular with fans.

Lieutenant Saavik's tears for Spock in Star Trek II were due to her deleted half-Romulan heritage. In Star Trek III, Robin Curtis played a cooler, more logical Saavik under Leonard Nimoy's guidance. Kirstie Alley's Saavik was more emotional, showing traces of her deleted Romulan ancestry.

Why does the Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley) cry over the death of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan? Directed by Nicholas Meyer, the second film starring the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series introduced Lt. Saavik as the protg of Spock. Saavik serves on the bridge of the USS Enterprise during the conflict that resulted when Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) steals the planet-creating Genesis Device.

Lieutenant Saavik learned a great deal from Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but she taught the Starfleet legend a thing or two as well.

Spock appeared in all 80 episodes of the original Star Trek, embodying Vulcan culture with logic above all else. More Vulcans featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation, becoming essential to the series and the United Federation of Planets. "Amok Time" introduced key Vulcans like T'Pring, T'Pau, and Stonn, highlighting Vulcan culture and the iconic hand salute.

Vulcans are one of Star Trek's most iconic alien species, but Vulcans other than Leonard Nimoy's Spock only appeared in four episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series. As the Science Officer of Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) USS Enterprise, Mr. Spock appeared in all 80 episodes of the original Star Trek, becoming even more recognizable than his commanding officer. With a Vulcan father and a human mother, Spock spent much of his life learning how to keep his human emotions in check. Almost everything revealed about Vulcan culture on Tos came through Spock,...

Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2

The Vulcan Maj'el from Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 is confirmed as T'Pau's descendant by executive producers Kevin and Dan Hageman and Aaron J. Waltke. Maj'el joins the USS Protostar's crew because her destiny is linked to theirs. Maj'el's family connection to T'Pau is hinted through Maj'el's hair design but wasn't stated in the show.

Star Trek: Prodigy season 2's new Vulcan hero, Maj'el (Michaela Dietz), is confirmed to be a descendant of an iconic Vulcan from Star Trek: The Original Series. Originally a member of Starfleet Academy's elite Nova Squadron, Maj'el logically heeds the words of Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) that her destiny is tied to the young Starfleet hopefuls of the USS Protostar. Joining up with Dal R'El (Brett Gray), Gwyndala (Ella Purnell), and their friends, Maj'el becomes a steadfast member of the USS Prodigy's crew in Star Trek: Prodigy...

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2

Star Trek: Prodigy pays tribute to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry with a Vulcan character named Maj'el. Maj'el's design echoes T'Pau's hairstyle and Number One's demeanor, honoring Barrett-Roddenberry's Star Trek roles. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry's influence continues in other new Star Trek shows like Picard and Strange New Worlds.

Star Trek: Prodigy found a Vulcan way to honor Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. In addition to being the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry is known as "the First Lady of Star Trek" due to her involvement with Star Trek as a franchise from its inception and continued influence throughout Star Trek's history. Barrett-Roddenberry appeared as both Number One and Nurse Christine Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, and Ambassador Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. From Tos to J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009), most Starfleet computers sported Barrett-Roddenberry's voice.

Vulcans prioritize a commitment to logic, valuing reason over emotion. Vulcan proverbs and customs highlight diversity, logic, and peaceful coexistence. Vulcan philosophy emphasizes unity, the acceptance of change, and the wisdom found in balancing logic and emotion.

Introduced as Earth's closest, first, and greatest interstellar allies,Star Trek's Vulcans are known for their advanced technology, logical mindset, and seemingly emotionless demeanor. Vulcan culture values intelligence and rationality, leading them to prioritize exploration and political success. Despite a stoic exterior, Vulcans form deep connections with others, placing great value on privacy and private contemplation. Vulcan's strong and co-founding presence in the United Federation of Planets highlights a respected standing in the galaxy. The Vulcan relationship with Earth is challenging, beneficial, and instructive, revealing a collection of wise insights and philosophical ideals.

The Vulcan proverbs fromStar Trek's series and moviesoffer a glimpse into the values and beliefs that shape this enigmatic alien race.

Vulcan female characters have played a variety of roles in the Star Trek franchise, from Starfleet officers to influential leaders on Vulcan. They have had relationships with Starfleet officers and have been proteges of Spock. Some notable Vulcan women include Lt. Valeris, a disappointment and traitor; Admiral Patar, who met a tragic end; Lt. T'Veen, who was murdered in a hostage situation; T'Mir, who helped introduce Vulcan technology to Earth; and President T'Rina, who helped reunify Vulcan and Romulan races. T'Pau, described as "all of Vulcan in one package," was a powerful and influential woman on Vulcan, while T'Pring's complicated love story with Spock has been given more context and nuance in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Lt. T'Lyn has emerged as a popular new Vulcan character, and Lt. Saavik and Subcommander T'Pol are considered legendary Vulcan characters.

Female Vulcans rank among Star Trek's greatest characters, and a few are even notorious.

T'Pol's role in revealing the Vulcans' treachery made Enterprise's portrayal of them as villains effective and compelling. T'Pol's loyalty shifted from Vulcan to Starfleet after witnessing the secret listening station, leading to a major transformation in her character throughout the series. T'Pol's growth and internal conflict as a Vulcan grappling with her people's corruption added depth to the storyline and resonated with fans, making Enterprise's depiction of the Vulcans successful.

Star Trek: Enterprise turning the Vulcans into villains was a controversial move, but it worked because of T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) in Enterprise season 1, episode 7, "The Andorian Incident." Enterprise is a prequel to the rest of Star Trek, but it's set 88 years after humans and Vulcans formally met each other in Star Trek: First Contact. Enterprise broke the belief that the relationship between Earth and Vulcan was smooth sailing after Dr. Zephram Cochrane's (James Cromwell) historic First Contact in 2063.

In...

Sex Education season 4 offers a perfect final dose of awkwardness, drama, and joy, accompanied by a diverse and fitting musical soundtrack. Each episode is enhanced by carefully curated songs that capture the emotions and themes of the characters' journeys. The music ranges from nostalgic classics to contemporary hits, adding depth and atmosphere to the storytelling.

This article contains spoilers for Sex Education season 4.Though it is the last season of Sex Education, the series did not disappoint viewers, especially when it came to its musical selections. For all eight episodes, the coming-of-age series about high school sex therapist Otis Milburn offered all kinds of musical highs and lows, from funky instrumental tracks to heartwarming pop singalongs. All in all, with Sex Education season 4 being the final season, it provided a perfect final dose of awkwardness, drama, and the type of joy one feels when they are finally understood.

Sex Education...

The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episodes 5, 7, and 8, now streaming on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds faced a difficult challenge from the beginning. As a prequel series based on Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's original pilot, "The Cage," Snw has had the Herculean task of honoring the 1960s original series while somehow presenting a fresh take on the well-established franchise. Yet, from the start, it's succeeded with an episodic approach while maintaining overarching narratives. In Season 2, Strange New Worlds has added another element which, while a bit of a gamble, has made it an even more entertaining and compelling watch.

Now in its sophomore season, Strange New Worlds seems to be having more fun with its format. Fun seems to be the operative word. With episodes such as "Charades" and the upcoming "Subspace Rhapsody," the Tos prequel has been bringing the funny more times...

Some of Star Trek's greatest characters are Vulcans. The most logical race in the galaxy, the Vulcans are the seminal alien species of the Star Trek franchise, and they are arguably the most beloved aliens. Although humans in the Star Trek universe can find Vulcans cold, distant, and difficult to get along with, the best among the Vulcans are highly intelligent, loyal, and brave as they use logic to suppress their raging emotions within.

Many of the defining characteristics of Vulcans were created by Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series. Nimoy innovated iconic Vulcan trademarks like the "Live long and prosper" hand gesture and the Vulcan nerve pinch. Vulcans have played pivotal roles in the affairs of the Star Trek universe and in many Star Trek TV series and movies. Star Trek: Tos, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and now, Star Trek: Lower Decks...

The three-part Vulcan saga in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4 explained why the 22nd century era Vulcans feared humans. The Enterprise season 4 episodes "The Forge," "Awakening," and "Kir'Shara," introduced the younger version of Star Trek: The Original Series icon T'Pau (Kara Zediker). With the help of Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) and T'Pol (Jolene Blalock), T'Pau was able to restore the teachings of Surak and expose a conspiracy between the Vulcan High Command and the Romulan Star Empire.

In Star Trek's timeline, Enterprise picks up less than a century after the events of Star Trek: First Contact, when Dr. Zephram Cochrane (James Cromwell) achieved Mankind's first successful warp flight, which brought the curious Vulcans to Earth. In Enterprise's mid-22nd century, however, relations between humans and Vulcans were far from idyllic. United Earth's Starfleet, and Captain Archer in particular, were hostile toward Vulcans, who they felt were restricting human ambition to explore the galaxy.