On This Day: James Doohan Died

Much has been written about the trinity at the centre of Star Trek –  Kirk, Spock and McCoy – but for some of us, the heart of the show (and certainly of the USS Enterprise) has always been Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott.

And, with all due respect to Simon Pegg, who has many fans at Gateway and Gollancz, there really is only one Scotty.

‘Oh, the equipment’s guaranteed, but I have my doubts about the stuff inside.’

‘I don’t know how much more emergency power we can take before we start to break up.’

‘I was driving starships, while your great-grandfather was still in diapers!’

‘The best diplomat I know is a fully activated phaser bank.’

‘I’m givin’ it all she’s got, Captain! If I push it any farther, the whole thing’ll blow!’

and, of course:

‘I cannae change the law of physics!’

James Doohan (3 March 1920 –  20 July 2005)