in memoriam
Folks, I keep a special place in my heart for talent that's been polite enough to interact with me on social media. No, it doesn't take much. It could be something as simple as a 'like' or a 'reTweet,' and/or it could be as complicated as engaging me in some kind of professional exchange. As one Thespian always reminds his followers, "not every actor lives a sheltered existence" (my modest rephrase), so it's great when they're ready, willing, and able to reach out and touch someone ... even in the most benign way.
Patrick Muldoon was one of the first to engage a bit on Twitter -- well, back when it was Twitter and not X -- and, as I said, it wasn't much more than a few kind words in response to my few kind words about his work in 1997's Starship Troopers. You see, I'm not one of the folks who saw director Paul Verhoeven's adaptation of the famous Robert Heinlein novel and hated it: in fact, I liked it quite a bit. Having read the Heinlein book, I can say that a direct adaptation -- or something closer to the spirit of the man's prose -- honestly might not work as a film; but I'm sure someone somewhere some day will give it a go. In the meantime, the comic-bookish interpretation of a great space war on behalf of mankind against the worst bugs imaginable works quite nicely for this guy.
So, yes, I met the news overnight of the actor's passing with a frown. No, we weren't Facebook friends; and yet as I said I can't help but feel as if the guy was a part of my online existence for a short time. It always seemed like an admirable bloke -- the kind who didn't let celebrity go to his head -- and I'll forever remember him that way as much as I will him seated at the helm of one of the biggest galactic frigates the silver screen has yet delivered. Sail on, you good-tempered warrior, and continue the fight on another plane.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Patrick Muldoon.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
Patrick Muldoon was one of the first to engage a bit on Twitter -- well, back when it was Twitter and not X -- and, as I said, it wasn't much more than a few kind words in response to my few kind words about his work in 1997's Starship Troopers. You see, I'm not one of the folks who saw director Paul Verhoeven's adaptation of the famous Robert Heinlein novel and hated it: in fact, I liked it quite a bit. Having read the Heinlein book, I can say that a direct adaptation -- or something closer to the spirit of the man's prose -- honestly might not work as a film; but I'm sure someone somewhere some day will give it a go. In the meantime, the comic-bookish interpretation of a great space war on behalf of mankind against the worst bugs imaginable works quite nicely for this guy.
So, yes, I met the news overnight of the actor's passing with a frown. No, we weren't Facebook friends; and yet as I said I can't help but feel as if the guy was a part of my online existence for a short time. It always seemed like an admirable bloke -- the kind who didn't let celebrity go to his head -- and I'll forever remember him that way as much as I will him seated at the helm of one of the biggest galactic frigates the silver screen has yet delivered. Sail on, you good-tempered warrior, and continue the fight on another plane.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Patrick Muldoon.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
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