Star Trek: 10 Best Uhura Moments
With the passing of Nichelle Nichols, we examine her greatest Uhura moments in Star Trek.
Lt, and later Commander, Nyota Uhura was one of the most important characters in all of television and film history. Nichelle Nichols played the role to perfection from 1966 until 1991, and would also return to play Uhura again in several fan-made productions. Her impact on the world is still being analyzed, though it is safe to say that she made a huge, positive change on those around her.
This article will specifically list the greatest moments of her Uhura. While Zoe Saldana and Celia Rose Gooding both have wonderful moments as Uhura as well, their versions of the character will be examined in a future list.
Nichols was a pioneer. Through her performance, Uhura was never a stereotype for the time. She was equal to those around her, essential in the running of the Enterprise. There are even times when she was essential in keeping the thing from blowing apart, a role more usually assigned to Scotty.
She was a skilled linguist, she was a capable commander. She would, though not depicted on screen, rise to the rank of Captain, and inspired a certain young, bald-headed future Enterprise commander as well.
Nichelle Nichols was incomparable. Uhura herself is an icon.
10. The Moon Is A Window To Heaven
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier has many stand-out scenes. Some of them are for good reasons, some of them - less so. The Moon Is A Window To Heaven is absolutely a scene that stands out for all the right reasons - showcasing Nichelle Nichols' dancing, and her smooth confidence in the role.
In order to avoid the guard patrols around Paradise City, on Nimbus III, the Starfleet team needs to distract them. Uhura steps up to the task in glorious fashion - though, to this day, it remains a mystery where she got those palm fronds.
While the moment is one of Uhura's best, funniest, and frankly most arousing - it is not without controversy. Nichelle Nichols originally performed the vocals for the scene, as well as the movement. However, her vocals were overdubbed, without her knowledge. While the film was being marketed, she enthusiastically described how she would be singing in the film, only to discover on opening night that it wasn't to be.
The vocals were actually performed by the band Hiroshima. While still a wonderful vocal track, one does have to think that it would have been better to leave Nichols' vocal intact.
Despite that - in a film with very mixed reviews, this scene is a highlight for almost all the right reasons.