"Death is that state where one lives only in the memory of others,
which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes–just good memories."
– Tasha Yar
I knew it was coming, but that didn’t blunt the sadness I felt when I learned yesterday that Michael Piller died. I didn’t know Michael very well — a consequence of my age when we worked together, and one of the very few lingering regrets I have about Star Trek — but I had (and have) tremendous respect for him, and I believe that he is more responsible than anyone else for Next Generation transforming itself into the amazing show it became in season four.
I last saw Michael at a Star Trek convention in Pasadena a couple of years ago. He was there to talk about Dead Zone, and I was there to read from my upcoming book, Dancing Barefoot. I had just finished watching the fourth season of TNG on DVD.
I felt the usual Prove To Everyone shame, but I walked over to him anyway. We spoke for a bit, and I finally said what I needed to say.
"I never understood how important you were to the show," I said, "until I watched it change under your leadership."
A group of kids dressed in Buffy costumes sped down the hallway, swarmed around us, and ran into the main hall, where one of their idols was about to speak.
"So I wanted to say ‘thank you’ now, because before, I was — well, I just didn’t know how."
He smiled and took my hand. "Thank you, Wil," he said.
"Good luck with Dead Zone," I said. "I hear it’s going to be fantastic."
He drew a deep breath. "We’ll see . . ." he said.
And that was it. We chatted for another minute or so, and went our separate ways.
I hardly knew Michael, but everyone who did loved him. As far as I can tell, he was
one of the very few genuinely good people who worked in the industry.
Goodbye, Michael, and thank you.
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Nasty business is Death. But it happens to us all, eventually.
He will be missed.
Very sad to hear of his passing. I love the show Dead Zone. He made it great.
I heard he died yesterday and was going to mention his passing here but didn’t want to upset anyone.
I’ve had to deal with the topic of death a lot in the last few years. After much thinking, my philosophy on death is that just like birth, it’s the most natural thing in the world. Everyone dies so it can’t be this horrible, unthinkable thing – it’s natural. In all likelihood, death is only terrible for the family and friends that will be missing their departed loved one.
Sorry, I hope my comments weren’t out of place. Those thoughts always seem to comfort me though. My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Michael Piller.
Love2all,
I think your comments are right on target and am grateful to see someone with a realistic view of death. It means even more to me because in an effort to finish my Family Studies and Gerontology degree, I am currently taking a sociology course on death and dying, where we’ve been study death denial, fear and acceptance.
So if no one else feels a peace from what you wrote, I did and I thank you for what you post.
For everyone else, I share my favorite poem about pain and loss by Edwin Markham:
Defeat may serve as well as victory
To shake the soul and let the glory out.
When the great oak is straining in the wind,
The boughs drink in new beauty and the trunk
Sends down a deeper root on the windward side.
Only the soul that knows the mighty grief
Can know the mighty rapture, Sorrows come
To stretch out spaces in the heart for joy.
And one more quote for the sorrowing among us – “The soul would have no rainbows, if the eyes had no tears.”
Death is natural and so is sorrow. We should fear neither, but give each proper recognition and respect.
Thank you, MamaSlyth. 🙂
My pleasure. 🙂
I think a poem by Frost would suffice:
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Two words: Too young.
Sorry to hear about this loss.
When I saw the quote at the top I was positively shocked. I was just starting to half read while I was watching TV and that quote popped up. I know it by heart. It’s an interesting choice on your part and I enjoyed seeing it there.
Sometimes a tiny thing strikes you and tonight that quote was mine. I was so disturbed by that episode when I was younger (I was six when it came out) that my mother says she still has drawings upon drawings that I made of “Tasha” dying.
Thanks for the reminder of TNG as well. Hmm, off to watch some on DVD I think.
I’ve been wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks for sharing your memories, Wil.
I am shocked and saddened to here of Michael Piller’s passing. I have been an admirer of his work for many years and had hoped to make his acquaintance one day.
A few months ago I had the good fortune to work on The Dead Zone – for a day. The crew all spoke very highly of Mr. Piller and shared some of their stories of just how approachable, kind and friendly he was to each of them. Though I never had the good fortune to meet him, I feel I owe him a debt of gratitude as he is in large part responsible for me finding my career path.
See, when I was 15 and very ignorant to the ways of Hollywood, I sent Mr. Piller a letter with all my wonderful ideas for upcoming episodes of ST:TNG in the hopes of landing a set visit or something equally exciting. The letter was ten pages. Single spaced.
Despite my amateur beacon ringing on high he was gracious enough to send me a letter informing me that the good folks at TNG would review my material, if I fashioned it into an entire screenplay. A year later, my first script was born. From that day forward I have never doubted that screenwriting is what I was meant to do with my life. Thanks, Michael. I owe you one.
I remember many years ago when the great Gene Roddenberry passed away thinking that the Star Trek legacy was going to pass along with him. Thanks to Mr. Piller, we got to experience many more years of thought-provoking entertainment, and he truly did justice to Roddenberry by honoring his vision for the future. He will be missed.
We’ll miss you, Michael! Thanks for everything you gave us.
Thanks for sharing on Piller. I only knew his name as a Star Trek fan, but everything that he’s ever been a part of was quality. I know that fans all over the world will miss his work.
Eric Stillwell, one of the writers, script co-ordinators and production assistants, of many of the Trek episodes we all love has asked me to forward this far and wide.
If anyone wishes to contribute please email me ([email protected]) and Ill forward them on,
-Onelia
—– Original Message from Eric —–
Dear Friends:
I’ve been asked to speak at Michael Piller’s Memorial Service on November 13th in Los Angeles. I’ve spoken to Michael’s son, Shawn, and we agreed that I will be the voice of the fans at Michael’s memorial.
I’m looking for brief written statements from fans around the world who can speak personally about what Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Insurrection, Legend, The Dead Zone or Wildfire have meant to you or your families and how Michael’s work has influenced or affected your lives in a personal way, even if you never knew him personally.
If you would be willing to email me a brief statement, I would appreciate it very much. It doesn’t need to be longer than a paragraph or so. I would very much appreciate your help. And I’d like to get statements from as many different countries as possible (Russia, Sweden, Austria, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Turkey etc.) Please include your first name, city & country with your statement!
Thank you!
~ Eric
It’s nice you got the chance to tell him that. Some opportunities we wish for just never come.
I have also been witness to too much death recently. A friend of mine (only 15 years old) died of cancer not too long ago. Please check out my blog entries at http://blank.blogsome.com and comment on what you think. Wil, you inspired me to create my blog 🙂
the entries about my friend are under the headings,
“It is not that i don’t want to, just i can’t figure out how,”
and
“sorry…”
-Jamie, aka Jaden (my screen name)