Therapist Reacts to STAR TREK (2009) with guest Amanda Gorman

How do you work with someone with vast personality differences?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are honored to be joined by author and inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, to react to Star Trek (2009). Amanda chose this movie because it speaks to what she writes about, coming together with shared common ground from different backgrounds and perspectives. They take a look at how Kirk and Spock work together despite their differences. Jonathan talks about shared humanity and perspective taking and how Kirk and Spock learn to work together. Alan points out director J.J. Abrams's style of energetic camera movement. And Amanda shares some incredible wisdom that makes them want to give up their seats to her. It's the Amanda Show now!

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: David Sant
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[anonanon-fmdv]

I just realized you are each wearing the colors of your specialities! Jonathan in blue for medical, Alan in gold for operations/command, and Amanda in red for communication!

[kazza]

"Humility is how we access our humanity which is how we access our hope." - our poet laureate ladies and gentlemen ❤

[marksutter]

At the end when Amanda compares the parallel trauma of Kirk and Spock growing up... emotions and chills. Incredible.

[justanothermortal]

Kirk and Spock's relationship is one of the most beautiful and genuine male friendships to ever grace the screen. Some have even gone as far as to deem it romantic due to their closeness.

There is this quote that I think sums them up well:

"It honestly doesn't matter if their relationship is truly romantic or not. A friendship like theirs is so rare and special that the public perception of it will never contradict the obvious bond of inseparable love between the two. Regardless of what kind of love it is, it is still love. And that's what's so beautiful about them."

Fuck yeah.

[noratheelk]

16:22 I actually really like that the turning point when Spock gets violent is Kirk saying he didn’t love his mom because in one of the first episodes of the original series, the entire crew gets infected with a virus that lowers all their inhibitions and Spock is crying alone in a room when Kirk enters and Spock says “my mother, I could never tell her I loved her” and that’s when she’s still alive! All this is to say that Spock is constantly struggling with the level of emotion (a big part of his mother’s culture) he feels comfortable expressing without betraying the philosophical ideal that is so systemic to his culture.

[ARealityStorm]

Not that you guys should feel insecure or anything but please get Amanda back for more. Poetry never clicked with me until I listened to hers (and her readings). Little did I know she's a massive nerd as well. Insane get, guys. What an incredible episode. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[Colopty]

Congratulations to Amanda for successfully taking over the channel! Jonathan and Alan had a great run but I'll be looking forward to what you've got planned.

[Linkgibby]

I'm so glad that you mentioned Anton Yelchin. He was so great in this role, and it was tragic that he died before the third movie released.

[psychohochsieben]

Actually so hilarious how both of you just stared into the camera and let her speak, like: "Yeah, that's actually better than what I would have said".

[dsmiley]

Loved Amanda Gorman!
Also, fun fact about Kirk eating the apple during the Kobayashi Maru test: that's a reference to Star Trek 2, where Kirk is eating an apple as he tells the story of how he beat the Kobayashi Maru exam.

[WaywardAce]

Still stunned and amazed that you guys got Amanda Gorman!!

[kooldancin]

Well…we already knew that Amanda is incredibly insightful but if she wasn’t a poet (an observer of humans and human interaction), she could possibly have been a therapist or anthropologist because she just GETS it! Stunning! We are so lucky to have her during our time! 💜

[JeffKelly]

This is great bringing in Amanda Gorman. Such a brilliant and talented young woman.

[gelfling]

Star Trek and Amanda Gorman is not a combo I ever expected on Cinema Therapy, but it's so perfect I am fangirling out of my mind!

[Ashley-xulk]

Near the beginning of the video when Jonathon and Alan asked, "Why Amanda?" my brain went to Spock's mom, Amanda Grayson, and just completely forgot the guests name is also Amanda despite being in the title of this video in big letters.

Also, Amanda's analysis at the end made me understand the dynamic between Jim and Spock so much better. Thank you.

[commandermercury]

I watched this movie once in college a few years ago. I don’t remember much about the movie itself, but I do remember resonating a lot with Spock—specifically when Kirk asks him if he cried when his mother died, and if he ever actually loved her at all. I’ve legitimately had people say similar things to me because I tend to keep my emotions under tight control and don’t show affection or vulnerability very openly. I really felt for the poor guy in that scene. Just because someone doesn’t *express* sadness or love or happiness on the surface doesn’t mean they don’t *feel* it deeply.

[perevision]

When I saw the title I was like “is it a different Amanda Gorman?” but no, WORLD RENOWNED POET AMANDA GORMAN showed up to geek out with you (and us) over Star Trek!!! Stunning indeed ❤

[gemmahart]

Absolutely LOVED Amanda's analysis of Kirk and Spock displaying each others personal hangups. Never looked at it that way before. Please get her back you guys - loving how much you love her content and she loves yours - such a positive and joyous environment to be a virtual part of <3

[micheleosullivan]

Years ago, I was asked at a job interview “if you could have dinner with three people, who would they be?”

I don’t remember my answer, but I know behind the shadow of doubt that whatever it was, I was wrong.

The only correct answer is Alan, Jono, and Amanda Gorman.

[susantownsend]

As a 73-year-old Trekkie, I loved this movie. I thought it was a brilliant move to do a reboot in an alternate history.

And that’s when I fell in love with Zachary Quinto.