Spock/Appendices/Background information/Reception

Spock became one of the most enduring symbols of Star Trek. Accounting for the character's popularity, Gene Roddenberry stated, "I think that everyone was so smitten with Mr. Spock because he stood for loyalty and reliability." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 27, No. 11/12, p. 47)
The popularity of Spock was one factor that motivated Leonard Nimoy into demanding a salary increase for the second season of TOS. "By this time, Leonard's popularity had convinced him of what he already knew: He had the most important role," Herb Solow observed. In a memo Gene Roddenberry sent Gene L. Coon (on ), Roddenberry mentioned Spock having generated "considerable mail volume and public adulation" during the first season. (Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, pp. 317 & 319) NBC likewise regarded Spock and Nimoy as the most popular part of the original Star Trek series, and believed that losing them would be very unflattering. The popularity of the character was thus influential in Leonard Nimoy's continuation in the part. (Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, p. 324)
Roberto Orci has cited Spock as his favorite character.Humans from Earth 2, Bob Orci
Casting Leonard Nimoy as an elderly version of Spock in the film Star Trek gave irate fans pause, caused them to stand down, and even won them over. (, issue 234, p. 126) However, William Shatner has been disapproving of how Spock is portrayed in that movie and its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, commenting, "I thought the two Spock appearances were gratuitous. J.J. [Abrams] wanted to pay homage to Spock I guess, but he didn't offer anything to the plot […] I told Leonard, 'You know that you're old when you go back in time and you're still old." (" Presents 50 Years of Star Trek" supplement, p. 15)