Funny how the beginning and end feel more like classic Trek than the middle part. The old guard could have made an entire story about a primitive culture that worships the Enterprise. ;)

The Spock Uhura relationship has it's seed in The Man Trap. The scene where Uhura flirts with Spock was cut from syndication prints for decades. (Not to mention Nurse Chapel is the aptly named "not appearing in this movie" either.) In spite of Vulcan's tragic demise, there have to be plenty of colonies elsewhere, just as human have spread out into the galaxy. And Spock may not have undergone Pon Farr yet...

I still feel disappointed by the film. I might see it in IMAX or 2D down the line and give it another chance. I think the four year wait may have increased expectations the film simply couldn't meet.