June 2013
A history of one of show business’ most enduring series
By Greg Hill-Turner 8N
imagine most of you think of Star Trek as that other one about space. But for millions of people around the world, it’ s much more than that. It’ s shaped how we perceive the world and makes us aspire for a united future. So, why can’ t you go a mile without meeting someone with Starfleet outfits and endless autographs? And what on Earth( Kronos, actually) is a Klingon? Let me be your Trekkie guide, as we boldly go where you’ ve never bothered to go before …
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In 1964, an LA cop called Gene Roddenberry had an incredible idea. It was a space western called‘ Wagon Train to the Stars’. After endless drafts, he settled on the slightly less odd( if just as ambiguous) title Star
Trek. The pilot episode aired on 8th September 1966, to high ratings. Sadly, viewers felt the show lacked pace and NBC almost cancelled the show during the second season. This threat was met with a remarkable campaign, conducted by devoted‘ Trekkies’ and led by Roddenberry, to save the show. Eventually, the network gave in and commissioned another season. This run completely flopped and was swiftly cancelled. Re runs slowly clawed back the fans during the early 70s, with demand for a film detailing the voyages of the Enterprise crew growing.
These demands were met in 1979, with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It featured the entire main cast from the original series, including William Shatner as Captain James Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Commander Spock( a half-human, half-Vulcan, struggling to suppress his emotions). Unfortunately, it did little to please fans. Semi-affectionately dubbed‘ Star Trek: The Slow-Motion Picture’, it has been described as“ a 2-hour journey into boredom”. More sequels followed, with the fantastic Wrath of Khan the highlight of the five.
In 1987, a new era began with The Next Generation. Starring Patrick Stewart as Picard, this series was well received by new comers and devotees alike. The success of Generation sprouted four more films and three more spin-off shows. The best of the three, Deep Space Nine, was followed by the so-so Voyager and the dreadful Enterprise. Whilst all popular, they never reached the heights of the so-called‘ Original Series.’
By 2009, Star Trek was all but forgotten. That all changed when a new film was released, simply titled‘ Star Trek’. It blew everyone away, pleasing old fans and conjuring a new fan base of previously oblivious youngsters( myself included). It was followed by a direct sequel, called Into
Darkness. If you’ ve seen it, you know how brilliant it is.
So, going back to the introduction. People love Star Trek because it shows a future where everyone is united together, regardless of colour or creed. There’ s peace, a goal we should all strive towards.
* Oh yes, according to the Star Trek website, a Klingon is a“ darkly coloured humanoid with little honour, intended as an embodiment of Cold War tensions between the US and the Soviet Union”. Just in case you were wondering …