Television Programs You Must Watch — Star Trek (TOS)

In 1966, Star Trek aired for the the first time.  For many it was an incredible experience,  and they became ‘Trekkies’ or ‘Trekkers’; following the series, until it ended and then beyond, attending conventions, the subsequent movies and series.

Star Trek (The Original Series, TOS) lasted only three seasons, a total of 79 episodes.

When  the series was dropped by the station, it went into syndication, that means the episodes were purchased by little local stations all around America, and began to air almost immediately in 1969.

It was then it got, what is called a ‘Cult’ following.  People began watching it religiously.   Watching it, discussing it, living it.

Star Trek was not just a sci-fi show.

Firstly, it had a mixed cast.

In the 1960s it was extremely controversial to have the Crew of the Star Ship Enterprise that included a Japanese helmsman, Sulu, a Russian navigator, Chekov,  a black female communications officer, Uhuru,  and a Vulcan-Human first officer, Spock.

Secondly, each episode had some ‘moral’ focus.   There was some social issue that was confronted, the various sides of the argument exposed.

Thirdly, the attitude of the crew.  The Crew of the Enterprise were positive, they weren’t afraid, space wasn’t scary or beyond human mastery.

Fourthly, the innovative and soon to be implemented scientific inventions, that made sense.

The cell phone, for example.  Everyone who got one of the early flip tops, would say; “Beam Me Up, Scotty”. The ‘tricorder’  which inspired Google Earth.

In 1976, NASA named its space shuttle; Enterprise, after the Star Trek Space Ship.

Fifthly, the Characters, especially Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, who have become icons.    You must know who these people are, what a ‘redshirt’ is,  (a character who is going to get killed), a transporter,  etc.

Each episode of Star Trek opened with its special music, and then,  Captain Kirk, (William Shatner’s) voice-over introduction;

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

You need to watch this show to learn why it was so important, examine the characters, the ideas, and then, you can watch the subsequent shows, Star Trek, The Next Generation, and Deep Space – 9.

Star Trek, TOS, is episodic.  There are a few two part episodes, but most begin and end with little carry overs.

The stage was set here for what a show about space exploration, about meeting different species, about going into the unknown without fear, was about.