Captain's Log, Star-Date 3018.2
After beaming down to the planet's surface with a landing party my crew and I embarked on my five-week mission to bravely explore new worlds. Specifically, we visited "Star Trek: The Original Series" [TOS].
Initially broadcast on Earth television in the 1960s, TOS was poorly handled by network executives (life-forms possessing inferior intelligence). Before VCRs, DVDs and other recording devices, CBS executives scheduled the show at late hours on weeknights where it was unlikely to attract an audience. This misjudgment resulted in low ratings, truncated growth and ultimately cancellation after only three seasons. Fortunately, the series was re-run a decade later (in syndication) at earlier hours (dinner-time) where enthusiastic young fans embraced the show. That fan-base grew into a powerful force and the show's reputation developed at accelerated pace.
My current report on the series is encouraging. The planet's inhabitants, while often engaged in flagrant over-acting, created intriguing characters with emotional depth. Ironically most in a Vulcan whose emotions are restrained. My sensor readings confirm sufficient data here to sustain life for numerous spin-offs including 13 television shows, 14 movies, innumerable conferences and avid fan-fiction. Kirk to Enterprise: there is enough here to build a cultural empire.
TOS writing broke new ground: its setting in a fantasy world (sci-fi) allowed it to explore themes forbidden on normal TV. Subjects like racism and oppression were probed. At the same time some retrograde views (especially on women) persisted.
Mr. Spock: "What we've just seen is not real."
Captain Kirk: "All the same, let's be prepared. Ready phasers and keep your eyes open."
"Captain, the aforementioned 'executive' class of beings appear to displayed their limited knowledge, given the treatment of the series, Firefly." 🙄
ReplyDeleteI still use the phrase "translation, Spock?" when trying to shift complex IT gibberish, into what it means for an actual person.
Oh, the documentary on Nimoy is well worth a watch, if you can get your paws on it.
PPS: Don't go on a mission if they give you a red shirt 😉
Yes, you're a true fan! I was just trying to explain to my partner what a "red-shirt" was (and their inevitable fate).
DeleteSort of, yes 🙂 I think the last time I watched Trek, was New Generation. Oh, and the recent films, of course. The other series were on channels we didn't have, so they kinda passed me by.
DeleteBut old school Star Trek, it has its moments and, IMO, certainly influence on TV and sci-fi.
The original series, which has a nice retro-feel, certainly launched innumerable other shows and movies as it demonstrated to TV and film companies the genre has wide appeal. Before TOS, most TV shows were Westerns.
DeleteYears ago I read something like "all sci-fi is really about what's happening now". I wasn't about in the 60s, but looking at the news & history of the time, it feels like the show echoed some of the time.
DeleteLikewise, Trek and other series seem to have the pattern from "wagons rolling west", as the heroes wander in to a new town - or planet - in each episode.
Firefly does that, IMO, and more recently The Mandalorian too. There's exceptions obviously with some sci-fi being more fixed (DS9? I didn't watch it) and with a long term story arc.
Star Trek was a fun series to watch.
ReplyDeleteYup!
DeleteI loved Star Trek, particularly TOS and NG. My favourite TOS episode is Shore Leave where they arrive on a planet where your thoughts come true but they perceive it as sinister whereas the truth couldn't be further from that and of course, The Trouble with Tribbles!
ReplyDeleteI was so scared of Klingons as a child.
I never forget, in the 1990's, Jeffrey Rogers, a classic, sadly now defunct, shop if the time did a Star Trek dress which I regret not buying! Never wear a red jersey though!
I recently started watching the Origins series on IT which is about Captain Pike from the pilot episode. It's good!
The Klingons scare everyone! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm. Sad you missed out on the dress. Yes, if one is wearing red, you're doomed. :)
DeleteOh, I love Star Trek! I grew up watching the original series in syndication and was a massive fan of Next Generation. I would highly recommend the modern animated series Lower Decks (it's really funny and has so many references to the other shows), and Brave New Worlds, which is so true to the original series (without all the misogyny!).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations. I loved TOS, NG and DSN but lost track of later spinoffs. I'll check out those you mention.
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