Happy First Contact Day! In the Star Trek story universe, on April 5, 2063, Vulcans and humans made first contact near the town of Bozeman, Montana, following the successful test of Earth scientist Zefram Cochrane’s first warp-capable starship.
I wonder if they’ll still be watching Star Trek movies and TV shows in 2063? That question isn’t as crazy as it sounds. The Star Trek franchise is 57 years old, spans 2 centuries and includes 12 TV shows and 13 movies with more to come.
We talk a lot about why stories matter . As creators we all aspire to create something that resonates so deeply with audiences that it becomes not just part of pop culture, but part of culture.
Star Trek has boldly gone where no franchise has gone before, inspiring generations of fans and leaving an indelible mark on society and culture. Star Trek is not just a science-fiction franchise; it is a cultural phenomenon. From the iconic phrase “Live long and prosper” to the optimistic vision of a future where humanity has overcome its differences and is exploring the stars, Star Trek continues to inspire and entertain.
What makes Star Trek so special and why has it managed to endure for so long?
Optimism is Powerful
Star Trek’s message of hope and optimism for the future resonates with audiences. The show portrays a future where humanity has overcome poverty, war, and disease. In a world where the future can often seem uncertain, Star Trek offers a vision of hope and optimism, reminding us of the potential of humanity.
A Place for Everyone
The original Star Trek series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, made history with its cast, featuring both a black woman, Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and an Asian American, Lieutenant Sulu (George Takai). Since then, diversity has remained a cornerstone of the franchise, with each subsequent starship crew featuring a multicultural cast. Additionally, the portrayal of women in the Star Trek universe is notable for the powerful roles they play, from starship captains to security officers and scientists.
Strong Stories & Themes
Star Trek is known for exploring complex ethical and philosophical themes. The show often raises difficult questions about the nature of humanity, the role of technology in our lives, and the limits of our knowledge. The complex ethical and philosophical themes in Star Trek provide a rich backdrop for compelling storylines and well-developed characters.
Additionally, Star Trek has tackled important social and political issues throughout its history, often through allegory and metaphor. From the portrayal of the Cold War in the original series to the exploration of terrorism and torture in Deep Space Nine, Star Trek has never shied away from tackling difficult issues.
Scientists & Star Trek
Star Trek’s emphasis on science and exploration has helped to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers. From the communicators that inspired the invention of the mobile phone to the tricorders that inspired the development of medical diagnostic tools, Star Trek has been a catalyst for real-world innovations. Even NASA has been influenced by the franchise, with many astronauts and engineers admitting that Star Trek got them interested in space travel. The documentary How William Shatner Changed the World features scientists and astronauts directly attributing their careers to the show.
Star Trek in Pop Culture
Star Trek has also influenced popular culture, with references and homages appearing in everything from movies and TV shows to and books. Here are a few examples of Star Trek in pop culture.
Movies:
In Galaxy Quest (1999), a group of actors who starred on a Star Trek-like TV show are mistaken for real space adventurers and recruited by aliens to help fight an evil villain.
TV:
The Orville – The show is a homage to Star Trek with a comedy twist.
Futurama – In one episode, the Planet Express crew travels to a forbidden planet inhabited by the original Star Trek cast.
The Big Bang Theory – The entire show is an homage to geek culture, with frequent references to Star Trek throughout its run. One episode features the gang dressing up as Star Trek characters for a convention.
Books:
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – Is a love letter to pop culture, including multiple references to Star Trek.
- Redshirts by John Scalzi – Parodies the Star Trek trope of security officers always being the first to die on away missions.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, Star Trek has endured for over 57 years because it has always been more than just a sci-fi show, inspiring generations of fans and influencing our culture. As the franchise continues to evolve and inspire new fans, it remains a shining example of the power of storytelling to shape our world. Live long and prosper!
Star Trek Canon
TV Shows
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969) – This is the original Star Trek series that introduced us to Captain James T. Kirk and his crew as they explored the galaxy on board the USS Enterprise.
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974) – This animated series followed the adventures of the original USS Enterprise crew, but with shorter episode lengths and a more family-friendly tone. (Captain James Kirk)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) – Set 100 years after the original series, this show followed Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D as they explored the galaxy and encountered new alien races.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999) – This show took place on a space station called Deep Space Nine, which was located near a stable wormhole that provided a gateway to the distant Gamma Quadrant. Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001) – This series followed the crew of the USS Voyager, who were stranded in the Delta Quadrant of the galaxy after being transported there by a powerful alien. Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005) – This series was a prequel to the original series, taking place a century before Kirk’s time and following the crew of the first starship Enterprise as they explored space and encountered new alien races. Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula)
Star Trek: Discovery (2017-present) – This series is set 10 years before the original series and follows the crew of the USS Discovery as they explore the galaxy and encounter new threats. Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Captain Saru (Doug Jones)
Star Trek: Picard (2020-present) – This series follows the retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard as he embarks on a new mission that leads him back to some familiar faces from his past.
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-present) – This animated series takes a comedic look at the support crew serving on one of Starfleet’s least important ships, the USS Cerritos. Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis)
Star Trek: Short Treks (2018-present) – These are a series of short standalone episodes that explore different aspects of the Star Trek universe, including new characters and fan-favorite ones.
Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-present) – This animated series follows a group of teenagers who steal a starship and embark on a thrilling adventure across the galaxy, aimed at a younger audience. Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-present) – Set 10 years before the original series it follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew on the U.S.S. Enterprise.
Movies: Original Cast
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) – When an alien cloud of immense size and power threatens Earth, the crew of the USS Enterprise must intercept it before it reaches the planet.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) – Captain Kirk and his crew face off against a genetically enhanced villain named Khan, who seeks revenge for an old grudge.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) – After the death of Spock in the previous film, the Enterprise crew sets out on a quest to bring him back to life.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) – The Enterprise crew travels back in time to 1980s San Francisco to save humpback whales, which are the only beings who can communicate with an alien probe that threatens Earth.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) – Captain Kirk and his crew embark on a dangerous mission to find a mythical planet that is said to be the gateway to the center of the galaxy.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) – The crew of the Enterprise is sent to negotiate peace with the Klingon Empire, but they become embroiled in a conspiracy to sabotage the peace process.
Movies: Next Generation Cast
Star Trek: Generations (1994) – Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D team up with Captain Kirk to stop a madman from destroying an entire star system.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) – The crew of the Enterprise-E travels back in time to prevent the Borg from interfering with humanity’s first contact with an alien race.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) – Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E discover a conspiracy by a group of alien colonists who are using a powerful technology to prolong their lives
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) – Captain Picard and the Enterprise-E crew encounter a clone of Picard, who has been raised by the Romulans and is determined to destroy the Federation.
Movies: Reboot
Star Trek (2009) – The movie is a reboot of the original Star Trek franchise and features a new cast portraying the original characters. The movie follows James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew as they embark on their first mission aboard the USS Enterprise.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) – Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are tasked with stopping a terrorist named John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is a former Starfleet officer with a personal vendetta against the Federation.
Star Trek Beyond (2016) – The Enterprise crew is stranded on a hostile planet after their ship is destroyed by a ruthless alien named Krall.
Documentaries:
Trekkies (1997) – Explores the Star Trek fan culture, featuring interviews with passionate fans who dress up in costumes, attend conventions, and live their lives inspired by the Star Trek universe.
Trekkies 2 (2004) – Takes a deeper look into the Star Trek fandom, exploring new aspects of the culture and featuring interviews with celebrities who are also fans of the franchise.
How William Shatner Changed the World (2005) – Explores the impact of Star Trek on science and technology, featuring interviews with scientists and inventors who were inspired by the show.
The Captains (2011) – Directed by William Shatner interviewing all of the Star Trek captains.
For the Love of Spock (2016) – Directed by Adam Nimoy, Leonard Nimoy’s son, this documentary explores the life and legacy of the beloved Star Trek character, featuring interviews with cast members and fans. In an episode of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon was interviewed.
The Toys That Made Us (2018) – Netflix documentary about the history of iconic toys has an episode about Star Trek toys.
If I left anything out, please comment below!
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