Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Original Trek Still The Best

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 11:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – It’s been a long time since James Kirk set out on his 5-year mission, and those early voyages may look cheesy, low-budget, or even sexist now. But “the original Star Trek still has a passion and vitality,” writes Andrew O’Hehir of Salon. “It stands out, even after all this time, as something unique in television history.” With the Cold War raging, creator Gene “Roddenberry imagined a radical-progressive, Enlightenment-fueled vision of the human future.”

Sure, Kirk made Hugh Hefner look chaste, and the women all “apparently departed on a five-year space mission directly from their jobs as go-go dancers.” But the sexuality was part of the charm, and the show delivered TV’s first black-white kiss. In a '70s wasteland of cop shows and sitcoms, Trek was something “literary and heavily allegorical, that ladled out political messages by the quart… a tiny oasis of imaginative escape.”

US actor, producer and director Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock from the TV series 'Star Trek', circa 1968.
US actor, producer and director Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock from the TV series 'Star Trek', circa 1968.   (Getty Images)
circa 1966:  From left to right, William Shatner as Captain Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Dr 'Bones' McCoy and Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock in a promotional portrait for 'Star Trek.'
circa 1966: From left to right, William Shatner as Captain Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Dr 'Bones' McCoy and Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock in a promotional portrait for 'Star Trek.'   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
The Star Trek 1966 opening.   (ROCKonTWITCH)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

In the second season, Roddenberry introduces a Russian navigator named Chekov, and as distant as "Star Trek" may seem from "The Cherry Orchard," I don't think the name was picked out of a hat. - Andrew O'Hehir

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mad
May 14, 2009 4:49 AM CDT
"Fascinating" - as Spock might say - they compare Star Trek to 70's TV, when the last episode aired in '69, I believe. (Could look it up, but don't wish to appear any more geekier than I already do)
Timinator2K
May 13, 2009 7:25 AM CDT
The hot babes in Trek made for some very nice eye candy. Maybe chicks in the future are comfortable in their sexuality and aren't intimidated any more by Fugly Mad Cows who can't get dates or, angry, skanky lezbos.
myvoice
May 13, 2009 6:43 AM CDT
"But the sexuality was part of the charm"-I think the writer confused sexuality with sexism!

More Newser Stories

Spock Transports to Final Star Trek Convention

Leonard Nimoy Retiring His Spock Ears

'Boner' From Growing Pains Missing

Oprah Sets Date for Cable Launch, Show Move

Lost Ends Season on Mysterious Note


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne