Monday, June 22, 2009
A Star Trek For Every Generation
When Gene Roddenberry created the sci-fi television series Star Trek in 1966, he couldn’t have known the immense impact and tremendous popularity the show would have on pop culture! The series ran for only 3 seasons, but developed its strong following through the reruns. The series spurned 5 television series, and inspired 11 full-length feature films, with a 12th in current production. The most recent release in May 2009 gave us a new and alternative look at how the crew of the USS Enterprise first came together to boldly go to galaxies unknown. The movie is proving to be a commercial success, garnering Trekkie fans from yet another generation.
What is the secret of Star Trek’s appeal? Why have we been so compelled to watch these characters spend light years traveling the multiverse, confronting, battling, and befriending other species, then moving on to the next frontier? The episodes were like mini morality plays, as current now as they were in the 60s: man’s physical battle between good vs. evil, and his inner conflict between emotion vs. logic. Almost every storyline could have been subtitled “Live and Let Live—or, Why Can’t We All Just Get Along in Deep Space?” But social commentary aside, generation after generation of loyal viewers would never be drawn to watch a sci-fi program about different species “just getting along!” Therefore, the battle rages on—could it possibly last another 45 years? We hope so!
posted by Betty at
4:30 PM
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