60 years later, 'Star Trek' continues to 'live long and prosper

NPR(Boise Public Radio ^ | 09/08/2026 | Mandalit del Barco

[Kid Shelleen]

60 years ago, NBC aired the first episode of Star Trek, a television show that became a pop culture phenomenon. The original series starred William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk, who led his diverse crew of humans and at least one alien, on adventures in space.

"Space: The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise," Kirk says, narrating in the title sequence of each episode. "Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life, and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before."

---

TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS:

[Dr. Franklin]

More proof Star Trek would have been better a show with Janis Rand. A naughty seductress Janis Rand in Mirror, Mirror is just one example. David Gerrold, who wrote the script for The Trouble With Tribbles, had Janis Rand bring the Tribbles on the the Enterprise in the original script. Roddenberry told Gerrold to change the script to Lt. Uhura. When asked why, Roddenberry said, "She transferred to another ship." Roddenberry was a real creep with women.

[Dr. Franklin]

Two big things... Every thing is push button or slide lever controlled. The lack of touch screens is something that makes it not work well today. Of course they didn’t know about the development of touch screens.

Dunno. Analog controls are a bit easier to repair and replace than software controlled touch screens. In a pinch they can be shorted on or off without regard to any software bugs. Once the software is fried or hacked, everything becomes a problem. During a space storm or combat attack, analog could be the preferreable option.

[Dr. Franklin]

she even looked good green!

Yes, she played Marta, who was too far to the crazy side on the crazy/hot grid. Unlike on Batman, she got to dance on Star Trek, and she was a dancer:

[Dr. Franklin]

she even looked good green!

Yes, she played Marta, who was too far to the crazy side on the crazy/hot grid. Unlike on Batman, she got to dance on Star Trek, and she was a dancer:

[telescope115]

I totally agree. I watched The Menagerie Pts 1 and 2 two days ago. I’m currently watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. I’m not sure about some of the characters, but they do have some great story lines.

I know it hasn’t had good reviews, but I liked Star Trek the Motion Picture. The Wrath of Kahn was great.

[Mr Rogers]

Those 3 movies were objectively STUPID. They destroyed Star Trek. The title of this thread “’Star Trek’ continues to ‘live long and prosper” is utterly untrue!

It’s dead, Jim. Totally. It would take 30 years of nothingness before there would be any possible public interest in a new Star Trek movie.

[pburiak]

That was part of the plot line of the Battlestar Galactica 2004 reboot.

Since the Cylons were able to hack into the Colonial defense network, the Galactica crew tried to use as much analog, non-networked technology as possible.

[sit-rep]

ya ok man... I got it the first time!

...just out of curiosity, what would be a movie YOU think is acceptable so I can use it for future reference?

[discostu]

Well the Muppets were Spock’s dream. So technically they aren’t canon. But if Spock could dream Muppets then apparently it is canon that The Muppets (who are celebrating their 50th this month) stuck around far enough into the 23rd century for Spock to be aware of them;) And that’s kinda cool.

[discostu]

I’ve always hoped that basket weave on top was a wig. I can’t imagine how long she would have been in the chair to do that every day if it was all her hair.

[Dr. Franklin]

I’ve always hoped that basket weave on top was a wig. I can’t imagine how long she would have been in the chair to do that every day if it was all her hair.

Yes, it was a wig pinned somehow into her real hair. As you can see from the early promotional photos, her look evolved. I always thought it made her look like a princess, and may have served as the inspiration for Lucas to give Princess Leia her unique hair style.

[discostu]

It’s an awesome look. And yeah definitely has a fairytale princess look.

[neverevergiveup]

One thing that's always bothered me about Star Trek is the premise articulated by Picard money does not exist in the 24th century and the acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in human lives. Instead, people work to better themselves and the rest of humanity.

However, they have an incredibly hierarchical structure to their society, and attaining rank is a huge motivation. There's an episode in which Q sends Picard back in time and he is not a captain, but instead is a subordinate - and he hates it - making harsh judgments/characterizations about the man he was as a subordinate. Clearly stature and rank is very important to him.

Arguably, one can achieve wealth in a Capitalist society by being innovative / creative, and hard working, and can do it behind the scenes without having to climb some societal ladder of stature. On the other hand, 'stature' is something that one can fully manipulate themselves into having (AOC, Bernie, Hillary, Kamala, etc.). There is absolutely NOTHING superior about a society that has replaced merit with political maneuvering.

[Dr. Franklin]

It’s an awesome look. And yeah definitely has a fairytale princess look.

Agreed:

[Dr. Franklin]

Here's an interview Yvonne Craig did about her Star Trek guest appearance. She regrets not stealing the costume, which she says was made by someone who designed costumes for Les Folies Bergères, a Paris girlie show:
Yvonne Craig discusses her Guest Shot on Star Trek as Marta

[Arkady]

As I remember she spent most of her time on Batman being bound in various ways. It was like 50 shades of Batgirl.

[ansel12]

“””””Dunno. Analog controls are a bit easier to repair and replace than software controlled touch screens. In a pinch they can be shorted on or off without regard to any software bugs. Once the software is fried or hacked, everything becomes a problem. During a space storm or combat attack, analog could be the preferreable option.”””””

Good answer, military specs.

[packrat35]

I got through DS9 for 2 seasons and never looked back. Everything after that was worse and worse. Modern Trek is the absolute bottom of the barrel.

[Fledermaus]

Deep Snore Nine had some booooooring seasons.

Boreager was just that, a total bore.

Enterprise (Enter Sandman) was stupid and not historical based on earlier Canon.

I can still spot actors in TV and movies that were in the Original series. I can usually cite the episode(s) they were in.

I remember dialog and episode titles.

[Fledermaus]

He also fell in love in “This Side of Paradise” with Jill Ireland.