“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations — to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
This is where it all began. The Original Star Trek Series running roughly from 1966 through 1969, for a total of three seasons and 78 episodes – but my how we’ve grown.
The show was only a minor hit and was threatened with cancellation after its second year, but a strong letter-writing campaign from fans convinced the network to keep the show.
But with even less spectacular ratings Star Trek was terminated with little hope of any future.
Or so they thought!
Fortunately, after three years enough episodes were produced that the show could enter syndication, and it was in the after-school market during the early 1970′s that the show found its audience.
Fan conventions sprang up, merchandising blossomed, an animated series with the original cast was produced, and it became apparent that Star Trek was a force that would refuse to die.
Today, the franchise first conceived by Gene Roddenberry over 40 years ago has spawned four more television series, 10 theatrical movies, hundreds of books and magazines, and innumerable Internet fan sites.
So – open the pandora’s box . . . who is your favourite Star Trek character?
What the hell is the character Chekov doing in this movie? He was much younger than James Kirk and would have been a child at the time Kirk was given his first command. In the original series Kirk was in his mid 30′s; Chekov clearly somewere in his early 20′s. I’m sure the temptation to bring together all of the original characters was very strong, but this doesn’t fit.
Maggie
Ah – the mystique of time . . . and the lengths movie moguls will go to expecting audiences to forgive their sins – I’m sure they will be lambasted soundly for their oversights.
Just wait til the continuity and factual errors reels start to surface – and believe me they will – avid Trekkies will make sure of that.
I was one of those who found the show in the 70s, I’m a big fan of Sci-Fi so I am a bit baffled as to why I never delved into the various spin-offs of the show. Curious.
I’ll be watching the new film though, I’ve seen the trailers and they look great.
As for my favourite character, I’m not sure I had one in particular although I did like Uhura. she was very cool.
Cheryl
Wasn’t she just!
And talk about a pot pourie of crew – a Scot, a Russian (probably a little risky given the cold war at the time), an Asian and a black woman – talk about producers pulling out all stops to capture an audience.
Stay well
I am one of those girls who thinks that young Captain Kirk is a dream boat!
However, I’d have to say that Scotty was my favorite. I just loved him, and loved seeing how committed James Doohan was to the Star Trek fan base, right up to the end of his life. Didn’t he even have his ashes blasted into outer space?
I’ll see the new movie because it looks awesome, but I’m sure some of the hardcore fans are already burning up the forums about all of the inconsistencies.
Hey Nat
Are we talking young Capt Kirk (new movie) or young Kirk original?
Scotty is a bit of a fav though huh. With that quaint Highland lilt and the ever so gaelic – ‘aye captain’
Yep – Scotty is right up there for mine too.
Cheers