Star Trek: The Original Series
(a.k.a ST:TOS)

This television show was the first in the lengthening Star Trek franchise. It originally aired in 1966, airing a total of 79 episodes through 1969.

This series was the first by creator Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry was a respected writer in various westerns before he created the Star Trek franchise. The series was originally marketted as a "space western" with ray-guns instead of six-shooters, and a space ship instead of a western town. To the disappointment of corporate executives, the "too intellectual" pilot clearly wasn't as advertised. On a shorter leash, Gene Roddenberry was asked to make another pilot. This one was closer to the vision Roddenberry had sold.

Characters

The show made a strong effort to show a variety of characters with different backgrounds, working together in a positive environment to solve problems. Captain Kirk was a charismatic and attractive blond-haired man. (Although the actor, William Shatner has a Jewish heritage, the character is almost an Aryan ideal). The first officer is an emotionless, very logical alien named Mr. Spock. Mr. Spock also plays the science officer aboard the ship. The "core cast" is rounded out by Bones McCoy, a highly emotional, southern doctor.

Other significant characters include a Scottish engineer named Montgomery Scott, an african communications officer named Uhura, a Japanese Helmsman named Sulu, and a Russian helmsman named Pavel Chekov. The ship's crew is listed at approximately 400, mostly American, mostly silent, and who generally play the role of cannon fodder in dangerous situations.

Location

The starship enterprise was constructed with the mission: "To seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." It is a large spaceship with a variety of amenities. Most of the action takes place on the Bridge, the engineering section, the medical bay, the turbo-lift (an elevator), and various hallways of the ship.

Critique

The show certainly shows its age. Star Trek: The Original Series clearly wasn't screened for science and technological sense, and displays a gross naivete in this regard. The stories largely tackle social issues, and highlight weaknesses and strengths in human character. Fans of the show accept these foibles as "the way things are", while non-fans simply didn't watch it.

While I cringe at how poorly the stories, characters, and special effects have aged, I still really enjoy this show. I think that you have to watch this series with a sense of nostalgia to appreciate it, and find it easy to accept that many younger viewers do not enjoy it.