Star Trek is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary next month, but why has Trek endured over the years while other science fiction franchises have not?
Star Trek is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and is in the middle of a franchise renaissance. A new Trek movie has just been released and a new television series from CBS is on the horizon. Why has Trek lasted through the years though when so many other science fiction franchises have not?
Trek shows an optimistic vision of the future
This is of course the point that was made most frequently last night in the 50 Years of Star Trek special on The History Channel. Trek shows a future for humanity that is optimistic and prosperous, thanks to science and understanding. It’s a future for humanity that is no longer plagued by problems like hunger and greed; those have been eliminated with the help of science and technology.
So many science fiction shows like Battlestar Galatica show a human race suffering from all the same problems we have today, despite a more technologically advanced civilization. Other franchises like The Hunger Games even show humanity falling into a much darker reality than the one it’s currently in. These bleak visions of the future aren’t bad, many tell compelling and wonderful stories, but they don’t inspire the way Trek does.
Next: Star Trek takes science fiction seriously
Trek was the first science fiction show to take itself truly seriously
Science fiction was not always considered a genre for serious stories or real dramatic performances. That’s not to say that the makers of Flash Gordon and Lost in Space didn’t put a lot of time and energy into their stories, they did, but sci-fi was seen as a campy genre for kids.
The silly genre of science fiction was taken and used to tell real meaningful stories by Trek. The show wasn’t unfriendly to child viewers, but it asked its audience to reach for something higher than just the usual space opera tripe.
Star Trek made you think and made you feel, things many of the science fiction shows of its day didn’t do.
Next: Star Trek evolved
Star Trek has evolved with the times
Trek’s vision of a better future for humanity was established by Gene Roddenberry, but that doesn’t mean that Trek was stuck in what that meant in the 1960s. Star Trek evolves with each generation and version of the show, it’s not the same show over and over.
The best example of this is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Deep Space Nine took Trek from a monster of the week format into more of a serial storytelling format to fit in with the shows of the time.
DS9 was also “darker” than other shows in the franchise. What Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did was explore how humanity would face challenges in a galaxy that perhaps wasn’t as evolved or peaceful as society was back on earth. How would the Federation’s high ideals hold up when put to the test out on the frontier? Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a grittier show, but still undeniably optimistic and Trek.
Next: Star Trek explored morality
Star Trek explored morality and philosophy
Star Trek was about a positive future for humanity, but it wasn’t afraid to tell stories that dealt with the problems of the current day. It doesn’t matter if the show was tackling race issues, birth control, or the cold war.
A multitude of different philosophies and belief systems from Spock’s utilitarianism to the militaristic mindset of the Klingons were presented and explored.
Star Trek wasn’t afraid to make you think about your own morals and philosophies, in fact it encouraged it.
Next: Star Trek allowed you to make up your own mind
Star Trek allowed you to make up your own mind
In Star Trek the viewer is presented with numerous philosophies and viewpoints and it’s left to them what to decide they think about those belief systems. Trek showed the good and bad of its many different philosophies. How many times did a captain have to make a choice based on whether or not to violate the Prime Directive?
The Federation might have been an evolved human society without hunger and want, but it still faced real problems with its philosophy. These problems weren’t ignored, they were brought to the forefront and examined.
Whether it’s the humanism of the Federation, or the utilitarianism of Spock, you can make up your own mind on them.
No philosophy or stance is considered to be right or perfect in Star Trek; all points of view come with their own problems. It’s up to you to decide what you think is “right” and “wrong.” Which makes Trek unique in science fiction because it isn’t always telling the viewer who the bad guy is. There’s no light side and dark side, there’s only people doing the best they can and working together.
Next: Everyone is included in Star Trek
Everyone is included in Star Trek
It doesn’t matter who you are, you can probably find someone like you on board the Enterprise. Trek has been inclusive from the very beginning.
The ships of the Federation are crewed by a mix of humanity and alien life that covers the entire spectrum of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, black or white, a woman or a man, there’s someone like you involved in Trek.
This diversity is seen not as a weakness, but as a source of strength, and it’s amazing what that can do for people.
There is a place for all of us in this optimistic future.
Next: The Star Trek future is attainable
The Star Trek future is attainable
The Star Trek future isn’t something that’s going to happen for humans tomorrow, but it’s a realistic enough future that we can put ourselves there. No sane person believes that there will one day be Jedi and Sith running around with lightsabers, but because the Enterprise is based on real science we can dream about exploring the stars one day.
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Here’s to fifty more wonderful years!
What do you think? Why do you think Star Trek has survived for fifty years and do you think it will live on for another fifty? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.