Science Fiction Giants: Star Trek

In my previous article on Doctor Who, I mentioned the public's prevailing view of science fiction. The genre has been much maligned by those who consider it childish or silly, however, most people are unaware of the political and social commentary inherit in science fiction media. The genre comments on both the present and past with the intention of showing a better future. Star Trek is a prime example.

Star Trek is often considered the biggest nerd show ever created, and it has been lampooned, bashed, and criticized. However, it has also been watched, loved, and followed with more fervency and loyalty than any other TV show ever made. I have been a born-again Trekkie since I was six years old, and as I grow older, I grow more and more impressed with the original vision for the show.

Anyone who has watched the original Star Trek knows it's an unusual show that set the standard for sci-fi shows after it. What began in 1966 and ran for three seasons became a massive, sprawling phenomenon, continually finding new ways to appeal to audiences over the last forty years.

Star Trek is the story of the crew of the starship Enterprise and its five year exploration mission. It was created by Gene Roddenberry, who had a vision of a bright future, far from the racism and inequality that pervaded American culture. It was his vision that made Star Trek great and made people of all ages, races, and genders sit down to watch the weekly exploits of the Enterprise's crew.

Roddenberry achieved this vision by the careful selection of crew. Each member had a specific purpose, not only as characters but as symbols. Some of these symbols were profound and beautiful, and some of them came off a bit silly, but the intentions behind them were good and true. Each character will be briefly examined to show how they fit into the larger vision that was Star Trek.

One of the most iconic science fiction characters in history, Captain Kirk was an indomitable man full of bravado and swagger. He, with help from the crew, saved the ship, alien planets, and anything else that needed saving, with speed and smarts. He also romanced alien babes, got his shirt ripped in countless knock-down, drag-out fights, and swapped laughs with his crew.

He was supposed to be the epitome of a captain and a man. He was strong, reliable, and nice looking. He'd do what needed to be done, and he'd get his ship and his crew out of trouble no matter what.

By grouping these three together, I do not mean to say that the actors or characters were less interesting or unimportant, but where symbols are concerned, these three relate to each other. Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott, Pavel Chekov, and Hikaru Sulu are three characters that related closely to Roddenberry's vision of an equal future.

A Scotsman, a Russian, and an Asian, three different places all represented by members of the main crew of the Enterprise. Roddenberry wanted everyone who watched Star Trek to be able to look at the screen and say, "That's me!" He wanted to represent as many countries, accents, and races as he could. His was a vision of equality and trust the likes of which had never been seen on TV before.

Now, it is interesting to note that Scotty, played by James Doohan, was Canadian not Scottish, and Chekov, played by Walter Koenig, was born in Illinois, although he was of Russian descent. Despite the lack of non-American actors, Roddenberry insisted the crew of the Enterprise be made up of people from all over the world, which is an admirable vision even if it lacked a bit in execution.

With these three characters Roddenberry succeeded in breaking stereotypes. For instance, in the first season episode The Naked Time, Sulu was supposed to follow the stereotype for Asian actors and perform some martial arts moves, but George Takei didn't know any. So instead of back flipping down the Enterprise's hallways, Sulu charges down them with a fencing sword, creating a classic and wonderful moment.

The Enterprise's first officer was a half-Vulcan, half-Human science whiz with pointy ears and a quizzical eyebrow. He was logical and unemotional, most of the time, and always brilliant. Spock is probably the most interesting character to ever come out of the Star Trek universe.

In creating him, Gene Roddenberry wanted to make a character of neutral race. Spock was an outsider; he emobodied the idea of racial equality at odds with racial differences. His two halves were at war. His Vulcan upbringing was at odds with his emotional human-side, and yet Spock was only complete, as a character, with both halves. His logic was tempered by human emotion. The Vulcan control and reliability by the human will to do the impossible.

The character of Mr. Spock was an internalization of racial struggle. Roddenberry's genius shines brightest where the Enterprise's first officer is concerned. There was no better way to comment on the problem of racism then through a totally neutral character. Spock's struggle was not caused by skin color or appearences, but rather by the vast difference between one planet and another.

Lieutenant Uhura, played by the beautiful Nichelle Nichols, may not have had a large role, but her influence was huge. Her lines consisted of mainly, "Hailing frequencies open," or "Incoming transmission," and the like, but her presence was felt none the less. As an African-American woman, Nichols faced series opposition from the production company. They didn't want her on the bridge of the Enterprise, but Roddenberry refused to be cowed. Nichols would keep her place, front and center, for all the world to see, and no one was going to change his mind.

Her character plowed through stereotypes like a steam engine. Before Uhuru, black women generally played maids and servants, but Nichols' case was different. She was one of the first African-American actresses to play a character who was equal to the white characters. In fact, in the episode Plato's Stepchild, she and Shatner shared the first on-screen, interracial kiss.

Nichols' role was small, but it was very important. her presence on the bridge of the Enterprise was an inspiration to young African-American girls everywhere. They looked at her and saw a future of equality and multiculturalism.

The character of Dr. Leonard McCoy, played by Deforest Kelley, wasn't as symbolic as some of the others, but no article on Star Trek would be complete without mentioning him. He was the laid-back, country doctor full of wise-cracks and gentle wisdom. His loyalty and humor made him a fan favorite, and his friendship with the crew members was one of both care and guidance.

To be honest, the original Star Trek is pretty dated where graphics, design, and costumes are concerned, but the underlying themes are not. Star Trek was a show that dealt with the good and bad of human nature. It dared to show us how brilliant and how evil we could become. It portrayed struggle, discovery, and the drive to seek out the new and unfamiliar in a way that captivated audiences and spun a web of influence that still effects media and science fiction today.