Star Trek was my sci-fi gateway. If not for my mum sitting me down to watch The Next Generation with her, I would never have developed a life-long appreciation for all things science fiction, and probably would not enjoy the Marvel and comic book movies either. I owe my mum, and Star Trek, a great deal!
That early experience of TNG shaped me in other ways too. The message of the show, with themes of equality, cooperation, inclusion, and hope, resonated through this young meerkat, and that message has remained with me ever since. The characters of the series, and especially the likes of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and the android, Commander Data, struck a chord with me. Even decades after TNG aired, episodes like ‘Best of Both Worlds’, with the fearsome Borg threatening our protagonists like never before, continue to dazzle.
Of course, The Next Generation is not where Star Trek began. The franchise started out in 1966, as the brainchild of Gene Roddenberry. The adventures of Captain James Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, Chekov and Sulu explored the themes of the times, with clever, subtle commentary on 60s society. In fact, so noteworthy was the original series that Martin Luther King Jr famously urged Nichelle Nichols (who played Uhura) to remain in her role, as Star Trek was one of the few shows he felt his family could watch.
Sadly, few of the original cast remain with us. It is vital to remember their legacy, because Star Trek is not merely a sci-fi phenomenon, but a cultural one. It has become synonymous with ideals of compassion, and is a beacon to those who wish to see a prosperous and just future for humankind. It all began with the original series, and so fans of Star Trek owe those involved a debt of gratitude.
As this section grows, look forward to a few character profiles, and a few pages relating to what I regard as the most compelling and dramatic episodes and movies. As with anything like this, I must point out that all I am offering are my opinions, nothing more!