In 1966, America had just landed its first space probe on the moon and the Apollo program was just taking its first steps. We were a mere three years from landing a man on the moon. However, what most people don't realize is that, in 1960's more than half of all Americans believed that the space program was a waste of money. The Cold War, which had initially spurred the drive into space, had cooled down- and with it the American fervor for conquering space.
When Star Trek aired in September of 1966, most Americans just didn't get it. Touted as a "Wagon Train to the stars," Gene Roddenberry tried using the popularity of westerns as a selling point since the idea of a science fiction show was unpalatable to the television executives of that time. Though he managed to sell the idea eventually, the show struggled from the beginning. Star Trek was too visionary and too controversial (portraying the first televised interracial kiss) for those raised during the Great Depression. When it was cancelled in 1969, the network never expected it to become the icon it is today. What the executives failed to understand was that the show epitomized the hopes and dreams of the youth in the 1960's. The parents may not have been watching the show, but you better believe that the kids were!
Since that time, numerous television series and feature films have spun-off from the original Star Trek series. While everyone has their own likes and dislikes regarding each one, the Star Trek franchise itself has not diminished in our affections. Not only have the shows entertained us, but they have inspired advances in technology that have enriched our lives:from automatic doors to cell phones. The franchise hit the peak of its visibility in the 1990's with three television shows and four movies.
Now, eight long years have passed since the last Star Trek series, Star Trek: Enterprise, aired on television. With the reboot of the timeline in the 2009 movie, Star Trek, and its upcoming sequel, Into the Darkness, there is a lot of discussion regarding the possibility of a new television series. While rumors fly about a possible series by Bryan Fuller about the decline of the Federation in the far, far future, as yet there is nothing on the horizon.
I'm just one voice in a sea of Star Trek fans, but I would love to see a series based on the struggles and successes of Star Fleet cadets. Too long has the spotlight been on the older generations. Let me see what life is like for the struggling students. What are their ideas for the present and their vision of the future? How do they handle the intense competition and colliding ambitions among their peers?
Whatever the subject of the next Star Trek series may be, my greatest wish is that networks won't wait another 8 years to get it started. And since we're talking about wishes, I might as well sneak in another one: that the producers of the next series maintain Roddenberry's vision for the franchise. Instead of a dark and brooding tale coupled with unlikeable characters (as is so popular with current producers), keep the hopeful and inspiring vision of the future that Roddenberry cast for us in his original series.
Until then, live long and prosper.
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