# Star Trek (1966)

> The crew of the starship Enterprise explores strange new worlds under Captain James T. Kirk and his logical first officer Spock, confronting alien threats and moral dilemmas.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/235

## Facts

- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 79
- Episode runtime: 50 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: science fiction, adventure
- Created by: Gene Roddenberry
- Network: NBC
- Cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Susan Oliver
- TMDB rating: 8.4/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060028/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: optimistic, adventurous, wistful, campy, thoughtful, hopeful

## What critics say

Viewers broadly regard the original series as a landmark of science fiction, admired for its sophisticated social commentary, memorable crew dynamics and ambitious storytelling despite dated effects and campy moments.

## Synopsis

Star Trek (1966-1969) is an American network science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry for NBC. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) commands the starship U.S.S. Enterprise, with his half-Vulcan first officer Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and ship's doctor Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) at his side, while the crew of engineer Scott (James Doohan), helmsman Sulu (George Takei) and communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) handles each mission. Each week the Enterprise answers distress signals or scientific puzzles on a new planet, and the engine of every episode is a clash of first contact: diplomacy strained, weapons drawn, and a choice between logic and feeling. Across three seasons the crew encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes and rogue humans, and each hour is a self-contained story rather than one continuing arc. Set in the twenty-third century, the show carries an optimistic, hopeful register, with a wistful sense of wonder about humanity's future. Its sincere allegories about prejudice, war and what it means to be human feel sharper than its sixties sets and campy effects. Fans of The Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica and Stargate SG-1 will find resonance in its blend of episodic adventure and moral parable, and it stands as the foundation of the franchise that followed.

## Shows like Star Trek

- [In Search of... (1977)](https://ember.film/tv/3399)
- [Star Trek: Short Treks (2018)](https://ember.film/tv/70470)
- [Lost in Space (1965)](https://ember.film/tv/2902)
- [The Orville (2017)](https://ember.film/tv/62609)
- [Other Space (2015)](https://ember.film/tv/55476)
- [Doctor Who (1963)](https://ember.film/tv/108)
- [Space Patrol (1966)](https://ember.film/tv/12893)
- [Battlestar Galactica (1978)](https://ember.film/tv/471)
- [Space Battleship Yamato (1974)](https://ember.film/tv/12444)
- [Star Trek: Discovery (2017)](https://ember.film/tv/59153)

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