Star Trek

Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk with First Officer Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen led by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.

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.

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.

• Battlestar Galactica (1978)optimistic space exploration, episodic adventure, philosophical social allegory
• The Twilight Zoneepisodic science fiction, morality plays, social commentary through alien encounters
• Stargate SG-1space opera, ensemble starship crew, episodic exploration of strange worlds
• Star Trek: The Next Generationutopian science fiction, diverse crew, optimistic future

Created by

Gene Roddenberry

Release Date

1966-09-08

Episode runtime

50 min

Rating

8.4 / 10 (1577)

What is Star Trek about?

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.

What is Star Trek like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Star Trek as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Star Trek violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Star Trek as mild.

What did critics think of Star Trek?

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.

Which shows are like Star Trek?

Shows with a similar feel include Battlestar Galactica (1978), The Twilight Zone, Stargate SG-1, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

How long is Star Trek?

Star Trek: 3 seasons, 79 episodes.

Is Star Trek still running?

No, Star Trek has ended.