Star Trek: A History

The Great Bird of the Galaxy

Gene Roddenberry

Godmother of Star Trek

Lucille Ball

Media Library

ST:ENT (2001-2005)

ST:DSC (2017-2024)

ST:PIC (2020-2023)

ST:LD (2020-)

ST:PRO (2020-)

ST:SNW (2022-)

ST:TOS (1966-1969)

ST:TNG (1987-1994)

ST:DS9 (1993-1999)

ST:VOY (1995-2001)

ST:TAS (1973-1975)

Media Library

Social Themes

Alien Archetypes

• Klingons (battle)
• Ferengi (capitalism)
• Bajorans (spirituality)
• Vulcans (emotionless logic)
• Borg (assimilation)

Milestone Moments

• Multiracial bridge crew: black communications officer, Asian pilot, Russian navigation officer (TOS)
• "First" interracial kiss on TV (TOS)
• Ferengi Starfleet officers (DS9)
• Female lead as Captain (VOY)
• Sentient Hologram Doctor (VOY)
• Nonbinary and transgender characters (TNG/DSC)

Espoused Ideals

• Vulcan IDIC
• Inclusion
• Equality
• Meritocracy
• Technology for societal advancement
• "Big Stick" Diplomacy
• Empathy and Forgiveness
• Ethics and Honor

Recurring Tropes

• Emergence of sentience
• Holodeck malfunctions
• Q shenanigans
• Mirror Universe
• Identity crises
• Alien viruses
• Logic bombs
• Temporal shenanigans

Quotable Quotes

• "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." -- Picard, S02E21
• "If there is to be a brave new world, our generation is going to have the hardest time living in it." -- Gorkon, ST:VI
• "Leave bigotry in your quarters, there's no room for it on the bridge." -- Kirk, S01E14
• "Logic is the beginning of wisdom, Valeris, not the end." -- Spock, ST:VI
• "You can use logic to justify almost anything. That's its power, and its flaw." -- Janeway, S01E10

Bottom Line

• Societal reflections through the lens of metaphor
• Utopian vision of humanity's future
• Preference for inclusion
• Needs of the many vs needs of the one
• Empathy, empathy, empathy
• Lead by example
• Never stop learning
• Time travel is bonkers

Recommended Viewing

• The Original Series
  • S03E15 - "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield"
  • S01E23 - "A Taste of Armageddon"
  • S01E18 - "Arena"
• The Next Generation
  • S05E25 - "The Inner Light"
  • S02E09 - "The Measure of a Man"
  • S04E19 - "The Nth Degree"

Recommended Viewing

• Deep Space 9
  • S04E20 - "The Visitor"
  • S02E22 - "The Wire"
  • S03E07 - "Civil Defense"
• Voyager
  • S05E06 - "Timeless"
  • S06E12 - "Blink of an Eye"
  • S02E16 - "Meld"