Yes, on September 8, 1966 audiences tuning into NBC that night were first introduced to Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the rest of crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as they began a five-year mission to "explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before."
Billed as "Wagon Train to the stars," the show was not a ratings hit during its initial run, but it did develop enough of a following, due mainly to its likeable crew, nifty effects and frank portrayal of race and social issues, to warrant 79 episodes over three seasons before its eventual cancellation in 1969.
My first exposure to the Star Trek was as a child in the early '70s. The show was experiencing a resurgence of sorts through syndication and seemed to be playing every time you flipped the television on. I loved the brightly colored uniforms, cool gadgets and all the wonderful sounds emanating from the bridge and transporter room.
Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted in 1973 and only helped to bolster my affinity for the show. Soon Mego Toys was creating 8" action figures and a fold-out bridge with rotating transporter. I was in heaven.
It wasn't until the success of Star Wars in 1977 that we got to see Star Trek transferred to the big screen. Star Trek: The Motion Picture arrived with much anticipation a few weeks before Christmas in 1979. New, Star Wars-size action figures debuted ahead of time as did Trek-themed McDonald's Happy Meals.
Unfortunately, the film contained none of the engaging, adventurous qualities of the original series and seemed more interested in dazzling its audience with Star Wars-like special effects. It was too long and slowly paced, and despite being a box-office success and featuring a beautiful score by composer Jerry Goldsmith, deemed a failure.
The brand was given a second chance for cinematic sustenance with 1982's Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It was more action driven, contained a classic villain and featured the dramatic death of a key crew member. It possessed everything that made Star Trek, well, Star Trek. And like that, a franchise was born.
Four more films would follow with the original crew over the next nine years. In the middle of that period, we got a another TV series with an all-new crew. Eventually they made their own four films that paved the way for more TV incarnations and a film reboot featuring a younger Enterprise crew.
It's hard to believe Star Trek has consistently been a part of our lives, in one form or another, for half a century. What makes it endure? Well, for me, beyond promoting the timeless themes of hope and adventure, it's all about the original crew, mainly the relationship between Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy, three drastically different personalities who all seem to function as one symbiotic force.
Each needs the other to provide something the other is lacking: courage, logic, conscious. They're really the main reason I've returned to the franchise over the years. Their interaction always makes me smile and reminds me how powerful an ally friendship can be.
Thank you, Star Trek, for 50 years of thrills, laughs and tears. You truly blazed a path where no show has gone before.
