How to Follow Star Trek: The Original Series

Star Trek: The Original Series was the first Star Trek ever made. I am sure most people have heard the name, "Captain Kirk" before, but sometimes, they fail to see just how advanced this show really is.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Star Trek: The Original Series on dvd or look for local broadcasts

1. First, some background on the show: Making its debut in 1966,The Original Series (TOS) seemed so corny to me when I first started to watch it. However, I had to remind myself that it was made back in the 1960's when many people were on "psychadelic trips". Now, I am not saying anyone associated with the show was on drugs, but the 60's society was a time of bright colors, so many of the sets and costumes were designed in that way. As more time passed, the more I started to like the storylines in the show. Besides, if it weren't for TOS, there wouldn't have been any of the other series.
   
   The show was unique that it broke many barriers. While chronically ahead of its times, it was also socially ahead of the 1960's. The crew was multi-national, multi-species, and multi-gendered. Different, unfamiliar species and people were given the befit of the doubt and befriended. Hostilities were only shown to people who were antagonistic or wanted to physically harm the crew. Even the known enemies of the Federation were not immediately fired upon.
2. Now, a few years earlier was the Civil Rights Struggle, especially in the South. Not openly advertised as doing so, the show tried to improve race relations by having the infamous interracial kiss. Since the show was set in the 24th Century, it was the hope of the creator that people would be more open and accepting to others.
   
   This was also displayed by the diverse cast of characters: The show had relationships of people with different backgrounds. For example you had the "country doctor" the Scottish engineer, Uhura - the female and African American communications officer, the Russian navigator, Checkov, and the Asian helmsman, Mr. Sulu. This was very significant because during this time race relations were just starting to become more integrated and the show did a good job to show that a crew of different origins could work together to achieve a common goal. There was also the acceptance of others that were not like anything 1960's people had seen before: the Vulcan, Mr. Spock.
3. Next, while watching the three main cast members, pay attention to their relationships. The "arguments" (some staged, some absolutely real) between Captain James T. Kirk, Science Officer Spock (Vulcan;) and Doctor, Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy. At the end of the show everyone always has made-up and is ready to explore the next destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Star Trek: The Original Series currently airs on the CW network most days of the week during the wee hours of the morning. It can also sometimes be seen on the network showing classic television series very early in the morning.