40th Anniversary The First 20 years

Myself and my cousin The Journalist, well, we just love this stuff: So, without further ado we present, a tribute in two acts, on the occasion of Trek's 40th.

Star Trek: In September 1966, something happened. The first, the original, *without which there would have been no others* “Star Trek” premiered on NBC TV. A series that did not insult viewers’ intelligence, but acknowledged it and pushed the folks on the couch to puzzle, think, and understand as they watched. I’m not comfortable with the disrespect given this lovely prize by fans who only celebrate the spinoffs.

It’s important to remember Star Trek fans got a jump on something BIG.
The future.

The show itself took an incredible leap forward by representing humanity. I don’t permit the “it’s so dated” type of remarks. If you weren’t there, perhaps there is no effective way to explain to you how much of a risk Roddenberry took by just having different races and sexes and nationalities up there on the bridge.
In a time before personal computers, we knew about shipboard systems that held vast amounts of information. And its crew had personal models that they carried around with them.

In a time before cell phones, we knew about just such things. They were handheld “walkie-talkies” with astonishing range.

Diagnostic medical beds, aerosol medication delivery, wireless headsets. But *none* of this tech junk even begins to tell us what, or who, were the most important parts of the story.

The *characters.*

Star Trek is our mythos. The place where larger than life heroes showed us an idea that is currently on very dangerous ground. The idea that humanity *does* get to a point of not just *peaceful* coexistence, but an *interesting peace* peace without many borders, or much boredom…an enthusiastic merry band of warrior/diplomats that keep their society in line while being mindful of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, and the Prime Directive. (Yes, Kirk used it like a rubber band. But without the *concept* the whole Federation would have been one large “brush war.”) Now, for those who expect a bit of Shatner bashing…go somewhere else for that. Pull out your DVD of first season Trek and watch Kirk. Before there was any parody of anything at all. Watch “Balance of Terror,” where we get both Kirk the master, restrained, *careful,* intense, *underplayed* strategist, and a sweet bit of the endlessly compassionate McCoy. Or the second pilot, where Kirk is all about stopping a nutcase, not out in front hamming. “Court Martial,” where there are pretty evenhanded doses of Kirk the tomcat, and Kirk the unjustly accused truthful defendant.

And before someone points me to the truly underappreciated “A Piece of the Action,” [“Captain you make an excellent starship commander, but as a taxi driver you leave much to be desired.”] or “I Mudd” or “The Trouble with Tribbles.” [“Why Mr. Baris they like *you!* But there’s no accounting for taste.”] This was *comedy.* If I remember correctly everyone got to ham it up a bit in those episodes.

Kirk’s my favorite “tin plated overbearing dictator with delusions of godhood…” So there.

Spock, the cool analytical risk taker in “Gallileo 7,” the anguished son in “Naked Time,” or restrained, but no less anguished officer in “Journey to Babel.”

The writers and Nimoy managed to create such a believable “other,” that an eyebrow made sense, that the subtlest change in stance, movement, tone, cadence or nuance was full of meaning whether the story was drama or comedy. They made us love Vulcans so much we asked for more! We got Sarek, T’Pring,T’Pau T’lar Stonn (poor fool!) Spock’s sniping at McCoy became a further window into his grudging respect and admiration for the doctor and his unwavering loyalty to his commander….so human, really.

McCoy. He was, I think, the first character who saw all the way in to the entire Spock. Kirk, did also, but I think McCoy “got it” first. Understood him. And did him and his cultural sensitivities the favor of bringing it out through the acceptable back door of an argument. Spock wouldn’t be so beloved if McCoy hadn’t been a window into his nature. It’s difficult to write about the character now, because the man who gave him life has left the planet. But DeForest Kelley and the writers infused this doctor with such caring, expertise and concern…that by the time McCoy did meet with a ladylove [“For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched The Sky”] I was cheering that for once the nice guy did not finish last, whatever the merits of the episode.

For De, and James Doohan both…who didn’t make it to this anniversary… The word has been given, and I’ve no doubt they’re at warp speed.

Scotty who was the *only* one who *truly* loved that ship. Without his miracles, Kirk might have expired mid series…the beam of smile and certainty that was Sulu at the helm, who we loved best when he was out of character and sometimes even out of uniform. Uhura, a smart tough lady the guardian of the ships “communication tether” back to settled space a songbird, and a sexy Mata Hari full of bravado when trying to escape Mirror space…writing at the time gave the character little room for growth, but thankfully much written Trek tells us she is an academic, a student of language and communication…so much more than “hailing frequencies open, sir.” Chekov, the studious, earnest Russian product of a more open society that we had *no idea* was coming in 1967. Not to mention the best screamer in the bunch.

Even the some of the villains get amazingly respectful treatment. Mark Lenard’s resigned, bitter complex Romulan Commander, the merrily authoritarian Kor, of John Colicos…they ring just as ‘true’ and multifaceted as the “good guys.” I credit Colicos’ performance alone with giving the writers of the spinoffs the idea that there had to be more to this race than its aggressions.

Okay, I’ll admit to the third season….but in my recent review of the episodes I remembered that, the *second* season had its fair share of turkeys too… (The *Apple?*) But, bear with me. The turkeys *hurt* so much because we *know* the fineness of these stories, these performances, this vision of the future….

If you’re going to try to explain to a non-fan what’s great about the original Star Trek, you already know that using “Spock’s Brain,” “Spectre of the Gun,” “The Way to Eden” “Plato’s Stepchildren” or “Turnabout Intruder,” probably won’t make them ask for more, but, could, in fact, send them shrieking out into the night begging for some “Fabulous Thunderbirds” DVD’s. And, the cool episodes of Trek would not have “The Enterprise Incident” or “The Empath” in their midst if we hadn’t had a Season Three.

But the fact of the matter is that when Roddenberry left the show, even after the fans wrote in and saved it (Wrote in? Another unheard of thing.), the show’s days were numbered. And, then, when it was cancelled….*another crazy thing happened.*

The show, the idea, ended, was in danger of fading away….and the fans said: NO! This is too good, too interesting, too hopeful, too *important* of a possibility to give up. And they wrote, and wrote and wrote. (the writing has never stopped and continues to this day. I’m personally incredibly fond of the written Trek of Marshak and Culbreath, Diane Duane, A.C. Crispin, Margaret Wander Bonnano, and Peter David. Go get it. It’s consistently as good and sometimes even better than the show. I know, I know, I hear the squawks of “Treason!” for miles. Too Bad.) Blish recaptured the original stories. Fans wrote stories just to write them, and they gathered three years later to celebrate what they loved. Paramount was astounded… but somebody was smart enough to greenlight more adventures for Kirk and Co. via animation. (On DVD soon!) The actual animation is poor, but the writing of a few was incredible, and the voices of almost all the original actors were used…the animated shows are best “seen” with the eyes closed, I’ve found.

So the writing and congregating, and art and ideas went on and on. Amazingly we got our wish…and then the man who’d created this vision and helped it along for so long…stumbled. When we saw Kirk, a strangely cold, not just cool, Spock, and a bearded snarky McCoy…we were exhilarated as only one who has pined for a long anticipated reunion can get. But the first film is an oddly static story, color washed out of the writing and the uniforms, a still, overblown piece where adoring shots of the Enterprise newly lovely couldn’t make up for the missing heart in the writing about the people who fly in her. It made money, not because of what it was, but because of what we hoped for.

I forget the behind the scenes machinations that allowed for a second Trek film, but I thank the studio gods (whomever they may be) that a second film was shot. “Wrath of Khan,” is a true extension of the best series episodes, a bigger story, a more powerful score, a riveting return of a powerful villan and Kirk, McCoy and more than ever Spock…doing what they did best, and doing it well. Camaraderie, investigation, strategy, humor (“a difficult concept.”), Kirk finally being held to some sort of account for at least one of his affairs, (heh) and, heroic self sacrifice….I’m a softie….. even now when I *know* the ultimate answer is reunion…

When Spock stands to attention in front of his Captain and straightens his tunic, the horrific damage from radiation clear on his face and hands…. “I…never took…the Kobiashi Maru test…’til now….what do you think… of my solution?”

I can’t help but cry.

But of course there’s that odd little ‘gift’ he left McCoy…and there we go into the third film…with Nimoy directing the “Search for Spock,” and the band of brothers and sisters shows just what they will do: [“Oh I’ll have Mister Adventure eating out of my hand, sir…” “I’m glad you’re on *our* side!” “How many fingers am I holding up?” “That green blooded son-of-a-bitch! It’s his revenge for all those arguments he lost.” And my *favorite!* “Don’t call me Tiny!”]

What they will risk, or give up to save a comrade. Because, after all…Risk was their business. That was the twentieth anniversary…and the world is much changed….

I have to journey into the personal for just a moment. For those who know me offline and have known me, they know that I never would have met my other half without the Star Trek we both loved…it’s what brought us together…he had a great wish to stand on the NCC 1701’s (“No bloody A, B, C, or D!”) bridge…to sit in a particular Captain’s chair…but was too ill by the time we made it to the Smithsonian to be comfortable with anyone taking his picture. But he saw the exhibit of the sets and the costumes of the original series in 1992, and drank it all in with a purposeful intensity committing it to loving detailed memory, so that in his last eight months he could mentally take it out and polish it and remember…because he knew he had a long journey yet to go… He didn’t make it to this anniversary…but "There are always possibilities"...

The last part of this will be the one ‘speech’ from TOS Trek that still makes me want to freakin’ *stand and salute* when I hear it, and I’m a cynic. To me it’s not overblown, hokey, or false. It rings true. I’ve bracketed in one small alteration for sense. ---Imfunnytoo.



"The illogic of waste, Mr. Spock...the waste of lives, potential, resources, time.
I submit to you that your Empire is illogical because it cannot endure.
I submit that *you* are illogical to be a willing part of it.
If change is inevitable, predictable, beneficial,doesn't logic demand that you be a part of it?" "One man cannot summon the future."
"But one man can change the present.
Be the captain of this Enterprise, Mr. Spock!
Find a logical reason for saving the Halkans [doing right?] ,and make it stick.
Push till it gives!
What will it be?
Past or future?
Tyranny or freedom?
It's up to you.”
”It is time.”
”In every revolution, there's one man with a vision...."

"Captain Kirk, I shall consider it." *

*From “Mirror Mirror” by Jerome Bixby. All Star Trek material copyright Paramount Pictures, no copyright infringement intended or implied.