Well, sort of. You see, it was on this day in 1966 that a new science fiction show hit the airwaves. It was new in concept, something of a Gunsmoke, but set in outer space. At least that’s how the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, tried to make it sound to the television studios. Star Trek launched what would become one of the longest running fictional empires, as well as one that would make television and silver screen history along the way.
From the first season it was apparent that the show was not just a science fiction show for kids, but it was tackling some of the most important social issues of the day in a Jonathan Swift styled form of fiction. The careers of many actors were advanced, indeed, even stereotyped, from this three-year series of adventures.
William Shatner became the headstrong captain James T. Kirk; Leonard Nimoy was cast as the half-human, half-vulcan, Mr. Spock. Those would be the roles they would reprise in many forms, to include a short-lived animated Saturday morning cartoon as well as on the silver screen.
The fact is, Star Trek made history in several ways. It was literally the first television series on network TV to show an interracial kiss. Yes, that’s right. The scene takes place in an episode from the third season entitled “Plato’s Stepchildren,” in which Kirk and Uhura are forced to kiss by mind-controlling humanoid aliens. Well, all’s fair in love and science fiction, right? Another way in which Star Trek made history was as one of the first (if not the first) television show to make it to the big screen in 1978 with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The show has also been morphed into a newspaper comic, both a Marvel and DC comic book versions and four successful spin-off series.
I’m thinking that maybe someone should start a petition to make September 8th “Star Trek Day.” What do you think, science fiction fans?
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