Star Trek, love it or hate it, has held the test of time. Despite its declining popularity, it still remains the second longest running science fiction franchise. (I was reminded that Doctor Who is 45) Nothing can compare to the history and spinoffs of this property.And today, Star Trek turns 42, facing its own rebirth next year. Hopefully it will revitalize the fandom, but lets take a look at where Star Trek has been, Wikipedia gathers:
Star Trek (Also known as “TOS”, The Original Series) debuted in the United States on NBC on September 8, 1966. The show tells the tale of the crew of the starship Enterprise and that crew’s five-year mission “to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
The Original Series (1966 – 1969)
The Animated Series (1973 – 1974)
Phase II (failed return to TV – never aired or produced)
The Next Generation (1987 – 1994)
Deep Space Nine (1993 – 1999)
Voyager (1995 – 2001)
Enterprise (2001 – 2005)And the Feature Films
Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1982
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1989
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991
Star Trek Generations 1994
Star Trek: First Contact 1996
Star Trek: Insurrection 1998
Star Trek Nemesis 2002
Star Trek 2009
I am really looking forward to the Star Trek reboot next year (and its gaining a lot of positive buzz). After the sting of Nemesis, the series has no future without leaping another 150 years and placing the “Next Generation” in the history books. However, going back to the beginning (part of the charm found in First Contact, but never quite captured by the Enterprise tv series) is a wise way to bring in new fans and have a new story that is both familiar to the fans, and still not constricted by canon.
The fanbase is dying, if not dead. At the recent FanExpo there were very little Trek represented. I had thought with the upcoming movie, there would be some buzz, but not really so much. The series needs something to revitalize it and bring in new blood as well as reinvigorating the remaining fans.
Happy Birthday Star Trek!
