Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 — 1969)

Gene Roddenberry’s American science fiction TV series, Star Trek (1966–1969), chronicles the voyages of USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its crew. This show, which started an entire media franchise, later became known as Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS). Set in the 23rd century, it follows the exploits of the Enterprise crew on a five-year mission to discover new worlds, life forms, and civilizations; all while venturing into uncharted territory. The ship is under the command of handsome and daring Captain James Tiberius ‘Jim’ Kirk. His two closest confidants are Commander Spock, a half-human/half-Vulcan Science Officer from Vulcan, and Dr. Leonard H. ‘Bones’ McCoy an American Chief Medical Officer. While Spock relies on logic to tackle problems, his Vulcan heritage prevents him from experiencing emotions. In contrast, McCoy offers Kirk guidance through his human emotional perspective.

Kirk incorporates the intellect of Spock and the sensitivity of McCoy in his decision making. The trio is accompanied by a crew of around 430 individuals, including Lieutenant Hikaru Kato Sulu, the Asian-American helmsman, Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov from Russia serving as navigator, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura as the communication officer fluent in Swahili, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott as chief engineer from Scotland, Nurse Christine Chapel and Yeoman Janice Rand. The series follows their encounters with both friendly and hostile alien species while exploring uncharted territories. We witness the Enterprise and its crew engaging in battles against extraterrestrials, supercomputers gone rogue, time paradoxes, violent murderers, and even Khan Noonien Singh. The show is renowned for tackling controversial issues of that time period (1960s), such as sexuality, warfare, beliefs about deities, faith systems, government affairs, discrimination based on skin color or ethnicity, and other aspects that define humanity (and what it truly means to be human) through a futuristic perspective.