Why Has Star Trek Lasted For So Long: The Longevity of Star Trek
Thomas E. Stevenson
Limestone College

Author Note
Thomas E. Stevenson, Department of Social Work, Limestone College.
This research was supported in part by a grant from the Sample Grant Program.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Thomas Stevenson, Department of Social Work, Limestone College, Gaffney, SC 29340. Contact: saevok09@gmail.com

Abstract
This paper will explore the science fiction show Star Trek. It will look at Gene Roddenberry’s original idea behind the 1960s show. What made it so appealing? Why has it lasted so long? Also does JJ Abrams’ Star Trek lack the Gene Roddenberry’s vision? ). It began nearly fifty years ago in the 1960s with the original show simply called Star Trek. The setting of the show is the 23rd century aboard the Starship Enterprise. The ship is commanded by a Caucasian man from Iowa named Captain James T. Kirk. His first officer/ science office is the half-Vulcan half-human Spock. The ship’s chief physician is a Caucasian man from the southern state of Georgia. The ship’s chief engineer is the Scotsman Montgomery Scott. The bridge communication officer is a black African woman Nyota Uhura. The ship’s helmsman is Asian-American Hikaru Sulu. Finally, the ship’s navigator is man of Russian decent Pavel Chekov.

Why Has Star Trek Lasted For So Long: The Longevity of Star Trek
From its beginning, Star Trek made a strong commitment to what is now called multiculturalism—a commitment to the idea that by the time humanity spreads outward into space, conflicts based on such trivial things as gender, skin color, and place of origin will be an artifact of the past (Dillard, 1994, p.3). Most would find it hard to believe that in 300 hundred or 400 hundred years humans (like these characters) will finally overcome their prejudices, and that Earth will become a virtual paradise with no wars, no crime, and no poverty. Yet despite this, Gene Roddenberry’s (creator of Star Trek and Star Trek The Next Generation) vision for the future of humanity remains appealing and long lasting.
Literature Review
Another component for its longevity is that the show has addressed current issues of today. For example, on the original Star Trek there was an episode called “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” (Altman and Gross, 1995, p.74)). It explored racial prejudice. This episode focused on two alien males that were brought onto the Starship Enterprise. They are both from the same planet but there is a difference between the two. One named Bele is black on the right side and white on the left. The other name Lokai is white on the right side and black on the left. Kirk and crew see them as a member of the same species and can’t distinguish a difference. Bele explains on their world Lokai and his kind are all criminals and a lower form of life because their colors are on the wrong side their bodies. Again, Kirk and crew points out that they are from the same world and same species. It is because of Bele and his people’s beliefs that we learn that a racial war broke out killing everyone except Bele and Lokai. Both men chose to return to their devastated homeworld. We are left wondering what would happen with Bele and Lokai now that they are the last of their people.
Clearly, this episode speaks out on not only how stupid racism is but also what the end result could be without change. This episode originally aired during the height of the African- American civil rights movement of the 1960s. In a science fiction way it was an echo of this movement. We have come long way from the 60’s, but many would say we still a ways to go to rid this country of all forms of racism in this country. Obviously, Star Trek encourages viewers to believe that: All men and women are equal no matter what color of their skin (Dillard, 1994, p.42).
Watching any Star Trek series, we can see this statement is true: On Star Trek Deep Space Nine for instance, the station Deep Space Nine is commanded by an African-American man. The station doctor is of Middle Eastern descent. These facts are worthy of notice in our society but not in the society inhabited by the characters on the show. To them this is completely normal. Why shouldn’t it be like this? Rather merely telling us that we should get along, Star Trek shows that we can get along and we will get along (Dillard, 1994, p.42). On all Star Trek series women in Starfleet (the fictional military institution) who are a member of the United Federation of Planets (the fictional galactic government which is composed of 150 planets including Earth) are also treated as equals. The sex discrimination women face today (albeit to a lesser extent) no longer exists. Women are never seen as the “the weaker sex”. They are always portrayed as equally as intelligent and strong. There gender is never a dispute or block for advancement in their careers. Captain Kathryn Janeway of Star Trek Voyager is a good example of this. She is a strong leader and a superb captain. The fact that she is female in a leading role isn’t an issue. An emphasis on family has also played a big part of Star Trek survival. The movie Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a good example of this. This movie clearly shows us how strong the bridge crew of the Starship Enterprise friendship is. Admiral Kirk ended up losing his son and the Starship Enterprise to find his lost friend and colleague. Kirk and crew also put their careers and lives on the line to rescue Spock. According to author and fan Dave Marionaccio in his book All I Really Need to Know I’ve Learned from Watching Star Trek, strongly portrayed in this film is the lesson close friends become family and family is the true center of the universe (Marionaccio, 1995, p. 5).
Discussion
Has the current version of Star Trek lost Gene Roddenberry’s vision?
Limitations of New Version of Star Trek
Today, Star Trek current incarnation is a revamped, recast of the original characters from the original show in a movie version. It is produced by JJ Abrams. Two movies have been released with a third on the way. One of the flaws of the films has been the lack of time to establish these characters. I not saying they should mimic the original. I just don’t feel the friendship and family that I felt with the original show. Everything was very rushed and had a lack of credulity. It took some adjusting for me to accept these new actors portraying these well-established characters. The feel of the current movies also lacks the optimistic future for humanity that Gene Roddenberry instilled in his series.
Limitations of Established Canon. They have more of an action thrills ride feel to it than anything. I was also disappointed to see that humans are once again fighting each other in the latest film Star Trek Into Darkness. Something I don’t think Roddenberry would have agreed with. Yes, the original series did have its share of human villains and some of them were in Starfleet. However, this was primarily due to the lack of sanity on the villain’s part.
Limitations of Remakes. Another disappointment is the lack of originality from Hollywood as a whole. I was very disappointed to see that they felt the need to remake the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I was very surprised that JJ Abrams did not put out a more original idea. The writer has proven to be a superb writer and creator of original science fiction ideas. I am a fan of his work. Yet here we go with a movie remake of the character Khan Noonien Singh and even featured a poignant death scene.
Limitations of Other Official Star Trek Shows. I will continue to have an open mind about JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. The third movie will be out soon. I intend to go see it. I hope that it features an original idea and more character development.

Conclusion
Gene Roddenberry’s optimistic vision for humanity is again hard to believe but nevertheless appealing. I for one am proud to be a Trekkie or Trekker. I agree 100% that in order for humanity to survive they need to rid themselves firstly of their prejudices. Would it help the process that an alien species publically visit us as established in Star Trek First Contact? It could. It may cause us to re-evaluate our outlook on which we are as a species. There are always possibilities…

References
Altman, Mark and Edward Gross. (1995). Captain’s Logs. (Canada: Little, Brow, and Company).
Dillard, J. M. (1994). Star Trek: Where No One Has Gone Before. (New York: Pocket Books).
Marionaccio, David. (1995). All I Really Need to Know I’ve Learned from Star Trek. (New York: Pocket Books).

Appendix A
The More Star Trek The Next Generation Project
Started in the United States in 2012, the Star Trek The Next Generation Project has spread out through the world as many Star Trek The Next Generation fans hunger for more material from than was given in the movies. The project was inspired by the re-launch novels set after the last movie Star Trek Nemesis. Each novel could act as its own episode. This shows how creative and original the novels are. A few Star Trek The Next Generation actors has voice their support.