Changes

Negative characteristics are generally found only in alien races. In a typical episode, one alien race is trying to enslave another, and the Enterprise intervenes to restore balance. The principle of equality is thus applied universally, with the Declaration of Independence sometimes mentioned explicitly. In these episodes, the Federation stands in for the United States, while the villain species stands in for Communists or Nazis.<ref name=Cantor>Cantor, Paul A., ''Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization'', p. 46.</ref> In other episodes, an alien species is used to comment on imperfections in contemporary America. “Let This Be Your Last Battlefield” (Jan. 10, 1969) depicts a species divided into two races by skin color. For one race, the left side is white, and right side is black. For the other race, these colors are reversed.<ref name=Cantor/>

Negative characteristics are generally found only in alien races. In a typical episode, one alien race is trying to enslave another, and the Enterprise intervenes to restore balance. The principle of equality is thus applied universally, with the Declaration of Independence sometimes mentioned explicitly. In these episodes, the Federation stands in for the United States, while the villain species stands in for Communists or Nazis.<ref name=Cantor>Cantor, Paul A., ''Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization'', p. 46.</ref> In other episodes, an alien species is used to comment on imperfections in contemporary America. “Let This Be Your Last Battlefield” (Jan. 10, 1969) depicts a species divided into two races by skin color. For one race, the left side is white, and right side is black. For the other race, these colors are reversed.<ref name=Cantor/>

The early seasons of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' suffered even more severely from the Roddenberry vision.  The character Q is used to parody God. Roddenberry’s skeptical view of religion is detailed in several dialogs between Q and Picard.<ref name=walker /> When Roddenberry’s health declined, he was replaced with Rick Berman. Berman created the ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. This show breaks with the Roddenberry tradition by including various flawed human characters.<ref name=walker /> We even learn of secret Starfleet agency called Section 31, said to be responsible for various atrocities.   

The early seasons of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' suffered even more severely from the Roddenberry vision.  The character Q is used to parody God. Roddenberry’s skeptical view of religion is detailed in several dialogs between Q and Picard.<ref name=walker /> When Roddenberry’s health declined, he was replaced with Rick Berman. Berman created the ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. This show breaks with the Roddenberry tradition by including various flawed human characters.<ref name=walker /> We even learn of secret Starfleet agency called Section 31, said to be responsible for various atrocities.   

== Relationship Views ==

== Relationship Views ==

In addition to his views on religion, Gene Roddenberry had views on relationships which were considered controversial at the time the Original Series was on air, and even today. In fact, a historic event&mdash;the first interracial kiss on network television&mdash;was between Lieutenant Uhura ([[Nichelle Nichols]]) and Captain Kirk ([[William Shatner]]).<ref>''Plato's Stepchildren'', originally aired Nov. 22, 1968</ref> (Note that it was portrayed as something the characters were psychically compelled to do; it was not a willing kiss between romantic partners.)

In addition to his views on religion, Gene Roddenberry had views on relationships which were considered controversial at the time the Original Series was on air, and even today. A kiss between Captain Kirk ([[William Shatner]]) and Lieutenant Uhura ([[Nichelle Nichols]]) was shown in the episode “Plato’s Stepchildren,” aired Nov.  22, 1968. This is generally considered the first interracial kiss on U.S. television, although Sammy Davis Jr. did give Nancy Sinatra a peck on the check in "Movin' with Nancy." (Dec. 11, 1967)<ref>Miss Cellania, "[http://www.neatorama.com/2013/04/10/TVs-First-Interracial-Kiss/#!rjF17 TV's First Interracial Kiss]”, ''Neatorama'', April 10, 2013</ref> More recent Trek material is restrained in this respect. Picard and Lily did have an interracial kiss in ‘’Star Trek: First Contact’‘ (1996). But this was only a brief goodbye kiss.

Gene Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Studios]] who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.

Gene Roddenberry was also supportive of same-sex relationships, and wanted to integrate homosexual characters into his second series, ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', reasoning that by the 24th century "no one would care." However, this proposal was met with resistance by [[Paramount Studios]] who reasoned that because the show would eventually be syndicated, it would be accessible to young children for whom such material would be extremely inappropriate.

== Star Trek in culture ==

== Star Trek in culture ==

[[image:284699main image 1204 946-710.jpg|300px|thumb|Gene Roddenberry and original series cast members at the launch of the space shuttle ''Enterprise''.]]

[[image:284699main image 1204 946-710.jpg|thumb|Gene Roddenberry and original series cast members at the launch of the space shuttle ''Enterprise''.]]

Various concepts from Star Trek have entered popular culture, including the following:

Various concepts from Star Trek have entered popular culture, including the following:

* The [[Extraterrestrial life in Star Trek#Vulcan|Vulcan]] greeting, ''Live long and prosper''.

* The [[Extraterrestrial life in Star Trek#Vulcan|Vulcan]] greeting, ''Live long and prosper''.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Television Shows]]

[[Category:Television Shows]]

[[Category:Movies]]

[[Category:Movies]]

[[Category:Science fiction]]

[[Category:Science fiction]]

[[Category:Star Trek| ]]

[[Category:Star Trek| ]]