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What can I possibly
say about the original “Star Trek”
series that hasn’t already been said?
Considering the fact that it was a series
that was cancelled not once, but twice,
over 30 years ago, it still stands as an
icon in the world of Sci-fi. With it’s
legions of fans, there is no doubt it’s
actually at the top of the list as far as
favorite Sci-fi franchises go. I venture
to say it’s far more popular than
‘Star Wars.” (Let the flaming
wars begin… cue “Arena”
music…)
“Star Trek” started its television
life back in 1966 as little more than a
gleam in the eye of creator Gene Roddenberry.
Initially selling it as a ‘western
in space’, the network jumped on it.
After seeing the first Pilot episode however,
they almost passed on it, but instead gave
Roddenberry the opportunity to film a second
Pilot. This time, it was a go. The ratings
were less than stellar, but the series chugged
on in its search for new life, new civilizations
and new viewers, only to be unceremoniously
canceled at the end of the second season.
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But then something strange happened, TV audiences
got off their duffs and started a letter writing
campaign. And in a somewhat shocking move by the
network, the series was revived for a third season.
But this was to be the final season, letter writing
campaign or no.
The series may have ended in 1969, but the phenomenon
was far from over. Conventions started popping
up all over the country, fans continued to write
letters, alien races were already setting up websites
on their planet’s version of the Internet
(Earth didn’t get it until much, much later…
we’re still a little behind on the evolutionary
ladder. But at least we have spirit!). It didn’t
take long before a new series was discussed, which
unfortunately went nowhere. A short-lived animated
series (featuring the original cast’s voices
no less) made the rounds for a few episodes, and
then disappeared. But the popularity kept growing,
which did finally lead to a motion picture, paving
the way for the future of the franchise.
Since the cancellation of the original series,
there has been: the aforementioned animated series,
9 motion pictures, and no less than 4 spin-off
series. The most recent, “Enterprise”
is languishing a bit in the ratings, but I’m
sure it will win over its audience eventually.
You can even find a “Star Trek” experience
in Las Vegas of all places. Looking past the filmed
offshoots, there are countless novels and books
about the series, blueprints, lunchboxes and I’m
sure even underwear. It boggles the mind….
I myself am no more than a casual fan of “Star
Trek.” I’ve seen all the shows and
movies, but have only ventured to one convention
out of curiosity. It was my last. “Star
Trek” fans seem to embody the very essence
of the term ‘fan.’ (Fanatic - n. a
person inspired with excessive and bigoted enthusiasm,
esp. a religious zealot; devotee; a. over-enthusiastic;
immoderately zealous. Fanaticism - n. violent
enthusiasm.) They have become so well known as
to have documentaries filmed about them. Even
in the O.J. trial, we had a jury member so devoted
to the IDIC* of “Star Trek”, she insisted
on wearing her Star Fleet uniform to the trial.
Hmmmmm……
All that aside, I’m here to tell you a little
about the new full season set of the original
“Star Trek” that Paramount is releasing
this week. Though it was a long time coming, I
knew it was coming eventually. As it is, the studio
has already been releasing all of the spin-off
series (“The Next Generation”, “Deep
Space Nine” and “Voyager”) in
full season sets; it only stands to reason they
would get around to the original series. Though
I’m breathing a sigh of relief (though I’m
a only a casual fan I still would like to collect
the series), there are going to be a cadre of
devoted fans who are sure to groan when it gets
released.
You see, the original series is already available
on DVD, only trouble is they were released in
single set, two-episode discs. A total of 40 in
all. Extreme “Star Trek” fan(atics)
already plunked down there 19.99 per disc a few
years back, and now they are faced with a dilemma.
Do they keep their sacred (and shelf space consuming)
discs, or should they try to sell them (at a noticeably
lower price) and get the newer stream-lined and
relatively affordable new sets. If I were in there
boots, I’d cut my losses, consider it a
lesson in economics and sell the old sets. Besides
the fact that the new set has the same extra features
as well as some great new ones, it also comes
in the coolest packaging in recent memory.
If, and when, you buy the 1st season set you’ll
notice that it comes in a hard plastic yellow
shell emblazoned with the “Star Trek”
logo. The shape is similar to that of a tricorder,
but not exactly. When you crack open the case
(it splits down the middle), you’ll find
a small book-like disc holder that contains all
8 discs (that’s right… 8). There is
also a small booklet with all the episode synopses
and a list of extras. Subsequent sets will be
similarly packaged, but in red and blue.
Speaking of the extra features, these discs have
all the preview trailers for each episode, which
was the only extra on the original DVD releases.
There are also text commentaries on “Where
No Man Has Gone Before”, “The Conscience
of the King” and “The Menagerie, Parts
1 & 2” by the undisputed experts on
all things Trek, Michael & Denise Okuda. These
are done ‘pop-up’ video style and
are very informative and entertaining.
Once you get to the 8th disc, you’ll find
a ton of featurettes, including a documentary
on how the series came about. It runs just under
30 minutes, but still manages to give to as much
information as it can in spite of its Reader’s
Digest length. Another featurette takes a look
back at some of the best episodes of the 1st season,
while another features some of the writers who
were involved with the show and how they envisioned
it. There is also a short interview with William
Shatner (and his daughter), who spends most of
the time talking about horses, as well as an interview
with Leonard Nimoy where he discusses the character
of Spock. You can also scroll through a fairly
sizable gallery, and if you look hard enough you
will find a few amusing Easter eggs.
Throughout these features, you’ll find tons
of interviews (both old and new), and all will
hold the interest of even casual fans of the series
like me. One glaring omission on the 1st season
set however, is the original Pilot, “The
Cage.” Scenes from this episode were pulled
together to create the two part “The Menagerie”,
but I know it exists in its entirety. Heck, you
can get it on a standalone DVD, but it seems to
me that it more than belongs on this set. I’m
really curious as to why it was left off.
I’m glad I wasn’t among those who
bought the original DVDs of the original series.
This full season set totally blows away those
earlier discs, and certainly lives up to its hype.
Aside from the one glaring omission, the series
looks and sounds better than ever and there are
more than enough extra features to start the salivation
factor amongst the fans. And have I mentioned
the packaging????
(*Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
represents a Vulcan belief that beauty, growth,
progress--all result from the union of the unlike.
Concord, as much as discord, requires the presence
of at least two different notes. The brotherhood
of man is an ideal based on learning to delight
in our essential differences, as well as learning
to recognize our similarities.)
Episodes:
The Man Trap
Charlie X
Where No Man Has Gone Before
The Naked Time
The Enemy Within
Mudd’s Women
What Are Little Girl’s Made Of?
Miri
Dagger of the Mind
The Corbomite Maneuver
The Menagerie, Part 1
The Menagerie, Part 2
The Conscience of the King
Balance of Terror
Shore Leave
The Galileo Seven
The Squire of Gothos
Arena
Tomorrow is Yesterday
Court Martial
The Return of the Archons
Space Seed
A Taste of Armageddon
This Side of Paradise
The Devil in the Dark
Errand of Mercy
The Alternative Factor
The City on the Edge of Forever
Operation - Annihilate!
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest
Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, George
Takei
Extras: Subtitle Text Commentary on Select Episodes
by Michael & Denise Okuda (The Star Trek Encyclopedia),
5 Feautettes - The Birth of a Timeless Legacy,
Beyond Trek: William Shatner, To Boldly Go,,,
(Season 1), Reflections on Spock and Sci-Fi Visionaries,
4 Easter Eggs Featurettes, Episode Preview Trailers
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Sound, Dolby 2.0
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 8/31/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
We'll give Star Trek: Season 1 an A.
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