tiffanie_says_stay_in_your_lane Review of Star Trek

Star Trek (1966–1969)

Once you realize it's not meant to be taken seriously, it's very entertaining

[10/10 · 9 April 2024]

I'm always transparent in my reviews, so I will start off by saying that I didn't like this show, for a long time. Every Saturday night at 11pm on MeTV, once this came on, I would turn the channel. I thought it was incredibly dumb and couldn't figure out why people enjoyed it so much. Maybe I wasn't old enough to understand the legacy of this show. I also wasn't a fan of science fiction, and I've recently gotten into a couple of other sci-fi programs. Last month, out of nowhere, before I could reach for the remote, I became transfixed with an episode. I don't know why - it just happened. It drew me in. That's when it dawned on me: it's not meant to be taken seriously. Yes, the set designs are shabby, and with all of the technological advancement throughout the years, the special effects look unconvincing now. The storylines are also laughable, and it amazes me how the cast was able to deliver their lines with a straight face (I wonder if they ever had to do retakes of the same scene for bursting out into laughter. I know I would've). But quite honestly, even with its flaws, with the crazy world we're living in, it's nice to just relax and go on a journey with Captain Kirk and his crew. I look forward to it every week. I often find myself laughing throughout the episodes, because there are some ridiculous moments. That's what makes it entertaining, though. And some of the dialogue is insightful. It was ahead of its time. There aren't too many actors or characters who I refer to as cultural icons, since I feel like they're overrated, but William Shatner really is a prominent figure on a universal level. I kind of doubt today's generation will be entertained by the Original Series, as there's so many additional series that have been created, with modernized visuals... But as for me, I was born in the early 90s, and didn't grow up with cable, so I have more of an appreciation for retro TV compared to many other people my age. The folks who grew up with this show and loved it - it might be hard for them to convince their kids or grandchildren to give it a try. As long as you don't read too much into it, and are able to ignore the outdated sets and props, Star Trek is fun to watch.