The wonder of Star Trek

Star Trek is a culture of its own. It's one man's vision of our future that spoke of what we could become. It's a group of stories that that challenge our minds and tickle our imaginations. The original five-year mission undertaken by Captain James T. Kirk and his crew grew into decades of delight. Star Trek made for great TV viewing and some theatrical delights. Here are some of my reasons why Star Trek should be watched and loved.

1) It's good, clean family entertainment. It's not vulgar or gory. Kids and adults can watch any of the Star Trek shows together without apprehension. There may be need for slight parental control for the a couple of the later Trek series, but the original Star Trek is suitable for all ages at any time.

2) The show focuses on the best of mankind. We've gotten beyond greed and people being homeless. Our lives don't center around the almighty dollar. It's a good ideal. It's where we as a people long and hope to be someday. Star Trek proclaims that we can do it, and it shows us how we can exist in a society that isn't mandated by petty differences.

3) Star Trek introduces us to the idea of other lifeforms and says we can be friends. One of the great things about the series as it got older was that the Klingons went from being our enemies in the original Star Trek to being allies in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It shows growth and maturation. In the original series, we meet a lot of aliens, some evil and some not, but it purports that not everyone needs to be like us for us to be their friends.

4) The bickering trio. There is nothing more fun than watching a group of characters who can bicker humorously. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley were the three lead actors on Star Trek, and they had a great timing with one another. Nimoy's Spock and Kelley's Bones were always at odds. The back and forth between them raised our eyebrows higher than Spock's could go on his best day. It's fun; it makes us laugh. To top it up, these three were great friends, and beyond the bickering, there was a lot of caring. When those scenes were played, the poignancy was palpable, touching our hearts greatly. There was awesome teamwork here to make Star Trek a success.

Star Trek took us where no man had ever been before. Viewers were taken on a magnificent voyage across the galaxy, to places we hadn't ever imagined before. Our real life prejudices were portrayed in other races, who weren't as advanced as we are. Then, right when we thought we were the superior ones, we'd be taught that we're actually just in our infancy and have much to learn before we could join the really great races of the universe.

Space may be the final frontier, but it's also a place to learn, to laugh, and to dream of what might be one day, when we as a people have overcome those influences that work against us and pull us down today. It's a place of hope, and it's why Star Trek should be watched, and loved, by all.