Star Trek: 5 Ways The Original Series Is The Best (& 5 Better Alternatives)
Star Trek is one of the biggest sci-fi phenomenons of all time, right there at the top alongside Star Wars. But it wouldn't get such position and popularity among millions of fans if it wasn't for the TV show Star Trek: The Original Series that premiered all the way back in 1966.
The series introduced a brand new world populated with characters that the audience quickly grew fond of. The crew of the spaceship Enterprise went on amazing adventures and met new alien species. Nowadays, there are many more Star Trek films and series as well as films similar to Star Trek but in many ways, the Star Trek: TOS remains the best. However, there are also some worthy alternatives to the show.
10 Best: It Was Basically A Western
Many later Star Trek TV shows were a bit more serious and philosophical, especially The Next Generation. However, The Original Series was basically a western set in space. Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, wanted it to be similar to shows set in the Wild West. That meant combining action and humor so that the audience would be kept entertained. And while there were some philosophical episodes, a lot of the storylines are silly, in the best meaning of the world, and don't take themselves too seriously.
9 Better Alternative: The Abrams Universe
If one loves the original crew but for whatever reason finds Star Trek: The Original Series unwatchable or already saw it too many times, there's always the alternative in the form of J. J. Abrams' movies. The rebooted franchise was full of action, wit, and great acting performances. It's Star Trek for the 21st century and while not all of the fans liked it, it has some truly memorable moments. Plus, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto do a decent enough job as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, and the rest of the crew also isn't bad.
8 Best: It Was Groundbreaking
Star Trek TOS aired in the 1960s, an era which was in many ways progressive, but still nowhere as much as the modern days. And The Original Series was one of the first TV shows that showed what the society could look like if people were more tolerant of each other and not blinded by prejudice and hate. For example, the crew was comprised of people of different nationalities and ethnicities, and, of course, no-one should forget the iconic first interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura.
7 Better Alternative: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Not everybody knows that Leonard Nimoy was not only a great actor but also a talented director. And the fourth Star Trek movie with the original crew is one of his best works.
It's watchable even for those who don't know The Original Series but will be, of course, more enjoyable for its fans. Unlike a lot of Star Trek stories, it mostly takes place on Earth, and toys with the concept of time travel which is always intriguing. Plus, San Francisco of the 1980s has probably never looked as good in any sci-fi film.
6 Best: Action-Filled, But Still Clever
Despite the fact that the first Star Trek TV show ever aimed to be amusing and adventurous, it was in no way stupid. Yes, some storylines may seem naive now but it's also difficult to overlook that the series offers a lot of opportunities to think if the audience wishes to do so. It considered topics such as free will, cultural differences, parental issues, and many more. And it did it without coming across as trying too hard to be clever and deep.
5 Better Alternative: Star Trek: The Next Generation
As any Star Trek fan will know, the battle between Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation continues to rage on as the audience likes to argue which series was better. Star Trek: TNG will most likely fit the serious viewers better as it's not as wild and carefree as its predecessor but still has plenty of humorous moments. And if that wasn't enough, objectively speaking, Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard is probably the best actor who has ever played a Star Trek captain. Or at least the most established one.
4 Best: Optimistic World
To understand this reason better, one has to know that the sci-fi films and TV shows of the previous decade before Star Trek TOS aired, the 1950s, were often dark and miserable.
People were afraid of the communists, Cold War raged, and the sci-fi stories reflected it. They told tales of alien attacks and danger. The Original Series, on the other hand, showed an optimistic world in which a crew of different beings (not only people) discovers the mysteries and beauty of the space. Feel the difference?
3 Better Alternative: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was very different from the previous Star Trek shows. It didn't take place on a spaceship but a space station that served as the cauldron of many species and nations. And it also continued in the already-established trend and mixed drama with action and humor so well so that some episodes of the series are impossible to watch just once.
2 Best: Kirk's And Spock's Friendship
One of the main reasons why Star Trek: The Original Series became such a phenomenon and remains so to this day is the iconic duo of Captain James T. Kirk and first officer slash science officer Mr. Spock. Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of the logical, seemingly emotionless a half-human, a half-Vulcan officer made him a legend and his chemistry with William Shatner's Captain Kirk, who was very different from Spock but his best friend nonetheless, makes the series memorable and worth watching even today.
1 Better Alternative: Galaxy Quest
And the prize for the best Star Trek film that actually isn't about Star Trek goes to... The 1999 parody Galaxy Quest shows how to film a parody in style, and many directors could learn from it. It follows a group of actors whose most successful roles were in a TV sci-fi show strangely very similar to Star Trek. The actors get kidnapped by aliens who believe that they're real space heroes and they have to fight for their lives. It's hilarious, makes fun of Star Trek without being insulting, and also features one of Alan Rickman's best roles.