
Fifty-six years ago, on September 8, 1966, television audiences embarked on a groundbreaking journey through the cosmos when Star Trek: The Original Series made its debut with the pilot episode “The Man Trap.”
Created by the visionary Gene Roddenberry, this iconic series not only transported viewers to distant stars but also championed values of diversity, inclusion, acceptance, and hope that continues to resonate to this day.
As the opening credits rolled, “Space, the final frontier…” became a rallying cry for a show that pushed the boundaries of television and society itself. Star Trek dared to explore a future where humanity had moved beyond its divisions and prejudices, presenting a crew aboard the starship USS Enterprise that was a true reflection of the world’s diversity.
Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), the logical Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the compassionate Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) led a multicultural team that included Russian navigator Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), African communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Japanese helmsman Sulu (George Takei).
Roddenberry’s vision was more than just an entertaining space adventure. It was a blueprint for a better future. In a turbulent time marked by civil rights struggles and geopolitical tensions, the show offered a glimpse of hope, showing humanity united in a shared mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations. It wasn’t just science fiction; it was a vision of what our world could become.
The late Nichelle Nichols, in particular, made history as Lieutenant Uhura, one of the first Black women to portray a prominent role on American television. Her presence on the bridge of the Enterprise inspired countless individuals, including a young fan named Whoopi Goldberg, who would go on to become a part of the Star Trek legacy herself.
The series wasn’t afraid to tackle complex social issues, often using allegorical storytelling to address contemporary problems. Episodes like “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” explored the absurdity of racial prejudice, while “Plato’s Stepchildren” featured one of television’s first interracial kisses between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura. These moments challenged societal norms and helped to pave the way for greater acceptance and understanding.
From The Next Generation to Picard, Star Trek continues to captivate audiences with its exploration of the final frontier. From its humble beginnings as a low-budget sci-fi show with a dedicated cult following, it has evolved into a cultural juggernaut.
The franchise has lived long and prospered.
Phrases like “Make it so,” “Beam me up,” and “Engage” have become ingrained in our collective psyche. With several new series currently on the air, it’s time to evaluate and rank each of the eleven Star Trek series from the past 55 years, determining which one stands as the cream of the crop.
11. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975)
While this series sits at the bottom of the list, it’s important to note that it’s not considered a bad series. It features some intelligent sci-fi scripts, with notable episodes such as “Yesteryear,” offering insights into Spock’s childhood.
However, budget constraints limited the animation quality, and the voice actors didn’t record together, resulting in a noticeable disconnect. Despite its flaws, it deserves credit for keeping the Trek flame alive during the long decade between the original series and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
10. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-Present)
As the first animated Trek show since the ’70s and the franchise’s inaugural comedy series, Lower Decks has garnered a cult following over three seasons. It focuses on the junior crew of a second-tier starship, blending irreverent humor with endearing characters.
While faithful to Trek lore, it leans more toward humor than the traditional Trek storytelling sensibilities, preventing it from ranking higher at this time.
9. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
Enterprise, the fourth and final Star Trek series of the Rick Berman era, ran for four seasons on UPN, marking the shortest run among modern Trek series. Although it boasted a strong cast led by Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, this prequel show to the original Trek often felt stuck in the television tropes of the prior decade.
It didn’t truly embrace its role as a Star Trek prequel until its fourth season, and the infamous theme song didn’t help its overall legacy. Cringe.
8. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2023)
Never appreciated and now canceled, Star Trek: Prodigy faced skepticism from fans before its debut. However, this delightful series, which follows a group of misfit kids who commandeer a prototype Federation starship in the far reaches of space, has proven to be true to the franchise’s core exploratory spirit. Heartwarming camaraderie among the young cast and strong ties to greater franchise lore have made it one of the best modern Star Trek shows, regardless of its “kid’s show” label.
7. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-Present)
As the franchise’s current flagship show, Star Trek: Discovery has completed four seasons, offering a mixed bag of experiences. On the positive side, the cast, led by Sonequa Martin-Green, delivers stellar performances, and the show boasts the highest production value in Trek history. However, it often feels like it’s borrowing from more popular franchises, and its prequel timeline and continuity initially left fans puzzled.
The series took a bold leap in season three, jumping 1,000 years into the future, providing a much-needed refresh. Season four continued to build upon this improvement, suggesting that Discovery may climb higher in future rankings. Season five will end the series sometime in 2024, possibly in 2025 with the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes.
6. Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
Sir Patrick Stewart’s return as the retired Jean-Luc Picard marked the beginning of this live-action series. While it started with promise, its plot, revolving around a race of artificial lifeforms, drew unfavorable comparisons to Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner, which explored similar themes more effectively. Additionally, it portrayed the once-utopian 24th-century world as a place filled with bitter, broken individuals, departing from the traditional Trek optimism.
Stewart’s exceptional performance and The Next Generation cast reunion in the third, and last, season elevated this series to the send-off they never quite got and deserved.
5. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present)
Despite having only one season behind it, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds claims a decent spot on this list. Technically a prequel to the original series, it fulfills the promise of the first unaired pilot episode, “The Cage,” by focusing on Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Number One (Rebecca Romijn), and a young Spock (Ethan Peck).
Together, they form an instantly likable trio. Returning to the classic “one and done” story format of the original Trek, Strange New Worlds combines modern aesthetics with retro charm, reminding fans why the franchise’s original format remains a classic. With its great characters, talented actors, and excellent writing, this series promises to ascend further in the rankings as more seasons unfold.
4. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Captain Janeway, portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, was a standout character in this series, with a terrific supporting cast. However, Voyager often fell short of fully realizing its premise of a Federation starship stranded in space, far from home, with a crew comprising former enemies forced to cooperate. The series occasionally appeared to strive too hard to capture the glory of The Next Generation.
Nevertheless, Voyager left a lasting legacy, with characters like Seven of Nine continuing to thrive in Star Trek: Picard and Janeway playing a prominent role in Star Trek: Prodigy.
REELated:
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Much like The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine experienced initial challenges during its early seasons. However, once it found its stride, it emerged as one of the most ambitious science-fiction series ever produced for television. Notably, it featured Avery Brooks as the first African-American lead in a Star Trek show.
Deep Space Nine stood out by embracing serialized, complex storytelling long before it became the norm in television. The series delved into themes of religion, war, politics, and exploration, expanding and deepening the understanding of various species introduced in previous Trek shows.
Additionally, it introduced some of the franchise’s best villains, such as Gul Dukat and the Dominion, setting it apart from other series.
2. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
Roddenberry’s original series stands as the foundation of the entire franchise. Despite its limited budget, the show introduced audiences to iconic characters like Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy. Its groundbreaking character dynamics, tackling of social issues, and timeless storytelling remain its enduring legacy.
While some aspects may appear dated to contemporary audiences, its contributions to science fiction and pop culture cannot be overstated. Star Trek: The Original Series remains the pinnacle of Star Trek television and an essential starting point for any fan of the franchise.
1. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Premiering in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation faced the daunting task of following up on the iconic original series with an all-new cast and a new starship, Enterprise. Despite a rocky start in its first two seasons, the series found its footing in season three and went on to become a standout sci-fi series with numerous classic episodes.
With Patrick Stewart delivering an iconic performance as Captain Picard and a cast of memorable characters, including Data and Worf, The Next Generation enjoyed widespread mainstream popularity. Its exceptional series finale further solidified its status as one of the greatest sci-fi shows in television history.
With more Star Trek on the horizon, including upcoming seasons of existing series and new films(?) in development, the rankings may evolve as the franchise continues to explore new frontiers. Happy Star Trek Day from Reel 360 News! Live long and prosper!
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.