Kenneth Glad
Looking up at the night sky usually sparks a sense of wonder. Generations have grown up dreaming about exploring the stars in peace, but reality on earth often gets in the way. Sometimes, our most hopeful visions of tomorrow cannot escape the political battles of today.
Six decades ago, a science fiction show launched with a vision of humanity united. The original series hit its milestone anniversary on September 8.
Back in 1965, the television concept almost did not survive its first test. Executives rejected the pilot.
William Shatner stepped in to play the now-iconic captain. According to The Guardian, the now 95-year-old actor found the first attempt a bit heavy.
“I saw the film and I thought it was really interesting, a little ponderous,” Shatner said. “So I suggested maybe a lighter touch, and we made another pilot and it sold.”
Culture war casualty
That hopeful universe is now hitting rough terrain. Paramount recently merged with Skydance Media, and the studio quickly cancelled the latest series in the franchise.
Right-wing figures like Stephen Miller and Elon Musk heavily criticised the new show. They attacked it online for being too progressive.
Actor Robert Picardo played a key role in the cancelled project. He told the British newspaper that the timing of the executives’ decision was highly suspicious:
“Let’s face it: when someone that high up in the administration and also Elon Musk piled on the same day, do I think it’s a coincidence that the new owners of Paramount cancelled our show the first moment they could have? We did not get a fair shake. We were killed in the cradle.”
Confused by critics
Shatner finds the recent political backlash baffling. He rejects the idea that a story about space exploration could push the boundaries of inclusion too far:
“I don’t know what going too far is. Where’s the demarcation line? Who drew that line? ‘Now you’ve gone too far.’ Excuse me, I didn’t realise that. Where should I have stopped? And by the way, what is ‘woke’?”
The franchise always tackled heavy real-world issues. Creator Gene Roddenberry survived the horrors of the Second World War.
Documentary director Mark Altman told The Guardian that conservative fans often miss the actual point.
“Did they miss the memo that in reality, Star Trek abhorred war, and it always said that talking is the way to resolve conflict?” Altman said.
Source: The Guardian
