Star Trek, the original 1966 television series is available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. All our favorites are here -Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scott, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, and Nurse Chapel -and all are looking young and trim in tight black pants with figure hugging prime colored long sleeved tops for the men and kinky boots and mini skirts for the women. If this series was made a decade later, who knows what horrible effect 1970’s fashion would have had on the show.
Star Trek was the definitive television programs of the 1960’s that fully represented a changing and progressive American culture. Yet the series was a hit across the world because it contained universal themes that weren’t just confined to American culture even though it represented America-in-space as a melting pot of different cultures and races. The fact that the show managed to also steer away from the direct issues of the day is quite an achievement and would have instantly dated the show if for instance, Captain Kirk set out to destroy the red menace while making stoned out promised to drop out. By standing apolitical it became political. Star Trek represented a kind of utopia where nations went out to discover new worlds, not to destroy and conquer.
Star Trek strived for intelligence by steering away from cowboys and Indians in space themes and instead recreated a 19th century exploration fantasy to seek out new life forms and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Of course, what really made the show work were the actors who were all totally convincing. Captain James T Kirk was the hansom helmer, played by William Shatner. I could have listened to his voice for hours and I always wished he’d lose a few pounds and grow a few inches. But that’s just me. Spock, played by Leonard Nimo, was so attached to his role that seeing him without his pointy ears just didn’t seem right somehow. Dr. McCoy and Scotty, played by DeForest Kelley and James Doohan, were always on hand to antagonize Kirk and Spock. These guys were civilized and educated and somehow at complete opposites to an American entertainment culture brought up on gangsters and westerns.
I suppose it was too much to ask for the women in the show to look futuristic so what we got was good old fashioned 1960’s mini skirts, kinky boots, bleached blonde hair and false eyelashes. But to the shows credit, these women were quite liberated and worked along side their male space travelers rather than relegated to the kitchen or the nursery. And lets face it, kinky boots and mini skirts are every girls and boys dream work clothes.
The set, the sounds, and the dialogue all contributed to the uniqueness of the show. I wanted to jump on board the US Enterprise and sway up and down on the deck whenever the ship was attacked. I wanted to sit in the captain’s chair and shout orders to Sulu and Ohura. I wanted to explore an unknown planet, use my phaser gun and shout down my intercom “beam me up Scotty.”
It’s too soon to tell if the 2009 cast will be as memorable as the original group. They all look a bit young to me or am I getting a bit old? Don’t answer that. I guess it’s time to move on and shift a generation.
The second season of Dextor is also available this week on Blu-ray Disc. Showtimes risqué television series that depicts the life of a serial killer might have seemed a bit too bloody if it wasn’t for Michael C. Hall’s charismatic turn as Dexter Morgan, the Miami police forensics expert and cold blooded serial killer. Hall’s sex appeal brings extra spice into the mix as fans remember him as gay brother David Fisher in Six Feet Under. Dexter’s knowing smile after he covers up yet another impulsive killing and his constantly suppressing urges in front of Rita, played by Julie Benz, reminds us of a double life that many of us live through.
Star Trek The Original Series and Dexter – The 2nd Season are out on Blu-ray Disc.
