Have you seen the extensive media coverage of the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek,” the 1960s science fiction show? “Star Trek” was initially canceled by NBC after three years but found a new following when it went into reruns in syndication, eventually becoming a cultural phenomenon.
My experience with “Star Trek” has a connection with the Catholic Exponent, the longtime Youngstown diocesan newspaper and predecessor to the Catholic Echo.
You see, I was 10 years old when “Star Trek” came out in 1966, but I wasn’t interested. The show just seemed odd—though not because it was science fiction. I was a fan of “Lost in Space” (please don’t judge me). I was only nine when “Lost in Space” premiered. Though I initially liked “Lost in Space,” as the show grew sillier and I was perhaps becoming more mature in my tastes, I lost interest. Regardless, I still avoided “Star Trek.”
How a Catholic Priest Inspired My Love of Star Trek
It was in February of 1969 that one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Kinsley at St. Dominic’s in Youngstown, introduced me and my classmates to the show. He pointed out a column about “Star Trek” in the Exponent by Father Andrew Greeley, a syndicated and often controversial columnist and sociologist who would later become known for writing novels.
Father Greeley praised “Star Trek” for dealing with issues such as war and racism and even found possible religious significance in at least episode. He suggested that Captain Kirk, the main character, would make a fine bishop and the logical Mr. Spock, Kirk’s second in command and arguably as popular, would be a very capable theologian.
So, Mr. Kinsley assigned us to read the column and to watch the next episode, which I carried out dutifully—Didn’t you love it when a teacher would assign you to watch TV? The episode, “Requiem for Methuselah,” which starred James Daly and Louise Sorrell, was interesting enough to get me to watch a few more episodes, though it didn’t turn me into a fan. Not long after, NBC canceled “Star Trek.”
Star Trek Finally Found It’s Audience
Then, two years later, I happened across the reruns playing on Channel 9 out of Steubenville—one of the “out of town channels” that we could get on our rooftop antenna in the pre-cable TV days. Now, with a little more mature outlook, I started consistently watching “Star Trek.”
It turned out that the season that I had started watching on primetime television was its weakest and there were more compelling episodes to watch. The show offered an interracial cast—unusual for the time—a hopeful perspective on the future, intriguing examinations of contemporary issues, and most importantly, compelling, well-written stories with interesting characters. I wouldn’t say that I became a “Trekkie,” as more ardent devotees are often called, but I definitely became and remain a fan.
As it turns out, my experience was not unusual. “Star Trek’s” audience grew exponentially in reruns. It was in my senior year in high school that we first heard about a “Star Trek” convention in New York. Books were published on the show—including new, original stories—an animated series ran on Saturday mornings, and cast members began speaking on college campuses, such as Jim Doohan, who played Scotty, appearing at John Carroll when I was a student there.
In 1977 there were news reports of plans for a new, revised series, but, with the success of that year’s “Star Wars,” the producers opted instead for an original theatrical movie, released in 1979. That success generated six sequels, which later gave way to other versions of “Star Trek.” In addition, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” premiered in 1987 and ran for seven seasons, followed by several of its own theatrical films. Three more spin-offs—in syndication or network TV—followed over the years, with more spin-offs coming later on streaming services.
An Enduring Legacy, Despite the Flaws
Were some episodes better than others? Yes. Have some episodes aged less gracefully than others? Positively. Are there legitimate criticisms? Without a doubt. Still, fans of the show praise it for having stood the test of time—surviving cancellation, finding new audiences, and giving meaning and enjoyment to generations.
If we recognize “Star Trek” for its ability to live long and prosper over 60 years, how much more should we celebrate our faith and our Church, which, despite flaws and weaknesses and attempts at cancellation, have endured for two millennia and immensely enriched humanity?
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