The Influence of Star Trek on Television, Film and Culture

by Lincoln Geraghty (Editor), Donald E. Palumbo (Editor), C.W. Sullivan III (Editor)

Overview

When the first season of Star Trek opened to American television viewers in 1966, the thematically insightful sci-fi story line presented audiences with the exciting vision of a bold voyage into the final frontiers of space and strange, new galactic worlds. Perpetuating this enchanting vision, the story has become one of the longest running and most multifaceted franchises in television history. Moreover, it has presented an inspiring message for the future, addressing everything from social, political, philosophical, and ethical issues to progressive and humanist representations of race, gender, and class.

This book contends that Star Trek is not just a set of television series, but has become a pervasive part of the identity of the millions of people who watch, read and consume the films, television episodes, network specials, novelizations, and fan stories. Examining Star Trek from various critical angles, the essays in this collection provide vital new insights into the myriad ways that the franchise has affected the culture it represents, the people who watch the series, and the industry that created it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786430345
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	09/12/2007
Series:	Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy , #4
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Lincoln Geraghty is principal lecturer in film studies in the School of Creative Arts, Film and Media at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. He serves as editorial advisor for The Journal of Popular Culture, Reconstruction and Atlantis.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction: The Star Trek Effect     

PART I: THE FRANCHISE
1. Eight Days That Changed American Television: Kirk’s Opening Narration     
2. The Accidental Apotheosis of Gene Roddenberry, or, “I Had to Get Some Money from Somewhere”     
3. Franchise Fatigue? The Marginalization of the Television Series after The Next Generation     

PART II: THEMES
4. Crossing the Racial Frontier: Star Trek and Mixed Heritage Identities     
5. Save the Whales and Beware Wilderness: Star Trek and American Environmental Views     
6. Batter Up! The Mythology and Psychology of Sports and Games in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine     

PART III: FILM AND TELEVISION
7. The Monomyth in Star Trek Films     
8. “Blow Up the Damn Ship!”: Production Redesign and Special Effects Reuse in the Star Trek Films     
9. Star Trek: Popular Discourses—The Role of Broadcasters and Critics     

PART IV: THE FANS
10. Star Trek The Franchise!—Poachers, Pirates, and Paramount     
11. Fan Culture and the Recentering of Star Trek     
12. Locating the “Star Trek Experience”     
13. A Very Trek Christmas: Goodbye     

Notes on Contributors     
Index