7 things nobody wants to admit about Star Trek

Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.Pictured: William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk in STAR TREK (The Original Series)Photo: ©1966 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.Pictured: William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk in STAR TREK (The Original Series)Photo: ©1966 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Star Trek
Jonathan Frakes as Riker in “The Next Generation” Episode 301, Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Trae Patton/Paramount+. ©2021 Viacom, International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Star Trek, just like other franchises, is not perfect. There are plenty of good things about it, yet there are some things that we can all agree are a bit iffy. Let’s talk about those.

Star Trek has entertained audiences across film and TV for decades with space exploration, moral and ethical dilemmas, and technologically advanced utopian societies. But even as it boldly takes us where no one has gone, the franchise does suffer from quite a few flaws. From crews with insane knowledge that rivals the ship’s computer archives to advanced technology that inconveniently malfunctions when needed the most, Star Trek has some recurring tropes and themes that have left even the biggest fans scratching their heads.

While Star Trek is celebrated for its progressive ideals, including its advocacy for racial and gender equality, it is still not without its quirks and inconsistencies. Over the years, the series has introduced us to a plethora of amazing yet monolithic alien races, made time travel seem as trivial as a day trip, and established an Earth history that doesn’t seem real.

In the spirit of the franchise’s own commitment to inquiry and exploration, let’s examine some of the questionable aspects of the Star Trek universe.

Engage!