The Final Frontier Turns 45 Today!

On Thursday, September 8th, 1966 at 8:30 PM, NBC aired its first episode of Star Trek and no one could have predicted the phenomenon they were launching.  (If they had, perhaps scraggly-toothed bean counters wouldn't have had their fingers on the kill switch each season of its three season run, ultimately shooting Trek out of the sky mere weeks before the moon landing.)

45 years ago today, also a Thursday, NBC decided to air "The Man Trap", despite it not being the first--or second episode produced.  From a character standpoint, the decision seems to make sense.  We are introduced to the "big three"- Kirk, Spock and McCoy, fellow bridge officers Sulu and Uhura as well as Yeoman Rand.  Uhura gets a little extra screen time, bantering with Spock about his logical Vulcan approach to life (and death).  To audiences in 1966 that hadn't really seen many strong black leaders on television before, it highlighted Lt. Uhura as a senior officer on the bridge!

The episode takes place on planet M-113 and the Enterprise is tasked with doing a routine check-in with an archaeologist and his wife--Nancy Crater, an old flame of Dr. McCoy's.  Instead, the crew comes under attack from a shape-shifting creature that wants to drain them of their salt to survive! 

With the first of 726 episodes (so far) in the franchise, Star Trek proves out of the gate it's a new, more adult science fiction.  The series even got 2 Emmy nominations for best Dramatic Series, and 3 nominations for Leonard Nimoy during its 3 year run.  What does that tell you about the quality of the show--and its message?

While we might have to wait years for more quality Star Trek on television or at the movies, we can at least look back at where it all started, drink a little Saurian brandy and continue to boldly go where no man has gone before.

*Photos from trekcore.com