Star Trek, History and Us

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Star Trek, History and Us

Reflections of the Present and Past Throughout the Franchise

Film: styles and genres Television: styles and genres Film, television, radio genres: Science fiction, fantasy and horror

Author: A.J. Black

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Language: English

Published by: McFarland

Published on: 29th March 2021

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 202 pages

ISBN: 9781476643229


Introduction

Since 1966, the Star Trek television franchise has used outer space and the thrilling adventures of the crews of the U.S.S. Enterprise to reflect our own world and culture. Kirk and Spock face civil rights issues and Vietnam war allegories while Picard, Data, and the next generation seek an ordered, post-Cold War stability in the Reagan era.

The crews of Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise must come to terms with our real life of war, manifest destiny in the 21st century, and the shadow of 9/11. Now, as the modern era of the franchise attempts to portray a utopia amidst a world spinning out of control, Star Trek remains about more than just the future. It is about our present. It is about us.

This book charts the history of Gene Roddenberry's creation across five decades alongside the cultural development of the United States and asks: are we heading for the utopian Federation future, or is it slipping ever further away from reality?

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