Happy 60th Star Trek!

Posted on Tue Sep 8th, 2026 @ 11:26pm by Captain Mikoto Misaka

Happy 60th Star Trek!

September 8th, 1966 a new Television Show aired for the first time. No one back then could ever imagine that sixty years later it was still being watched, loved and had sparked the beginning of a franchise that would become legendary in its own right.

Gene Roddenberry had a vision all those years ago. A vision that humanity could be better, that we had put aside the need for greed, anger, war and suffering. That we could one day in the future build beautiful starships and explore the galaxy together, making friends along the way.

Thus Star Trek was born.

We started with the USS Enterprise, under command of Captain James T Kirk and his crew we all know and love. From Spock to McCoy we loved them all. Star Trek was the first TV show in history to place a black woman in a position of power, and give her a weekly appearance in every episode. Gene Roddenberry was not only changing how television worked, but how the world saw people. He saw people equally and thus slowly the world began to change.

It took a long time for Star Trek to return to our screens. We were introduced once again to the Starship Enterprise, in 1987. This time, under a new Captain, set in the further future.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard took the reigns and we entered what most Star Trek Fans refer to as "The Golden Trek Years." Star Trek The Next Generation expanded the world we had seen. Old enemies became friends, and the Enterprise continued doing what it did best and explored not only new areas of space, but the their own humanity and internal conflicts.

Deep Space Nine, introduced us to Captain Benjamin Sisko and his mixed crew. A much darker version of the Star Trek we knew and loved. However DS9 taught us many important lessons. That we must stand together to be strong. Unity is our strength and that we must not back down in difficult situations. That different people of different cultures, religions and backgrounds can always come together.

Then, we were introduced to Star Trek Voyager. (My personal favourite). Voyager taught us that you don't have to be related to be family. Just because you find yourself far from home, doesn't mean you should lose who you are. You should stick to your beliefs, morals and own rules. However, rely on those around you and they will always bring you home.

Enterprise took us back in time, to the very early days of Human space exploration. The NX01 Enterprise existed before the formation of the United Federation of Planets. Enterprise showed us that no one is perfect, and everyone needs time to take baby steps before learning to run. Also not to be naive and to always expect problems along the way. But, you overcome them together and by forging alliances and making friends, you always have a support network.

Star Trek was lost on our screens until its return in 2017, with the introduction of Star Trek Discovery. Although not as well received or as loved by older Star Trek Fans, Discovery showed us that everyone deserves a second chance, that you should have the opportunity to forgive and move on.

Paramount Pictures then gave us a real treat. We got given Star Trek Picard. One of our favourite Captains, and one many of us grew up watching returned. After decades of never seeing how his story ended, we finally got what we so craved. Once again, important lessons were handed to us. Picard taught us that even older and wiser, we still don't know everything and we shouldn't be arrogant or ignorant. We should still love live and we are always learning, no matter how old we are.

Star Trek Lower Decks appeared on our screen in 2020 at a time where the world was being isolated and ripped apart from the Covid 19 pandemic. Lower Decks was primarily a comedy and was animated in a modern style. It was written by Star Trek Fans, for Star Trek fans. It gave us joy where there wasn't any, and it showed us that everyone on a Starship matters - from the ensigns at the bottom right to the top. Lower Decks kept many of us not only entertained during a time of darkness and loneliness, but kept our spirits up. Because thats what Star Trek is all about.

Of course, this sparked a whole new generation of Star Trek. For the first time in history, Star Trek made a show purely aimed at Children. Therefore Star Trek Prodigy hit our screens on Nickelodeon. We also got to witness the return as Captain Janeway from the beloved Star Trek Voyager Series. Although more aimed at younger audiences, Prodigy showed us that even when young we can learn to work together, we can overcome incredible odds and sometimes you just need a steady hand on your shoulder to keep your course true.

Due to popular demand, Paramount gave us Star Trek Strange New Worlds. We got to revisit the original USS Enterprise, but many years before under the Command of her Second Captain. Captain Christopher Pike. This was a reimagined and modern version of the classic Star Trek that we all know and love. It is widely becoming more and more popular, and shows us that nostalgia is not necessarily a bad thing. But don't take life too seriously, relax, have a laugh and rely on those around you.

Finally, we recently got Star Trek Academy. Set in the very far future, it followed a group of cadets on an Academy Starship. Academy taught us that even though we may be fractured and separated, we can come together and rebuild bridges and heal the wounds. It just takes time.

That leads us to today.

For 11 Years, 8 Months, 1 Week and 1 Day, the USS Tokyo has existed. I have loved every minute of it, and we continue to pay our own tribute to Star Trek and its continued franchises. We are all here today because Star Trek exists. Without the vision that Gene Roddenberry has in 1966, not only would the Tokyo not exist, but the world would likely be a very different place.

So please, next time you watch an episode, write a tag, or see a video about Star Trek. Remember that its much more than just a television show from 1966. It has become not only a franchise, but an idea. The idea that we one day will travel the stars in harmony and the future will always be better.

Thank you Gene Roddenberry. Thank you for the gift you gave us back in 1966, and I hope to be writing something similar in 40 years time, and maybe in 60 years. For an idea can only be lost,if no one longer believes in it.

"Live long and prosper."

Captain Mikoto Misaka

 

Category: General News

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