In this age of high technology,
facsimile machines, cellular mobile telephones, lap top computers and
the like. It can be nice to take a step back in time once in a while and enjoy
some of the pleasures of the past, to remind us of what life was like
before the advent of these new 'fangled dangled' things.
When we mention Star Trek, most
people automatically think of Captain Picard, Commander Riker and the rest of the crew of the
infamous Galaxy Class starship USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D. Star Trek The Next
Generation fills up so much of our lives due to the heavy dosages we receive,
that it can take a moment to recall 'the other' Trek, then in most cases
when we look at Classic Trek, it's usually with an air of inferiority as
comparisons are made between the two. I mean how can a TV show of the 1960's
compare with one made from the 90's?
A lot of people today have
difficulty in dealing with the films and TV shows of yesteryear. Ask any
fan about their choices of good Science Fiction films and answers of Aliens,
the Terminator films, the Star Wars saga,
even Star Trek VI will come to mind. The trouble is,
films of the 1930's, 40's and 50's constantly get
overlooked. People seem to forget that some of the films made in this era
are of the same high quality standard as those made today except they were for
a different generation of audience. One of the problems associated with
old films is their look. They often portray clean,
sterile living environments where life is always happy and
attractive. Also they have inferior visual effects in most cases,
topping all of this off is black and white film which combines together into a
mixture which the modern day fan finds difficult to believe could be of any
worth. Yet some of these movies rival and even surpass the films of today
despite the misconception that suggests otherwise. The way around this
attitude of age is to prepare yourself for what you are about to see and the
differences with films of this generation. It will be truly worth your
while to give it a go.
Classic Trek too, needs this sort of conditioning. Being prepared
with the 'primitive-ness' of the show can make the viewing all the more
enjoyable. All comparisons between it and Next Generation must be dropped
if you are to appreciate, what this show has to offer, thus a flexible opinion
and an open mind are vital when it comes to watching Classic Trek. There are
probably fans out there who are unable to adjust themselves to watch something
so dated, being unable to ignore the countless faults and individuality
that makes Star Trek the con that it has become. These are the people who
really miss out and I do pity them.
I am a firm believer that in
Science Fiction movies, newer is by no means
better. I watch and highly enjoy a lot of older Sci-Fi films which have
been forgotten by many. With Star Trek, although
I think the Next Generation is the better show, I can still get into an
episode of the good ol' Classic Trek and take it as
it is. In the right frame of mind, Classic
Star Trek, as with any older film or TV show, can be enjoyed with
the enthusiasm we associate with Next Gen today. And I think that is
important for anyone who loves Science Fiction.
D. Maxwell