Key Takeaways:
– Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry had strict rules about the show’s storyline.
– There was significant conflict between Roddenberry and the writers of new material, described as ‘claustrophobic’.
– Actor William Shatner revealed that Roddenberry had specific ideas based on his military background.
– Roddenberry’s rules battle continued into Star Trek: The Next Generation, leading to significant contention.
– Despite disagreements, Roddenberry was invited back onto the team to work on the new sequel series.
Today, let’s delve into a bit of Star Trek history. William Shatner, the famous actor who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, has recently dished out details about the conflicts between Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, and the writers of the series’ later revivals.
Gene Roddenberry’s Strict Approach to Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry’s dedication to Star Trek was unmatched. Besides creating the original Star Trek series, he imposed specific rules for the show’s storyline based on his experiences as a military veteran. He wanted to keep the series true to his original vision. His restrictions included discouraging romances between the spaceship USS Enterprise crew members and maintaining other themes.
The Clash Over Storylines in Star Trek: The Next Generation
When Star Trek: The Next Generation arrived, Roddenberry’s aversion to theme changes didn’t sit well with the writers who wanted to introduce more exciting threads. This clash resulted in an uncomfortable environment for the creative team. William Shatner, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), said, “The fights that went on, to my understanding, were big because the writers had their difficulties.”
Shatner admitted he hadn’t watched the other Star Trek series extensively, but he recognized the clear tension caused by differing opinions over Gene’s rules and their enforcement in the Next Generation.
Roddenberry’s Return to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Despite numerous clashes, especially during the film revival of the original series, Roddenberry made a comeback to the Star Trek universe for its sequel series. His role was more of a consultant during the subsequent seasons until his death in 1991.
Roddenberry was notably particular about certain plot elements in Star Trek: The Next Generation. For instance, he discouraged overly militaristic depictions of the Enterprise-D crew and steered clear from portraying characters as ‘Luddites.’ One rule that later seasons often ignored was avoiding stories based on Klingons, Vulcans, and Romulans.
William Shatner’s Views on Subsequent Storylines
Shatner’s revelations about Roddenberry’s clash with the sequel show’s writers bring an interesting perspective to the Star Trek saga. Shatner said some storylines in the subsequent Star Trek series were so far from Roddenberry’s ideals that they would make him ‘twirl in his grave’.
In conclusion, Star Trek has experienced a rich history full of intergalactic adventures and equally tumultuous in-house spats over storyline rules. Roddenberry’s unwavering commitment to his vision may have been contentious, but it significantly shaped and continues to influence the Star Trek series. Whatever the controversies, one thing is clear: the franchise’s enduring legacy owes much to the passion Roddenberry imbued in his beloved creation. You can revisit Star Trek: The Orginal Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation on Paramount+ and judge for yourself!
