I’ve long considered myself well-versed and informed when it
concerns the facts and fables surrounding the original Star Trek TV series.
After all I am a ‘Trekker’-I watched the TV series when it
was first broadcast in 1966 on the NBC TV network on Thursday nights. I was immediately hooked on the show the
moment the starship Enterprise streaked across our small black and white TV
screen.
I was 13 years old, impressionable and drawn to the
adventures of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Chapel, Scotty, Chekov and Uhura. They
were like family and like with any family I kept a special scrapbook about
them.
If it was about Star Trek, I collected it: TV guides, comic
books, a full set of the original Leaf trading cards, ALL of Leonard Nimoy’s
record albums, William Shatner’s ‘Transformed Man’ album, toys, games and even
an NBC Star Trek press pack complete with DeForest Kelley autograph.-you name it, I had it. (I still have some of those items).
Yep, I’m feeling pretty cocky-I’m a Star Trek expert-or so I
thought. That it until I read the These
Are The Voyages TOS Season One and These Are The Voyages TOS Season Two books
from Jacobs Brown Press, written and researched by Marc Cushman and Susan
Osborrn. Now I feel like a rank amateur.
To state that I’m impressed would be an
understatement. Never have I read books
that so completely and totally delve into the original Star Trek TV series than
these books. (Season Three is on the way).
The Season One book begins with the life and
times of the series creator: Gene Roddenberry.
From his birth up until the time he conceived and produced the original
series the book provides exhaustive details on every aspect of his pre-Trek
life including his early literary influences, his many TV writing assignments,
successful and failed series and much more.
Each book delves into its respective season
with full episode breakdowns, behind- the-scenes scuttlebutt and examinations
of the ins and out of network TV, executives and decisions.
From casting and guest star appearances,
storylines, story-editing, inner squabbles and compromises, studio policies and
hierarchy and the like-each facet of the show is examined thoroughly.
I never knew I knew so little about my favorite
TV series. And I love it! I feel as if a whole new light has been shown
on the series which makes it even more exciting to read about.
Whether you’re a ‘Trekker’ or ‘Trekkie’
you’re sure to love this series of books.
“Fascinating.”
