Star Trek: 5 major creative risks the sci-fi franchise took (& did better than expected)

Star Trek changed the television landscape in 1966 because science fiction was no longer considered shallow content. Telling serious stories was risky at a time when most TV shows provided kids with uncomplicated entertainment. The series addressed societal issues and highlighted the value of drama.

For almost 60 years, the series has taken chances, from outlandish character deaths to creative interpretations of the premise. These decisions shaped the future of science fiction and proved that the genre could have a deep cultural impact.

Here is the list of the 5 major creative risks Star Trek took:

1. Taking science fiction seriously for adult audiences

In 1966, Star Trek transformed viewers' perspectives towards science fiction. Until that time, children were the primary audience of TV shows like Flash Gordon and Tom Corbett. Contrary to the usual, Gene Roddenberry came up with something unconventional, serious storytelling for the adult audience.

The actors respected the material, and the script was carefully crafted. Such a daring style revealed that science fiction could be a strong form of entertainment. The series proved that the sci-fi genre should be regarded seriously by both writers and spectators around the world.

2. Tackling controversial social issues through allegory

Star Trek emphasized that sci-fi does not have to be entirely about adventure and entertainment. The show's storylines addressed real-life situations that were important to society. Episodes like 'Let That Be Your Last Battlefield' were rather specific towards racism and discrimination.

Some delved into the subject of class struggles and the need to understand enemies. This was an aggressive style, unfamiliar to television, which gave the style a respected tone. The TV show was able to teach and motivate other shows to emulate it.

3. Creating multiple spin-off series running simultaneously

Star Trek was a pioneer of the 1990s that operated multiple series simultaneously. Deep Space Nine was first aired in 1993, when The Next Generation was still in process. Voyager was close behind, and the fans could now watch three worlds of Star Trek simultaneously.

This was not common in television and demonstrated that the audience desired something different than what they liked in their universe. The effectiveness of this radical action transformed how studios envisaged the expansion of franchises permanently.

4. Using time travel to reboot without erasing the original canon

Star Trek: The Original Series | Image via Prime Video

In 2009, the television series Star Trek was rejuvenated by J.J. Abrams in a radical conceptualization known as the Kelvin Timeline. The film also made the past disappear, but through time traveling, a new universe was created. This brilliant trick preserved the old canon while allowing new stories to arise.

The fans would not have to be deprived of anything, as they could watch both timelines. The success of this method inspired other franchises and showed that the concept of re-telling cannot forget history and can still attract new viewers.

5. Completely overhauling the series' premise during active production

Star Trek: Discovery left us in amazement as it took one of the most daring decisions in the history of television. Having received much criticism as a prequel, the show concluded the second season with a 1000-year time jump. It was no longer about the exploration of the Star Fleet but the struggle to survive as the world got darker.

This radical change established new guidelines and problems. It proved that viewers would remain dedicated to characters they liked, even in entirely new storytelling environments.