Buzz
Star Trek has cemented its place as one of the most significant cultural phenomena in mass media history. While many fans pride themselves on their extensive knowledge of the franchise, there’s always more to uncover. With a legacy that includes ten films, numerous TV series, and a wealth of comic books, video games, and novels, countless fascinating details and unsolved mysteries often slip through the cracks.
10. Set Your Phasers to Rock
Several bands have built their identities around specific themes or fictional universes. Metallica has drawn inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos, Blind Guardian is renowned for its Lord of the Rings-inspired music, and the California punk band “No Kill I” is famous for crafting songs solely about Star Trek. Named after a line from the original series episode “The Devil in the Dark,” the band has been performing in Sacramento and surrounding areas for years, though they humorously describe their shows as “on-stage drinking contests” that “inevitably spiral into chaos.” Interestingly, No Kill I isn’t the only band paying homage to Star Trek. Others include No Kill I: The Next Generation, Warp 11, William Shatner’s Pants, The Romulans, and the Klingon-speaking death metal group Stovokor.
9. The Slaver Weapon
One episode of the Star Trek animated series, “The Slaver Weapon,” left many fans puzzled. Featuring Spock, Sulu, and Uhura attempting to protect an ancient, powerful weapon from the feline-like Kzinti, the episode was entertaining but felt out of place in the Star Trek universe. Surprisingly complex for a children’s show, it introduced elements rarely seen in Star Trek, such as billion-year-old lost technology, non-humanoid aliens, and a moon devoid of atmosphere. Additionally, Spock, a pacifist, acted uncharacteristically by drop-kicking a villain and breaking his ribs. The episode’s uniqueness stems from sci-fi author Larry Niven adapting his short story “The Soft Weapon” for the series, incorporating his beloved Kzinti into the Star Trek lore. Despite its oddities, “The Slaver Weapon” remains a fan favorite.
8. Khan’s Plastic Chest
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is widely regarded as one of the finest films in the franchise. Its popularity has fueled numerous rumors, one of which involves Khan’s chest. When viewed on grainy VHS tapes, Khan’s muscular torso appeared unnaturally shiny, leading fans to speculate that actor Ricardo Montalban wore a plastic chest piece. This myth persisted for years, even being referenced in the Animaniacs parody “Star Truck.” However, the remastered version of the film revealed a more natural appearance, debunking the rumor. Director Nicholas Meyer confirmed that Montalban’s physique was entirely real, describing him as a “very large and muscular man.” When asked on The Johnny Carson Show how he maintained his impressive build at 63, Montalban simply replied, “Push-ups, lots of push-ups.”
7. Star Trek In Japan
Japan has a deep affinity for science fiction and fantasy programming, with most TV shows incorporating some fantastical elements. Star Trek: The Next Generation gained significant popularity in Japan shortly after its U.S. debut. However, the original series, which was re-broadcast in Japan during the 1970s, struggled with low ratings and was pulled off the air after just a few weeks. Despite the success of The Next Generation, attempts to reintroduce the original series failed, as younger Japanese audiences unfamiliar with it dismissed it as an inferior imitation of The Next Generation. A persistent myth among fans claims that the original series was titled “The Adventures of Captain Sulu” in Japan, but this is entirely untrue.
6. Season Four
Most Star Trek fans know the original series ended after its third season, but plans for a fourth season were in the works. In an interview featured in “The Making of Star Trek,” a book published during the show’s original run, Gene Roddenberry shared some of these ideas. He revealed plans to introduce Leonard McCoy’s daughter as a new crew member, creating tension between McCoy and Kirk, who would be romantically interested in her. Additionally, Spock was set to wear a “Medallion of Vulcan origin,” which would clash with Starfleet uniform regulations. This concept was later reused for Lt. Worf in The Next Generation, who wore a Klingon sash with special permission. McCoy’s daughter was briefly mentioned in an episode of the animated series but never explored further.
5. Star Trek: Phase two
Star Trek fans are renowned for their unparalleled dedication, and one group in Southern California has taken this passion to extraordinary heights. They’ve come together to produce new episodes of the original series under the title “Star Trek: Phase Two.” The cast and crew fund props, costumes, and filming entirely out of their own pockets, fully aware that copyright restrictions prevent them from profiting from their efforts. The production’s high quality has drawn Star Trek veterans like Walter Koenig, George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney, and Denise Crosby, who have taken on significant roles rather than mere cameos. Notably, acclaimed Star Trek writer D.C. Fontana penned one of the episodes. The sets were so meticulously crafted that “Star Trek: Enterprise” borrowed some for their own show. Interestingly, the director and Kirk actor, James Cawley, is a professional Elvis impersonator.
4. Gargoyles
In 1994, comic book writer Greg Weisman achieved his breakthrough by creating “Gargoyles” for Disney’s afternoon lineup. The show became Disney’s highest-rated animated series. Surprisingly, it featured an unusually high number of Star Trek veterans, including Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Colm Meaney, Michael Dorn, Kate Mulgrew, Brent Spiner, Nichelle Nichols, David Warner, and Avery Brooks. Theories abound as to why this happened: some suggest Weisman is a Trek fan, while others believe Frakes, who voiced the main antagonist David Xanatos, encouraged his colleagues to join. Another theory posits it was a producer’s inside joke to see how many Trek actors could be included unnoticed. Weisman playfully denies knowledge of the trend, and Frakes simply remarked, “It just kinda turned out that way.” The show also includes subtle Trek references, like a character quipping, “Oh yeah? You and what Starfleet?”
3. Uhura and Martin Luther King Jr
In today’s media landscape, diversity and racial sensitivity are emphasized, with casts representing a wide array of races, religions, and orientations. However, in the 1960s, society was still moving past harmful racial stereotypes like Charlie Chan and the Frito Bandito. When Nichelle Nichols, an African American actress, was cast in Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry aimed to create a crew that reflected global diversity, unaware of how groundbreaking it was to portray a Black woman as an equal on 1960s television. Nichols initially found television work monotonous and considered leaving the show. During a promotional event in Memphis, she was informed that a fan wanted to meet her. Expecting an ordinary admirer, she was stunned to find Martin Luther King Jr. waiting. When she shared her thoughts about quitting, King insisted she stay, stating, “Don’t you understand? When you are there, they see you as you should be seen, as an equal.” Inspired by his words, Nichols remained on the show, helping Star Trek make a significant stride toward diversity.
2. Star Trek’s Greatest Mystery
Even after four decades since Star Trek’s original airing, one question remains unanswered: Is William Shatner’s iconic hairstyle real or a hairpiece? Conflicting accounts abound. Some co-stars claim he had natural hair during the series but went bald afterward, while others suggest he wore a weave due to thinning hair that didn’t look good under stage lighting. George Takei once stated in a radio interview that Shatner was balding from the start, but makeup artist Fred Phillips mentioned using a bald cap for an episode where Kirk aged rapidly. The mystery has spawned countless hoaxes, including photoshopped images and an eBay auction claiming to sell Shatner’s toupee. A dedicated blog even exists to solve the enigma. The truth about Shatner’s hair—or lack thereof—remains known only to him, and he isn’t sharing.
1. Deep Space Nine’s Business District
The Deep Space Nine promenade set, representing the space station’s bustling commercial hub, is one of the largest ever constructed for television. It’s also packed with an impressive array of geeky Easter eggs. The directory on the promenade lists businesses and operational centers in multiple languages, including English, Klingonese, Vulcan, Ferengi, Cardassian, and Bajoran. Many of the English listings nod to other science fiction franchises, such as The Forbin Project (from *Colossus: The Forbin Project*), Jupiter Mining Corp (from *Red Dwarf*), Spacely Sprockets (from *The Jetsons*), Millyways (from *Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy*), and the more obscure Banzai Institute (from *The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai*). There’s even a reference to *Mystery Science Theater 3000* with “Tom Servo’s Used Robots.” Real-world establishments are also honored, like “Pancho’s Happy Bottom Riding Club,” a California bar popular with Air Force test pilots, and “Vince’s Gym,” a Studio City fitness center frequented by celebrities. Set dresser Michael Okuda is famous for embedding these clever nods into the station’s screens and displays.
