MOVIE NEWS – William Shatner did not hesitate to bring up a controversy from the original series as the Star Trek community continues reacting to the cancellation of Starfleet Academy.

The new series in the science fiction saga failed to achieve high ratings, and this, combined with its large budget, led Paramount Pictures to decide not to renew the show beyond its second season, which had already been filmed. Since its premiere, however, the production has also been the target of vehement criticism from some quarters that considered it too “progressive” or “woke.” William Shatner had something to say about that as well.

“During the first broadcast of my Star Trek series, in which a kiss was considered offensive, many southern broadcasters censored the episode and condemned the show. In today’s language, they would undoubtedly label it woke garbage and forced inclusion for going against the social norms of the time. Apparently, not much has changed” – recalled Gene Roddenberry saga icon Captain Kirk, who at 95 has been very active on Twitter in recent days while celebrating his latest birthday.

A Historic Kiss on American Television

The moment he was referring to happened in Plato’s Stepchildren, where James T. Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols, shared what many consider the first interracial kiss on American television. Although the scene was part of the plot – the characters were forced to kiss by beings with telekinetic powers – its mere existence caused a cultural earthquake. For some, it was a courageous gesture. For others, it was a provocation, as the actor himself recalled.

Honestly, I have not found any reliable evidence to support the claim that Plato’s Stepchildren was banned by several networks in the United States, but it is true that, during filming, Shatner feared the kissing scene would be cut in the editing room or that an alternative take would be used in which the characters did not kiss. As Nichelle Nichols recalled years later: “When the camera zoomed in, Bill crossed his eyes, and the director did not notice until the next day when he saw the dailies. Of course, the final scene was unusable, and they had to keep the kissing scene” – she added.

There Is a Star Trek for Every Type of Person

Shatner also wanted to remind anyone willing to listen that The Next Generation faced very divided reactions when it first premiered. “There was a lot of hate because it wasn’t Star Trek, and the cast was probably afraid of the fans. Then, when the series with Bakula, Enterprise, came out, the fans tore it apart again because it wasn’t Star Trek. Star Trek is something different for everyone.”

“Star Trek exists in more than one world. It exists in the fantasy of science fiction: strange and wonderful things that pose unimaginable possibilities for exploration and human endeavor. But it also exists in the fantasy of human beings themselves, in our quest for perfection, in the exploration we have undertaken since the beginning of time, and in that constant exploration – physically, mentally, and morally” – he added.

“It is that aspect of Star Trek that I have always loved: physically observing something that does not exist today, created by talented writers and designers, but also addressing the eternal human questions, its agonies and its ecstasies. Star Trek should exist for a long time based on those truths. I, for one, would like to see it continue. It is with sadness that I learn of the cancellation of the new Star Trek series” – the actor concluded.

Starting today, viewers in Spain can watch the ninth episode of Starfleet Academy’s first season. Next week marks the end of that opening run, and the author says he plans to write a few lines about the show and its unfortunate fate. Until then, it may be worth remembering these words from William Shatner.

Source: 3DJuegos