Star Trek (1966 TV series)



Star Trek was an American science fiction television series that aired for three seasons on NBC from 1966 to 1969, spanning a total of seventy-eight episodes, plus one unaired pilot. Created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek has proven to be one of the most beloved and enduring sci-fi franchises of all time, spawning four live-action spin-off programs, an animated series and (to date) ten feature films. There have also been numerous novels, comic books, video games, reference guides and other media that have added to the growing mythology of Star Trek over the years. All episodes of the series have been made commercially available on VHS and DVD formats. Beginning in 2006, all episodes of the series were digitally remastered with all new visual effects and music. The refurbished episodes have been converted from the original film to a high-definition format.

Production
The original pilot for Star Trek was a black and white episode filmed from November to December of 1964 entitled "The Cage". The episode featured actor Jeffrey Hunter in the role of Captain Christopher Pike and was rejected by NBC studio executives. A second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was recorded and was the first color episode, as well as the first episode to feature William Shatner in the infamous role of Captain James T. Kirk. The only returning cast member from "The Cage" was actor Leonard Nimoy who reprised his role as Spock, albeit with a drastically altered personality dynamic. Majel Barrett, who played Number One in "The Cage" became a recurring cast member playing the role of nurse Christine Chapel beginning with "The Naked Time". Due to the expository nature of this second pilot however, executives felt that "Where No Mad Has Gone Before" was too plodding to air as the initial pilot and it ultimately aired as the third episode of season one following "The Man Trap" and "Charlie X". As the first official episode of the series, "The Man Trap" first aired on September 8th, 1966.