Star Trek: The Original Series (G4, Syndicated, TV Land)

common sense media says

A cultural icon that's lived long and prospered.


parents & educators say
  • 67% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, compared to today's visually stunning special effects, this show was very low-budget in both props and special effects and may consequently seem silly to modern kids. But beyond that, the series was a metaphor for the upheaval of the 1960s. Behind the storylines of space travel and aliens are important social commentaries on racism, sexism, politics, and the fear that machines might one day rule the world. Taken at face value, though, most of the adventures are pretty innocent and are fine for young tweens and up.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The show's overall message is to respect one another's differences. Storylines often revolve around alien races with different social norms than humans (sexism, racism, politics), but the Enterprise crew isn't supposed to interfere.
Positive role models: While the characters all have their quirks (and a few flaws), the Enterprise crew is quite intrepid and resourceful overall, often getting out of tricky situations via teamwork or ingenuity.
Violence & scariness: Most episodes include some fighting, be it characters physically wrestling each other or using "phasers" (their weapons) or photon torpedoes. But blood is never shown. Mind control is a frequent plotpoint.
Sexy stuff: Women wear skimpy, skin-tight outfits (with mini-skirts and go-go boots). Some alien races portray women as subservient, while others have women in power. Crew members often flirt -- most notably, Capt. Kirk, who falls in love quite often. Some kissing (including a groundbreaking interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura).
Language: Mild overall. "Dammit, Jim!" -- uttered by Bones -- occurs in many episodes.
Consumerism: Lots of Star Trek products out there, but nothing in the show itself.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some drinking by adults in social settings. Scotty is often involved in drinking contests with other humans and aliens.

More on Star Trek: The Original Series

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the importance of respecting differences and not asking others to conform. Parents, stress the value of teamwork, even when not all participants agree.

  • What would our world be like if money was no longer used? If sickness and injuries were easily healed with high-tech medicine? If we could travel the universe and visit other planets? Would you be afraid, or would you embrace new ideas and new concepts?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Iconic series STAR TREK -- a show that's launched a thousand spin-offs, movies, books, games, action figures, and conventions -- chronicles the adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise, a spaceship representing the United Federation of Planets in the 23rd century. The ship is on a mission to explore the space frontier, but the show itself isn't as much about space as it is about the people on the Enterprise. Among them are brash, emotional Capt. Kirk (William Shatner); logical Vulcan Spock (Leonard Nimoy); and hot-headed Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Creator Gene Roddenberry also made a point of including crew members of various ethnic backgrounds, including Japanese Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei), Russian Ensign Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), and Scottish Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (James Doohan), and African-American Lt. Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In their 80 episodes, the original Star Trek crew encountered deadly diseases, alien races, time warps, beautiful women in skin-tight outfits, and furry creatures called Tribbles. Kirk was put on trial for crimes against humanity, split into two alter-egos (good and evil), and cloned into an android. Forty years later, the series still succeeds in syndication because its messages about racism, sexism, politics, and respecting differences really are timeless (even if the special effects aren't ... though the early episodes are being remastered and enhanced with more up-to-date effects and imagery). At the core of the show is the idea that humans are complex creatures, and dilemmas often have no right or wrong answer.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: G4
Cast: DeForest Kelley, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner
Genre: Science Fiction
Where to watch: G4

This review was written by Jane Boursaw
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

mathgirlie
teen, 14 years old
 
THIS IS THE BEST TV SHOW EVER!!!
I have just started watching Star Trek, and I think that this is the best show that I've ever watched in my life! It's got good role models, and positive messages. (Though Kirk does kiss the girls too much!) Favorite line of all time: "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not an engineer!"

 
I am almost 11 and this is way to scary. Characters are not what they seem. Captains "log" is funny though.
This show is too scary. Lost in Space was already scary enough. I keep trying to watch this show with my mom and dad and little brother, but I always have to run out of the room. Nancy the salt sucker is horrible and the music that plays in each show reminds me of her. I feel bad my friends watch Avatar and aren't scared, but I watch this and I have to leave the room. Even my little brother likes this show. I like Star Wars though. I'm not allowed to see the last one they made.

LIMO2009
kid, 10 years old
 
I HAVE A STAR TREK COMIC AND I LOVE THE SHOW BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN IT IN A LONG TIME

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
An Engaging Show with Outdated Effects but Role Models to Die For...
STAR TREK is a perfect TV series. It is engaging, action-packed (though not too action-oriented for kids), and it's brimming with positive messages and role models. In fact, aside from some laser rays, tense images, and infrequent mild language ("d**n it man, I'm a doctor, not a physicist!"), the show has nothing wrong with it. Characters are kind and tolerant of each other, and courage, bravery, sacrifice, and kindness are recurring themes of the show that always take center stage from the sci-fi fights. Highly recommended.

Cooldee
parent
 
For ages 11 and up, but please beware of younger children watching this show-it can scare them!
Please beware of the violence, even though blood is not shown, and the messages that are given are the following: Respect, duty, loyality, and friendship. I love this show!

 
Best show ever made
What made "Star Trek" so special was the heart and message behind the special effects. This is different from other space shows, who only care about flash and style. Star Trek has fantastic characters who care about each other, and who the audience cares for as well. Totally recommended. I started watching it when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since!!

elijaheac
kid, 11 years old
 
I LOVE STAR TREK!
This is my favorite Star Trek series! I love it!

Mojo02
teen, 15 years old
 
Boring
Makes me feel sick

KidWhoReviewsStuff
kid, 13 years old
 
Perfect for tweens, teens and adults
Young children may be frightend by the aliens and also there is some sexual content. Overall a very safe and entertaining programme.

 
living breathing show
only violent for kids under 8, but frequent semi-sexual themes that require discretion... the pilot just creeped me out in that area ... but an amazingly brilliant show. watch it. you'll be hookkkkkked. \\// live long and prosper :)

mkalv
teen, 17 years old
 
Classic!
This show practiccly invented space travel and sci-fi. A little mature for a G rating, but exciting.

That Reviewing Kid
kid, 11 years old
 
The series that keeps on going where no man has gone before
A perfect tv show that ocassionally features things of a scary or sexual nature but people around 8 - 9 should be able to deal with it.

Omiwako
teen, 15 years old
 
The Best There Is.
Need I say more, really? It's STAR TREK. You can't get any better than that! LL&P, Kiddes.

thefinalfronti ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Great sci-fi with minimal violence and language.
This show is great for families and MUCH less violent than Star Wars. TOS is also the least violent in the Star Trek timeline. There is minimal blood (e.g. Episode 50, Patterns of Force and when Kirk fights the Orion in Journey to Babel.) and Kirk says, "Let's get the h-BEEP out of here in The City on the Edge of Forever. All in all, a great series that has very little concern.

lkjhb1
teen, 14 years old
 
this show should be rated pg

gcgee@msn.com
parent of 6 and 8 year old
 
A great show for kids
I understand the rating of 8+, but for our kids, 4 and 6, there is no better show. (The goofy special effects on some level negate the possibility of it really being too scary.) We like the show's positive messages, the questions the plots inspire, the friendship of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, and the interest the kids are now showing in science. For kids, what's better than good stories involving spaceships, guys in monster suits, bright colors, and styrofoam rocks? Ultimately, Star Trek TOS is just plain fun and so well done, despite its budgetary limits. Have fun!

MajorTrekkie96
teen, 15 years old
 
I LOVE STAR TREK!!!
My Mom and Grandparents are major trekkies. I've watched almost all (What my parents thought was appropriate)of the 5 star trek series and I must say I LOVE IT!!! Some kids might think that TOS (The Original Series) is lame because of the less than convincing special effects, but in my opinion they need to realize that at the time, this was ground-breaking stuff. AND that if it weren't for the original star trek and star wars, special effects would not be at the level it is today! I strongly suggest Star Trek: The Original Series for kids who like learning about what TV was like in the 60's!

kossu
teen, 16 years old
 
good

sammy4488
teen, 13 years old
 
can't get better than this!
I love Star Trek! I've watched the whole series like a thousand times over! My favorite characters are Spook and Bones. When the fight with each other it's even more funny cause Bones can never get a reaction out of Spook and Spook always has snappy come backs. The crew is like a family and is always there for each other. It can get a bit violent at times so if your kids get nightmares easy don't watch it! Best show ever next to the Big Valley! You'll get addicted!

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