 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Star Trek: The Original Series
- G4, Syndicated, TV Land
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
A cultural icon that's lived long and prospered.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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!"
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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 :)
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AGE
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!
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Kid, 10 years old
August 19, 2009
AGE
I HAVE A STAR TREK COMIC AND I LOVE THE SHOW BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN IT IN A LONG TIME
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
The Best There Is.
Need I say more, really? It's STAR TREK. You can't get any better than that! LL&P, Kiddes.
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AGE
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!!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Networks: | G4, Syndicated, TV Land |
| Cast: | DeForest Kelley, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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