Star Trek

Star Trek

Ask in any pub quiz "who captained the Enterprise in the original series of Star Trek?" and every team will score a point from scribbling 'Captain Kirk.' He was, after all, the most famous time-traveling captain of the Federation Starfleet, in command of their starships for more than three decades. Yet ask those same quiz teams what the 'T' stands for in Captain James T. Kirk and most will resort to hazarding a guess or looking round to cheat. A soldier and diplomat as well as commander, Kirk managed to retain a slightly enigmatic quality.

Equally well-known is Kirk's First Officer, Mr Spock, half human and half Vulcan, renowned for his large ears, steeply angled eyebrows and strange haircut. Gene Rodenberry, originator of the show, believed that Spock's slightly devilish appearance might appeal to Star Trek's female viewers, but he never achieved sex symbol status (a label that actually became attributed more to Capt Kirk).

Mr. Spock often had to fight against his human emotions, preferring scientific reasoning and steely logic. His Vulcan 'nerve pinch' could incapacitate enemies in seconds, a skill that often came in handy, since he encountered numerous disasters throughout the series, including having his brain stolen. Thankfully, he was able to use his powers of telepathy to communicate with his crewmates and eventually Chief Medical Officer Dr McCoy restored Spock's brain to his body.

This was by no means the first time that 'Bones' McCoy had come to the rescue. Already a famous physician before joining the Starship Enterprise, he had received the Legion of Honour and was to become a long-standing friend of Captain Kirk, who gave him his nickname. 'Bones' was full of humanity and totally passionate about his beliefs.

When his fellow crewmates voiced skepticism, he would stand up for his principles, frequently clashing with Mr Spock, whose coldness infuriated him. (In a Vulcan-like move, the show's producers had recognised that DeForest Kelly, the actor originally assigned to play Spock, was actually better suited to playing the acerbic 'Bones', leaving the role of First Officer to the inimitable Leonard Nimoy.)

Serving as physicist and fellow-helmsman was Lt Hikaru Sulu. Born on Earth in San Francisco, he was first assigned in 2265 to the Enterprise as head of the astrosciences department. Just a year later he moved to the operations division, before taking up his post on the helmsman station, where he was to become the starship's Tactical Officer. In 2267 it was 'Bones' who once again saved the day, when Sulu was knocked unconscious as his console exploded in his face.

Dr McCoy diagnosed that Sulu had a heart flutter and, swiftly administering a dose or two of cordrazine, was able to bring about Sulu's immediate recovery. In 2267 the young Mr Chekov took over Tactical Officer and he and Sulu became good friends.

Second Officer on board the Enterprise was lieutenant commander Scott, the starship's chief engineer. Like Dr McCoy, 'Scotty' also regularly saved the day, coming up with unconventional last-minute solutions to the crew's latest dilemma.

His skill and technical knowledge often allowed him to take the helm when Kirk and Spock were off the Enterprise. He will be forever linked with the line "Beam me up, Scotty," although this command was never actually uttered in the original series, tripping up many a pub quiz team. And that 'T' in Captain James T. Kirk? It's Tiberius.

With Star Trek The Movie set for UK release in November this year, Star Trek DVDs boldly goes where no price comparison website for UK Star Trek Fans has gone before.

Star Trek
What is the difference between the Star Trek: TNG Complete Seasons set and the Complete Series set?

I want to order a Star Trek: The Next Generation box set and have read some bad reviews about how the Complete Series set was packaged. What I'd really like to know is are there any differences in DVD content, if they include the same things, I might choose to buy the Seasons set just for better packaging. Event if it is much more expensive.

the complete series would contain every episode and season. It also comes with a bonus dvd about the impact on TNG 20 years later and the legacy of TNG. I think that the price would be almost the same if not cheeper.I would perfer to buy the complete seasons since I can buy one at a time and not everything at once. At over $400 it's a little expensive.

for information on the complete series boxset:

Star Trek Original Series Intro (HQ)