Sixty years.
It’s hard to believe that a television series that debuted on September 8, 1966 has endured for six decades, inspired generations of scientists and engineers, and become one of the defining works of science fiction. Like many lifelong fans, I won’t just be acknowledging the anniversary—I plan to celebrate it.
For me, Star Trek has always been more than spaceships and phasers. It’s a hopeful vision of the future. It’s a reminder that humanity can overcome its flaws through curiosity, compassion, and cooperation. That’s a message worth celebrating now more than ever.
Rather than trying to watch every movie or binge an entire series, I want to take a journey through the history and the best of the franchise, revisiting the stories that helped shape what Star Trek became.
And before you ask: No, I did not attend the Star Trek Las Vegas show that celebrated the anniversary last month – I had other plans and while I have attended the show previously (I was even a speaker once!) I’ve gotten over the allure of giving Creation Entertainment money and suffering through August Vegas heat.
I’ll begin where it all started: “The Cage.” Even though it wasn’t the first episode audiences saw, it represents Gene Roddenberry’s original vision for the series. Christopher Pike commands a very different Enterprise, and it’s fascinating to see so many familiar ideas in their earliest form.
From there I’ll watch “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” the second pilot that introduced James T. Kirk and established the adventurous spirit that would define the original series.
No Star Trek celebration would be complete without revisiting one of television’s greatest hours, “The City on the Edge of Forever.” More than sixty years later, it remains one of the finest examples of science fiction storytelling ever produced. Even though writer Harlan Ellison resented Roddeberry rewriting his (eventual award winning) script, it’s still on almost everyone’s lists of best Treks.
I’ll also make time for “Balance of Terror,” a tense submarine-style thriller that introduced the Romulans and proved Star Trek could tell sophisticated stories with very little more than strong writing and unforgettable performances. I may also watch my personal favorite, “The Doomsday Machine.”
As my marathon moves into the next generation, there’s really only one place to begin: “The Best of Both Worlds.” Watching Picard become Locutus remains every bit as powerful today as it was in 1990. It wasn’t just a great cliffhanger—it redefined what Star Trek television could accomplish.
I’ll follow that with “The Measure of a Man,” an episode that asks profound questions about artificial intelligence, individual rights, and what it truly means to be alive. Decades later, its themes feel even more relevant.
From Deep Space Nine, I’ll revisit “The Visitor,” an episode that never fails to remind me how emotionally rich Star Trek can be. Enterprise often doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves, so I’ll include “In a Mirror, Darkly.” It’s a love letter to the original series while simultaneously standing as one of Enterprise’s finest accomplishments.
(Yes, I’m leaving out Voyager, I never really liked it. Same for almost all what I call “NuTrek”. If you are a fan of either or both, good for you! And you may now commence booing.)
As evening arrives, I’ll settle in for what I still consider the greatest Star Trek film ever made: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Everything about that movie works. The performances. The music. The themes of aging, sacrifice, friendship, revenge, and redemption. More than forty years after its release, it remains not only the best Star Trek movie but one of the finest science fiction films ever produced.
Finally, I’ll end the day not with episodes, but with reflection.
I’ll revisit Kirk’s final captain’s log from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Knowing it was intended as a farewell to the original crew makes it even more meaningful today. Then I’ll watch the final poker game from “All Good Things…” Watching Picard finally join his crew around the table perfectly captures what The Next Generation was always about—not just exploration, but friendship.
Star Trek has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It inspired my love of science fiction. It challenged me to think differently about technology and humanity. It introduced me to unforgettable characters who always believed tomorrow could be better than today.
That’s ultimately why I’m celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Not because it’s an old television show.
But because, after sixty years, Star Trek continues to remind us that optimism is worth holding onto, exploration is worth pursuing, and the future is still something to look forward to.
Here’s to sixty years of boldly going.