Have you ever wondered why the Star Trek original series and films are so popular and have so many devoted fans worldwide? I have a theory about this phenomenon that I'd like to share. I'll outline my theory by examining the primary mainstay of the "Star Trek Universe" - Star Trek: The Original Series. I believe that these episodes are the best examples to convey the principles of the careful thought that went into the development of this venerable work.

I haven't seen the 2009 Star Trek movie - as yet - so I'll disclude it from this column. (Perhaps this will be the subject of another future blog, he slyly thinks to himself).

This is where it all started, conceived and created by Gene Roddenberry. Capt. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy - all sprung from this man's fertile imagination. As characters they transcend literature and seem as though they really exist - or could possibly exist in another place and time. This is a mastery of characterization along the lines of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and an example of pure genius in storytelling which is the core reason both series of tales are so compelling and everlasting. Another reason is that there is a possibility factor. Unlike the comic-book outlandishness of a Superman or James Bond, it's believably possible (however remotely) that these characters might be real people, actually accomplishing the missions as recounted in all those intriguing episodes. I often wonder why the original series was so maligned and unpopular in it's time given the delightfully cantankerous triad between the 3 main characters. I suppose the original series was simply, as so often theorized, ahead of it's time. It's hard to overlook the irony that now, almost anything with Gene Roddenberry's stamp on it is destined to long-lived success.

But have no doubt: the original series is the foundation of the Star Trek philosophy, and where it was painstakingly laid out. What philosophy? The concept of our civilization proceeding in the positive manner as conveyed in the Star Trek series. That we won't in some way annihilate ourselves but instead progress into a species that will do away with money (and the rampant corruption and ensuing strife that accompanies it). I'm not devoutly religious but I believe that the Holy Bible is correct in it's declaration that "money is the root of all evil." Only a fool would deny that money, specifically the obsessive greed for it, is the root cause of just about everything that is wrong with this world. In the Star Trek reality, everyone who is productive is provided for. Money is no longer the driving force of humankind, allowing for more creative and scientific progress, less stagnation and human advancements to the inclusion of 'boldly going where no man has gone before'. Just think of how many great books and films haven't been published or filmed because it was deemed beforehand that they wouldn't be commercially successful. Star Trek in fact fell victim to this eventuality, before being resuscitated by it's own legions of "trekkers".

In the Star Trek universe, most people work together for the common good. They believe that a peaceful existence is what every intelligent society should try to attain, and that anything less is unacceptable. Yet, they have a non negotiable rule which guides their federation of planets and promotes non-interference in other societies regardless of how misdirected they might be. Namely: The prime directive. It's never really explained in the original series just how the prime directive became the cornerstone of the federation's relations with other - to use a federation term - lifeforms. I've garnered from some comments by federation members that it was initiated because of the result of some major errors in earth's past; meddling in the affairs of other races. The genetic missteps of the Khan Singh debacle could be one possible example.

Khan Singh, it should be noted, was the character that made the movie series come alive. The first Star Trek movie albeit well-produced was to me a flop. The acting seemed daunted even from the main luminaries of the USS Enterprise, and it was poorly edited. I recall squirming in my seat at the theater while it seemed to take (light ?) years to get through the 'V-ger' nebula near the end; I truly feared that the first movie may have doomed the entire film series. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded.

CD Bell