The Animated Series

[Dave]

The Animated Series.

Most fans dismiss this part of Trek history as non-canon, a terrible mistake, and childish. I would expect some fans here have not even seen them. Even the ‘Star Trek Chronology’ by Michael and Denise Okuda does not include material from the animated series. Everyone must make up their own mind to the authenticity of these episodes, but I would argue that they are closer to Star Trek than some of our more recent offerings.

Non-Canon?

Gene Roddenberry and Dorothy Fontana were both very actively involved with both planning and production. In later years Gene expressed regret at some elements in the animated series and instructed Paramount not to consider this series as part of the “official� Star Trek universe. Well, IMHO that’s tough, he already made it. Also he says that he regrets elements about the films Star Trek: V and VI, but they ARE considered to be canon. You can’t have it both ways.

A Terrible Mistake?

Why, because it’s a cartoon? Just look at all the adult cartoons about now—Anime, Simpsons, Futurama, South Park, King of the Hill—it was just ahead of its time.

Star Trek was always an obvious choice for animation. Not only did the medium provide opportunities to present stories and characters impossible within a live action TV budget, but also it was ideal for the younger Saturday morning audience.

They updated the ship, and were able to use more alien crewmembers that weren’t readily available for live TV. The crewman with the long neck at Conn position is an obvious example. They did things that were impossible (at that time) to do any other way. It was not only pre-CGI but pre-Star Wars.

At the time it seemed unlikely that there would ever be another TV series, let alone 4 more and 10 films, so any new Star Trek at all was welcome.

Childish?

Writers for the animated episodes included people who had provided scripts for the original series. Fontana asked for submissions and didn’t get a single turndown. Well-respected participants included Samuel A. Peeples, Stephen Kandel, Margaret Armen, Paul Schneider, David Gerrold, Marc Daniels, Walter Koenig, Larry Niven and Dorothy Fontana herself. Hardly a bunch of children’s authors.

Fontana’s story “Yesteryear� recalls Spock’s youth and childhood, and here even the “Chronology� writers break their own rule to use this material, due to “Fontana’s pivotal role in developing the background to the Spock character in Trek�.

Larry Niven’s episode is an adaptation of his short story “The Soft Weapon�; only the characters names are changed to insert the Enterprise crew.

I liked this series. My own criticisms would be that they should not have allowed crossovers like the Kzin into the series (even though I am a Niven fan and like that story), and also that the science is dodgier (time reversing and matter shrinking.) But I think that it is definitely a part of Star Trek.

[little star]

I unfortunately never got the chance to see the animated series. It's not re-run like the regular series, which is really a shame. (Also have never seen it available on videocassette.) I think it would be very entertaining---I'd like to see the idea resurrected!


little star :star:

[Dave]

It is on Videocassette. 'Forbidden Planet' shops sell them. Also try this link to Amazon

They are very rarely shown on TV though. There may be some technical, royalties-type reason for that.

[little star]

Thanks!

[markpud]

i think i saw an eppy of it once, detailing Spock's home life IIRC...

I remember my folks saying that they could have done more with the anim series, like redeisgn the shuttles instead of the grey boxes that they were, etc...

[Dave]

Given the limited scope of most animated television at that time, they were very successful both in visual terms and story content. they did use alien crewmembers, exotic and nonhumanoid characters, unusual backgrounds, and effects sequences. they did redesign the ship a little, but I agree that the shuttles were still boxes, and they could have done more.

[Dave]

from Bill Hunt of TheDigitalBits.com

Well... it's about time. Seriously, after all the false starts and rumors, it pleases me to no end to be able to say what I'm about to say. Yes... Paramount has now officially confirmed to us that they are working to release 'Star Trek: The Animated Series' on DVD in 2006. No additional details are available at this time, other than what we've already posted in The Rumor Mill this week, which is basically that the release date is likely to be in the second half of the year to coincide with the franchise's anniversary. Still, given how long fans have been waiting for this series to reach DVD, I think it's darned good news, and now it's official too. We'll keep our eye on this title and let you know when there's more to report.

[owen watkin]

I've got the whole Animated Series on video and enjoy watch it very much.

[lordoftime]

I say TAS should be considered the remainder, more or less, of the five year mission that was never completed with the live action series.

[JED]

I remember watching it as a kid and loved it but saw it some years ago (I'm 37) by chance and it was awful, but still kinda enjoyable, lets have some more....