Will TOS maintain its legendary status as Trek fandom gets younger?

[josiephine]

I don't understand this preoccupation nerds have with saying something new "ruined" something old. You understand that you can just watch TOS and not anything else, right? Whatever retcons made to the show you love in future movies and spin offs don't really apply when you're watching the original thing, not unless you want them to. So like, chill. Instead of focusing on what you don't like, focus on what you do, and allow others to do the same. You'll be a lot happier.

 

[MikHutch]

I don't understand this preoccupation nerds have with saying something new "ruined" something old. You understand that you can just watch TOS and not anything else, right? Whatever retcons made to the show you love in future movies and spin offs don't really apply when you're watching the original thing, not unless you want them to. So like, chill. Instead of focusing on what you don't like, focus on what you do, and allow others to do the same. You'll be a lot happier.

That's sadly how a lot of fandom are nowadays

 

[The Lensman]

I don't understand this preoccupation nerds have with saying something new "ruined" something old. You understand that you can just watch TOS and not anything else, right? Whatever retcons made to the show you love in future movies and spin offs don't really apply when you're watching the original thing, not unless you want them to. So like, chill. Instead of focusing on what you don't like, focus on what you do, and allow others to do the same. You'll be a lot happier.

What?! That’s crazy talk!

 

[VSAFaculty]

How far does that extend? Do you like TAS? Do you like the TOS films? Or is it strictly TOS?

Yes, I liked TAS, and I liked the first four films (though TMP had many issues, unfortunately). Beyond that, not much, I fear.

 

[MikHutch]

I can't imagine ST without the Ferengi and Cardassians and the Bajorans.

 

[publiusr]

TNG is what really defined Trekdom for most…its voice still echoes.

G4 TechTV ran some pre-remastered episodes with comments in frame.

One I remember was from Doomsday Machine
“Wow! Go music!”

—still got it!

 

[MikHutch]

TNG is what really defined Trekdom for most…its voice still echoes.

G4 TechTV ran some pre-remastered episodes with comments in frame.

One I remember was from Doomsday Machine
“Wow! Go music!”

—still got it!

Yea much as I love TOS, TNG did a lot to bring ST forward.

 

[suarezguy]

Probably still respected (including that newer shows occasionally making at least mostly affectionate nods and tributes to it) but definitely not, or much less and less, loved as timeless, near-flawless (or if there are flaws they don't matter!) greatness, as the obvious by far best of them all, which is OK and I think appropriate, the worst-regarded it will become is that it at least is still good for its time and good foundation for others.

I had a lot of affection and nostalgia for TNG watching it (though in reruns) as a kid and still do, also liked a few episodes of the original as a kid but didn't feel the need to watch the whole show until I was 24 in 2013 and then still liked it a lot (thinking there were and disliking some flaws but thinking the positives were much more, especially for it being nearly 50 years old).

For those that think TOS will become too dated, let me ask a question kinda related to this ... The original Star Wars trilogy is only about 10 years younger than TOS.

Do people believe that A New Hope will one day lose its "legendary status" among Star Wars fans as time goes on?

With there being a lot less content, and it basically being at least a bit more related (not quite such huge time gaps), there I think it's linked to the others more, for that hard to love other installments and dislike or even be indifferent to that original.

 

[Lucky]

TOS Trek is legendary. For fans that care about the milestones of science fiction on TV, TOS will always be vital.

 

[ProwlAlpha]

TOS Trek is legendary. For fans that care about the milestones of science fiction on TV, TOS will always be vital.

Not really, it will be like the 1950s Science Fiction films that everyone talks about wanting to see, but when it comes down to it, they will read about it or watch clips after current era production staff will put Easter eggs about them in a show.

(Edited for spelling)

 

[MikHutch]

Not really, it will be like the 1950s Science Fiction films that everyone talks about wanting to see, but when it comes down to it, they will read about it or watch clips after current era production staff will but Easter eggs about them in a show.

Yea

 

[trekfan_1]

How is the original Black and white Doctor Who remembered in England? TOS would be kinda in that category IMO. An active, relatively popular modern franchise with an early Television history. I suspect both of those shows would have similar paths of historical importance/remembrance moving forward.

As much as its said modern Star Trek audiences are not gatewayed back to watching TOS in big numbers, I think having a strong modern presence is a factor on how TOS is at least perceived. By having modern shows reference TOS characters and having modern Trek shows in streamers, TOS is likely to be highlighted as a "suggested" show if its also available in the same streamer. It strengthens its pubic consciousness. TOS is one of the few shows made prior to 1990 that shows up in many streaming catalogues that are mostly comprised with modern content.

But If Star Trek as a whole were to take an extended break, I think TOS would be even more berried in people's memories than it is now.

It is also possible TOS will be forgotten like 60s Mission Impossible. Today when you say mission impossible , the Tom Cruise series is what most people think of. I would bet most modern audiences don't even realize the 60s show even exists. TOS I'm hoping will have a more enduing profile but I fear it may end up being remembered like MI from the 60s. i.e pretty much forgotten and a footnote

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Idk there's a bunch of TOS fanboys bashing Berman era for ruining Trek on this very website

Unfortunately for you, you've wandered into some bad conversations pretty much on arrival. There are loads of nice people here.

 

[herofhyrule]

Yeah, we don't all hate non-TOS Trek.

 

[MikHutch]

Unfortunately for you, you've wandered into some bad conversations pretty much on arrival. There are loads of nice people here.

Unfortunately. But I do recognize there are more agreeable people here. I just find the TOS fanboys a bit condescending

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

It is also possible TOS will be forgotten like 60s Mission Impossible. Today when you say mission impossible , the Tom Cruise series is what most people think of. I would bet most modern audiences don't even realize the 60s show even exists.

The original M:I TV series--which ended in 1973--was a dormant property until the unsuccessful 1988 revival series which was not the result of a large public demand for M:I to return. On the other hand, TOS quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon in syndication, with viewers calling for more (hence TAS, then Phase 2 and of course, the TOS movies), which created a genuine franchise.

A cancelled TV series returning time and time again as it catapulted to the Mount Rushmore of pop-culture was unprecedented and proved TOS earned its legendary status generations ago. To this date, no other ST series has reached that height to the point where the average person recognizes its characters and tropes.

The legacy media recognized this with TIME's list of The 100 Most Influential People Who Never Lived (2013). While the list included some rather questionable choices, you will note that one of the cover's featured characters are...you guessed it. No other Star Trek characters from any post-TOS production up to the year of this issues publication were included, and Kirk and Spock were not representatives for all ST characters.

2013 is not ancient history, profiles of that kind are not rare, and the kind of reverence for TOS seen around the world has not diminished. Perhaps someone should ask if other ST series will ever earn a truly legendary status in the world's popular culture.

 

[herofhyrule]

Apart from X-Men, Star Trek is probably Patrick Stewart's most famous role.

 

[fireproof78]

Unfortunately. But I do recognize there are more agreeable people here. I just find the TOS fanboys a bit condescending

Well, hopefully we can be friends anyway

 

[Lord Garth]

As far as revisiting stuff:

A few times per year, I'll watch episodes of TOS.
Occasionally, I'll watch an episode of TNG, DS9, or VOY.
If I feel like binging a season of DSC or PIC, I'll do that. Though it's really more stop-and-go.
Every few years, I'll watch the TOS Movies and FC. A wider gap for the other TNG Movies. 2023 being the most recent.

This doesn't include the full re-watch I did of TNG, and key Seven episodes of VOY, in the lead-up to Picard.

 

[fireproof78]

I don't understand this preoccupation nerds have with saying something new "ruined" something old. You understand that you can just watch TOS and not anything else, right? Whatever retcons made to the show you love in future movies and spin offs don't really apply when you're watching the original thing, not unless you want them to. So like, chill. Instead of focusing on what you don't like, focus on what you do, and allow others to do the same. You'll be a lot happier.

Same. I can understand a story not being for you, not liking a story or wishing for something different.

But, to my mind, if a story is good then it stays that way. I love TOS but don't like TMP. There are some dreadful stories in TOS. I still like it.

Nothing is ruined, save maybe the pride of fans.