Movie/Tv the Original Star Trek Series Contains

Movie/TV

The original Star Trek series contains a surprising amount of social commentary. The multiracial, multiethnic makeup of Starfleet itself is testimony to Gene Roddenberry's optimistic conception of the future of race (or at least interplanetary) relations. The United Federation of Planets is like a cosmic United Nations, comprised of races more different in appearance than any found on Earth. However, the hegemony of the United Federation of Planets does cause problems to non-member planets; and there is a distinct us-versus-them sentiment among Starfleet members. However, for the most part, the missions of the U.S.S. Enterprise generally promote freedom and justice throughout the known universe. Despite the stereotyping and sexism contained within Star Trek episodes, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise is surprisingly egalitarian. Moreover, the original show was produced and aired in the 1960s, during a time of heightened racial and social turmoil in the United States. This obviously influenced such shows as Episode # 76, "The Cloud Minders." Aired in February of 1969, "The Cloud Minders" contains commentary on class conflict, gender relations, environmentalism, and imperialism.

The show follows a standard formula for Star Trek episodes. Starfleet is authorized to fetch zenite from the planet Ardana. Zenite is the only known antidote for a deadly plant disease plaguing Federation member planet Marak II. The plague on Marak II threatens to wipe out the entire population, which of course warrants intervention. Ardana is obligated to comply with Starfleet's orders because as a member planet they must offer assistance to another federation member. Therefore, Starfleet acts like "big government," and frequently interferes with the sovereignty of Federation planets. Kirk and Spock believe "there must be some mistake" that the High Advisor asked them to beam down to Stratos, the main Ardana city, rather than directly to the zenite mines. Of course, Kirk feels his "emergency" is more important than this simple request from the Ardana High Advisor. This is the kind of government that frightens libertarians and any critics of "big government." However, the matter can be considered from a Marxist or socialist perspective. The Federation of Planets believes that all members must contribute cooperate and share resources when they are in need. This episode depicts the Federation as both willing to help a planet in dire need by sharing resources and as willing to assist the just cause of revolutionaries.

The show turns into a satisfying criticism of elitism, oligarchy, and racism. Ardana is wrought with political strife. It is a typical class and race struggle: the miners slave away in horrendous working conditions below the planet's surface, while the elitist city-dwellers get rich off the fruits of the miner's labor. In spite of their similar physical features, the miner classes, known as the Troglytes, are deemed a mentally inferior race of beings. The High Advisor calls the Troglyte freedom fighters "The Disruptors," throughout the show, a group of "malcontents." Neither he nor his daughter Droxine sees that their systematic persecution of the Troglytes is a blatant display of racism and classism. Kirk and Spock struggle to succeed in their mission of obtaining zenite while getting further involved in the political conflict besetting Ardana. Kirk is kidnapped by the rebels, which at first seems like a stereotype of freedom fighters as terrorists. However, it soon becomes clear that the rebel leader is an intelligent and effective figurehead. Moreover, she is female.

Therefore, "The Cloud Minders" also satisfies feminist critics. Women in this episode of Star Trek, despite having to wear skimpy and revealing outfits, are depicted as powerful leaders capable of causing change in society. Both Droxine and Vanna are portrayed in a positive light. Droxine's prejudices are a product of her upbringing, not of her own character faults. In fact, she falls in love with Spock, who intrigues her because he is physically different. Both these women take the initiative in their romantic interests, further proof that the show is feminist-friendly.

Plassus plays the typical power-hungry tyrannical, elitist leader. However, this is a realistic description of men like him; he is not a caricature. The rebels at times seem confined to their roles as radicals, for one of them commits suicide for the cause. In spite of this conformity to stereotypes, the show would satisfy a socialist, Marxist, or feminist critic.