cover image The Meaning of Star Trek

The Meaning of Star Trek

Thomas Richards. Doubleday Books, $19.95 (208pp) ISBN 978-0-385-48437-4

Richards, a former Harvard literature professor professor and Guggenheim fellow, presents his own literary examination of Gene Roddenberry's creation, and while one doesn't have to be familiar with warp technology, temporal mechanics or Bajoran politics, it does help to appreciate Richard's arguments. Here is what die-hard Trekkers love to sink their honed Klingon bicuspids into: another opinion. In a friendly and accessible manner, Richards presents his pensees in four sections: conflict, character, story, and sense of wonder. While he draws on themes that span the canon of celluloid Trek, the examples he cites are mainly from Star Trek: The Next Generation television series and the book's most engaging passages are those that explore particular TNG episodes: his analysis of the Hugo Award- winning episode, ""Inner Light,"" is particularly perceptive. Although Richards has a tendency to repeat himself, he offers enough fresh insights to prick up a pointed ear or two. For example, while Trek lauds the friendships of its various crews, loving relationships and stable families remain largely unattainable. His careful tally of the number of times various captains have violated the Prime Directive leads to a lively reexamination of one of Trek's cornerstones. Yet, his enduring enthusiasm for the franchise shines above all else, and should open warm hailing frequencies with Trekkers everywhere. (July) FYI: For more Trek, see note below on Richard Hanley's The Metaphysics of Star Trek.