Real world article
(written from a production point of view)
Summary[]
- In 1973, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted as a Saturday morning cartoon, but early reviewers quickly realized it was something far more ambitious. A contemporary article from the Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, Illinois) praised the show's complex themes and emotional storytelling, declaring it a breakthrough in children's animation that adults could take just as seriously.
- This week, The Trek Files welcomes back Adam Kotsko, author of Late Star Trek, to explore the deeper legacy of TAS from its psychological depth and allegorical storytelling to its role as the franchise's first major reinvention. With Gene Roddenberry at the helm and the original cast returning, The Animated Series wasn't just a placeholder between live-action runs; it was a bold step into new narrative territory.
- Was it canon? Does it matter? Adam and Larry unpack how TAS laid the groundwork for later series, balanced nostalgia with innovation, and helped define Star Trek's long-standing ability to evolve with its audience.
Related files[]
TAS Television-Radio Guide article, 29 September 1973
Adam Kotsko and Larry Nemecek
External links[]
- "Animated, Allegorical, and Ahead of Its Time" at Spotify
- "Animated, Allegorical, and Ahead of Its Time" at Apple Podcasts
Previous podcast:
|
Next podcast:
|