Star Trek: The Animated Series: Difference between revisions

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An [[Animated Adaptation]] and the first [[Spin-Off]] from the original series.
An [[Animated Adaptation]] and the first [[Spin-Off]] from the original ''[[Star Trek]]'' series.


Given the reality that it was produced by [[Filmation]], the animation is typically the studio's ultra-cheap style. However, they more than made up for that with most of the original cast and the writers as well (although [[Larry Niven]] was a tad lazy in squeezing ''The Soft Weapon'' from his ''[[Known Space]]'' universe into that of ''Star Trek''). The result is a show that might be badly animated, but it still boasted spectacular imagery and believably non-human aliens that the original show could never depict, while still reasonably keeping to its artistic spirit. For instance, this series took home the franchise's first Emmy Award.
Given the reality that it was produced by [[Filmation]], the animation is typically the studio's ultra-cheap style. However, they more than made up for that with most of the original cast and the writers as well (although [[Larry Niven]] was a tad lazy in squeezing ''The Soft Weapon'' from his ''[[Known Space]]'' universe into that of ''Star Trek''). The result is a show that might be badly animated, but it still boasted spectacular imagery and believably non-human aliens that the original show could never depict, while still reasonably keeping to its artistic spirit. For instance, this series took home the franchise's first Emmy Award.
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However, the franchise creator, Gene Roddenberry, later insisted that the animated show be kept out of continuity since he never anticipated that ''Star Trek'' would later be revived in live action on such a scale as would happen. However, many fans insisted that at least the best episode, "Yesteryear," be counted, considering that it gives a valuable look into Spock's youth and character, as well as the planet Vulcan. Because of the information about Vulcan presented in the show, the introducing of the Holodeck and giving Kirk his middle name, many of the Star Trek writers and actors involvement in the show, many fans consider it a part of their personal Star Trek [[Canon]]. In addition, the producers of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' have used numerous references from this series. The [[Expanded Universe]], already having less of a need to adhere to strict canon, even went so far as to revive M'Ress and [[Multi-Armed and Dangerous|tri-symmetrical Lt. Arex]].
However, the franchise creator, Gene Roddenberry, later insisted that the animated show be kept out of continuity since he never anticipated that ''Star Trek'' would later be revived in live action on such a scale as would happen. However, many fans insisted that at least the best episode, "Yesteryear," be counted, considering that it gives a valuable look into Spock's youth and character, as well as the planet Vulcan. Because of the information about Vulcan presented in the show, the introducing of the Holodeck and giving Kirk his middle name, many of the Star Trek writers and actors involvement in the show, many fans consider it a part of their personal Star Trek [[Canon]]. In addition, the producers of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' have used numerous references from this series. The [[Expanded Universe]], already having less of a need to adhere to strict canon, even went so far as to revive M'Ress and [[Multi-Armed and Dangerous|tri-symmetrical Lt. Arex]].


CBS recently declared this series full canon around the time they released it on DVD.
CBS declared this series full canon around the time they released it on DVD.


The title used here and on the DVD release is a back-formation. The show originally aired as simply "Star Trek". It's also known by the more ponderous title of ''The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek''.
The title used here and on the DVD release is a back-formation. The show originally aired as simply "Star Trek". It's also known by the more ponderous title of ''The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek''.
----
=== Tropes found in this series: ===


{{tropelist}}
* [[Absentee Actor]]: Everyone ''except'' Spock, Sulu and Uhura in "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[Absentee Actor]]: Everyone ''except'' Spock, Sulu and Uhura in "The Slaver Weapon".
⚫
* [[A.I. Is a Crapshoot]]: The planetary computer in "Once Upon A Planet".
⚫
* [[A Form You Are Comfortable With]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". The inhabitants of Megas-Tu do this for their own bodies and their planet's surface for the benefit of the Enterprise crew.
⚫
* [[AI Is a Crapshoot]]: The planetary computer in "Once Upon A Planet".
* [[Alternate Universe]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu" and "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Alternate Universe]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu" and "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Ancient Astronauts]]: Kukulcan in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
* [[Ancient Astronauts]]: Kukulcan in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
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* [[Contrived Coincidence]]: "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth". If Ensign Walking Bear hadn't been on the bridge, Kukulkan would have destroyed both the Enterprise and the entire human race.
* [[Contrived Coincidence]]: "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth". If Ensign Walking Bear hadn't been on the bridge, Kukulkan would have destroyed both the Enterprise and the entire human race.
* [[Cool Old Guy]]: Captain Robert T. April in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Cool Old Guy]]: Captain Robert T. April in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Creator in Joke]]: Captain Robert T. April in "The Counter-Clock Incident". April was the original name for the character that eventually became Kirk.
* [[Creator In-Joke]]: Captain Robert T. April in "The Counter-Clock Incident". April was the original name for the character that eventually became Kirk.
* [[Funny (animation)|Crowning Moment Of Funny]]: "The Jihad" and "Bem".
* [[Derelict Graveyard]]: "The Time Trap"
* [[Derelict Graveyard]]: "The Time Trap"
* [[Detachable Lower Half]]: The title character in "Bem".
* [[Detachable Lower Half]]: The title character in "Bem".
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* [[Enthralling Siren]]: "The Lorelei Signal"
* [[Enthralling Siren]]: "The Lorelei Signal"
* [[Everyone Is a Super]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu"
* [[Everyone Is a Super]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu"
* [[Exiled From Continuity]]: By Gene Roddenberry himself.
* [[Exiled From Continuity]]: By Gene Roddenberry himself. As mentioned above, CBS has reversed this.
* [[Expressive Ears]]: The Kzinti in "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[Expressive Ears]]: The Kzinti in "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[Expospeak Gag]]: Between Spock and McCoy.
* [[Expospeak Gag]]: Between Spock and McCoy.
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* [[For Want of a Nail]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[For Want of a Nail]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[Forgotten Phlebotinum]]: The "life support belts".
* [[Forgotten Phlebotinum]]: The "life support belts".
⚫
* [[A Form You Are Comfortable With]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". The inhabitants of Megas-Tu do this for their own bodies and their planet's surface for the benefit of the Enterprise crew.
* [[Fountain of Youth]]: The reverse-entropy universe in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Fountain of Youth]]: The reverse-entropy universe in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Four-Fingered Hands]]: Spock, in a blooper in "Yesteryear".
* [[Four-Fingered Hands]]: Spock, in a blooper in "Yesteryear".
* [[Furry Fandom]]: Lt. M'Ress was a [[Fetish Fuel]] character for many early Furries.
* [[Furry Fandom]]: Lt. M'Ress was a [[Fetish Fuel]] character for many early Furries.
* [[Giant Flyer]]: "The Infinite Vulcan" and "The Eye of the Beholder".
* [[Giant Flyer]]: "The Infinite Vulcan" and "The Eye of the Beholder".
* [[Girls Night Out Episode|Girl's Night Out Episode]]: "The Lorelei Signal"
* [[Girls' Night Out Episode]]: "The Lorelei Signal"
* [[God Guise]]: Keniclius 5 with the Phylosians in "The Infinite Vulcan" and Kukulkan by the ancient Mayans in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
* [[God Guise]]: Keniclius 5 with the Phylosians in "The Infinite Vulcan", and Kukulkan by the ancient Mayans in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
* [[Grandfather Paradox]]: Spock in "Yesteryear".
* [[Grandfather Paradox]]: Spock in "Yesteryear".
* [[Haunted Technology]]: The Enterprise computer in "The Practical Joker".
* [[Haunted Technology]]: The Enterprise computer in "The Practical Joker".
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* [[In Space Everyone Can See Your Face]]: Life-support belts
* [[In Space Everyone Can See Your Face]]: Life-support belts
* [[Incredible Shrinking Man]]: "The Terratin Incident"
* [[Incredible Shrinking Man]]: "The Terratin Incident"
* [[Indy Hat Roll]]: In "Once Upon A Planet" Captain Kirk leaps through a sliding rock door in the side of a mountain just before it closes.
* [[Indy Hat Roll]]: In "Once Upon A Planet" Captain Kirk leaps through a sliding rock door in the side of a mountain just before it closes.
* [[Instant AI, Just Add Water]]: The planetary computer in "Once Upon A Planet" develops artificial intelligence on its own.
* [[Instant AI, Just Add Water]]: The planetary computer in "Once Upon A Planet" develops artificial intelligence on its own.
* [[Intelligent Gerbil]]: The Kzinti in "The Slaver Weapon" and the Caitian M'Ress.
* [[Intelligent Gerbil]]: The Kzinti in "The Slaver Weapon" and the Caitian M'Ress.
* [[It Belongs in a Museum]]: Lt. Sulu in "The Slaver Weapon". Spock sets him straight.
* [[It Belongs in a Museum]]: Lt. Sulu in "The Slaver Weapon". Spock sets him straight.
* [[Just Between You and Me]]: Charr in "The Jihad".
* [[Just Between You and Me]]: Charr in "The Jihad".
* [[Life Drinker]]: "The Lorelei Signal". The women of the planet Taurus II drain the [[Life Energy]] of men to maintain their youth, causing [[Rapid Aging]] in the men.
* [[Life Drinker]]: "The Lorelei Signal". The women of the planet Taurus II drain the [[Life Energy]] of men to maintain their youth, causing [[Rapid Aging]] in the men.
* [[Limited Animation]]
* [[Limited Animation]]: It's a [[Filmation]] show; it comes with the territory.
* [[Limited Wardrobe]]
* [[Limited Wardrobe]]: Justified in that they're in uniform.
* [[Losing Your Head]]: The title character in "Bem".
* [[Losing Your Head]]: The title character in "Bem".
* [[Lotus Eater Machine]]: Kukulcan's zoo animals in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
* [[Lotus Eater Machine]]: Kukulcan's zoo animals in "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth".
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* [[My Future Self and Me]]: Spock in "Yesteryear."
* [[My Future Self and Me]]: Spock in "Yesteryear."
* [[Neglectful Precursors]]: The Slavers' stasis boxes.
* [[Neglectful Precursors]]: The Slavers' stasis boxes.
* [[Never Say "Die"]]: [[Averted Trope|Actively averted.]], which became a rather large source of controversy in the episode "Yesteryear"
* [[Never Say "Die"]]: [[Averted Trope|Actively averted]], which became a rather large source of controversy in the episode "Yesteryear"
* [[No MacGuffin, No Winner]]: The end of "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[No MacGuffin, No Winner]]: The end of "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[No One Gets Left Behind]]: Kirk and Spock in "The Jihad".
* [[No One Gets Left Behind]]: Kirk and Spock in "The Jihad".
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* [[Now Do It Again Backwards]]: How the computer is repaired in "The Practical Joker".
* [[Now Do It Again Backwards]]: How the computer is repaired in "The Practical Joker".
* [[Ocean Punk]]: "The Ambergris Element"
* [[Ocean Punk]]: "The Ambergris Element"
* [[Off-Model]]: As mentioned under "Four-Fingered Hands". Also, one scene of Scotty with a mustache, while operating the transporter controls.
* [[Off-Model]]
* [[Opening Narration]]: An animated version of the one in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''.
* [[Opening Narration]]: An animated version of the one in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''.
* [[Patchwork Map]]: "The Eye of the Beholder"
* [[Patchwork Map]]: "The Eye of the Beholder"
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* [[Reality Warper]]: The inhabitants of the title planet in "The Magicks of Megas-Tu".
* [[Reality Warper]]: The inhabitants of the title planet in "The Magicks of Megas-Tu".
* [[Recursive Adaptation]]: "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[Recursive Adaptation]]: "The Slaver Weapon".
* [[Replacement Goldfish]]: Carter Winston.
* [[Replacement Goldfish]]: Carter Winston, in "The Survivor".
* [[Ret-Gone]]: Spock in "Yesteryear."
* [[Ret-Gone]]: Spock in "Yesteryear."
* [[Ripple-Effect-Proof Memory]]: Only Spock and Kirk remember the original timeline in "Yesteryear."
* [[Ripple-Effect-Proof Memory]]: Only Spock and Kirk remember the original timeline in "Yesteryear."
* [[Rite of Passage]]: The Vulcan kahs-wan in "Yesteryear".
* [[Rite of Passage]]: The Vulcan kahs-wan in "Yesteryear".
* [[Robo Speak]]: Any computer voice done by James Doohan.
* [[Robo Speak]]: Any computer voice done by James Doohan.
* [[Rotoscoping]]: How the animation of the USS Enterprise was created.
* [[Rotoscoping]]: How the animation of the ''USS Enterprise'' was created.
* [[Sequel Episode]]: "Mudd's Passion", "More Tribbles, More Troubles" and "Yesteryear", to ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' episodes.
* [[Sequel Episode]]: "Mudd's Passion", "More Tribbles, More Troubles" and "Yesteryear", to ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' episodes.
* [[Sdrawkcab Name]]: The retlaw plant in "The Infinite Vulcan" and the planet Arret in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Sdrawkcab Name]]: The retlaw plant in "The Infinite Vulcan" and the planet Arret in "The Counter-Clock Incident".
* [[Sealed Evil in a Can]]: "Beyond The Farthest Star"
* [[Sealed Evil in a Can]]: "Beyond The Farthest Star"
* [[Secret Test]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". The Megans test the Enterprise crew to verify their good intentions.
* [[Secret Test]]: "The Magicks of Megas-Tu". The Megans test the Enterprise crew to verify their good intentions.
* [[Self Destructing Security]]: "The Slaver Weapon". The title device tricks the Kzinti into using a self-destruct setting to destroy it...and them.
* [[Self-Destructing Security]]: "The Slaver Weapon". The title device tricks the Kzinti into using a self-destruct setting to destroy it...and them.
* [[Single Biome Planet]]: A Volcano Planet in "The Jihad".
* [[Single Biome Planet]]: A Volcano Planet in "The Jihad".
* [[Snake Oil Salesman]]: Harry Mudd in "Mudd's Passion", Cyrano Jones in "More Tribbles, More Troubles"
* [[Snake Oil Salesman]]: Harry Mudd in "Mudd's Passion", Cyrano Jones in "More Tribbles, More Troubles"
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* [[Stable Time Loop]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[Stable Time Loop]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[Starfish Aliens]]: Edosians, Vendorians, Phylosians, Lactrans and M/3/Green.
* [[Starfish Aliens]]: Edosians, Vendorians, Phylosians, Lactrans and M/3/Green.
* [[Steal the Surroundings]]: In "The Terratin Incident", an entire miniaturized city is beamed aboard the Enterprise in order quickly to save the inhabitants from impending doom.
* [[Steal the Surroundings]]: In "The Terratin Incident", an entire miniaturized city is beamed aboard the ''Enterprise'' in order to quickly save the inhabitants from impending doom.
* [[Sufficiently Advanced]] - "Bem", "The Eye of the Beholder" and "The Jihad".
* [[Sufficiently Advanced]]: "Bem", "The Eye of the Beholder", and "The Jihad".
* [[Suspiciously Similar Substitute]]: Arex, to Chekov.
* [[Suspiciously Similar Substitute]]: Arex, to Chekov.
* [[Swiss Army Weapon]]: "The Slaver Weapon"
* [[Swiss Army Weapon]]: "The Slaver Weapon"
* [[Talking to Himself]]: Characters voiced by Majel Barrett and James Doohan.
* [[Talking to Himself]]: Characters voiced by Majel Barrett and James Doohan.
* [[Tie-in Novel]]: [[Alan Dean Foster]] wrote adaptations of the episodes, and many Trek novels referenced it.
* [[Tie-in Novel]]: [[Alan Dean Foster]] wrote adaptations of the episodes, and many Trek novels referenced it.
* [[Temporal Paradox]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[Temporal Paradox]]: "Yesteryear"
* [[The Time Traveller's Dilemma]]: Thelen the Andorian in "Yesteryear".
* [[The Time Traveller's Dilemma]]: Thelen the Andorian in "Yesteryear".
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* [[You Can See That, Right?]]: Kirk to Spock in "The Time Trap" when the Klingon battlecruiser disappears.
* [[You Can See That, Right?]]: Kirk to Spock in "The Time Trap" when the Klingon battlecruiser disappears.


=== Provides aversions of: ===
{{tropelist|Provides aversions of:}}
* [[Lighter and Fluffier]] -- one of the main reasons given by [[Gene Roddenberry]] as to why he chose Filmation out of all the animation companies who made a pitch at doing the cartoon version is because they were the only company who didn't suggest giving the Enterprise crew "funny animal sidekicks". Interestingly, ''after'' getting the job, the idea apparently did surface at pre-production meetings... but it was quickly (and rightly) kyboshed by Roddenberry.
* [[Lighter and Fluffier]]: one of the main reasons given by [[Gene Roddenberry]] as to why he chose Filmation out of all the animation companies who made a pitch at doing the cartoon version is because they were the only company who didn't suggest giving the Enterprise crew "funny animal sidekicks". Interestingly, ''after'' getting the job, the idea apparently did surface at pre-production meetings... but it was quickly (and rightly) kiboshed by Roddenberry.
** Regardless, Filmation didn't let the concept of kid sidekicks in space go to waste and created the live action series, ''[[Space Academy]]'', a few years later.
** Regardless, Filmation didn't let the concept of kid sidekicks in space go to waste and created the live action series, ''Space Academy'', a few years later.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Star Trek Franchise}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:The Seventies]]
[[Category:The Seventies]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Western Animation]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Western Animation]]
[[Category:Saturday Morning Cartoon]]
[[Category:Saturday Morning Cartoon]]
[[Category:Western Animation]]
[[Category:Western Animation]]
[[Category:Star Trek: The Animated Series]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon]]
[[Category:Star Trek]]
[[Category:Star Trek]]
[[Category:Western Animation of the 1970s]]

Latest revision as of 21:01, 23 April 2024

An Animated Adaptation and the first Spin-Off from the original Star Trek series.

Given the reality that it was produced by Filmation, the animation is typically the studio's ultra-cheap style. However, they more than made up for that with most of the original cast and the writers as well (although Larry Niven was a tad lazy in squeezing The Soft Weapon from his Known Space universe into that of Star Trek). The result is a show that might be badly animated, but it still boasted spectacular imagery and believably non-human aliens that the original show could never depict, while still reasonably keeping to its artistic spirit. For instance, this series took home the franchise's first Emmy Award.

However, the franchise creator, Gene Roddenberry, later insisted that the animated show be kept out of continuity since he never anticipated that Star Trek would later be revived in live action on such a scale as would happen. However, many fans insisted that at least the best episode, "Yesteryear," be counted, considering that it gives a valuable look into Spock's youth and character, as well as the planet Vulcan. Because of the information about Vulcan presented in the show, the introducing of the Holodeck and giving Kirk his middle name, many of the Star Trek writers and actors involvement in the show, many fans consider it a part of their personal Star Trek Canon. In addition, the producers of Star Trek: Enterprise have used numerous references from this series. The Expanded Universe, already having less of a need to adhere to strict canon, even went so far as to revive M'Ress and tri-symmetrical Lt. Arex.

CBS declared this series full canon around the time they released it on DVD.

The title used here and on the DVD release is a back-formation. The show originally aired as simply "Star Trek". It's also known by the more ponderous title of The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek.

Tropes used in Star Trek: The Animated Series include:
Provides aversions of:
  • Lighter and Fluffier: one of the main reasons given by Gene Roddenberry as to why he chose Filmation out of all the animation companies who made a pitch at doing the cartoon version is because they were the only company who didn't suggest giving the Enterprise crew "funny animal sidekicks". Interestingly, after getting the job, the idea apparently did surface at pre-production meetings... but it was quickly (and rightly) kiboshed by Roddenberry.
    • Regardless, Filmation didn't let the concept of kid sidekicks in space go to waste and created the live action series, Space Academy, a few years later.
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