Star Trek Inspired Shows: Beyond the Federation

The Best Star Trek That Isn’t Star Trek

By Joshua Tyler | Published 1 hour ago

The best science fiction universes function according too a set of rules, rules which make them what they are.

Battlestar Galactica, for instance, operates in a gritty world based around complex human dynamics and questions of faith and belief.

Star Wars operates like a classic adventure movie. The original movie is frequently enough used by instructors as a way to teach students about the best way to structure a classic heroes journey.

In a prior video, which you can find linked to in the description of this one, we dug into the rules of Star Trek.Those rules are what make Star Trek feel like Star Trek, and they include things like a focus on human progress and technological consistency and stories told around groups of people exploring the unknown.

But actual Paramount-owned Star Trek productions aren’t the only things using rules.

Some of the very best Star Trek ever produced isn’t Star Trek at all.

To prove my point, I’d like to start talking about how great galaxy Quest is, except we get demonetized every time we discuss Galaxy Quest.

Luckily, Galaxy Quest isn’t the only example of something that captures the essence of Star Trek, without being Star Trek.

Some of the best Star Trek isn’t even science fiction!

Activate your warp drive, or power up your quantum flux drive, or just unfurl your sails.

This is the best Star Trek that isn’t Star Trek!

The Last Ship

Inspired by William Brinkley’s novel of the same name, the Last ship was a 2014 television series focused on the crew of the USS Nathan James, a Navy destroyer left on its own after a global pandemic wipes out all governments and militaries.

The show centers around Captain Tom Chandler, played by Eric Dane, a Captain Kirk-style character leading his crew on a mission to save the world.

In The Last Ship’s first season, when the Nathan James is totally on its own and traveling the world looking for scientific discoveries to cure the plague, the show plays out exactly like a great season of Star Trek.

In subsequent seasons The Last Ship morphs into something else, but that first one is a great modern-day military take on the Star Trek aesthetic and worth watching as a single-season, self-contained story.

Lost In Space

The original Lost in Space debuted on television in 1965, a year before Star Trek. Like Trek, the show follows a small crew on a journey through the galaxy.

The biggest difference between them is in the crew dynamics. Lost in Space focuses primarily on the Robinson family, part of a colonist group that veers off course, emphasizing a survival narrative in unknown environments over exploration.

There was a 90s Lost in Space movie starring Matt LeBlanc, which probably isn’t worth watching, and the original series is now pretty dated.

luckily, Netflix recently pulled off a pretty fantastic reboot of the series, which captures a lot of what made both Star Trek and the original Lost in Space so great.

Stargate

The 90s Stargate movie launched an entire television franchise based on the adventures of humans traveling through stargates to visit unknown worlds.

Other than visiting alien worlds, Stargate SG-1 is pretty different from Star Trek. It’s not set in the future and it’s more militaristic.

However, Stargate’s two spinoff shows, Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate Universe, capture a more Star Trek vibe.

Stargate Atlantis is set in a futuristic lost city, which the crew uses as a base for exploration and finding. It touches on many of the familiar themes that make Star Trek great.

Meanwhile, Stargate universe follows a group of humans trapped aboard an ancient starship in a far-off galaxy with no way home. The series hits on many of the familiar crew dynamics that Star Trek fans love most.

Fantastic Voyage

Only a few months before Captain Kirk’s arrival on screen in 1966,Disney released a different story of exploration called Fantastic Voyage.

Rather of exploring outer space, it takes the crew of a small ship inside the human body, boldly going where no one has gone before in its own way.

fantastic Voyage was the technical marvel of its day. The movie’s original trailer heralded it as “a new kind of moviegoing experience,” and for once, that wasn’t hyperbole. It was a fact.

Like Star Trek, Fantastic Voyage stands out as a turning point in sci-fi by exploring a brand new setting that had never been done on this scale before. It still holds up as a technical advancement and a fun adventure.

SeaQuest DSV

SeaQuest DSV was Steven Spielberg’s attempt to bring Star Trek to the ocean. The show was set in the then-distant future of 2018, where the Earth’s oceans had become the new frontier.

star Trek’s familiar exploration themes are all over SeaQuest DSV, as is its optimism. The show’s first season is pretty great, but like most Star Trek imitators, it couldn’t quiet maintain its initial spark.

In what ways do these Star Trek-inspired shows differ in their approach to exploring the complexities of interstellar relations compared to the original Star Trek series?

The impact of Star Trek on science fiction is undeniable. Not only has it captivated audiences for decades,but it has also inspired countless shows and movies. This article delves into some of the best Star Trek inspired shows that have captured the essence of space exploration, philosophical discussions, and the spirit of human advancement beyond the Federation.

Echoes of Trek: Core Themes and Show Characteristics

manny shows draw inspiration from Star trek through its core thematic elements. Shows often share elements such as the drive for space exploration, the examination of ethical dilemmas, and the importance of a diverse crew. Further, they frequently explore:

• First Contact Scenarios: Deals with encounters with alien civilizations.
• Technological advancements: Focuses on future technology and possibilities.
• Moral and Ethical Quandaries: Explores complex issues of right and wrong.

Key Inspirations: A Deeper Look

The influence of Star Trek manifests in complex plots, character advancement, and world-building. The following shows, tho distinct, share important ties with the ethos defined by Star Trek.

Exploring the Universe: Shows Influenced by Star Trek

several shows embody the spirit of exploration, the challenges of alien contact, and the complexities of interstellar relations, drawing clear influence from the Star Trek franchise. These shows frequently enough explore different facets of human nature and the potential that exists in the vast space beyond the borders of the Federation.

1. Babylon 5 (1994-1998): political Intrigue in Deep Space

Babylon 5 is known for its serialized storytelling and complex plots, much like the extended story arcs found in later Star Trek series. this show centers on a space station, serving as a hub for interspecies diplomacy and the backdrop for a galactic war. The series deals with:

* Intrigue and Alliance: Exploring the politics of multiple alien races.

* Long-Form Storytelling: The creation of a continuous narrative.

* Military Conflict: Focuses on intergalactic conflict that explores the ethics of warfare.

2. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009): Humanity’s Survival

The modern remake of Battlestar Galactica takes a more gritty and realistic look at the challenges of survival in space. It is focused on themes such as:

* Human-Cylon Conflict: Focuses on the constant struggle of humans and Cylons.

* Psychological Exploration: Deals with the trauma of an intergalactic struggle.

* Survival Drama: Examines the struggles of a society that has vanished.

3. The Expanse (2015-2023): Realism in Space

The Expanse embraces hard science fiction, highlighting the importance of realism in technology, scientific developments, and physics. It’s similar to Star Trek for its focus on:

• Political tensions: Featuring the interactions of Earth, Mars and the asteroid belt.
• Complex Characters: The series is driven by fully developed characters.
• Scientific detail: Accuracy is a core principle of the show.

Benefits of Watching Star Trek Inspired Shows

For fans of science fiction and Star Trek, exploring shows like these produces many benefits including:

• Intellectual Stimulation: These shows encourage critical thinking about complex subjects.
• Escapism: They provide an engaging way to get away from everyday life.
• understanding Different Cultures: Fosters empathy for other civilizations.

Show Title	Theme	Star Trek Inspiration
Babylon 5	Galactic politics	Complex inter-species relations.
Battlestar Galactica	Survival	Exploration of complex social situations.
The Expanse	Realistic space travel	focusing on the realism to the technology.

Practical Tips for New Viewers

To enjoy these shows, consider this advice:

1. Start with key episodes: Find the moast impactful episodes of a suggested series.
2. Research the universe: Understand the different shows that have followed in Star Trek’s footsteps.
3. Discuss with others: Joining online communities and forums creates an enhanced viewing experience

Exploring these Star trek inspired shows offers a rewarding experience, inviting viewers to engage with compelling narratives that explore the universe and human potential.Each show offers a distinctive outlook on the ideals that Star Trek embodies, inviting viewers to question, explore, and celebrate what can be.