'Star Trek: Discovery' References Spock And 'The Animated Series'
Star Trek: Discovery aired its third episode, “Context is for Kings,” on Sunday and the [...]
Once Upon A Planet
It is interesting that Star Trek: Discovery should reference an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series since that animated show's status is the Star Trek canon is questionable. When it originally aired in the 1970s, The Animated Series was meant to be the official continuation of the live-action Star Trek: The Original Series.
However, in 1988, with four live-action movies under the franchise's belt and the new live-action Star Trek: The Next Generation television series on the air, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry requested that The Animated Series be stricken from official canon. Most of the writers and producers working on the franchise at the time agreed and by the mid-1990s, Paramount had made it official policy.
The one exception to that rule seems to have been what was established in The Animated Series about Spock's childhood, primarily in the episode "Yesteryear," which expanded on some hints about his history given in The Original Series. That episode influenced the character's development through the Star Trek movies.
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However, some fans believe that Star Trek: The Animated Series was restored to Star Trek canon status when the DVD set was released in 2006.
There has never been an official statement on the matter from Paramount, but some fans recognized that the series began to be referenced on the official Star Trek website and that there was a shift in attitude towards material from The Animated Series within the show's themselves, with more references occurring as the franchise grew older, particularly on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
This latest reference from Star Trek: Discovery is sure to give those who believe The Animated Series to be canon more fuel for their fire.
Star Trek: Discovery streams on CBS All Access Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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