Star Trek is one of the most well-known science fiction series, with a lengthy and intriguing history. Having said that, there are numerous interesting facts about the show that even die-hard fans may be unaware of.
So, apart from the fact that red shirts are nearly always as good as dead, what are some facts you don't know about Star Trek? Here are some facts about the series that may surprise even the most ardent Trekkie.
1. Spock’s skin was originally going to be red
The famous figure might have looked very different in the original television series. Spock, according to Gene Roddenberry, has not just prominent brows and tapering ears, but also crimson skin. This concept, however, was abandoned after screen testing revealed that the red appeared jet black on the black and white television. They then changed to yellow, which appeared as green on the screen.
Image Courtesy: USA Today
2. Eddie Murphy turned down a Star Trek role
The comedian has a lengthy list of impressive accomplishments to his credit. But there's one big item missing from that list since he turned it down! According to I Am Spock, after his popularity on Saturday Night Live, Paramount offered Murphy a deal to feature in a Star Trek film.
Murphy was vocal about his desire to be a part of the franchise, thus many screenplays were written, but he wasn't pleased with the results. Instead, he starred in The Golden Child, and the writers changed the tone of the film to be more serious, resulting in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Image Courtesy: Deadline
3. Stephen Hawking is the only person to play himself on Star Trek
In the episode "Descent," Data, Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking are playing poker. Hawking is the prankster, whereas Newton is a complete jerk. Watch the intriguing scenario on to find out who wins the game on YouTube.
Image Courtesy: Vanity Fair
4. William Shatner has never watched the series
It is not unusual for performers to fail to see their own work. However, diehard Trekkies may find this sad. The show's one of the most famous star hasn't bothered to view a single episode of his work.
In an interview, the actor stated, "I never watched Star Trek." “I've never watched any of the Star Trek films. I don't keep track of myself. I stink when I direct and have to look at taped scenes of myself.”
Image Courtesy: CNET
5. Gay story lines were reportedly blocked
Because the show is intended to take place in a paradise, the sci-fi show continually pushed the boundaries of society's preconceptions. However, one area where they failed to deliver was the inclusion of LGBT characters.
This, however, was not due to a lack of demand. These characters were requested by fans. However, once these tales were proposed by authors, executive producer Rick Berman apparently vetoed them.
Image Courtesy: Indiewire
6. Zachary Quinto couldn’t do the Vulcan salute
Everyone is familiar with the classic Vulcan salute, but the most recent actor to take on the job couldn't quite master it without a few gimmicks. “Zach could do the salute on occasion,” an insider told the Daily Mail, “but only after he'd positioned his fingers correctly off-camera.”
Because he needs to make the salute while saying his lines in some sequences, they ended up utilising skin-protective superglue, similar to what is used in hospitals, to bind his fingers together. It was the only way they were going to be able to make it work.”
Image Courtesy: Cinemablend
7. James Doohan (Scotty) created the Klingon language
The programme is well-known for inventing a whole language for its fictional Klingon extraterrestrial race. Doohan created the grammar and vocabulary for the language, which is how this came about. They then hired linguist Mark Okrand to complete the language.
Image Courtesy: USA Today
8. Leonard Nimoy created the Vulcan pinch and salute
Not only was he the first to bring this figure to popular culture, but he also developed some of Spock's most famous characteristics. “The episode was titled 'The Enemy Within.' “Kirk had two personas, and his evil half was seeking to destroy his good side,” Nimoy explained to Star Trek. “Spock was meant to sneak up behind the bad man and use a phaser to strike him in the back of the skull... That's not very Vulcan.
As a result, I devised the nerve pinch. The mind meld was created by Gene Roddenberry, and I contributed the Vulcan hand salute from my personal experience.”
Image Courtesy: ComicBook
Guess you all didn't know these, isn't it?