The 34-year-old’s take on gender identity was surprisingly progressive

One particularly progressive episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation addressed a hot-button topic in 1990. Since Star Trek: The Original Series Premiering in 1966, the franchise has always been ahead of its time. With his optimistic view of the future, Gene Roddenberry created a universe where the Earth has achieved peace and used its resources to explore the galaxy. TNG Expanded on this vision, picking up a century after TOS And then Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D.

Since its inception, Star Trek Held a mirror to society, addressing controversial topics, many of which remain relevant today. While some of Star Trek Social commentary proved more effective than others, The franchise has always tried to push boundaries and make people think. The science fiction trappings of Star Trek have allowed the franchise to deal with topics that networks might otherwise have banned. One of the best episodes of Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, episode 16, “The Offspring,” references a particularly polarizing theme when Data creates an android child.

Star Trek: TNG’s “The Offspring” is surprisingly progressive about sexuality and gender

Data allows his android child to choose their own gender

in Star Trek: The Next Generations “The Descent,” Data builds on his positronic brain’s technology to create an android child named Lal (Hallie Todd). When Data first activates Lal, who has an alien but humanoid form, he does not assign them a gender. Data invites Counselor Dianna Troy (Marina Sirtis), Lt. Commander Geordie La Forge (Levar Burton), and Ensign Wesley Crusher (Will Wheaton) to be the first people to meet Lal. Then allows Lal to choose their own species and gender, And they cycle through many choices before finally deciding to become a human female.

None of Datta’s fellow crew mates bat an eye about Lal’s appearance or Datta’s decision to allow her to choose her own gender. However, it is doubtful that television networks of 1990 would have allowed a story about a human crew member who allowed their young child to choose their gender. Some networks today would hesitate to tell that story, like Gender-affirming care for young people remains a controversial topic. “The Descent” is widely regarded as one of Star Trek: The Next Generation Best episodes, but many reviews do not acknowledge how progressive this element of the storyline was, even for Star Trek.

Modern Star Trek continues to celebrate progress and diversity

Star Trek has always been ahead of its time

Star Trek Entered the modern era of streaming TV in 2017 with the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery. With an incredibly talented cast led by Sonequa Martin-Green as Commander Michael Burnham, Discovery was the most diverse Star Trek Show to date. Star Trek: Discovery introduced the first gay married couple in the franchise, as well as Star Treks first nonbinary and transgender characters. Star Trek Points have continued to push boundaries and adapt their social commentary to the time period in which they were made.

Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, And Star Trek: Strange New Worlds have also continued the trend. All of these shows are undeniable star trek, not only incorporating elements of Trek Long story, but also Uphold one of Star Trek Greatest Powers: “Infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” Indeed, diversity and progress have always been the core tenets of Star Trek. after all, Star Trek: The Next Generation In 1990, one of the most progressive episodes of the franchise appeared.