Watch Building Star Trek

Building Star Trek is a two-part documentary series from the Smithsonian Channel that explores the enduring legacy of the original Star Trek television series and its impact on popular culture, technology, and space exploration. The show features a mix of archival footage, interviews with key figures from the Star Trek universe, and behind-the-scenes looks at iconic props and costumes.

The first episode, titled "Rebuilding the Enterprise," focuses on the restoration of the original USS Enterprise model used in the series. Jim Conrad, a retired aviation engineer, and Gerald Gurian, a Star Trek superfan and model maker, team up to restore the dilapidated model to its former glory. This process involves everything from recreating lost parts to upgrading the lighting system to meet modern standards. The level of detail and care that goes into the restoration is truly impressive, and the documentary does an excellent job of capturing this process.

In addition to documenting the restoration work, the first episode also looks at the role the Enterprise played in inspiring real-world space technology. Scientists and engineers from NASA and other organizations discuss how the show helped shape their careers and how they drew inspiration from the futuristic technology depicted on screen. It's fascinating to hear these experts talk about how science fiction can serve as a catalyst for real-world innovation.

The second episode, titled "Beyond the Final Frontier," shifts focus to the impact Star Trek has had on popular culture and society at large. The episode features interviews with a wide range of Star Trek fans, including politicians, scientists, actors, and even former astronauts. The documentary explores how the show's messages of equality, diversity, and exploration have resonated with audiences around the world, and how the Star Trek franchise continues to inspire new generations of fans.

One of the highlights of the second episode is an interview with Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on the original series. Nichols is a trailblazer in her own right, having been one of the first African-American women to appear in a leading role on television. In the documentary, she discusses how her work on Star Trek helped to break down racial barriers in both Hollywood and the real world. Her story is a testament to the power of representation and the impact that media can have on social change.

Overall, Building Star Trek is an engaging and informative look at one of the most iconic science fiction franchises of all time. The documentary does an excellent job of balancing the behind-the-scenes details of the restoration process with broader discussions of the show's cultural significance. Fans of the series will no doubt find the images of the restored Enterprise to be a real treat, while those interested in the ways that science fiction can shape our ideas about the future will appreciate the show's broader themes.

Building Star Trek is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between September 3, 2016 and on Smithsonian Channel