10 False Star Trek Facts You Probably Still Believe
4. Star Trek Was Always A Hugely Progressive Show
There is an argument that Roddenberry's Star Trek has always shown a perfect view of the future. As Michael Pillar stated in an essay on the challenges of writing Gene's future - there could be no conflict between characters. Humanity had evolved past that.
While the later series would challenge this, that presented issues with how some of these social issues were then depicted. The Original Series was quite ahead of its time in having a black woman, a Japanese man and a Russian man all serving on the same bridge as white american males. This was a Utopia. Now, what's wrong with this?
The issue lies in the depiction of the progressiveness of the future. The historic kiss between Kirk and Uhura is coerced, rather than a natural expression of affection. Racial struggles were later presented by white men wearing make-up. Women, while seemingly equal, were still called out - Number One on the bridge of the pilot and Dr. Janice Lester of the final episode. While these are but some examples, they serve to illustrate a problem with the progressiveness on show - it wasn't on show, not in those early days.
Perhaps this is an unfair criticism and as Star Trek offered a multi-cultural and colour/gender blind future, it was responsible for depicting a brighter future. It was that future though in the early days that felt somewhat unearned. There was an opportunity to reflect contemporary struggles on screen that was sadly missing until after Roddenberry passed away in 1991.