One particularly progressive episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generationaddressed a hot-button topic in 1990. SinceStar Trek: The Original Seriespremiered 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 had achieved peaceand used its resources to explore the galaxy.TNGexpanded on this vision, picking up a century afterTOSand following Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D.
Since its inception,Star Trekhas held a mirror to society, addressing controversial topics, many of which remain relevant today. While some ofStar Trek’ssocial commentary proved more effective than others,the franchise has always tried to push boundaries and make people think.The science fiction trappings ofStar Trekhave allowed the franchise to tackle topics that networks might otherwise have banned. One ofLt. Commander Data’s (Brent Spiner) best episodes,Star Trek: The Next Generationseason 3, episode 16, “The Offspring,” references a particularly polarizing topic when Data creates an android child.
Star Trek: TNG’s “The Offspring” Is Surprisingly Progressive Regarding Sexuality & Gender
Data Allows His Android Child To Choose Their Own Gender
InStar Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Offspring,“Data builds upon 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 Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), and Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) to be the first people to meet Lal.Data then allows Lal to choose their own species and gender,and they cycle through many choices before finally deciding to become a human female.
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None of Data’s fellow crew mates bat an eye regarding Lal’s appearance or Data’s decision to allow her to choose her own gender. However, it’s 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, asgender-affirming care for young people remains a controversial topic.“The Offspring” is widely regarded as one ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’sbest episodes, but many reviews fail to acknowledge how progressive this element of the storyline was, even forStar Trek.
Modern Star Trek Continues To Celebrate Progress & Diversity
Star Trekentered the modern era of streaming television in 2017 with the premiere ofStar Trek: Discovery. With an incredibly talented cast led bySonequa Martin-Green as Commander Michael Burnham,Discoverywas the most diverseStar Trekshow to date.Star Trek: Discoveryintroduced the first gay married couple in the franchise, as well asStar Trek’s first nonbinary and transgender characters.Star Trekshowshave continued to push boundaries and adapt their social commentary to the time period in which they were made.
In the original script forStar Trek: TNG’s “The Offspring,” Guinan explained human sexuality to Lal by saying something about"a man and woman"being in love. Whoopi Goldberg reportedly objected to the gendered line, pointing out that the Federation of the 24th century would be more diverse than that.
Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy,andStar Trek: Strange New Worldshave also continued this trend. All of these shows are undeniablyStar Trek,not only incorporating elements ofTrek’slong history, but alsoupholding one ofStar Trek’sgreatest strengths:“infinite diversity in infinite combinations.“Indeed, diversity and progress have always been core tenets ofStar Trek.After all,Star Trek: The Next Generationaired one of the franchise’s most progressive episodes back in 1990.
