Star Trek, the iconic science fiction series, has forever changed the entertainment landscape because it has inspired viewers of all ages, sparked new ideas, and pushed the boundaries of accepted behavior. William Shatner’s portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk is a classic and instantly recognizable among the film’s acclaimed ensemble cast.
Despite all the accolades, an episode called Turnabout Intruder tainted the otherwise forward-thinking storyline of the show.
William Shatner’s Stellar Performance In Turnabout Intruder
The original Star Trek series’ final season included the episode Turnabout Intruder, which was controversial for its retrograde themes. The episode aired on June 3, 1969, and followed Dr. Janice Lester, an ex-lover of Captain Kirk’s who uses cutting-edge mind-transfer technology to inhabit his body and achieve her long-suppressed dream of becoming a starship captain.
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This episode was the only time in the entire Star Trek canon that it was implied that women were not allowed to become captains in Starfleet. However, the episode’s content was heavily criticized. The problematic portrayal of women in authority was emphasized by dialogue that reinforced gender stereotypes and by Dr. Janice Lester’s resentment towards her sex.
Star Trek has a reputation for being a progressive leader in storytelling, but Turnabout Intruder tarnished that. Modern Star Trek writers have wisely avoided such topics. William Shatner‘s acting excellence shone like a beacon amidst the storm of criticism.
Shatner’s mastery of the craft was on full display in Turnabout Intruder, where he played Captain Kirk under Dr. Lester’s influence. Audiences were blown away by his ability to switch between the two roles easily, further solidifying his reputation as a legendary performer in the science fiction film industry. Despite the episode’s problematic themes, everyone agreed that Shatner’s performance was a tour de force.
The National Emergency That Shattered William Shatner’s Emmy Dreams
William Shatner’s hopes of being nominated for an Emmy were dashed when the show’s air date had to be moved due to a national emergency. The death of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 28, 1969, was a somber day for the United States.
President Eisenhower was so beloved that his funeral procession was shown on television on the same night Star Trek usually aired, forcing the show’s producers to push back the air date of an episode until the following week.
This change, unfortunately, disqualified Turnabout Intruder from Emmy consideration. This unfortunate turn of events severely damaged Shatner’s Emmy chances and deprived the renowned actor of deserved recognition for his outstanding performance.
It’s impossible to overstate the original Star Trek’s influence on television and the science fiction genre, even though it was never nominated for an Emmy. The show was nominated for numerous awards throughout its run, including Outstanding Dramatic Series, Best Supporting Actor for Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock, and Technical Achievement in Visual Effects.
Star Trek: The Animated Series premiered in 1975, bringing the franchise its first Emmy win for Outstanding Entertainment in a Children’s Series. The franchise’s legacy as a beloved and Emmy-winning television phenomenon was cemented by subsequent series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.
Source: SlashFilm
