Understanding the Star Trek Animated Series (TAS)

The Star Trek Animated Series (TAS) was a limited production animated series from 1973 to 1974, consisting of two seasons. The first season comprised 16 episodes, airing from September 8, 1973, to January 12, 1974, while the second season featured only six episodes, airing from September 7, 1974, to October 12, 1974.

Reviving the Star Trek Brand with Animation

Many of the same people who worked on the Original Series (TOS) in the 1960s also collaborated on TAS, ensuring a consistent quality in the continuity and character portrayals. Notably, the entire cast returned to voice their characters except for Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov.

The choice to use animation was strategic. Given the high costs associated with recreating the live-action set designs, materials, and props, animation offered a more economical solution. It also allowed for the addition of new elements, such as the Recreation Room, a proto-holodeck, and more alien crew members, including Lt. M'Ress and Lt. Arex. These additions would have been significantly more challenging and expensive to achieve in a live-action format.

The animation also enabled the Starship Enterprise to visit more interesting alien worlds and for the various alien species to be portrayed more authentically than the budget constraints of the live-action series would allow. This made TAS a unique and valuable addition to the Star Trek universe.

A Limited Production and Its Purpose

The Animated Series (TAS) was a limited production from 1973 to 1974 and served as a Saturday morning cartoon. Gene Roddenberry used it to keep the Star Trek brand alive while he was working on the Star Trek: Phase II reboot series, which was set to go into production soon. However, Paramount's decision to see Star Trek as a one-off theatrical film, rather than an ongoing series, delayed the production significantly. This resulted in TAS being viewed as a response to Star Wars, not an innovative concept in its own right.

By the time TAS was ready to air, it was perceived as a reaction to the blockbuster success of Star Wars, which was released in 1977. This shift in perception meant that TAS did not receive the same level of recognition it might have if it had been aired at a different time.

Conclusion

In summary, the Star Trek Animated Series (TAS) was a strategic move by Gene Roddenberry to keep the Star Trek brand alive and to provide a creative continuation within the universe. Its animation format and limited production made it an innovative and unique addition to the Star Trek series. Despite being a limited production, TAS remains a significant part of Star Trek history, showcasing the creative possibilities that animation offered at the time.