The Star Trek Universe : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers : 9781442249851 : 1442249854 : 14 May 2015 : As one of the most influential shows of all time, Star Trekcontinues to engage fans around the world. But its cultural impact has grown far beyond the scope of the original seventy-nine episodes. The show spawned an unprecedented progeny, beginning withStar Trek: The Next Generation, followed by three additional series of space exploration. Film versions featuring Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and other original crew members first appeared in 1979, followed by a number of successful sequels and ultimately a reboot of the original show. From the modest ambitions of the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry,Star Trek gradually transformed into a true franchise, an expanded universe that continues to grow. In The Star Trek Universe: Franchising the Final Frontier, Douglas and Shea T. Brode have collected several essays that examine the many incarnations that have arisen since the original program