In the 1960s, science fiction television was changed forever by two brilliant shows, one in the U.S. and the other in the U.K. In 1963, Doctor Who revolutionized the nature of the family sci-fi serial on television, Then, in 1966, Star Trek changed the game with the first episodic sci-fi series aimed at adults with continuing characters. Six decades later, Doctor Who has outgrown its “kid show” origins, while Star Trek extended to with various spinoffs into nearly every demographic imaginable. Together, Who and Trek represent the stalwarts for what TV sci-fi can accomplish. Plus, both franchises possess similar philosophical DNA: the ethical dilemmas faced by members of Starfleet very often share parallels with the troubles encountered by the Doctor and their companions.
