The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek

In 1987 Paramount decided Trek should return to its roots: television. ST: The Next Generation would become the first hour-long scripted show sold directly to the syndicated television market. Paramount's gamble paid off. Who hasn't heard of Picard, Data, and Worf?

After Gene Roddenberry's death, Trek ventured into yet another incarnation. Deep Space Nine was different from its predecessor, set on a space station. Its 1993 debut featured an African-American Captain and heavily serialized story arcs - both firsts. This was new Trek.

1995 brought another Trek series. This one featured a new starship, a return to episodic storytelling, and Trek's first female Captain, Kathryn Janeway. It was also the flagship for Paramount's new television network, United Paramount Network (UPN). Despite running seven seasons, the addition of Seven of Nine wasn't well-received by the entire cast.

Kirk, Spock, Picard, Data - the list of great Trek characters is incomplete without the Enterprise, Starfleet's flagship vessel. But Enterprise isn't alone - there's a whole list of Federation vessels that aren't appreciated enough. This episode ensures they are.

Plagued by fledgling UPN's under-performance, Enterprise's premise (a prequel about the Federation's founding) was undercut by the decision to make the third season a reaction to 9/11. Lackluster ratings meant Captain Archer and his crew would only get four seasons.

From the series regulars and recurring roles down to the folks who just did guest spots, thousands of actors have brought the characters of Star Trek to life. Hear them tell what it's like on their side of the camera lens.