Star Trek fan at a convention in London, 2012. Photo via Chris Harvey/Shutterstock
It is an intergalactic truth that now is one of the best times to be a Star Trek fan, from all-you-can-binge-on content on Netflix to new movies and special powers on Facebook.
Ever since the Starship Enterprise arrived on screens in 1966 with Captain Kirk and Spock on board, Star Trek has had an enormous following and no amount of TV shows, movies, toys, novels and sci-fi conventions can be enough for followers of the franchise.
For reasons outlined below, it has never been a better time to be a Trekkie.
A new TV series, Star Trek: Discovery, is coming in 2017
Star Trek has been a cult phenomenon for decades, and now another era of myth and legend is about to be born with a new TV Series entitled Star Trek: Discovery which will debut in January 2017 on the digital platform CBS All Access.
The new series is in development by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman.
The next generation movies are going from strength to strength
A still from the latest movie Star Trek: Beyond
A new generation representing younger versions of the crew from the original show blasted into space in an alternative timeline called the ‘Kelvin Timeline’ in 2009 with the rebooted Star Trek feature film.
This was followed in 2013 with Star Trek: Into Darkness.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise, the latest film – Star Trek: Beyond – was released in July 2016.
Netflix has pulled together everything you can possibly binge on
Streaming video giant Netflix has secured a landmark international licensing agreement for the new Star Trek television series that will see each episode made available globally within 24 hours of its US premiere.
Netflix will be the exclusive home of Star Trek in 188 countries around the world, outside the US and Canada.
Additionally, all 727 existing episodes of the iconic Star Trek television library – including Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise will be available on Netflix this year.
If you live in the US you can send mail with Star Trek postage stamps
The US Postal Service has decided to mark the Star Trek franchise’s 50th anniversary with the release of a collection of postal stamps that should be a collector’s dream.
The stamps feature four Star Trek-themed graphic designs including an image of the Starship Enterprise, a silhouette of a crew member and the iconic Vulcan salute.
Facebook has changed its reactions just for fans of Star Trek
Yes, Star Trek fans have better powers on Facebook than the rest of us mere mortals. Facebook has just beamed down a new set of special reactions themed around the show to mark its 50th anniversary.
The reactions are only for Facebook users who’ve liked Star Trek and they will see such additions as the Vulcan salute, a laughing Kirk, an angry Klingon, surprised Spock and sad Geordi.
Star Trek fans can also add a custom frame to their profile pictures.
That means Star Trek fans are hitting warp speed and are clearly beaming down at non-Trekkies as they boldly go about their business.
Main Trekkie image by Chris Harvey via Shutterstock
