What Is the Story of Captain Kirk?

What Is the Story of Captain Kirk?

Your favorite characters are now part of the Who HQ library! Journey to deep space and learn how James Tiberius Kirk became one of the greatest space heroes in the Star Trek universe in this addition to the New York Times bestselling series. From appearances in live action and animated television shows, a series of films, comics, video games, and more, James T. Kirk is an established space captain in pop culture. Star Trek remains one of the most popular science-fiction series of all time, and Captain Kirk is one of the most famous and highly decorated captains in the history of Starfleet. As the commanding officer of starships like the U.S.S. Enterprise , viewers follow his adventures through space. But did you know that Kirk wasn't even the show's first Captain? And that the Star Trek series almost didn't happen? Author M. D. Payne takes readers aboard Starfleet starships as Kirk explores new worlds, encounters new villains, and "boldly goes where no man has gone before." M. D. Payne wrote his first books, the gross-out horror series MONSTER JUICE, from 2012 until 2014, and then became involved in the New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series, tackling spooky subjects like Who Is R. L. Stine? and What Is the Story of Scooby Doo ? He lives in New York City. What Is the Story of Captain Kirk?   On the evening of September 8, 1966, people all around the United States tuned in to the NBC network. They were about to experience a historic moment in TV history: the very first episode of the new science fiction series, Star Trek . It was called “The Man Trap.”   Viewers saw a spaceship orbiting a red planet. Then they heard a commanding voice say: “Captain’s log, Stardate 1513.1. Our position: orbiting Planet M--113 . . .”   The voice they heard belonged to Captain James Tiberius Kirk.   Captain Kirk and viewers alike were soon thrown into a space mystery. A species that can look like anyone impersonated one of the spaceship’s crewmen, and, hungry for salt, sucked the life out of some of the crewmembers!   In order to protect his crew, Captain Kirk had to put the pieces together, solve the mystery, destroy the invader, and save the ship from doom—-all before the episode ended.   The show was packed with action.Unfortunately, though, reviews of the first Star Trek episode weren’t great. Some said that the sets, costumes, and even the acting seemed fake. But some viewers were drawn to the characters, especially Captain Kirk! He was tough and smart. He wasn’t afraid to show his emotions. He was in charge, but he knew when to ask for help. He was a space explorer who was still very human. He and the rest of the Star Trek crew instantly connected with viewers at home.   Because of that connection, Star Trek would soon become one of the most popular science fiction television series of all time. And Captain Kirk would become one of the most famous characters of any television series.   But did you know Kirk wasn’t even the show’s first captain? And that the Star Trek series almost didn’t happen?   This is the story of how Captain Kirk was created and touched the lives of millions of fans around the globe through television, movies, and more.   Chapter 1: Adventure in the Stars   During World War II, Gene Roddenberry was a bomber pilot who flew the B--17 Flying Fortress. After the war, he continued his career as a pilot. But on June 18, 1947, the engines of Pan American World Airways Flight 121 caught fire over Syria. The plane crash--landed, and the pilot died. Gene was the third pilot on that flight. He broke two ribs, but was still able to save a few passengers onboard before the whole plane burst into flames.   After that crash, Gene wondered if he should even be a pilot anymore. So in May 1948, at the age of twenty--six, he decided to pursue a new career: writing.   Gene had always dreamed of being a writer. He thought he could make money writing poetry. That was his dream—-until his friend bought a new (and very expensive) piece of technology—-a television set! In 1948, very few people could afford a television. Television stations were just getting up and running. There were only four hours of shows a night! But Gene saw something special on his friend’s television, and it wasn’t long before his dream changed again: He wanted to be a television writer.   He started writing scripts for different television shows, including police dramas like Highway Patrol and Dragnet , one of the most popular television shows of the 1950s. Many of the television episodes he wrote were Westerns, for shows like Have Gun—-Will Travel . Westerns told stories about the experiences of pioneers in the Old West of the United States.   By the end of the 1950s, televisions were in almost every home—-some of them now in color! Gene had become a well--respected, award--winning writer.   And now Gene had a new dream: He wanted to create his very own television sh