Commentary: The Strange Contrast Between ‘Star Trek’ And ‘Star Wars’
by Frank Martin
In the world of space-related science fiction, it’s hard to find more prominent franchises than Star Wars and Star Trek. What’s even more interesting is how different these two concepts are from one another. It’s debatable whether or not Star Wars can even be considered science fiction at all as it is primarily space fantasy. By comparison, Star Trek takes place in the future of Earth and tries to root itself in actual science. But despite these differences in setting and plot, the themes each franchise tries to encompass actually run in the opposite directions as Star Wars views the world as it is where Star Trek looks to how it could be.
Star Trek follows the adventures of those enlisted in Starfleet, a futuristic paramilitary organization with a primary mission in science-based exploration. They approach each interaction through a lens of peace and prosperity, something they hope to spread across the galaxy. Likewise, Star Wars is about a ruthless Empire (whatever name it goes by) spreading across the galaxy and pressing powerless communities under its thumb. A rebellion arises to combat the Empire, and the concept’s various tales are more or less about a struggle for freedom and self-rule during an era of cruelty.
Of course, this analysis isn’t absolute. There are instances in both franchise where the reverse is true. But predominantly, each story tries to ground itself in those things. This hearkens back to their origins. George Lucas has cited how the first Star Wars story was a direct result of what appeared as imperial action by the West in Vietnam. In contrast, Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek as a symbol of hope to highlight a better future for humanity to strive towards. It just goes to show that there is not one right way to create science fiction to express a particular theme and message.
Star Trek is now streaming on Paramount+. Star Wars is now streaming on Disney+.