Part 3/7:
Shatner, who knew Gene Roddenberry well during his time on Star Trek: The Original Series, reflected on his relationship with the legendary creator. According to Shatner, Roddenberry would be appalled by the modern iterations—they lack the essence of what made Star Trek meaningful. Fans and critics alike have echoed this sentiment, criticizing recent productions such as Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds for feeling disconnected from the spirit of the original series, often seeming more focused on virtue signaling and contemporary ideological messaging than storytelling.