I had no idea that this OG Star Trek character’s name was banned from The Next Generation

When Star Trek: The Original Series started airing in 1966, the audience was taken aback by the insightful characters and stories from across the galaxy. One character who has remained iconic even after several years is Mr. Spock, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy. Spock is a half-human, half-Vulcan first officer aboard the USS Enterprise. When Star Trek: The Next Generation was in the making in 1987, creator Gene Roddenberry wanted to ensure that both shows seemed different from each other. One of the rules was the restriction on the word 'Spock'.

But why Spock? With his logic and firm beliefs, Spock fascinated the audience, and it was important for the new show to generate its own set of fans. That said, The Next Generation did eventually break the rules.

The Next Generation has featured appearances from other members of The Original Series, including Dr. Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley) in the pilot episode and Montgomery Scott (played by James Doohan) in Season 6, episode 4 titled 'Relics'.

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Reason behind The Original Series character ban

Gene Roddenberry was known for setting stringent rules for Star Trek. From set designs and costumes to characters and dialogues, the visionary creator was involved in every aspect of the filming. While creating The Next Generation, his foresight was clear; he did not want references to The Original Series to ensure that the two series stood apart. And with Spock being one of the more distinct and recognizable names, it was to be avoided.

The Next Generation executive producer, Rick Berman, believed in Roddenberry's vision and adhered to the rule. According to SlashFilm, Ira Steven Behr, a writer for Star Trek, discussed this in the book 'The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From the Next Generation to J.J. Abrams: The Complete, Uncensored, and Unauthorized History of Star Trek' by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross. Behr said,

“When we did the 'Sarek' rewrite, the fight over the word ‘Spock’ was insane. I was absolutely not allowed to use the word ‘Spock.’ Rick [Berman] made a big issue of it and said we can’t do it. There’s no way. We did it once. We had McCoy show up at the beginning, but no more. No references to the original series. I said, 'It’s Spock’s father, we’re already in that territory.' He said, 'Absolutely not.'”

Behr continued,

“We were talking about something, and it was kind of benign, and I just suddenly said to him, 'Rick, tell me again, why can’t we say the word ‘Spock’?' And his whole body language changed, he leaned back in his chair and flung his hands up behind the back of his head, and I could tell he did not want to have this discussion again. But he couldn’t think of a reason at that very moment, and he just said, 'OK, you can say it once.' It was ridiculous."

Producer Rick Berman was quite insistent on keeping the rule for a while. However, it was gradually relaxed over time. The shows and movies following The Next Generation would go on to reference characters and aliens from The Original Series in various forms. The trekkies were very receptive to the idea because of the nostalgia attached to it.

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Spock's reference in The Next Generation

In the Season 3 episode 23 titled 'Sarek', the Federation ambassador Sarek (played by Mark Lenard) comes aboard the USS Enterprise-D for a diplomatic mission. Sarek is a Vulcan and Spock's father. During a musical event arranged for entertainment, Sarek, who is always in control of his emotions, becomes gloomy and starts crying. This takes the crew by surprise.

It is revealed that Sarek is suffering from Bendii syndrome, a neurological disease affecting the older Vulcan population. The disease can cause individuals to lose control of their emotions. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) confronts Sarek to address the issue. During a mind meld with Picard, the captain shares how Sarek never expressed his true affection for his wife and son, Spock.

In Season 5, Spock appears in episodes 7 and 8 titled 'Unification I and Unification II'. In these episodes, Captain Picard is informed that Ambassador Spock is missing, and his last known location was Romulus. On the planet, Spock explains to Captain Picard that he is on a personal mission to unify the Vulcan and Romulan people. Even though the Enterprise crew leaves at the end, Spock stays behind to help create a better society.

In Star Trek: Discovery's Season 3 episode 7, 'Unification III,' we learn that Vulcans and Romulans, who were once enemies, live together on Ni'Var, formerly known as Vulcan.

Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966. The series was cancelled in 1969 due to low ratings, but it later gathered a cult following. Subsequently, the Star Trek universe diversified with comics, animated series, films, and spin-off television shows.

Star Trek is available to stream on Paramount Plus.

ALSO READ: What is the Mirror Universe in Star Trek: The Original Series? Details explored.

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