The All of Trek Project

Star Trek pops up a few times on my TV bucket list -- and, uh, once on my films list. But completely apart from the Star Trek franchise's status as a television milestone and a cultural force, Star Trek became near and dear to me first because my dad loved it.

Dad starting watching Trek, like a lot of kids in the sixties and seventies, via reruns. He joined the computer club at school because of it -- and promptly dropped out again. Turns out computers in the 70s just meant lots and lots of punch cards. But he kept watching the reruns on into college. According to Mom, he used to catch it every day at the student center, and every time he'd say, "I don't think I've seen this one!" -- and then five minutes later, "Oh, I've seen this one."

Mysterious scientist alone on a planet full of styrofoam rocks? I don't think I've seen this one!
(Also, Nurse Chapel -- thank goodness for artful shadows, eh?)

The TV List

When does one say one has seen a TV show? Do I have to watch every episode of the last, Duchovny-less seasons of The X-Files to say I've seen The X-Files? No, never mind The X-Files -- how about all 635 episodes of Gunsmoke? Just -- no. Not going to happen. The goal is to see good stuff before I die, not make myself wish for death. So here's the rule: All the so-called seminal episodes, plus whatever other ones I personally want to see. Arbitrary? You betcha. Do I care? Six hundred thirty-five episodes of Gunsmoke. James Arness, I salute you, but I cannot with that.