Roland Deschain wrote:That's pretty much it, Gronank, but Gene Roddenberry wanted to be able to use TOS to openly discuss relevant issues on our planet without them seeming too obvious, hence the sci-fi medium. He tackled all forms of bigotry, even filming the first inter-ethnic kiss (Kirk/Uhura). Both actors also really wanted this to happen (I don't blame Shatner, as Nichelle Nichols was sexy back in the day), even to the point of sabotaging far tamer versions filmed afterwards (studio execs getting uppity). What other programme on TV at that time had a non-human, a Russian, a Japanese person, and a black woman in positions of authority? None. TOS set the bar, and it set it damn high.
The pilot had set the bar even higher. Majel Barrett who played nurse Chapel in the series was first officer in the pilot. Japanese, russian, black or alien, it all worked, the network only really fought having a woman second in command.