'Star Trek' is the greatest sci-fi franchise of all. Why it's stood the test of time

Of all the science fiction franchises in the known universe, the one I would take to a desert island — or planet, I guess — is "Star Trek."

I am not a Trekkie by any means (not that there's anything wrong with that). I have never dressed as a Vulcan. I can't speak a word of Klingon or identify the starships by their silhouettes or tell you how many tribbles it takes to make trouble. But a lot of general knowledge has seeped into my brain over the years: "Beam me up, Scotty." "Fascinating." "He's dead, Jim." "I'm a doctor, not a [insert any other profession]." "Make it so." "Engage." I'm au fait with all those catchphrases. I've watched every series, if not in their entirety, and all of the movies. (I do not count the J.J. Abrams big screen reboots, which operate on another timeline, though I've seen those too.) And I have greeted each new iteration with interest and a certain "Hello, old friend, what are you up to now?" affection.

This year marks the centenary of creator Gene Roddenberry's birth and 55 years since the premiere of what is now officially referred to as "The Original Series" or "TOS," and there are various home video