Movies

Galaxy Quest: The Star Trek Parody That Beat Black Mirror

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Netflix’s Black Mirror features a hilarious Star Trek parody, but there’s an entertaining 26-year-old sci-fi spoof that remains superior in my opinion. In the season 4 episode “USS Callister” from Black Mirror, game developer Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) illegally creates sentient copies of his coworkers within the game Infinity, a title inspired by a Star Trek-style show called Space Fleet. Daly assumes the role of the USS Callister captain, exhibiting cruel behavior, while newcomer Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) emerges as a protagonist, reappearing in Black Mirror’s season 7 episode 6, “USS Callister Into Infinity”, to combat escalating perils both within the MMORPG and beyond its confines.

As a die-hard fan of sci-fi, I can’t help but notice the striking similarities between the fictitious space fleet in Black Mirror and the beloved universe of Star Trek. The same parallel can be drawn between the 1999 movie, Galaxy Quest, and its eponymous TV show. You see, Tim Allen’s character, Jason Nesmith, a once-popular leading actor, had grown tired of his iconic role in Galaxy Quest. That was until he encountered the Thermians – real extraterrestrials who believed that Galaxy Quest was not just a TV show but actual events. These Thermians had replicated the technology from the show because they needed assistance from the NSEA Protector’s crew. As a result, the cast of Galaxy Quest were compelled to step back into their roles once more, and Jason, in particular, discovered the profound impact his show had on others.

Galaxy Quest Parodies Star Trek So Well, Even Black Mirror Can’t Match It

Galaxy Quest Understands Star Trek’s Thorough History

Galaxy Quest stands out as an unparalleled parody of Star Trek, even surpassing the USS Callister episodes from Black Mirror. Both shows masterfully replicate the Star Trek atmosphere with their bridge sets and vibrant uniforms, while accurately depicting Trek technology through transporters, communicators, and sound-effect-laden sliding starship doors. However, Galaxy Quest goes further in its satire of Star Trek than Black Mirror’s USS Callister episodes, by delving into the behind-the-scenes history of its fictional series, and sprinkling numerous references to its dedicated fanbase’s intricate lore, inside jokes, and trivia throughout the show. This gives Galaxy Quest a sense of authenticity and realism that sets it apart.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast and self-proclaimed Star Trek aficionado, let me tell you that Galaxy Quest takes the cake when it comes to delving into the familiar characters and actors that Star Trek consistently returns to. Tim Allen’s character, Nesmith, is an uncanny doppelganger for Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. Tommy Webber, played by Daryl Mitchell, brilliantly satirizes Wil Wheaton’s Wesley Crusher as the bumbling Lieutenant Laredo. Sam Rockwell’s Guy Fleegman, much like the nameless redshirts in Star Trek, meets an untimely end in a fashion that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

In the vein of actresses during the Rick Berman era, Sigourney Weaver’s character, Gwen DeMarco, doesn’t shy away from calling out the casual sexism that Star Trek has been known to perpetuate. Alan Rickman’s Alexander Dane is a masterful Shakespearean actor who dons a latex prosthetic to embody Dr. Lazarus, representing Star Trek’s alien outsider with his iconic catchphrase—”By Grabthar’s hammer, you shall be avenged!

Galaxy Quest’s Star Trek Parody Feels More Like A Tribute Than A Lampoon

Galaxy Quest Loves Star Trek Fans

In the shows Galaxy Quest and Black Mirror’s “Striking Vipers”, both feature characters recreating their cherished series using technology; however, there’s a distinctive element that sets Galaxy Quest apart as a homage to Star Trek rather than a satire. Similar to Star Trek: Lower Decks, Galaxy Quest wholeheartedly embraces all aspects of Trek, whether they’re profoundly moving or strangely peculiar. Crucially, Galaxy Quest expresses a delightful spectrum of Star Trek fandom, encompassing fans who are smitten with the actors and frequent convention-attendees, to young enthusiasts with intricate knowledge and Quellek (Patrick Breen), a Thermian committed to Lazarus’ code of honor.

In essence, Black Mirror doesn’t directly satirize Star Trek, but it offers a contrast to the optimistic portrayal of fandom in Galaxy Quest. Instead of focusing on Daly as a specific kind of fan whose affection is quantified by collectibles and screen precision, Black Mirror exposes harmful Star Trek fans. While Daly possesses an extensive knowledge comparable to the Thermians, the Thermians have embraced the moral values of Star Trek, something that Daly seems to have overlooked. Consequently, Daly’s fandom is empty and painfully isolated, rather than serving as a model for a utopian future.

26 Years Later, Galaxy Quest Is More Relevant Than Ever

How Will New Star Trek Fans Celebrate Their Fandom?

26 years on, the humor and themes of Galaxy Quest feel as contemporary as ever, boosted by the recent surge of Star Trek series on Paramount+. In the final scenes of Galaxy Quest, the actors discovered a renewed affection for the universe they brought to life. They witnessed the TV adaptation of their film through fans’ eyes and joined the 2000s revival. Today, we have Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, born from fan enthusiasm following Star Trek: Discovery season 2. Characters from earlier Star Trek series are back in new productions; for instance, characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation reunite in Star Trek: Picard.

Galaxy Quest surpasses being just a Star Trek spoof, as it portrays the consequences of genuinely adopting Star Trek’s philosophies. The fictional cast of Galaxy Quest learn to embody these values in their real lives, much like their fans do, and they undergo positive transformations because of it. Unlike Robert Daly from Black Mirror who attempts to create a realistic Space Fleet with idealistic elements, but without the Federation ideals that make Star Trek successful, Daly’s endeavor becomes cruel, and the simulation crumbles. Until another parody demonstrates a path to Star Trek’s future, Galaxy Quest will continue to stand alone as an exemplary portrayal of these ideals.

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2025-04-22 01:38

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