Star Trek

The first inter-racial, inter-national, inter-planetary TV cast. Spock taught us think logically and its creator directed us to "boldly go" outside the box of our culture, traditions, country, and world. To tackle the ills of society by thinly disguising them on distant planets. With the aid of their transporter beam and some really cheap props the crew of the USS Enterprise managed to straighten out misguided societies ranging from Ancient Rome and gangster-land Chicago to Nazi Germany.

The shows liberal leanings were rarely as obvious as the episode featuring one alien bent on the destruction of another citizen of his planet whom he calls "an inferior breed" because of the color of his skin. Both aliens faces are half black but on different sides. The alien calls Kirk "an idealistic dreamer for trying to bring them to peace.

Enterprise to Earth: May your future generations apply the compassion of Dr. McCoy, the logic of Spock, and the courage and leadership of Captain Kirk in dealing with all your earthly issues.

My favorite was the second pilot which started it all: "Where No Man Has Gone Before." About absolute power corrupting absolutely. What's your favorite progressive episode?