Star Trek Episode Banned in UK for Over 20 Years: Why ‘Miri’ Was Censored

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In terms of contemporary television standards, the original Star Trek series can appear rather quaint. The acting from Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley), for instance, feels more like a grand theatrical performance than the intimate portrayals we see today on high-definition TV. The sets and special effects have a certain charm, though they might seem somewhat outdated. Interestingly, the teaser trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 features a modern Star Trek cast in a holodeck simulation that mimics the look of the original 1960s series.

To today’s viewers, it’s hard to imagine anything from “Star Trek: The Original Series” being considered obscene or revolutionary. However, this series was a groundbreaking television show that defied conventions in storytelling. Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a future without scarcity and equal for all was as challenging and inspiring in the 1960s as any contemporary show on streaming platforms. Given this context, it’s not entirely unexpected that four episodes from “Star Trek: The Original Series” were banned in the United Kingdom.

The BBC Banned Star Trek: The Original Series’ “Miri”

The Deadly Pathogen And Antagonistic Children Went Off The Air For 20 Years

The initial episode of Star Trek: The Original Series titled “Miri” was initially prohibited by the BBC from airing in the UK, but this was not its only instance of being censored. In “Miri”, Captain Kirk leads an exploration team to a seemingly deserted planet following a distress signal. Upon arrival, they uncover a chilling truth: the previous inhabitants had been on a quest for an anti-aging remedy and inadvertently developed a dreadful ailment that stunted the growth of children and caused adults to behave aggressively.

In contrast to portraying the Enterprise crew as saviors, the kids were suspicious of them, took their communicators, and came close to causing their demise due to a disease. This particular episode, titled “Miri,” first aired in the United Kingdom in December 1970. However, it was not broadcast again during the 1970s and 80s as part of Star Trek reruns. It wasn’t until the 1990s, two decades later, that “Miri” was reintroduced. Remarkably, as late as 2020, this episode found its way onto a horror channel in the UK.

Why “Miri” Might’ve Been Banned In The UK

It Was Too “Unpleasant”

The main factor that kept “Miri” out of Star Trek: The Original Series reruns for two decades was a significant wave of criticism when it first aired. This led to “Miri” and three other TOS episodes being prohibited in the UK. Nevertheless, neither the specific details of the complaints nor the total number received have ever been disclosed by the BBC. During the 70s and 80s, when UK fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the ban through letters, they consistently received a standard response.

We have decided not to air the four upcoming episodes due to their graphic portrayal of sensitive topics such as madness, torture, cruelty, and illness. Given Star Trek’s vast and passionate fanbase, many of whom are young viewers, we must ensure these shows are broadcast at times suitable for all audiences.

It appears that there’s a noticeable difference in how U.S. and British audiences perceive “Star Trek: The Original Series.” While in the U.S., Star Trek has always been a franchise catering to various age groups, but particularly appealing to older children and adults, in the UK during the 1970s, it was predominantly viewed as a program for children. This is due to the stringent standards in the UK regarding what’s suitable for children’s television, which led to episodes like “Miri” being banned because they were considered too violent and inappropriate for young viewers.

The UK Banned Other Star Trek Episodes Too

Some Were Too Graphic, Some Were Too Political

Apart from “Miri,” several other episodes of Star Trek were prohibited on British TV during the 70s and 80s. These included “Plato’s Stepchildren,” “The Empath,” and “Whom Gods Destroy.” The BBC deemed these episodes too adult-oriented for younger Star Trek enthusiasts. Interestingly, “Plato’s Stepchildren” is renowned for featuring one of the first televised interracial kisses between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), which sparked considerable controversy among UK viewers.

Apart from “Star Trek: The Original Series,” other “Star Trek” series have faced episodes being censored or banned in the UK. For instance, the “Conspiracy” episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” was subject to cuts or bans due to an exceptionally violent phaser blast. Similarly, the initial release of the “The High Ground” TNG episode in 1990 was skipped over in the UK because of a comment made by Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) about “the Irish Unification of 2024.” The episode did air, with that specific line removed, in 1992. However, it wasn’t until a late-night rerun in 2007 that the BBC aired the unedited version.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring greatness of the Star Trek franchise, which consistently challenges us to envision a brighter tomorrow. In Star Trek, we witness a world where issues of prejudice and inequality are not just acknowledged, but addressed and overcome. Characters like Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) remind us that whitewashed histories are fabrications in episodes like “Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang.” Moreover, series like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds tackle complex themes related to the LGBTQ community, as seen in the poignant episode “Ad Astra Per Aspera.” Throughout its history, Star Trek has consistently tested the boundaries of what is considered suitable for television. The groundbreaking Star Trek: The Original Series set the stage for this remarkable journey.

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2025-04-20 13:19