Music

Abstract

Music, both nondiegetic and diegetic, is without a doubt an essential part of Star Trek. The nondiegetic scores, particularly also the opening themes of the series are discussed in this chapter, revealing the prevalence of the original TOS theme, and the often-surprising lack of coherent themes for specific alien races such as the Klingons across the franchise. Meanwhile, diegetic music, both as performed by characters on screen and listened to, can represent different alien cultures, illustrate character developments, and comment on the narrative. This reflects Gene Roddenberry’s belief that Western musical patterns and pieces would fit best to connect the viewers with the futuristic and alien settings on screen. Consequently, all diegetic music heard in Star Trek is either jazz, folk, pop music or, most dominantly, classical music. Classical music, in particular, speaks to the question of what it means to be human, and, more generally, serves to make audible Star Trek’s Eurocentric humanism—perhaps best exemplified by Data, whose journey for understanding music on an emotional level parallels his journey for understanding humanity.