Look closer and you’ll find that Berman’s run wasn’t as progressive as you might remember. He repeatedly vetoed attempts to write stories about homosexuality, continued Roddenberry’s thing about putting women in skimpy outfits, and so on. TOS was very progressive for the '60s, but TNG, VOY, and ENT were significantly less progressive for their time.
continued Roddenberry’s thing about putting women in skimpy outfits
No. Female officers wearing short dresses was requested by the women on set at the time, not by Roddenberry.
Initially men and women were going to wear the same uniforms.
Remember that at this time, women were rebelling against having to cover up their bodies for modesty sake. It was at around the time of “free the nipple” and women burning their bras.
Women dressing “skimpy” on TOS was an act of female empowerment. Youre looking at this through a 2024 lense and assuming it was down to sexism.
You’re correct about the uniforms, but outfits like this were the result of Roddenberry, according to others who worked on the show.
Bob Justman: I watched resignedly as Gene, up to his old tricks, kept costume designer Bill Theiss busy, taking a tuck here and a trim there… just before [Teri Garr]'s first scene on stage, Gene went to work on her costume again. He kneeled down, gathered up her already scant skirt, and told Bill Theiss, ‘It’s too long, Bill.’ Teri rolled her eyes.
Look closer and you’ll find that Berman’s run wasn’t as progressive as you might remember. He repeatedly vetoed attempts to write stories about homosexuality, continued Roddenberry’s thing about putting women in skimpy outfits, and so on. TOS was very progressive for the '60s, but TNG, VOY, and ENT were significantly less progressive for their time.
It’e also been a trend that’s unfortunately carried over into the newer treks. They barely push the boundaries at all.
DS9 probably only got away with as much as they did because Voyager was commanding most of the attention at the time.
No. Female officers wearing short dresses was requested by the women on set at the time, not by Roddenberry.
Initially men and women were going to wear the same uniforms.
Remember that at this time, women were rebelling against having to cover up their bodies for modesty sake. It was at around the time of “free the nipple” and women burning their bras.
Women dressing “skimpy” on TOS was an act of female empowerment. Youre looking at this through a 2024 lense and assuming it was down to sexism.
You’re correct about the uniforms, but outfits like this were the result of Roddenberry, according to others who worked on the show.
Bob Justman: I watched resignedly as Gene, up to his old tricks, kept costume designer Bill Theiss busy, taking a tuck here and a trim there… just before [Teri Garr]'s first scene on stage, Gene went to work on her costume again. He kneeled down, gathered up her already scant skirt, and told Bill Theiss, ‘It’s too long, Bill.’ Teri rolled her eyes.
Based old-school feminism.
My issue with Berman isn’t the occasional sexy, skimpy woman on screen. I don’t mind that one bit.
No, my issue is with all the behind the scenes problems they were having with women. Gates McFadden was really disrespected, as just one example.