Star Trek: The Original Series the 23rd century bearing a crew dedicated to exploring the Milky Way Galaxy. Roddenberry noted a number of influences on his idea, some of which includes A. E. van Vogt's tales of the spaceship "Space Beagle", Eric Frank Russell's "Marathon" series of stories, and the film "Forbidden Planet" (1956). Some have also drawn parallels with the television series "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" (1954), a space opera which included many of the elements that were integral to "Star Trek"—the organization, crew relationships, missions, part of the bridge layout, and some technology. Roddenberry also drew heavily from C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower
Arena (Star Trek: The Original Series) Arena (Star Trek: The Original Series) "Arena" is the eighteenth episode of the of the American science fiction television series "". Written by Gene L. Coon (based on a short story of the same name by Fredric Brown) and directed by Joseph Pevney; it was first broadcast on January 19, 1967. In the episode, while pursuing a Gorn vessel for an apparently unprovoked attack, Captain Kirk is forced by powerful entities to battle the opposing captain. The USS "Enterprise" arrives at the Cestus III Outpost by invitation of its commanding officer, but the crew find the outpost obliterated. Captain James