50 Years On, 'Star Trek' Fandom Continues To Prosper

Fifty years ago, "Star Trek" aired across the country Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the crew of the Starship Enterprise.

On Friday, "Star Trek Beyond" — the third movie in the rebooted Star Trek film franchise — opens in theaters.

What's behind the franchise's enduring appeal, and why is Boston such a Trekkie haven?

Ethan Gilsdorf, pop culture correspondent for the Globe and a frequent contributor to WBUR's The ARTery. He tweets @ethanfreak.