There were plenty of reasons why Star Trek was such an impactful show, not only to the sci-fi genre but on television as a whole. Though we frequently hear theories from fans and critics alike, nothing beats hearing the innermost thoughts of those who starred on the hit series in its prime.

Nichelle Nichols, best known as Uhura, said that though it was set in a futuristic society, it offered audiences their own unique perspective. “What’s interesting about what Star Trek gave and what Gene Roddenberry was able to express was not just his vision, but you were able to find your own vision within it,” said the actor during an interview with The Central New Jersey Home News. “You just kind of go like, ‘Ah ha!’”

Nichols praised Roddenberry, arguing that Star Trek was able to capture something that many television shows sadly lacked.

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“It was a truth that was always there, and each person that finds it finds it for themselves,” said the actor. “And you feel enlarged about it, you feel renewed, and you feel like going out and doing something that will benefit other people like this has benefited you. And you come away feeling good about yourself, and you feel better about other people too. You say, ‘That’s where I’m coming from, that’s where we are, that’s who we are.' And now, I see what they mean; I can do anything that I put my mind to do.”