George Takei Fought for 'Star Trek' Continuity

George Takei, who portrayed Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu on the original "Star Trek" series, developed a unique internal system for his character's ship controls. He determined which buttons correlated to specific actions, ensuring consistent performance when piloting the U.S.S. Enterprise. This dedication to detail led to an on-set conflict when a director wished for him to push a self-destruct button, a request Takei declined to maintain narrative integrity.

While the exact episode remains unconfirmed, Takei's insistence preserved the continuity of Sulu's role. The unlabeled nature of the console controls in the show necessitated Takei's invented logic for a realistic portrayal. As one of the few surviving main actors from the 1966 series, Takei, now 88, remains active in acting, including voice work and stage performances based on his personal history.