Direction of Trek
I think Trek has seriously been down hill since TNG...I think that was the last of the Trek series to have the underlying storyline concerning "Going where no man (now one) has gone before" without destroying the continuity of previously established precedents like the series Enterprise has done...Trek has lost much of it's flavor concerning discovering new things and people and places and more concerned on sci fi warfare and a shitty epic journy home...Im not discrediting the quality of any of the series I seriously enjoy watching all of them but outside of TOS and TNG I believe Roddenberrry's presence has severely been lost and I think the other series are Trek simply in name...what do you think?...peace
I'm not sure about television, but as far as movies go, I think Star Trek is very much dead now. It'll probably be quite a while before another Trek movie is released. And for that to happen, it'd have to be something radically different from what we've recently seen.
The last two movies have been, arguably, the worst that the TNG cast has done. Insurrection being, in my opinion, the worst Trek movie period. They've played it to death. They're very good, but it's been 7 television seasons and 4 movies. That's enough. It's time to go on to something else. Nemesis' poor box office showing is evidence enough for that (being the biggest bomb of all trek movies -- by a lot).
I think they need to do a Star Trek comedy next. Seriously. Have the next movie with a completely new crew and make it a comedy and just have that as the next Star Trek movie. I'd make money. Here would be a good crew:
And how about we make that new ship say... the USS Sunfire?
CO: Captain Jay "Robbie" Robertson... completely aloof to everything around him, doesn't know what's going on on his ship, let alone the universe
XO: Commander James Danger West... hardcore about his special forces training, likes death and combat way too much
CMO: Lt. Cmdr. Charles Star... doesn't care about his duties or the ship, is either in the bowling alley or fraternizing with the nurses
CSO: Lt. Cmdr. Robert Seldon... overly technical about everything, wears obviously fake Vulcan earns while on duty
CIO: Lt. Dick Phelps... a major goof that thinks he's "intelligent," is always reading "Star Fleet Intelligence Weekly"
CEO: Lt. Reggie "Big" Johnson... a Mississippi redneck that belongs on the farm instead of a starship, just a major hick
H: Lt. (j.g.) Ace Decade... a hot shot pilot that thinks he's the absolute stuff, wears sun glasses and a Tom Cruise Top Gun jacket while at the helm
CRO: Lt. (j.g.) Krol... is the only one that seems to be concerned with honor or the safety of the ship, tries to keep everyone else on task to no avail
ARO: Ens. Be'Karlsa... tries to act like a Klingon, but just can't, makes any attempts to impress her superior Krol, but doesn't succeed
I'm sure there could be a lot more, but these were just the most spoofable. So what do ya think?
In all seriousness, I bet a Star Fleet Academy movie might be considered a few years down the road. Anyway, does anyone else have any speculation on the topic?
Relies to the series
As for a Star Trek Comedy... anyone see Galaxy Quest? Or Space Balls(Star Wars sure, but Trek was included)?
A Comedic movie wold be great, though it would mess up the vision of Rodenberry's dream of a better tomorrow. Money would be made sure, but as Insurrection proved, money is of no importance to Mr,. Frakes and the rest of the Trek team. As for Nemesis, it was good. A lot of peopel disagree, but it could not have continued the series better. Anyone see Wrath of Khan? That was above all the best of the Trek movies, and one of the main characters also died. But, away from the movies, time for the TV side of this argument.
An interesting series plot could be based on the Maquis. The Rebel cause is somethign peopel never looked at. Voyager integrated their culture into the show, but it never fully focused on them. Giving Starfleet, the Cardassians, and Vulcans a negative look would be fresh. People would most likely enjoy seeing the other side of the future. A less perfect and united world, but one full of danger, subterfuge, and dishonesty. The crew would be comprised of different races, most with serious attitudes. Well, that's just one opinion, what does everyone else think?
Future of Trek
I have to agree with the statement the current Trek tends to suck it up pretty bad. Nemisis was a bomb without a doubt, and seemed more like an hour long episode with a bigger FX budget. But that seems to be the way Trak has gone for the last few years anyways ... just look at Enterprise to see a nightmare with warp engines. If nobody is going to give Gene Roddenberry the respect he deserves, they should just quit and let Trek live on for what it was - not drag it down like they have been.
But! If they insist on making more movies ... I say let the Next Generation crew die away. It's time for something new. I think an entirely new ship and crew would be awesome - and needed to carry on the name. Not a DS9 or Voyager disaster, but something that is Trek. Maybe something set after At the same time as Nemesis, or if to be realy original, why not pick up where STVI left off? Nobody ever really wrote the history there. We were just left with a big gap, knowing that somehow it went from Kirk to Picard, and the universe didn't get wiped out.
Re: Future of Trek
Honestly, I sometimes hate to look at it like this, but here's what I see: look at the timeline -- The downfall of Trek seems to me to be along the lines of when Berman took it over. The direction the series took seriously changed when he gained control. As has been mentioned, the "exploration" aspect of the series was seriously lost after TNG. DS9 had the Dominion War and so on, Enterprise has the time traveling beings (I believe) and Voyager probably had something as well (I didn't watch a lot of DS9, or Voyager) TNG also got the "War" treatment -- First Contact, the redesign of the ship to a "war" vessel, and so on. In essence, he might have been trying to bring the show to a wider audience (the 'bring in the males with action' aspect) however, in doing so, you risk alienating the fans. (As it appears he's done.) I believe I read in recent articles on Nemesis that they essentially _designed_ that movie to be an action film -- obviously done in spades.
However, with that said, where else is left for the franchise to go? I remember thinking that after I saw Generations, what with Data getting his emotion chip, blowing up the ship, etc.. I thought they had done so much in one movie, that there wasn't anything left to be done; Obviously, the ST crew disagreed, hence more movies. However, in the same vein, they more or less have moved most of the major TNG crew on to other things, Data has died (ala Spock) and so forth. What's left?
Possibilities -- the "Riker" show. He's got a new ship of his own, why not?
Movies based on the other series - Ds9? *Yawn* Voyager? What's left? Ship went out and came back and they apparently made Janeway an Admiral. Enterprise? have to wait for the end of the series, I suppose..
Movies based on books -- I know of at least one or two Star Trek novel series based on new crews, such as the Star Fleet Academy and the Excalibur (Seeing those are disturbing, somehow)
Something entirely new -- A new kids' show, perhaps about StarFleet Academy? Saved By the Bell for Star Trek?
At this point, I'm not really sure where "Official" Star Trek is headed -- All I do know is that the fans will continue to make it live and breathe as long as they exist. I just wish the future wasn't so bleak, however.
ENT back on the right "trek."
It was stated that Trek has left the original idea of "Where no man has gone before..." I think that was true with DS9 (they were in a stationary space station) and VOY (their sole purpose was to get back home not explore). I really disliked either of those series. On the other hand, I believe ENT has revived that goal. I believe the series has returned to the feel of the original. Watch the episodes closely. Most of them reveal a moral message important today. That is something Rodenberry had intended in the original also. Trek has had its down times, but I believe ENT is definitely on the right "trek."
Star Trek Directions
I am not of the opinion Trek has been going downhill since TNG. DS9, while not everyone's cup o' tea, was brilliant, IMHO. First rate acting, first rate writing, first rate production values. Voyager was somewhat of a mess, I would agree, but it had it's moments of wonder. Enterprise started extremely strong, though this season has not been nearly as good as last. The movies, I believe, are dead, for the moment.
Plus, one must remember, this franchise has been running since 1966! Think about that. For 39 years we have been entertained & edified by Mr. Roddenberry's vision. I still vividly recall the first episode airing, & being on the edge of my 5 year old seat ( I was 5, not the seat). "The Man Trap" changed my life, though I didn't realize that for a number of years.
I think as long as there are people who will believe in mankind's goodness, there will be a Trek. It develops the humanity in us all.
Stirring it up
have to agree with Ragejl on some fronts.
TNG was a brilliant series (it did start to get wierd when Worf dated Troi), then with DS9 being shown I think Trek went down. DS9 was weak and the only way they dould boost ratings was to
1)introdce Worf
2) Make the Klingons enemies again, BIG mistake.
3) Have a war with a ridiculous enemy.
4) Turn into a soap opera.
5) Openly break Star Trek rules, by blowing up the main ship!
The Voyager came along (this is where I disagree) and got me into the whole Star Trek universe. However looking back on the early seires, it was bad in a few ways,
1) The Kazon sucked as bad guys,
2) Seska was too unbelievable,
3) Janeway could easily get on my nerves,
4) There were no familar alien races to like,
5) For a new Star trek fan, it was a bad introduction,
However, then Seven Of Nine came along and the Borg and things got better, however Season 6 and 7, may as well have been renamed, Star trek: Janeway, The Doctor and Seven, because it was all about them.
Enterpsris looked promising but if you see my comments in the Enterprise, then you;ll know how I feel.
The Star Trek movies have gotten worse since my favourite "The Undiscovered Country". Generations was like a TV mivie, First Contact, was a breath of fresh air, but still NOT as good as "Undiscovered Country", "Insurrection" was just appaling ( ) and Nemisis I still haven't seen.
this way and that
Plot wise Star Trek has slumped on all fronts...ENT would be good, but the continuity is all shot to hell with the series...I wish the writer's luck (and only if they care) in solving these in the subsequent seasons...I think a show with Riker in command would be good but the only problem is the only ship Riker seems to care about is the Enterprise and that means something happens to Picard, what who knows...also that would make it TNG II which would probably end up being a flop...I think a new show is needed one that roots itself in the idealogy put forth in the first two series (I'm not counting the animated one) and I think comedy has it place but I think a comedy series or movie would flop...sure it would be nice to watch but it would lose that trek flavor a lot like DS9 did with attaching war and Voyager with the forever lasting trip home...I hope for a brighter future with Trek, TV wise and movie wise...hope is all I can do...peace
Star Trek is a unique vision that I think will never die. However, whenever sequels or spin offs come out there are those that just love to make the obvious comparisons of differences or similiarities between them.
It's happened with all series so let me clear up a few things:
1) There will never be an on screen TOS reunion.
Deforest Kelly and Gene Roddenberry have passed on.
Lenoard Nimoy and James Doohan have I would say effectively retired from show business.
As for the rest...well I won't get into their age.
But as a matter of respect I believe the current Trek writers have decided to not do it becuase TOS was almost solely Gene's. I say almost because he didn't write a lot of Trek episodes. Just look at the production info on startrek.com
2) The 24th century has become a load of technobabble.
After a while you get tired of getting locked into the distant future. You want to escape to a simplier time. Enterprise may not have the biggest budget but neither did TOS.
3) Trek WILL die.
Despite the valiant efforts of the producers and writers of the show I do feel that Trek will go the way of the dodo. It's becuase science fiction is becoming unpopular. The general populace don't understand technology or science and are being dumbed down by dumb television shows. They'd rather shutdown their brains than be forced to think. It's a sad but very real reality of the world we live in.
I still have a glimmer of hope that Star Trek will live long and prosper. And if it doesn't, we'll keep it alive ourselves through our RP's.
Ear to the Ground
Oh btw when I say: "Star Trek is a unique vision that I think will never die." I mean that I believe that Star Trek's vision of a positive future will not die, not the franchise itself.
I dont think Trek will die, for one Sci-Fi has never been really the most popular thing, modern Science Fictions roots lay in the old science fiction magazines of the 1920, 30, 40, and 50's and the others that emerged from such...all the greats come from this era: Asimov, Bradburry, Heinlein, Herbert, Hugo, Knight, Anderson, Clark...etc. Who read their works besides the die hard sci-fi fans (the same type that keeps the genre alive today)...once in awhile some type of sci-fi will get Class A recognition but it is a rare thing (Star Wars) but when it does it tends to die quickly...more people are aware of and entertained by sci-fi today than any other time but look at the tv channels new Trek series have been relagated to, UPN? Who the hell watches that for anything but crap sci-fi shows (like buffy) and Trek? Sci-Fi has been and always will be more of a cult atmosphere and since the 60's Trek has been one of the driving forces in Sci-Fi and even if there is never a new piece of work within the genre (of trek) it will always be remembered with fondness much like the authors mentioned above...and really Trek might die for awhile but I dont think it really has a chance of dying completely, it just seems unlikely, if for nothing else except its originatility...Star Wars has managed to be oh so successful despite it ripping off so many other ideas and such expressed within other works of science fiction (dont get me wrong I love Star Wars) but if SW can last that long(I know its shorter than Trek but SW seems to have more media success) without the utter originality of Trek then I think Trek will continue to endure...
Re: Direction of Trek
Hi gang,
I was recently scanning the web and came across this web site: www.startrekcampaign.com/
Check it out! It has to do with our discussion about the direction of Star Trek. I found it very informative and did actually join the campaign.
Future of Trek
Did anyone see the TV Guide article regarding Trek's future? Interesting, though Berman's comments, as well as the Paramount guy's, lead one to believe there is a film in the future, as well as TV. If Enterprise is UPN's highest rated show, they wouldn't cancel it.
I think Trek will live as long as there is money to be milked from the franchise. As long as there are rabid fans, like us, there will be Trek of some sort.
IMHO
And I would be curious to see a film like Berman mentioned, combining all casts. Now, THAT would be the ultimate Trek movie.
Lt. Commander Dusty Redroi
Ops Officer
USS Excalibur
Re: Future of Trek... THE MAGAZINEThe last issue of Star Trek: The Magazine also just came out..... I don't have it yet, so I don't know why they're ending it, I heard this from a friend, but if you get The Magazine, you probably think this sucks as much as I do.... COMMUNICATOR's still going strong, but the official Magazine's going to be gone as of... this month, I think..... I think this REALLY REALLY sucks, but I suggest you order all those backorders if ya want em... they'll be worth something one day... not that I'd ever sell them
Cmdr. Nara Treniek
Executive Officer
USS Avalon NCC-3002-B
However, in the same vein, they more or less have moved most of the major TNG crew on to other things, Data has died (ala Spock) and so forth. What's left?
) and Nemisis I still haven't seen.
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies