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Why Startrek is Dead (Opinion Thread)
- Thread starter BrooklynKnight
- Start date
myrdden
First Post
I definitely don't think Trek is dead, but its latest incarnation really didn't appeal much to me. I expected a prequel series filling in the gaps in Trek Lore and showing us the path to TOS, but instead ended up with a watered down version of TNG with extra heapings of time travel. Not what I was looking for at all...
I am a firm believer that when doing a prequel series, characterization becomes even more important than usual in a story because the general plot is already known. We KNOW there will be a Federation. We KNOW about the Romulans and the impending war. How can you keep it interesting when the outcome is already known? You create interesting characters that grow as the series grows and place them in situations that can allow for character development over plot.
The only character I actually liked on this show was Tripp because he seemed the most believable. His reactions and actions in some of the episodes were, IMO, a good example of how modern people - new to space exploration would react. The other characters either had no development (i.e.: Travis and Hoshi) or boring development (i.e.: T'Pol). Actually I liked Phlox too, but I felt both he and T'Pol were unnecessary additions. The show doesn't need alien foils to counter balance the human condition in this series because humans have yet to become the paragons of virtue in the later series. The crew should have been all human and complex in their interactions.
Of course Trek isn't exactly known for complex characterizations and maybe that's part of the problem. People's expectation of TV has changed. The episodic format may no longer be what people are yearning for. Maybe they want more immersive storytelling like BSG or Angel or even Firefly. I think part of the success of the 4th season has been the multi-episode arcs. They allow for more characterization and more involved stories which I think people are looking for more in TV.
It's too bad the series went the way it did. It did have some good ideas, some great production value and the odd really good episode. But overall I felt the show was floundering due to conflicting directions with my expectations and ultimately missing the mark for me. I expected a grittier version of Trek, lower technology, more focus on the original aliens that we've heard about but rarely seen (if ever) and a clear arc towards the Federation. The 4th season has been a large improvement (and I have no desire to bash B&B over the first 3 seasons - I think it's been done enough already) but I think it's too little too late.
Of course YMMV...
I am a firm believer that when doing a prequel series, characterization becomes even more important than usual in a story because the general plot is already known. We KNOW there will be a Federation. We KNOW about the Romulans and the impending war. How can you keep it interesting when the outcome is already known? You create interesting characters that grow as the series grows and place them in situations that can allow for character development over plot.
The only character I actually liked on this show was Tripp because he seemed the most believable. His reactions and actions in some of the episodes were, IMO, a good example of how modern people - new to space exploration would react. The other characters either had no development (i.e.: Travis and Hoshi) or boring development (i.e.: T'Pol). Actually I liked Phlox too, but I felt both he and T'Pol were unnecessary additions. The show doesn't need alien foils to counter balance the human condition in this series because humans have yet to become the paragons of virtue in the later series. The crew should have been all human and complex in their interactions.
Of course Trek isn't exactly known for complex characterizations and maybe that's part of the problem. People's expectation of TV has changed. The episodic format may no longer be what people are yearning for. Maybe they want more immersive storytelling like BSG or Angel or even Firefly. I think part of the success of the 4th season has been the multi-episode arcs. They allow for more characterization and more involved stories which I think people are looking for more in TV.
It's too bad the series went the way it did. It did have some good ideas, some great production value and the odd really good episode. But overall I felt the show was floundering due to conflicting directions with my expectations and ultimately missing the mark for me. I expected a grittier version of Trek, lower technology, more focus on the original aliens that we've heard about but rarely seen (if ever) and a clear arc towards the Federation. The 4th season has been a large improvement (and I have no desire to bash B&B over the first 3 seasons - I think it's been done enough already) but I think it's too little too late.
Of course YMMV...
Ranger REG
Explorer
So, why does the franchise still need Brannon Braga and Rick Berman?mojo1701 said:
This is one case where Paramount is truly out of touch with their Trek consumers.
Raven Crowking
First Post
mojo1701 said:
So has Doctor Who, with Peter Cushing playing the Doctor.
Doctor Who has also had radio and stage productions.
RC
Ranger REG
Explorer
I'm not just referring to UPN, who had a sweet deal when the franchise cut the order price of each episode by 50%. I'm referring to Paramount Studio Corporations.mojo1701 said:
And though I like it to return to syndication, it is unfortunate that market is in a steep decline after such a peak in the 90's, when we had floods of syndicated series from Babylon 5 (which struggled despite critics' rave reviews) to Xena: Warrior Princess.
Vigilance
Explorer
The notion that "fandom" is the problem with Trek's current demise is just silly.
You couldn't *beg* for a more loyal fanbase.
I think the problems with Trek are really easy to figure out.
They ran away from the universe that was the show's Strength.
TOS introduced us to some really cool ideas and some classic races (Vulcans, Klingons, Romulans)... TNG and DS9 continued that trend, filling out the universe more and making it a more vital place that people were interested in.
Voyager ran to another part of the galaxy and Ent to the past. And yet the writers still wanted to use elements of that universe. So despite the producers' attempts to "run from universe" it kept creeping in. Ferengi and Romulans showing up in Voy, Borg in Ent.
But these appearances seem silly because they had tried to run from them, so rather than strengthening the series they were just reasons to spew technobabble.
When you look at the novel series, what do you see? New Frontier- a starship with a controversial captain exploring an area of space forbidden by the Prime Directive.
IKS Gorkon, a Klingon ship.
DS9 relaunch.
Tales of the Dominion War short story anthology.
Star Fleet Academy.
Titan, the exploits of Riker's new ship.
And millions read them, and fandom doesnt bitch.
Maybe because, unlike Voy and Ent, they actually seem to be set in the star trek universe?
Chuck
You couldn't *beg* for a more loyal fanbase.
I think the problems with Trek are really easy to figure out.
They ran away from the universe that was the show's Strength.
TOS introduced us to some really cool ideas and some classic races (Vulcans, Klingons, Romulans)... TNG and DS9 continued that trend, filling out the universe more and making it a more vital place that people were interested in.
Voyager ran to another part of the galaxy and Ent to the past. And yet the writers still wanted to use elements of that universe. So despite the producers' attempts to "run from universe" it kept creeping in. Ferengi and Romulans showing up in Voy, Borg in Ent.
But these appearances seem silly because they had tried to run from them, so rather than strengthening the series they were just reasons to spew technobabble.
When you look at the novel series, what do you see? New Frontier- a starship with a controversial captain exploring an area of space forbidden by the Prime Directive.
IKS Gorkon, a Klingon ship.
DS9 relaunch.
Tales of the Dominion War short story anthology.
Star Fleet Academy.
Titan, the exploits of Riker's new ship.
And millions read them, and fandom doesnt bitch.
Maybe because, unlike Voy and Ent, they actually seem to be set in the star trek universe?
Chuck
Ranger REG
Explorer
To be brutally honest, non-canon stories. That was decided a long time ago, especially when the TV and film writers have no obligation to follow all of the novels' storylines. While some bits & pieces of the novels (and in one particular case, the young Spock episode from the TAS) appeared on-screen, it does not validate the entire content of that particular medium. What appears on-screen is the only canon part of a novel or an animated episode.Vigilance said:
Of coure, I do not dismiss them entirely. They can provide further insight to the storyline and the Trek universe. For example, as a Fan of All Things Klingons, I recommend reading The Final Reflection by John M. Ford for his insight into the Klingon's psyche, despite the superficial changes made in contemporary Klingons on-screen.
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