Simply Star Trek

Article by Richard Smith

With the release of the new Star Trek Movie there has been much talk about being true to the spirit Roddenberry envisioned. I decided for this month’s Blue Report to come to you; the member of OTF and post a few questions to you. I asked some of our community’s illustrious members if Star Trek XI or just simply Star Trek will help or harm the franchise and then followed up with asking if this reinvention has a hope of succeeding. Enjoy.

Where do you think the Star Trek franchise is headed? Will Star Trek XI Help or hurt?

Lzrman: Personally, I think once they are done with any upcoming movies, it will go down the tube. You can only drag a series on for so long until it is time for it to retire.

JTK: I think it will definatly help. It will be a nice revival. If this movie is as good as it looks I would hope a series would come from it, I'd watch it.

Lee: "I think there is a great deal of life left in the Star Trek franchise. Over the past few months we have had a surge in registrations which just proves that people are still interested in watching it and talking about it."
"The movie is just the start. It is getting Star Trek back on our screens, re-introducing the old fans and introducing a whole load of new ones."
We might ultimately see a new series in the works; or possibly further movies. I don't know. But I do know that Star Trek has proved to be a highly versatile franchise capable of constantly adapting to meet the demands of the fans. And they got it wrong with Enteprise. Let us all hope that this movie won't prove to be a failure. If it proves successful there is every chance that there is every chance that there will be much more to come.

Brandon: I think that the Star Trek franchise is headed down a new frontier, I believe that Star Trek XI will redefine the franchise in a way that will bring new members in and reengage those who've been livelong followers (trekkers and trekkies alike) There are obviously some new actors who have the task of bringing to live some of the franchise's most influential and well known characters and if they can do that effectively, then we may just bring tons of new fans into the loop. I think that there is a certain caution that needs to also be expressed when looking at the bold new moves the directors are taking. there needs to be a core set of values that are adhered to and then, when possible, expansions on the interesting aspects of trek while keeping the same, familiar sense of exploration and enjoyment known by us all.

Do you give the Star Trek Franchise any hope for reinvention?

Lzrman: I am sure everyone has some ideas on how to keep it afloat, that be the creators to even the general public. I guess only time will tell, I would like to see it continue, having trek gone would be a void in every trekkies life. And in some cases some people will just move on to more exciting things.

Lee: I think it would be a brilliant idea. I always thought Star Trek was about exploring the previously unexplored and that is somewhere we haven't yet been. We shouldn't be afraid to come up with something new; we need to stop going backwards and being fascinated with Kirk and Spock. As fantastic as they were, it is time for the franchise to move ahead. And I think the fans want something new to capture their imagination.

Brandon: Yes, I believe I am. While I enjoyed the old series, I have to say that the reinvention of the franchise, and thus bringing a youthful look to the characters and likewise bringing up the excitement to the series. I've not seen a series redefined in this way short of maybe Battlestar Gallactica and that really revolutionized the series and, hopefully, this happens with Trek as well.

And now for something that isn’t normally part of the articles, the writers point of view. My feeling on the subject is this: Star Trek is Star Trek any way you slice it. Yeah I enjoy the adventures and story lines that have been brought out, but I can also embrace a new point of view. As was said in another favorite movie of mine: “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’”. If Star Trek doesn’t continue to bring out new stuff then it dies. I am looking forward to this new movie with baited breath. I want to see where it takes Kirk, Spock, and Bones. We have already seen them around the campfire, now lets see them boldly go…again. - BR