Possible new Star Trek series?

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-05-14 06:03pm

From TrekWatcher:

5/14/04

Coming Fall 2005…

STAR TREK: UNIFICATION

Long time Star Trek Executive Producer Rick Berman, just prior to taking a less prominent role in the Star Trek franchise, dropped a bombshell this afternoon via his weekly teleconference. Plans are underway for a new Star Trek series, this incarnation under the moniker “Unification”.

With one series midway through its projected run and hints of another film in the works, Berman explains his reasoning behind the announcement.

BERMAN: “We (Brannon Braga) have been bouncing ideas back and forth about where the Trek story should for a year or so. It occurred to us that a good amount of the recent content had a sense of the ‘recycled’. Fans have been antsy about our current direction. It then hit upon us that what we had in front of us was a creative glut. We could go back again, way back to the beginning or a prequel direction. But then it was like painting ourselves into a corner. How to keep it solid and not step on the rich mythology that is Star Trek was the issue truly at hand. The fans simply deserve to know they are being listened to and we have learned from it.”

“So we went, pardon the phrase, where we hadn’t gone before–beyond the limits of warp speed, the limits of the Federation and the limits of what we thought of and defined as a Starship.”

“We took a long look at Gene’s [Roddenberry’s] vision, the Starship as a living community, a vessel with a task to explore, discover and all those other things that made Star Trek Star Trek. He did that twice, back in the 60s and again in the 80s. When you think about it, The Next Generation is what the man would have done if not for the social and technological limitations in which the first series was born. We took the Roddenberry philosophy and pushed it to the extreme.”

TREKWATCHER: And what does this mean for Star Trek fans? What can we look forward to in a year?

(In a rare moment, Berman gives us a glimpse into the 26th Century):

BERMAN: “The premise for ‘Unification’ is borrowed from that Next Generation episode in which Spock is attempting to bring his Romulan brethren back into the fold. We took that little bit of lore and spun that idea into more of an intergalactic-scale scenario. Like Gene wanted in his last show, not to go back to the old stand-bys, but to move forward and expand literally and figuratively into new territories. From that we got the Q, Ferengi and a host of other new beings and places. Later, when he brought back some old favorites, it was done in a secondary fashion. The new guys got center stage. That’s what we’re doing again. It’s an evolution of the galaxy as a whole.”

TREKWATCHER: What is does this “evolution” entail?

BERMAN: “Gone are the old conflicts. Forget the Neutral Zones, Treaty of Algeron, and all that other stuff. It’s over. In fact, our story for the first episode deals with this transition. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Suddenly, the galaxy becomes at once at lot bigger and so much smaller. Our central theme explores what this new openness means to our characters. We did something like this with Voyager, but only skimmed the surface. This new century brings on a true Renaissance. The mission to explore strange new worlds is really gonna hit home.”

TREKWATCHER: So the big question is, will there be a Starship Enterprise?

BERMAN: “Oh yes, there will be an Enterprise. And, in keeping with our ideas and Gene’s, she’ll be a true community in space. The guys in the art department have outdone themselves coming up with the ship that looks like the vision of the show. When you see her for the first time, you won’t have look for a nameplate to know who she is. This Enterprise is going to knock your socks off.”

(Berman lets one more teaser through):

BERMAN: “And she’s REALLY fast.”

--------

Found that on the Taldren forums...
What do you guys think?

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2004-05-14 06:09pm

There's a little voice inside my head going:

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!
DON'T LET THESE FUCKERS TOUCH ANYTHING EVEN VAGUELY RELATED TO STAR TREK EVER AGAIN!"

I think it's called experience or something like that.

The fans simply deserve to know they are being listened to and we have learned from it

Then why haven't you two fuckers dissapeared yet?

It’s out with the old and in with the new.

Didn't they do that with Enterprise?

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2004-05-14 06:16pm

It sounds like a much better idea than Enterprise, frankly. If they get a halfway decent writing staff, stay out of the way creatively, hell freezes over, pigs fly out of my ass, et cetera, it might be good.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-05-14 06:21pm

while this sounds like a promising idea, i'm going to remain skeptical as long as bremen and braga are still behind the series. don't give them too big of a hand in creating it and it seems like it has some potential. a trek series not driven by technological mishap or alien of the week would be a good change.

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » 2004-05-14 06:28pm

(Everything I say is IMO)

Now, quite frankly, that is one extremly odd concept. I'm interpreting that he wants to unify the galaxy. Roddenbury would be appalled if he were alive(IMO).

How to keep it solid and not step on the rich mythology that is Star Trek was the issue truly at hand. The fans simply deserve to know they are being listened to and we have learned from it.”

Well with this idea Berman certainly did not meet his goals. (IMO)

We took the Roddenberry philosophy and pushed it to the extreme.

I dont think Roddenbury would be pleased if he were alive. If you are going to abide by the philosophy, please dont distort it. Although Roddenbury wanted a Utopic world within the Federation itself, but otherwise he put in constant cold war between the other nations.

(This could have been becuase of the tensions in the 80s and 60s)

I mean, how many fans like this peaceful explorer philosophy anyway?

“And she’s REALLY fast.”

Please dont tell me that she uses transwarp or something other than conventional warp drive.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » 2004-05-14 06:51pm

Alright, they make it sounds like ti could be decent, but here's my prediction of how it will actually turnout.

Klingons, Feds, Romulans, Cardassians, Dominion basically every major power B&B can remember sign some treaty or something creating some uber-federation. They then spend the next two or three episodes dealing with the problems of unifying all these disparate races. After that they "solve" all those problems in the fourth or fifth episode. Everything is now perfect, we're gonna see Klingons and Romulans being best friends and other similar things to show how "enlightened" they now are.

This is then followed by the launch a new Enterprise, which will be the first production starship with Trans Warp (or something similar). It will of course have a mixed crew representing all the new races (IOTW one of each and everyone else is human) they will be sent out to explore either the far side of the galaxy, or more likely the Megellanic(sp) Clouds where it will quickly turn into a rehash of TOS/TNG/VOY/ENT but with new names.

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » 2004-05-14 07:00pm

Kyle wrote:Alright, they make it sounds like ti could be decent, but here's my prediction of how it will actually turnout.

Klingons, Feds, Romulans, Cardassians, Dominion basically every major power B&B can remember sign some treaty or something creating some uber-federation. They then spend the next two or three episodes dealing with the problems of unifying all these disparate races. After that they "solve" all those problems in the fourth or fifth episode. Everything is now perfect, we're gonna see Klingons and Romulans being best friends and other similar things to show how "enlightened" they now are.

This is then followed by the launch a new Enterprise, which will be the first production starship with Trans Warp (or something similar). It will of course have a mixed crew representing all the new races (IOTW one of each and everyone else is human) they will be sent out to explore either the far side of the galaxy, or more likely the Megellanic(sp) Clouds where it will quickly turn into a rehash of TOS/TNG/VOY/ENT but with new names.

I agree with that type of scenario. They all seemed like they were on a course to galactic peace in season 7 of DS9. Are the Borg or the Kazon going to join this uber-fed?
I can see the Romulans and Klingons making peace. I can also see the Cardassians entering this alliance. I dont quite see the Dominion in the described alliance though. There may be some slight dissention hwoever.

Eventually to hike ratings, there will have to be an extragalactic threat.

Nice pediction there

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-14 07:14pm

Why can't they just take a fucking break?

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2004-05-14 07:25pm

Hmm.

Now as opposed to ENT, this I like. No more @%@^& prequels. If they can't do a TV Series, make this film Trek XI. In fact, this is what they should have done after VGR ended; give the franchise a year or two before doing a new series; who knows; perhaps the new ENT might be the ENT'J as seen in 'Azati Prime'. However, given their [B/B's] record on VGR and ENT, the chances are slim that it could work.

I see three negative issues here, especially as they pertain to ENT as of now:

Issue 1 - Poor production/writing.
B$B don't really seem to understand either Science Fiction or proper story structure/style. This means that many episodes simply don't make sense. Berman, in particular, has been trying to be "creative" and this has really produced junk...

Issue 2 - UPN isn't much of a network. It's fairly consitently "bottom of the barrel" in quality of shows. They haven't had a really solid hit yet. While Voyager and Enterprise have been their biggest shows, neither made the network much money. They are also very inconsistent in promoting shows.

Issue 3 - Paramount/Viacom is more concerned with pure profits (bloody Ferengi!). They have become completely artistically bankrupt. This doesn't HAVE to be a major problem though - if the right people are in charge of Star Trek (or any other projects).

So, we can only wait and see.

Burak Gazan · Post by **Burak Gazan** » 2004-05-14 07:34pm

Unless and until the current collection of poltroons is physically removed from contact with the franchise in any way whatsoever (including selling fucking weiners outside the gates of the studio

) ANYTHING generated by them will have no chance of success.

This asshole is like some sort of egomaniac in love with the sound of his own voice. For christs sakes Berman, do us all a favour and fuck off to a deserted island somewhere and do something productive, like count lint in your navel

but most importantly, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!

Sigh....

The timing cant be a coincidence: any bets now as to ENT being a dead duck?

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2004-05-14 07:51pm

Sounds like an attempt to bring back the magic of TOS and TNG. I like the premise.

BTW, didn't you people notice the part where Berman said he wanted to take a smaller role in Trek? Won't necessarily have to deal with B&B in the future.

CJvR · Post by **CJvR** » 2004-05-14 08:07pm

Might be an intresting idea provided the Romulans isn't turned into neutered PC model Feds. Perhaps we will finaly see the Phase cloaks in use on Starfleet ships.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2004-05-14 09:27pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! STOP BOZO AND BINHEAD FROM KILLING TREK!!!!

I have a better idea for a Future Trek: http://www.startrekrenaissance.com/

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-14 09:28pm

I would have prefered the Romulan War as per the Starfleet Museum.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2004-05-14 09:29pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:I would have prefered the Romulan War as per the Starfleet Museum.

I'll second that any day of the week.

Maybe someone could do a fan-produced series a la the one in my last post?

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2004-05-14 09:32pm

Get rid of Braga first!!!!

Anyway, this could turn out well......if hell froze over first.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-14 09:34pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:I would have prefered the Romulan War as per the Starfleet Museum.
I'll second that any day of the week.

Maybe someone could do a fan-produced series a la the one in my last post?

I'm fucking sick of Star Trek's present, personally.

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2004-05-14 09:37pm

Read the fucking article people. Berman stated he wants a diminished role. B&B don't appear to be lasting much longer.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-14 09:40pm

The mere presence of B&B is no longer the issue, in my opinion.

The tank has finally run out of its last pint of air, and it needs time to be refilled.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2004-05-15 06:00am

At least they won't fuck up continuity anymore...

I still would've liked a serieshaving Romulans or another race as the main focus. We've seen plenty of the federation already...

Sir Sirius · Post by **Sir Sirius** » 2004-05-15 06:38am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Why can't they just take a fucking break?

There is no money to be made by doing nothing.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2004-05-15 08:15am

This doesn't seem too bad of an idea.

Assuming the AQ makes a big Federation like thing, we could possibly get some decent VS material.

Given the right execution, this could be good.

TheDarkling · Post by **TheDarkling** » 2004-05-15 08:48am

Alyeska wrote:Read the fucking article people. Berman stated he wants a diminished role. B&B don't appear to be lasting much longer.

If Berman reduces his role Braga will likely fill the vacuum which would be even worse.

As for the story idea, I would prefer something along the lines of New Frontier or something that gave us a 7 year arc based upon the galaxies geopolitics (although that would be defamed a s being to close to DS9 or B5, I think the entire exploration angle has run it's course at least as the primary part of the show.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-05-15 10:33am

TheDarkling wrote:If Berman reduces his role Braga will likely fill the vacuum which would be even worse.

You think Braga is the Sith master, eh?

As for the story idea, I would prefer something along the lines of New Frontier or something that gave us a 7 year arc based upon the galaxies geopolitics (although that would be defamed a s being to close to DS9 or B5, I think the entire exploration angle has run it's course at least as the primary part of the show.

A lot of the posts here make a few good suggestions. I like your idea Darkling, a proper ST show which prides itself on continuity and multi-season arcs would be just what the doctor ordered. And who gives a shit if it's compared to the likes of B5? I'd consider that a fucking honour.

But to be frank, I have little faith it'll work. I was there when DS9 came to TV, when VOY came soon after - both shows had promise, but I couldn't stick around to see it through. Just let it go. Let it rest.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2004-05-15 10:55am

JME2 wrote: Issue 3 - Paramount/Viacom is more concerned with pure profits (bloody Ferengi!). They have become completely artistically bankrupt. This doesn't HAVE to be a major problem though - if the right people are in charge of Star Trek (or any other projects).

Penny Arcade said it best