Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV and how would you pitch it?

[Mr Webber]

So ive been watching the Star Trek universe since 1972, and lately have been catching up on a few random episodes that are common here of all the series. Have come to the conclusion that about only 15 to 20% of the episodes from TNG are enjoyable to watch, that figure decreases with each new series although I did like Enterprise, maybe only coz it was in 16:9 screen ratio.

One concept would be to cut the apron stings all together and have a series set in the Star Trek universe that has nothing to do or references anything that came before it perhaps. Or is TV just plain finished with it?

Edit : Changed the title to allow for any suggestions for future tellings.

 

[SVTStingRay]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

they need to do a next gen-next gen. a generation after TNG, with a future enterprise-h. dear god please no jjtrek series.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

So ive been watching the Star Trek universe since 1972, and lately have been catching up on a few random episodes that are common here of all the series. Have come to the conclusion that about only 15 to 20% of the episodes from TNG are enjoyable to watch, that figure decreases with each new series although I did like Enterprise, maybe only coz it was in 16:9 screen ratio.

One concept would be to cut the apron stings all together and have a series set in the Star Trek universe that has nothing to do or references anything that came before it perhaps. Or is TV just plain finished with it?

I think Trek has run it's course on TV for the time being. It'll be another decade or two before you see it back if at all.

For me the "enjoyability" percentages work out to about:

TOS - 70%
TAS - 50%
TNG - 70%
DS9 - 40%
VOY - 10%
ENT - 50%

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Should clarify, those are based on a recent marathon through TOS, TAS, TNG, and ENT. So the DS9 and VOY numbers are not with current reference.

TNG got better and better as it went and when they nailed it they knocked it out of the park. TOS has some REALLY campy episodes that still factor into my "enjoy" because I love them despite it.

 

[Rotwang]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

My guess is that the next Trek series will probably show a Federation falling apart or already torn apart by a major disaster, invasion or civil war, while the next Enterprise or ship will have a suitably dysfunctional crew, arguing all the time while the main threat can be conveniently ignored to allow people to make really stupid decisions and pursue stupid rivalries.

Seems more than likely that any new Trek TV will be different from JJTrek, they will go for a "dark and gritty" formula. You could eat from the floors in TNG, but the new series will make the TNG Klingon ships look like a commercial.

Or whatever is the gout du jour, but I doubt we'll see the likes of the original Roddenberry premise any time soon. People think they are much too sophomasticated to make something ridiculously "optimistic"

 

[tamplain]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

I wanna see Star Trek from the enlisted perspective. Everbody in those shows was a Commisioned Officer, except maybe for Scotty. I'd also like to see something from the darkside of Starfleet, like their black ops/spy side of the house.

 

[Jeyl]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

I wanna see Star Trek from the enlisted perspective. Everbody in those shows was a Commisioned Officer, except maybe for Scotty. I'd also like to see something from the darkside of Starfleet, like their black ops/spy side of the house.

Section 31.

A little warning when you're dealing with this particular organization. They condone the manipulation of alien cultures and will even resort to genocide. Kind of hard to portray the positive image of a better humanity if you want a show to focus solely on these guys. I for one am not particularly open about the idea because it would just be a show about humans manipulating/destroying alien cultures for their own purposes.

 

[Ray22]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

I heard they are talking about doing a show with Worf as a Captain.

 

[Mr Webber]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Section 31.

A little warning when you're dealing with this particular organization. They condone the manipulation of alien cultures and will even resort to genocide. Kind of hard to portray the positive image of a better humanity if you want a show to focus solely on these guys. I for one am not particularly open about the idea because it would just be a show about humans manipulating/destroying alien cultures for their own purposes.

This is what I mean by cutting the apron strings, it doesnt seem even half feasible to me that human dealings in a political system with universal ramifacations would be so black and white or squeeky clean.

I like the idea of a Black Ops unit operating within the Federation very much, totally shakes up the utopian, impracticle universe that is the standard. I also have absolutely no issue with any alien species exploiting us or vica versa, when they are totally FICTIONAL.:facepalm

No Worf for me please, if we have to go back to the same well, Id prefer a new Sulu in charge of the Excelsior...........Mmmm sexy black ops unit.

ADDITION

A black ops unit that is free of the Prime Directive in "certain" situations opens up a whole new world to the writers who have been restricted by it for decades.

 

[tamplain]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

No Worf for me please, if we have to go back to the same well, Id prefer a new Sulu in charge of the Excelsior...........Mmmm sexy black ops unit.

.

Worf as a Captain could work if it's from the Klingon side as opposed to the Federation side. I still wanna see federation ground troops. Sure grounb combat might be a moot point with transporter technology and the ability to suddenly drop in on your enemys, but it's something we have yet to see in the ST universe, and I think it could be a lot of fun.

 

[Shadow345]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Klingon captain series or nothing.

 

[CJGrimm]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Not likely to be another Star Trek series for a while. The networks are too concerned with profit, and for a new series to get enough viewers it will need movie quality effects, and that would cost too much.

 

[Lost in Trek]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Not likely to be another Star Trek series for a while. The networks are too concerned with profit, and for a new series to get enough viewers it will need movie quality effects, and that would cost too much.

Well, its always been about profit. Nothing new there... The FX concern was stated when TNG started and they looked fine for their time and the show did very well.

Personally, I think TOS and DS9 are the two best series and have held up well over time. TNG feels very dated now.

 

[Apollo]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Last I talked with Michael you could'nt throw enough money at him to be in that make-up again :lol

As far as a new series I think in the next 10 years we may see something ala a JJ Trek.

Trek died a LONG time ago may she RIP

I heard they are talking about doing a show with Worf as a Captain.

 

[astroboy]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

I was always a bit of a trek fan until I gave stargate a chance. Now TNG is unwatchable. Stargate really nailed the idea of serialized adventure. I'd like trek to start again simply because it could benefit from lessons by other shows.

 

[IMIM2]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

I see the trend is to make everything dark, and/or back to beginning.
During TOS era, perhaps movies and TV series will show crimes, war stories, etc. TOS is somewhat telling a story of "well established" world.
Same thing happened on TNG.
IMHO, that's why people love Star Trek. It is a vision of the future, a better future. That's why it is more enjoyable.

Look at the added twist: less exploring>DS9, increase exploring>VOY, reboot>ENT. I do not watch TAS.

If they want to make a new series, they following the trend, yeah it'll be dark, hardcore action (fight, war, blood), crime investigation, vampires, pirates, school of magic, journey to return something supranatural, reboot more (cadet 90210), etc, etc....

I agree with Michael, it should be another decade to clear out this trends. Hope I am still alive by then. It'll be nice to watch in grandpa's chair, which will look like captain Picard's chair, wih LCARS remote control. "oh look, it's time for the show, put it on screen:

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Please GOD no Worf Trek. I was done with that character before he even showed up on DS9.

 

[Jeyl]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

A black ops unit that is free of the Prime Directive in "certain" situations opens up a whole new world to the writers who have been restricted by it for decades.

The Prime Directive didn't restrict writers. It was Gene Roddenberry and Rick Berman that restricted the writers. If you think the Prime Directive was restrictive to the writers of the original series, watch the episode "A Taste of Armageddon" and you'll see how all the characters are totally gung ho on bombarding an entire civilized "pre-warp" planet.

I think the best episodes that involve the Prime Directive are the ones where our crew discuss the moral choice of getting involved rather than just plain "Adhere to the Prime Directive no matter the circumstances". Pen Pals is a good season two episode where our heroes get into that very debate and the conclusion is a pretty nice one.

I think the Prime Directive needs to be changed to better suit a more positive approach to space travel because, after all, we're out there "to seek out new life and new civilizations". Maybe something along the lines like only make contact with a world that is aware of your presence. Not to say you should make your presence obvious, but there's got to be something in these directives that acts as a contingency incase something goes wrong. And given Star Trek's record, things go wrong a LOT.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

The optimistic outlook of the future is always what set Trek apart. I don't want a "dark & gritty" future series because it just wouldn't be Trek.

DS9 walked a fine line in that regard but I think still stayed within the Trek realm. The Prime Directive is actually a great writing tool because as Jeyl mentioned it provides the ideal that can be questioned and makes the choices more difficult. Kirk & Picard have violated it frequently but still hold it as their number one rule.

Some rules, even the most precious, need to be broken sometimes. There are some TNG episodes that deal with it brilliantly IMO.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Re: Will Star Trek ever make it back to TV?

Well, I agree with a lot of the comments. Trek should always be about the adventures of the Enterprise and her crew. New crew, in a future that is recovering from a massive battle that almost destroyed the Federation. We could at that point have a captain that was a bit more autonimous and able to make more decisions on his own. It could be more 'frontier' and actually have them out exploring after the war, picking up the pieces and restructuring the organization.

And my favorite percentages of enjoyable episodes...

TOS 88% Liked most of it.

TNG 50% Got really boring after the 4th season. Actors got paid too much and to compensate, all the action of the last three years took place aboard the ship. No more beaming down to planets and interracting with other culures.

DS9 95% Loved it! Never got stale in my mind. Was THOUROGHLY sick of the parrallel universe crap though.

VOY 70% For some reason I hated it first run, but now sort of like it.

ENT 25% First year was good, went down hill quickly after that to a complete mess the third season. Never watched the last half of the third season or any of the fourth season. (With the exception of the TOS episode)