Screen Rant
Voyager-a: every change confirmed to star trek's original.
Star Trek: Prodigy has revealed an exciting tease of the brand new USS Voyager-A, hinting at exciting new upgrades and a brand-new starship class.
- The USS Voyager-A, unveiled in Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, has undergone noticeable upgrades including increased staffing levels, advanced technology, and a larger shuttle bay.
- The Voyager-A is a Lamarr-class science vessel, honoring real-world female scientist Hedy Lamarr, in line with the legacy of Janeway as a female leader and scientist.
- While the Voyager-B and Voyager-J also feature upgrades and unique technologies, the Voyager-A stands out with its larger size and alternative warp drive.
The USS Voyager-A has been unveiled for Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, confirming one or two changes to the original starship from Star Trek: Voyager . At STLV: 57-Year Mission, the Hageman Brothers screened a clip from Prodigy 's season 2 premiere, giving convention attendees the first glimpse of the latest starship to carry the name Voyager. Voyager's return was teased in Prodigy 's season 1 finale when Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) hinted that she had a bigger and better starship in mind for use in the mission to rescue Captain Chakotay (Robert Beltran) from an alternate future.
The unveiling of the USS Voyager-A, and the return of Star Trek: Voyager 's Doctor (Robert Picardo) has made the wait for Star Trek: Prodigy 's troubled season 2 even more unbearable. Speaking at STLV: 57-Year Mission, the Hagemans seemed hopeful that Prodigy would find a new home after its cancelation by Paramount+. Until that deal is worked out, Voyager fans will have to make do with the tantalizing Star Trek: Prodigy clip (via StarTrek.com ) that reveals some subtle upgrades to the legendary starship.
Star Trek: Prodigy's Design Changes To The USS Voyager-A Explained
One of the most notable changes to the original USS Voyager is the staffing levels. When Voyager went in search of Chakotay and the crew of the Valjean, it was a new ship with various positions still to be filled. This doesn't appear to be the case with the USS Voyager-A, however, as Zero (Angus Imrie) lists off " 29 decks, 800 plus crew, two schools ", which is a substantial upgrade from its predecessor. The original Voyager had just 15 decks, a crew of 160, and no educational facilities. It's therefore a much larger starship, but appears to have retained the general look of the original Intrepid-class starship.
The Doctor teases that Star Trek: Prodigy 's new USS Voyager has been fitted " stem to stern " with technology the original ship picked up in the Delta Quadrant, " and then some ." This implies that the Voyager-A will likely be fitted with the same Quantum Slipstream drive as the USS Dauntless from Prodigy season 1. Designed by Lt. B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson), the Dauntless was inspired by a ship previously encountered in the Delta Quadrant by the Voyager crew. This may also account for the Voyager-A's flashier looking deflector dish.
The USS Voyager-A also has a rectangular shuttle bay similar to the one seen on the USS Discovery. This can be seen when the new style of shuttle craft transporting the Star Trek: Prodigy cast docks with the Voyager-A. The new shuttle craft looks like a souped-up version of the Delta Flyer designed by Star Trek: Voyager 's Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill). This could hint at Paris' return for Prodigy season 2, as Janeway appears to have assembled her old friends to rescue Chakotay in Prodigy season 2.
The USS Voyager-A Is A Lamarr Class Science Ship
The USS Voyager NCC-74656-A is not an Intrepid-class starship like its predecessor. Instead, it's one of Star Trek 's brand new Lamarr-class science vessels, which is an appropriate designation given its namesake. The Hagemans confirmed to Trek Core that they were inspired by the actress and revolutionary inventor and scientist, Hedy Lamarr. Given that the character of Janeway inspired the founding of the Janeway Collective, and led the way for a whole generation of female leaders and scientists, it's absolutely perfect that her new Voyager honors a real-world female scientist.
How Does Star Trek: Prodigy's New Starship Compare To The Voyager-B and Voyager-J?
The USS Voyager-B was briefly glimpsed in Star Trek: Picard season 3, by Janeway's stalker Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd). Like the USS Voyager-A, it retained a very similar shape to the original starship, but with some considerable upgrades. The Voyager-B was a Pathfinder-class starship, which originated in the MMORPG Star Trek Online . Featuring two deflector dishes and stylish black livery, it was a significant upgrade to the Intrepid-class starships of the 24th century. However, with a crew of roughly 200, it was much smaller than the Lamarr-class USS Voyager-A teased in the first glimpse at Star Trek: Prodigy season 2.
In Star Trek: Discovery 's far future, the USS Voyager-J helped Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the fledgling Starfleet to defeat the Emerald Chain in the 3200s. In Discovery season 4, the Voyager-J was fitted with an experimental pathway drive, which didn't require the use of dilithium. It's likely that the USS Voyager-A will also use an alternative to Star Trek 's warp drive , more specifically the quantum slipstream technology discovered during its predecessor's exploration of the Delta Quadrant.
Star Trek: Voyager 's titular starship, and its future successors all share a passion for pursuing the far reaches of scientific knowledge. With Admiral Kathryn Janeway back at the helm of a brand-new starship headed for an alternate future, the Voyager-A will certainly have ample opportunities to live up to its namesake. The only thing standing in its way is the fact that Star Trek: Prodigy remains in limbo. However, fans shouldn't lose hope, as the unveiling of the Voyager-A is yet another exciting reason for saving Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 from cancelation.
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Star Trek: Prodigy
A group of enslaved teenagers steal a derelict Starfleet vessel to escape and explore the galaxy. A group of enslaved teenagers steal a derelict Starfleet vessel to escape and explore the galaxy. A group of enslaved teenagers steal a derelict Starfleet vessel to escape and explore the galaxy.
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Young Alien Adventurers Find the U.S.S. Voyager in New ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Teaser
By Jon Blistein
Jon Blistein
Paramount+ has released a new teaser for its upcoming animated kids’ series, Star Trek : Prodigy , which is set to premiere on the streaming platform this fall.
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The series is set after the events of the late-Nineties TV series, Star Trek: Voyager , and centers around a group of young aliens, who must learn to work together as they navigate the galaxy in search of a better future. As the new teaser shows, the young adventurers embark on their journey after coming across a strange ship — the U.S.S. Voyager. (Per a press release, this is the first Star Trek series where the ship’s crew knows nothing about the vessel they’re commandeering.)
Completing the link between the old live action show and new animated series is Kate Mulgrew, who will reprise her role as Kathryn Janeway, only she’ll appear in Prodigy as a hologram on the Voyager. The cast also features Brett Gray, Ella Purnell, Angus Imrie, Rylee Alazraqui, Dee Bradley Baker and Jason Mantzoukas.
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Star Trek Actor Confirms the Return of a Major Voyager Character
Robert Picardo opens up about his return as The Doctor in Star Trek: Prodigy!
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After being lost for so long, Star Trek: Prodigy has finally made it home, and it’s bringing along an old friend. After Prodigy ‘s well-regarded first season, Paramount+, the streaming service that touted itself “the home of Star Trek ,” removed the shelved the completed second season before it had a chance to air.
Fortunately, Prodigy will return on Netflix on Dec. 25, starting with all of season one, with season two slated to release in 2024. Even better, Robert Picardo has confirmed via Twitter that he will appear in the second season as the Emergency Medical Hologram, better known as the Doctor.
“Now that our strike has ended, I am pleased to confirm that I will be on season 2 of #StarTrekProdigy,” wrote Picardo.
Now that our strike has ended, I am pleased to confirm that I will be on season 2 of #StarTrekProdigy , which has found a new home on @netflix . https://t.co/Q9VFVm4zG7 — Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) November 10, 2023
Honestly, it’s about time. Despite having a wonderful and varied career, with standout roles in everything from Innerspace and Total Recall to The Wonder Years and Stargate SG-1 , Picardo remains especially involved in Star Trek fandom. Furthermore, the Voyager crew has been at the forefront of modern Trek , with the Voyager-J showing up in Discovery , Tuvok and Seven of Nine appearing in Picard , and Robert Duncan McNeil lending his voice to Lower Decks (albeit as not-Tom Paris Nick Locarno in recent episodes).
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More importantly, Prodigy essentially functions as a sequel to Voyager . The series’ first season followed a group of kids in the Delta Quadrant escaping an overlord called the Diviner. The means of their departure comes via the USS Protostar, an abandoned ship once captained by Chakotay. As the kids used the Protostar to make their way to the Alpha Quadrant, partially with the help of a training hologram in the form of Janeway, the real Admiral Janeway searched for her lost Commanding Officer.
The first clip from the second season only strengthens those sequel connections. Now cadets at Starfleet Academy, the kids (minus the Diviner’s runaway daughter Gwyn) get their first mission on a new ship, the Voyager-A. Like its predecessor, the Voyager-A will be under the command of Admiral Janeway, as many other Captains deal with the evacuation of Romulus (as seen in Picard ).
However, the clip finds the kids working not with Janeway, but with “a dear friend of Katherine,” the Doctor. Immediately, we can tell that Picardo has not lost a step in portraying the Doctor. He leans into the EMH’s special blend of condescension and kindness, even making room for a wink toward the most famous Starfleet doctor, McCoy. And yet, for all of the Doctor’s conceited charm, he seems to have a hard time connecting with the kids, who take no interest in his holonovel authorship and probably won’t be impressed with his opera singing.
While, at this point, we do not know if the Doctor will be taking Janeway’s place for all of the episodes. Unlike the holographic Janeway with whom the kids bonded on the Protostar, Admiral Janeway has less time on her hands. And while Dal R’El and Jankom Pog will give him plenty of frustration, if the Doctor can handle Kes, Tom Paris, and Seven of Nine, he can certainly whip these kids into shape.
Star Trek: Prodigy begins streaming on Netflix on Dec. 25.
Joe George | @jageorgeii
Joe George’s writing has appeared at Slate, Polygon, Tor.com, and elsewhere!
Star Trek: Prodigy's Savior Is a Voyager Deep Cut
Star Trek: Prodigy suggests Janeway -- and all of Starfleet -- may owe everything to an unnamed security officer whose backstory speaks volumes.
The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1, Episode 19, "Supernova, Part 1," now streaming on Paramount+.
The penultimate episode of Star Trek: Prodigy 's first season finds the peacefully founded Federation with a dilemma that rivals the Borg. Season 1, Episode 19, "Supernova, Part 1" sees the Diviner's sinister plan coming to fruition as the device aboard the USS Protostar turns a colossal armada of Starfleet vessels against each other. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the heroes -- and Starfleet itself -- seemingly powerless in the face of annihilation.
Presumably, Rok and her friends will save the day in the season finale. Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway will surely be involved in their efforts, having started the episode locked in her own brig before a sympathetic security officer set her free. The specifics point back to Star Trek: Voyager Season 5, Episode 10, "Counterpoint," creating a deep Easter egg. The unnamed guard belongs to a species called the Bernari, which played a key role in her decision to set Janeway free. Starfleet may be saved thanks to Janeway's compassion in "Counterpoint."
RELATED: Star Trek: Prodigy Puts a 24th-Century Twist on a Horror Classic
Star Trek: Prodigy Gives Janeway a Little Help
"Supernova, Part 1" opens with Janeway finally deducing the purpose of the Protostar 's crew, who have been trying to avoid Federation space for fear of unleashing the Diviner's weapon on Starfleet. Unfortunately, her enlightenment came via a bout of body-swapping with Dal in Season 1, Episode 18, "Mindwalk," which leaves Janeway's crew on the USS Dauntless openly suspicious of her mental state. She finds herself in the brig just as the fleet surrounds the Protostar and walks into the Diviner's trap.
A young officer is tasked with guarding her, and she pleads with the woman to let her out before disaster strikes. At first, the officer seems deaf to her arguments before revealing her origins. She's a Bernari -- and one of a dozen refugees whom Janeway and the Voyager crew got to safety in "Counterpoint." Acknowledging the debt, she releases Janeway and hands her back her communicator badge. The two clasp hands before Janeway returns to the bridge.
RELATED: How Star Trek: Prodigy Connects to Picard's Season 3 Villain
Janeway Saved Her Newfound Ally on Star Trek: Voyager
Janeway's release comes too late to stop the Diviner's weapon, but it's telling that "Supernova, Part 1" makes such a point out of her savior's origins. The scene could have been played with a human security guard simply giving way to Janeway's irrefutable "let me out or everyone's going to die" logic. But the inclusion of the Bernari turns the act into something much more. For starters, the Bernari are telepaths, which immediately clears up how the guard knows that Janeway is herself again.
Beyond that, however, it embraces the idea of good deeds paying themselves forward. "Counterpoint" recounted the Voyager passing through the territory of the Devore: an autocratic government that routinely stopped them searching for telepaths. The crew outwitted the Devore by hiding the Bernari refugees in the transporter's pattern buffer for each inspection, along with telepathic crew members such as Vulcans. Janeway actively deceived a Devore agent to ensure the Bernari escape, putting the Voyager at risk in the process. The people she saved included a few little girls -- Neelix was seen telling the Bernari children a bedtime story at one point -- which provides an extra level of detail to Prodigy's wrinkle.
Janeway's efforts clearly left an impression, and given the sometimes difficult decisions she made during Voyager's run, it speaks volumes that she risked her ship for the sake of a small handful of people. She does so out of basic decency, but also because of the idea that every soul has potential that deserves to be explored. Prodigy finds the perfect way to reiterate that point, just when Janeway and Starfleet need it the most.
Star Trek: Prodigy is now streaming on Paramount+.
New episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy stream every Thursday on Paramount+
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Interview: Aaron Waltke On How Voyager’s Doctor Shakes Things Up In ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Season 2
| August 30, 2023 | By: Anthony Pascale 42 comments so far
Star Trek: Prodigy may not be on Paramount+ anymore, but the first season is available digitally and on physical media (with the second half arriving on DVD/Blu-ray soon ). At the recent #SaveStarTrekProdigy aerial banner event in Hollywood , TrekMovie had a chance to talk to writer and co-executive producer Aaron Waltke about the status of season 2, what’s new in season 2, and the chances for a third season.
So are you surprised by this effort [getting an aerial banner] by the fans?
Honestly, no, because I think Star Trek fans more than anyone don’t like it when you mess with their shows. I think they’re some of the most passionate people out there. There’s a great legacy in Star Trek of efforts to sustain the movement dating all the way to Bjo and John Trimble . So the fact that that kind of legacy has been resuscitated for our show is a deep honor.
When you were on stage in Vegas , the Hagemans talked about a possible third season. When the removal from Paramount+ was first announced, Prodigy was reported to be cancelled, but technically that isn’t right is it?
Yeah, as far as I know. There was a lot of confusion because it was kind of announced alongside a number of shows that were I believe, officially cancelled. But at the bottom of some of those articles, you saw the caveat of like, “Oh, we’re actually still producing our show and we’re shopping it around for the potential for more episodes and licensing.”
Aaron Waltke looking for the #SaveStarTrekProdigy banner flying above Hollywood (Photo: TrekMovie)
So Paramount isn’t shopping it around saying “you can buy seasons 1 and 2 and that’s it.” It’s open-ended, like they can buy the first two seasons and more if they want?
Exactly. I think there’s nothing preventing them from paying for more episodes. I think the question now is just who’s paying for it? But from what I understand the talks are active. There is some positive trending, but deals like this take a very long time, as you can imagine. All I can do is just like keep up the movement, keep the faith, and eventually I think we can expect some very good news.
With regards to the second season, I know you guys have been optimistic the show will find a new home, but even the absolute worst-case scenario would be that it gets released to buy on digital and physical media, right?
You know, that’s above my pay grade. But what I can say is that the sales for the DVD and Blu-ray and digital have been unprecedented. Specifically, I was told the season 1 volume 2 Blu-ray [pre-orders] has outperformed many of their other shows, like way beyond what they would have expected. So I think that that’s a very positive trend, and partially why CBS Studios recognizes that this show can and will continue.
DVD box for second half of season 1
Regarding making the second season, when do you think you’ll actually be done?
So right now, I believe we’re still continuing on track to produce all 20 episodes by the end of the year. There might be some mixing this spills over into January, but we never stopped making the show, fully anticipating for it to be ready to air by December. And that’s where we are now.
So, all 20 episodes of season 2 would be ready by December?
Yeah, but like I said, the last few episodes might need a little bit of mixing or whatnot. But definitely, the first 10 and the majority of the rest of the episodes will be completely done by the end of the year.
Speaking of season 2, can you tease anything? Can you give us a little taste?
One little taste. Well as you know, the Voyager-A has arrived and, as I’ve hinted elsewhere, it is fully equipped with all sorts of technology that Voyager brought back from its travels in the Delta Quadrant and beyond. We’ve already seen a little taste of a limited sort of tandem quantum slipstream. I think there are other elements that you’ve seen shall we say on the Enterprise-D, or heard about it, and on the Cerritos, that will also be on the show.
The USS Voyager-A in Prodigy season 2 clip
So, the season 2 clip shown at STLV had Bob Picardo back as The Doctor. Is the implication that Admiral Janeway will be busy with admiral stuff and so The Doctor will be overseeing the kids as a recurring character?
Yes, as I’ve said elsewhere, when we bring a legacy character onto Star Trek, it’s not just for pure nostalgia or a fun “Hey, look at that guy.” Because of both financially and because of how our story unfolds, we want their relationship to be an integral part of both our young cadets’ journey and hopefully have an influence on those characters’ story as we get this sort of coda to what happened after Voyager returned to Earth. So Picardo as The Doctor is in it for the long haul. And he certainly has his fair share of teaching young people about how the warp core of the cell works. I think he fancies himself as something of a mentor to them, even if they still don’t quite know what to make of him.
Warp core of the cell, that’s deep…
Yes, that’s a deep cut to the Voyager episode where he taught young Naomi Wildman about how cells work .
Anything else you want to say before we wrap up?
I just want to say thank you to everybody. I know it can seem like firing missiles into a void but you are being heard. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. We deeply appreciate them. And the #SaveStarTrekProdigy movement is something that I think will resonate for a very long time.
The doctor gives the provisional cadets a briefing in Prodigy season 2 clip
Reminder: Season 1, Vol. 2 DVD & Blu-ray arrives in September
The second half of season 2 of Prodigy with episodes 11-20 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on September 26, 2023. The set includes over 45 minutes of brand-new bonus content featuring exclusive interviews and collectible character cards. You can pre-order on Amazon: $14.99 on DVD and $22.99 on Blu-ray . The first volume with episodes 1-10 is also back in stock at Amazon: $13.99 on DVD and $17.78 on Blu-ray . You can also buy all of season 1 (episodes 1-20) digitally for $9.99 .
Season 1 volume 2 Blu-ray set coming on September 26
Keep up with news about the Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .
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That’s more like it.
I won’t be a bit surprised if Paramount+ backpaddles and winds up airing the next season after all…
That makes it a bit hard to claim as a tax write-off.
They aren’t claiming it as a tax write off. If they were they would legally not be allowed to air it or sell it or anything else of the kind. Tax write off is what happened to Final Space.
But if they fail to sell it for a good price, then couldn’t they claim it as one? If so, that would mean they are weighing their options seriously, hence pulling season 1 when they did.
That dude wasn’t paying attention to the news reports on this. It’s a tax write-off.
Taking a page from Disney and Max owner Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global is also removing Star Trek: Prodigy, and the other shows it canceled on Friday, from Paramount+ in exchange for a tax writeoff.
— Endgadget, June 24, 2023
This sounds exactly like the show I wanted after Voyager ended! 😎
It’s a Voyager sequel but not quite. And can’t wait to see the Doctor back! Seriously what took so long to get him back?
Prodigy is an awesome show and proof these guys really get and understand Trek we haven’t seen since Enterprise went off the air.
I used to imagine, before nu trek, where Starfleet and the crew ended up. Prodigy got it right with my head canon. VOY brought back Borg tech, different propulsion systems, and crippled the Borg. Seeing the Dauntless, I went crazy. It makes sense Starfleet would adopt or experiment with the tech from the Delta Quandrant. I’m a ship guy and as soon as I saw Voy-A, I geeked out. These guys know Star Trek. Can’t wait!
Yeah season one had so much Trek goodness and got the Voyager canon completely right.
You can see how much this show did it’s homework and brought back all that tech again. It’s great they are going even farther with it next season with the Voyager A. 😃👍
Heck, a lot of this is what I would have liked “Endgame” or the last few episodes of Voyager to be. Interesting peek into the future developing main characters with a little more thought is certainly welcome. All that’s missing is flashbacks to what their immediate homecoming was like and a confirmation that Harry is still an Ensign.
Totally on point. Endgame is still deeply disappointing for me for many reasons but that’s still the biggest IMO.
We should’ve gotten some epilogue of where they ended up a year later or something. Give us something after watching these characters for seven years but I digress.
It’s funny how we been getting it in bits and spades literally 20 years later thanks to Picard, Lower Decks and now this show but we shouldn’t have waited this long to begin with.
Endgame was such a cheat. Just go back in time and give new tech and bring everyone home. Look, Janeway is a genius!!!
Yeah I really hated how they easily just wrapped things up but did love how they wiped out the Borg. And it only took 22 years later to see what happened to them. 😆
But the finale should’ve been much stronger.
I honestly thought we would get him in Picard Season 3 but I guess live action might have been too hard to explain Picardo’s aging.
Less hard for characters fascinated with being human and able to adjust their appearance. Worked for Q and kinda for Guinan, anyway.
Yep. And hows abouts that Data fella?!
Probably a part of it although they could’ve brought in Dr. Zimmerman at least.
“Specifically, I was told the season 1 volume 2 Blu-ray [pre-orders] has outperformed many of their other shows, like way beyond what they would have expected. So I think that that’s a very positive trend, and partially why CBS Studios recognizes that this show can and will continue.”
Aaron, that’s because you and your gallant crew made a Star Trek series that honors the legacy, but brings new characters and worlds! Keep Fighting!
All positive, agreed. And I purchased volume one on disc. But I’m not considering purchasing volume two until I actually see the season. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Indeed. Prodigy did a great job honoring the legacy characters but still gave us these new characters we can see rise in Starfleet.
And I bought the digital version but plan to buy the blu rays too. I haven’t bought a single disc involving Star Trek since First Contact in 2002. This will be the first thing I buy in over 20 years.
“I think there are other elements that you’ve seen shall we say on the Enterprise-D, or heard about it, and on the Cerritos, that will also be on the show.”
Does this mean the Voyager–A can do a saucer separation?
Almost certainly Cetacean Ops.
Yes, Cetacean Ops is exactly what I thought how the response was worded.
Wait, when have we ever seen that on the Enterprise D?
I believe it was included in Rick Sternbach’s technical manual and it might have been alluded to on-screen in TNG too. With Aaron mentioning TNG and LDS Cetacean Op’s was the first thing I thought of as well
The Cerritos can’t do a saucer separation.
LOL it would be funny if it could. Just a pair of nacelles and pylons flying around by themselves in space!
All very positive vibes, I wonder if Paramount + reverses and decides to keep the show in-house. In any case, I look forward to seeing this new season with a newfound sense of “porpoise.”
It would be awesome if they could but do to the tax thing I think they are locked in at this point.
I’m not convinced that it has a great chance of being picked up by another service, whether it be streaming or tv.
‘Snowpiercer’ was cancelled with the 4th season completed and they have been shopping that since January to no avail.
Disney+ has just cancelled ‘Spiderwick Chronicles’ and ‘Nautilus’ and are now trying to shop them.
More and more series are being half cancelled and then trying to get someone else to take on the costs.
If everyone is pretty much doing this then that means no one has the money or interest to pick up all these expensive series.
Spiderwick Chronicles is a Paramount production, one of the few shows or films they ordered that wasn’t wholly-owned, so that makes a little more sense as something they would put on the chopping block in a period of austerity.
Correction: Spiderwick Chronicles is a combined Disney and Paramount production.
Never heard of it?
Correct (20th Century), with Paramount reported as taking the lead in shopping the series around.
Shoehorning in more Voyager characters here was part of the problem of why the show got canned, not part of the solution to keep it going.
Did you read the end of article? He specifically addresses that they don’t shoehorn in legacy characters for nostalgia’s sake, and if they appear they serve a purpose in the young characters’ journey.
I watch the show. I love all of it, except they overdo the amount of Janeway, and the Chakotey stuff seems unnecessary. Let the kids explore and do Trek stuff without bringing back every old character in Star Trek…just for once please!
It’s a Trek tradition at this point anyway to provide connective tissue with returning characters, going back to TAS and TWOK. Obviously TOS didn’t do it, but the only show that really didn’t indulge (pilots are excused) was Enterprise. Well, until that one time everyone keeps talking about.
A tradition I love. So excited to have the Doctor. It’s going to be fun to see him and Janeway interacting again.
NuTrek is finally starting to feel like old Trek these days lol.
Marvel made interconnectedness cool for the masses. TPTB often made concerted efforts to limit the cross-pollination, but we got a good number of shared characters, particularly in that sweet spot where DS9 and Voyager were being set up to succeed. But I’d have been happy to see them lean into it more. Let the Enterprise cameo during the Dominion War. Put Jadzia on the Enterprise fighting the Son’a. Put Sela in Nemesis. Why not? Often could have had real story benefits.
Totally agree.
That’s what made 90s Trek fun and memorable because there were so many crossovers with characters between all four shows: TOS, TNG, DS9 and VOY. So much fun to see Scotty, Janeway and Quark on TNG and the movies, Troi and Sulu on Voyager or Riker, most of the TOS cast and the Duras sisters on DS9 and on and on.
I’m not one of these fans bothered by tons of crossovers. For me I always want more. I was happy to see Scotty show up in SNW last season just like I am to see the Doctor back in Prodigy and hoping for another Voyager character show up in LDS next week.
I wish we got more in Picard last season but was happy we did get a few. And Matalas said there would’ve been more but ran out of money or we would’ve got Janeway and Kim back too.
The more the merrier!
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Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 1 “Red Directive” Review
Believe it or not, two years have passed since Captain Burnham and the Discovery crew thwarted the galactic threat posed by the DMA. Despite the abundance of Star Trek content since March 2022, we’ve sorely missed Discovery . Season four delivered an enthralling mystery, unique visual storytelling, a compelling guest star, and rich character development for our friends in the 31st century. Now, season five promises another captivating season-long mystery, and “Red Directive” kicks off this journey with stunning visuals and a surprising link to a classic Star Trek episode.
Captain Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ) is having quite the ride when the episode begins, as she is pursuing on foo t a ship traveling through warp. Well, walking on the hull of the ship, anyway, as some thieves seem to have stolen a valuable artifact – although that’s all the information we get before director Olatunde Osunsanmi and writer Michelle Paradise pull the ole’ flashback on us to help inform some context for the explosive opening.
It’s been a few months since the end of season four, and members of Discovery ’s crew are celebrating the legacy of the Federation, which is now getting its wheels spinning again after the destructive events of the Burn. It’s the 1000 th anniversary of the organization’s founding, and it’s a mostly joyous occasion save for Paul Stamets ( Anthony Rapp ) being upset about Starfleet shuttering the spore drive program – indeed, his legacy – as the new Pathway Drive (introduced in season four) has replaced the ancient transportation method.
This is not the last time legacy plays a role in shaping this episode’s story, but more on that to come. Soon enough, Captain Burnham is given important new orders – retrieve the precious cargo of a recently discovered 800-year-old Romulan ship. It’s a mission of utmost importance – a “Red Directive” mission, as Doctor Kovich ( David Cronenberg ) explains.
“What’s on board?” “Something vital to the security of the Federation.” “That doesn’t answer my question.” “I’m aware.” – Burnham and Kovich as Burnham is briefed about the Romulan vessel.
Discovery isn’t the only one heading to the Romulan ship, as two characters of unknown affiliation, Moll ( Eve Harlow ) and L’ak ( Elias Toufexis ) arrive at the ship first and grab the cargo before Burnham, Gen Rhys ( Patrick Kwok-Choon ) and Joann Owosekun ( Oyin Oladejo ) arrive. After finding a long-dead Romulan body near the puzzle box, Burnham pursues the escaping thieves by landing on the hull of their ship just before it jumps to warp.
Thus continues just one of this episode’s striking visual set pieces. Seeing Burnham cling to the hull of a ship at warp is not something we’ve seen in live-action Star Trek , and the sense of speed and intensity is at the forefront of this sequence thanks to Osunsanmi’s signature dexterous camera work. Complicating Burnham’s retrieval of the artifact is the arrival of Captain Rayner ( Callum Keith Rennie ) on the U.S.S. Antares , the other Federation ship assigned to this mission. Rayner is immediately at odds with Burnham on how to capture the fleeing ship. Rayner asserts he has run into Moll and L’ak before and knows they can’t get away, lest the pair escape their pursuers for good. Burnham’s approach is different, in that she thinks the stress of the Antares ’ tractor beam on Moll and L’ak’s ship is too much for her ride to handle – and she’s the one on the hull, after all.
Ultimately, Rayner concedes to Burnham’s plan to let Moll and L’ak get away for now, which means the pair have a chance to pop off some warp-enabled decoys, complicating any future pursuit. Luckily, Burnham knows someone who can help track them: Cleveland Booker ( David Ajala ), apparently the one person in the galaxy who is skilled enough to track the thieves. The man without a homeworld has been doing community service in the wake of his crimes in season four, and he and Burnham, his former lover haven’t talked to each other in the intervening months. Bringing Book into the picture does help Burnham and Rayner track Moll and L’ak to the desert planet Q’mau, where the thieves have decided to sell the Romulan puzzle box.
In a neat twist, the buyer for this artifact turns out to be a synth of the Soong variety. Fred ( J. Adam Brown ), a dealer who “loves the old stuff,” according to Book, shares a similar appearance to our good friend Data, complete with yellow eyes, pale skin, sharply styled hair, and, interestingly, some capacity for emotions. He makes a memorable impression with his verbose vocabulary and analytical skills before Moll and L’ak eliminate him and his cronies for threatening to take the Romulan artifact away.
Burnham and Book find Fred’s body soon after, and sending the synth up to Discovery confirms our assumption: Fred is an android created by someone heavily influenced by Altan Soong, the Soong family member seen in Star Trek: Picard . Stamets, who has legacies on his mind following the spore drive being decommissioned, can’t help but marvel at the legacy the Soong family has passed along all these centuries.
With Moll and L’ak on the run from Burnham, Book, and Rayner again, it’s time for this episode’s longest, visually intense set piece: A desert chase that witnesses Burnham and Rayner’s further disagreement on how to proceed with the mission. There isn’t much time to discuss the matter, though, as Moll and L’ak are about to get away, so Rayner orders his ship to fire on the thieves’ escape route even though it risks causing an avalanche that would endanger thousands of people. While Rayner’s call pays off and an avalanche is avoided, Moll and L’ak cause one anyway, so the crews of the Federation ships must get creative if they want to save an entire settlement.
To stop the impending wave of destructive rock, sand, and debris, we get another awesome sight: Discovery and Antares heading down to the planet and shoving their saucers into the avalanche’s path. The two ships’ shield coverage is enough to stop the destruction; the whole sequence is a sight to behold. We wouldn’t be surprised if the next couple of episodes takes it easy on the action set pieces, as “Red Directive” looks like quite an expensive production.
“Did he just take off again?” “Yeah, kind of reminds me of someone. Trying to put my finger on who.” “I’m holding a phaser, you know that, right?” – Burnham and Book about Rayner.
With the inhabitants of Q’mau saved, Book and Burnham have a hot second to address the awkwardness that has developed between them in between seasons four and five. The pair agree, dishearteningly, that they no longer know how to be around each other, a somber admission for the former lovers. This emotional moment doesn’t hang around too long, though, as Burnham receives word that her crew has determined what was in the Romulan puzzle box, information which is soon confirmed by the ever-mysterious Kovich.
Here’s a great twist for long-time Star Trek fans: The puzzle box’s contents link back to the classic The Next Generation episode “The Chase.” This is the one that saw Captain Picard chase Romulans, Klingons, and Cardassians to the creators of all life in the galaxy, a mysterious humanoid race that is soon termed the Progenitors. Within the puzzle box from the ancient Romulan ship are notes about the Progenitors life-creating methods, written by one of the Romulans who were there at that encounter in “The Chase,” Dr. Vellek ( Michael Copeman ).
The doctor apparently found the Progenitors’ technology – what they used to design life itself. Vellek was marveled at what such a discovery meant, and what the cost was if it fell into the wrong hands. If you had a background character from The Next Generation launching a season-long mystery in 2024 on your bingo card, go play some dom-jot.
So, Burnham is left with a dilemma: Moll and L’ak are after the Progenitors tech, and they have a headstart on Discovery and Antares. The major lingering question we have from this episode is what are Moll and L’ak’s motivations? Who are they working for, and what could be done with the Progenitors’ technology if it falls into the wrong hands? We also wonder if Moll and L’ak’s previous encounters with Rayner will be expanded on in this season, or if that’ll be saved for tie-in media.
There are a couple of other aspects to this episode worth noting. First, Saru (Doug Jones) is dealing with matters of the heart, an unusual situation for the Kelpien. It’s also an unusual situation for his love interest, T’Rina (Tara Rosling), whom he started a romance with last season. Some serious feelings have developed between the pair, as Saru is weighing an offer to become a Federation ambassador against staying in Starfleet and on Discovery .
Thanks to the life-threatening events on Q’mau, Saru’s perspective on romance shifts enough for him to take the Federation gig, since it means he can stay in a relationship with T’Rina. To solidify the arrangement, the Ni’Var ambassador asks Saru to marry her. It’s a big deal, for sure, and a development we didn’t expect after the merely flirtatious romance the two aliens started in season four.
Finally, Tilly is training a group of cadets at Starfleet Command, which makes sense considering her leaving Discovery last season to instruct at Starfleet Academy. However, major awkwardness ensues when it’s hinted Tilly has a bit of a crush on one of her fellow instructors. This particular story thread is just starting to get explored in “Red Directive,” and we are curious where it leads – although we do think it’s the least interesting part of an otherwise gripping episode.
We are quite encouraged about Discovery ’s final season thanks to “Red Directive.” The episode is an action-packed romp that sets up the season to explore how legacies endure, a suitable theme for the final season of the Kurtzman era’s first Star Trek show. Moreover, having the Discovery crew pursue the origin of life itself is as fitting a story for this series – which is named after seeking knowledge – as can be. We’re excited to see where it leads.
Stray Thoughts:
- The opening shot of Moll and L’ak’s ship traveling through warp against the vastness of space. Burnham almost crashing into Discovery before being beamed aboard and immediately taking the captain’s chair. Quite the badass moment for her!The view from the cargo bay as Discovery acrobatically jumps to pick up Book.The tracking shot where Rayner, Book, and Burnham narrowly avoid weapon fire from Moll and L’ak’s ship in the desert. Discovery and Antares crashing into the planet to stop the avalanche.
- The dust floats free of Discovery as the ship arrives at Starfleet Command.
- T’Rina’s dialogue with Saru indicates the Breen and Tholians are still notable threats in the 31 st -century Milky Way.
- The Romulan vessel in this episode appears to be a Romulan scout ship , like the kind seen in The Next Generation.
- Does the already-miraculous instant-transporter technology used in the 31 st century also arrest momentum? Burnham was traveling quickly before being beamed onto the bridge, yet she’s able to go from essentially high-speed falling to walking barely without trouble.
- Discovery appears to have at least one tribble roaming its corridors. Hopefully, it is neutered.
- Fred only having a first name matches the naming style we’ve seen from other androids, like Data and Lore.
- Romulan puzzle boxes, called tan zhekran , were seen before in Star Trek: Picard ’s “ The Impossible Box .”
- This episode, the first of the last season, shares a similar locale – a desert planet – as the first-ever episode of Discovery.
- We have to wonder what was in the puzzle box Fred encountered 622.7 years ago.
- Why did Moll and L’ak wait so long to warp away from the planet after starting the avalanche?
- Elias Toufexis, who plays L’ak, is no stranger to the Star Trek universe, as he voiced Galvan and Hadri in the video game Star Trek: Resurgence (which, by the way, is coming to Steam soon).
New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery stream Thursdays on Paramount+ , this season stars Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), Blu del Barrio (Adira) and Callum Keith Rennie (Rayner). Season five also features recurring guest stars Elias Toufexis (L’ak) and Eve Harlow (Moll).
Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Prodigy , Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Picard , Star Trek: Lower Decks, and more.
Kyle Hadyniak has been a lifelong Star Trek fan, and isn't ashamed to admit that Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek: Nemesis are his favorite Star Trek movies. You can follow Kyle on Twitter @khady93 .
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“I can’t believe I get to play the captain of the Enterprise.”
“Strange New Worlds” is the 12th “Star Trek” TV show since the original series debuted on NBC in 1966, introducing Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a hopeful future for humanity. In the 58 years since, the “Star Trek” galaxy has logged 900 television episodes and 13 feature films, amounting to 668 hours — nearly 28 days — of content to date. Even compared with “Star Wars” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Star Trek” stands as the only storytelling venture to deliver a single narrative experience for this long across TV and film.
In other words, “Star Trek” is not just a franchise. As Alex Kurtzman , who oversees all “Star Trek” TV production, puts it, “‘Star Trek’ is an institution.”
Without a steady infusion of new blood, though, institutions have a way of fading into oblivion (see soap operas, MySpace, Blockbuster Video). To keep “Star Trek” thriving has meant charting a precarious course to satisfy the fans who have fueled it for decades while also discovering innovative ways to get new audiences on board.
“Doing ‘Star Trek’ means that you have to deliver something that’s entirely familiar and entirely fresh at the same time,” Kurtzman says.
The franchise has certainly weathered its share of fallow periods, most recently after “Nemesis” bombed in theaters in 2002 and UPN canceled “Enterprise” in 2005. It took 12 years for “Star Trek” to return to television with the premiere of “Discovery” in 2017; since then, however, there has been more “Star Trek” on TV than ever: The adventure series “Strange New Worlds,” the animated comedy “Lower Decks” and the kids series “Prodigy” are all in various stages of production, and the serialized thriller “Picard” concluded last year, when it ranked, along with “Strange New Worlds,” among Nielsen’s 10 most-watched streaming original series for multiple weeks. Nearly one in five Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. is watching at least one “Star Trek” series, according to the company, and more than 50% of fans watching one of the new “Trek” shows also watch at least two others. The new shows air in 200 international markets and are dubbed into 35 languages. As “Discovery” launches its fifth and final season in April, “Star Trek” is in many ways stronger than it’s ever been.
“’Star Trek’s fans have kept it alive more times than seems possible,” says Eugene Roddenberry, Jr., who executive produces the TV series through Roddenberry Entertainment. “While many shows rightfully thank their fans for supporting them, we literally wouldn’t be here without them.”
But the depth of fan devotion to “Star Trek” also belies a curious paradox about its enduring success: “It’s not the largest fan base,” says Akiva Goldsman, “Strange New Worlds” executive producer and co-showrunner. “It’s not ‘Star Wars.’ It’s certainly not Marvel.”
When J.J. Abrams rebooted “Star Trek” in 2009 — with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldaña playing Kirk, Spock and Uhura — the movie grossed more than any previous “Star Trek” film by a comfortable margin. But neither that film nor its two sequels broke $500 million in global grosses, a hurdle every other top-tier franchise can clear without breaking a sweat.
There’s also the fact that “Star Trek” fans are aging. I ask “The Next Generation” star Jonathan Frakes, who’s acted in or directed more versions of “Star Trek” than any other person alive, how often he meets fans for whom the new “Star Trek” shows are their first. “Of the fans who come to talk to me, I would say very, very few,” he says. “‘Star Trek’ fans, as we know, are very, very, very loyal — and not very young.”
As Stapf puts it: “There’s a tried and true ‘Trek’ fan that is probably going to come to every ‘Star Trek,’ no matter what it is — and we want to expand the universe.”
Every single person I spoke to for this story talked about “Star Trek” with a joyful earnestness as rare in the industry as (nerd alert) a Klingon pacifist.
“When I’m meeting fans, sometimes they’re coming to be confirmed, like I’m kind of a priest,” Ethan Peck says during a break in filming on the “Strange New Worlds” set. He’s in full Spock regalia — pointy ears, severe eyebrows, bowl haircut — and when asked about his earliest memories of “Star Trek,” he stares off into space in what looks like Vulcan contemplation. “I remember being on the playground in second or third grade and doing the Vulcan salute, not really knowing where it came from,” he says. “When I thought of ‘Star Trek,’ I thought of Spock. And now I’m him. It’s crazy.”
To love “Star Trek” is to love abstruse science and cowboy diplomacy, complex moral dilemmas and questions about the meaning of existence. “It’s ultimately a show with the most amazing vision of optimism, I think, ever put on-screen in science fiction,” says Kurtzman, who is 50. “All you need is two minutes on the news to feel hopeless now. ‘Star Trek’ is honestly the best balm you could ever hope for.”
I’m getting a tour of the USS Enterprise from Scotty — or, rather, “Strange New World” production designer Jonathan Lee, who is gushing in his native Scottish burr as we step into the starship’s transporter room. “I got such a buzzer from doing this, I can’t tell you,” he says. “I actually designed four versions of it.”
Lee is especially proud of the walkway he created to run behind the transporter pads — an innovation that allows the production to shoot the characters from a brand-new set of angles as they beam up from a far-flung planet. It’s one of the countless ways that this show has been engineered to be as cinematic as possible, part of Kurtzman’s overall vision to make “Star Trek” on TV feel like “a movie every week.”
Kurtzman’s tenure with “Star Trek” began with co-writing the screenplay for Abrams’ 2009 movie, which was suffused with a fast-paced visual style that was new to the franchise. When CBS Studios approached Kurtzman in the mid-2010s about bringing “Star Trek” back to TV, he knew instinctively that it needed to be just as exciting as that film.
“The scope was so much different than anything we had ever done on ‘Next Gen,’” says Frakes, who’s helmed two feature films with the “Next Generation” cast and directed episodes of almost every live-action “Trek” TV series, including “Discovery” and “Strange New Worlds.” “Every department has the resources to create.”
A new science lab set for Season 3, for example, boasts a transparent floor atop a four-foot pool of water that swirls underneath the central workbench, and the surrounding walls sport a half dozen viewscreens with live schematics custom designed by a six-person team. “I like being able to paint on a really big canvas,” Kurtzman says. “The biggest challenge is always making sure that no matter how big something gets, you’re never losing focus on that tiny little emotional story.”
At this point, is there a genre that “Strange New Worlds” can’t do? “As long as we’re in storytelling that is cogent and sure handed, I’m not sure there is,” Goldsman says with an impish smile. “Could it do Muppets? Sure. Could it do black and white, silent, slapstick? Maybe!”
This approach is also meant to appeal to people who might want to watch “Star Trek” but regard those 668 hours of backstory as an insurmountable burden. “You shouldn’t have to watch a ‘previously on’ to follow our show,” Myers says.
To achieve so many hairpin shifts in tone and setting while maintaining Kurtzman’s cinematic mandate, “Strange New Worlds” has embraced one of the newest innovations in visual effects: virtual production. First popularized on the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” the technology — called the AR wall — involves a towering circular partition of LED screens projecting a highly detailed, computer-generated backdrop. Rather than act against a greenscreen, the actors can see whatever fantastical surroundings their characters are inhabiting, lending a richer level of verisimilitude to the show.
But there is a catch. While the technology is calibrated to maintain a proper sense of three-dimensional perspective through the camera lens, it can be a bit dizzying for anyone standing on the set. “The images on the walls start to move in a way that makes no sense,” says Mount. “You end up having to focus on something that’s right in front of you so you don’t fall down.”
And yet, even as he’s talking about it, Mount can’t help but break into a boyish grin. “Sometimes we call it the holodeck,” he says. In fact, the pathway to the AR wall on the set is dotted with posters of the virtual reality room from “The Next Generation” and the words “Enter Holodeck” in a classic “Trek” font.
“I want to take one of those home with me,” Peck says. Does the AR wall also affect him? “I don’t really get disoriented by it. Spock would not get ill, so I’m Method acting.”
I’m on the set of the “Star Trek” TV movie “Section 31,” seated in an opulent nightclub with a view of a brilliant, swirling nebula, watching Yeoh rehearse with director Olatunde Osunsanmi and her castmates. Originally, the project was announced as a TV series centered on Philippa Georgiou, the semi-reformed tyrant Yeoh originated on “Discovery.” But between COVID delays and the phenomenon of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” there wasn’t room in the veteran actress’s schedule to fit a season of television. Yeoh was undaunted.
“We’d never let go of her,” she says of her character. “I was just blown away by all the different things I could do with her. Honestly, it was like, ‘Let’s just get it done, because I believe in this.’”
If that means nothing to you, don’t worry: The enormity of the revelation that Garrett is being brought back is meant only for fans. If you don’t know who the character is, you’re not missing anything.
“It was always my goal to deliver an entertaining experience that is true to the universe but appeals to newcomers,” says screenwriter Craig Sweeny. “I wanted a low barrier of entry so that anybody could enjoy it.”
Nevertheless, including Garrett on the show is exactly the kind of gasp-worthy detail meant to flood “Star Trek” fans with geeky good feeling.
“You cannot create new fans to the exclusion of old fans,” Kurtzman says. “You must serve your primary fan base first and you must keep them happy. That is one of the most important steps to building new fans.”
On its face, that maxim would make “Section 31” a genuine risk. The titular black-ops organization has been controversial with “Star Trek” fans since it was introduced in the 1990s. “The concept is almost antagonistic to some of the values of ‘Star Trek,’” Sweeny says. But he still saw “Section 31” as an opportunity to broaden what a “Star Trek” project could be while embracing the radical inclusivity at the heart of the franchise’s appeal.
“Famously, there’s a spot for everybody in Roddenberry’s utopia, so I was like, ‘Well, who would be the people who don’t quite fit in?’” he says. “I didn’t want to make the John le Carré version, where you’re in the headquarters and it’s backbiting and shades of gray. I wanted to do the people who were at the edges, out in the field. These are not people who necessarily work together the way you would see on a ‘Star Trek’ bridge.”
For Osunsanmi, who grew up watching “The Next Generation” with his father, it boils down to a simple question: “Is it putting good into the world?” he asks. “Are these characters ultimately putting good into the world? And, taking a step back, are we putting good into the world? Are we inspiring humans watching this to be good? That’s for me what I’ve always admired about ‘Star Trek.’”
Should “Section 31” prove successful, Yeoh says she’s game for a sequel. And Kurtzman is already eyeing more opportunities for TV movies, including a possible follow-up to “Picard.” The franchise’s gung-ho sojourn into streaming movies, however, stands in awkward contrast to the persistent difficulty Paramount Pictures and Abrams’ production company Bad Robot have had making a feature film following 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond” — the longest theaters have gone without a “Star Trek” movie since Paramount started making them.
First, a movie reuniting Pine’s Capt. Kirk with his late father — played in the 2009 “Star Trek” by Chris Hemsworth — fell apart in 2018. Around the same time, Quentin Tarantino publicly flirted with, then walked away from, directing a “Star Trek” movie with a 1930s gangster backdrop. Noah Hawley was well into preproduction on a “Star Trek” movie with a brand-new cast, until then-studio chief Emma Watts abruptly shelved it in 2020. And four months after Abrams announced at Paramount’s 2022 shareholders meeting that his 2009 cast would return for a movie directed by Matt Shakman (“WandaVision”), Shakman left the project to make “The Fantastic Four” for Marvel. (It probably didn’t help that none of the cast had been approached before Abrams made his announcement.)
The studio still intends to make what it’s dubbed the “final chapter” for the Pine-Quinto-Saldaña cast, and Steve Yockey (“The Flight Attendant”) is writing a new draft of the script. Even further along is another prospective “Star Trek” film written by Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) and to be directed by Toby Haynes (“Andor,” “Black Mirror: USS Callister”) that studio insiders say is on track to start preproduction by the end of the year. That project will serve as an origin story of sorts for the main timeline of the entire franchise. In both cases, the studio is said to be focused on rightsizing the budgets to fit within the clear box office ceiling for “Star Trek” feature films.
Far from complaining, everyone seems to relish the challenge. Visual effects supervisor Jason Zimmerman says that “working with Alex, the references are always at least $100 million movies, if not more, so we just kind of reverse engineer how do we do that without having to spend the same amount of money and time.”
The workload doesn’t seem to faze him either. “Visual effects people are a big, big ‘Star Trek’ fandom,” he says. “You naturally just get all these people who go a little bit above and beyond, and you can’t trade that for anything.”
In one of Kurtzman’s several production offices in Toronto, he and production designer Matthew Davies are scrutinizing a series of concept drawings for the newest “Star Trek” show, “Starfleet Academy.” A bit earlier, they showed me their plans for the series’ central academic atrium, a sprawling, two-story structure that will include a mess hall, amphitheater, trees, catwalks, multiple classrooms and a striking view of the Golden Gate Bridge in a single, contiguous space. To fit it all, they plan to use every inch of Pinewood Toronto’s 45,900 square foot soundstage, the largest in Canada.
But this is a “Star Trek” show, so there do need to be starships, and Kurtzman is discussing with Davies about how one of them should look. The issue is that “Starfleet Academy” is set in the 32nd century, an era so far into the future Kurtzman and his team need to invent much of its design language.
“For me, this design is almost too Klingon,” Kurtzman says. “I want to see the outline and instinctively, on a blink, recognize it as a Federation ship.”
The time period was first introduced on Season 3 of “Discovery,” when the lead character, Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), transported the namesake starship and its crew there from the 23rd century. “It was exciting, because every time we would make a decision, we would say, ‘And now that’s canon,’” says Martin-Green.
“We listened to a lot of it,” Kurtzman says. “I think I’ve been able to separate the toxic fandom from really true fans who love ‘Star Trek’ and want you to hear what they have to say about what they would like to see.”
By Season 2, the “Discovery” writers pivoted from its dour, war-torn first season and sent the show on its trajectory 900-plus years into the future. “We had to be very aware of making sure that Spock was in the right place and that Burnham’s existence was explained properly, because she was never mentioned in the original series,” says executive producer and showrunner Michelle Paradise. “What was fun about jumping into the future is that it was very much fresh snow.”
That freedom affords “Starfleet Academy” far more creative latitude while also dramatically reducing how much the show’s target audience of tweens and teens needs to know about “Star Trek” before watching — which puts them on the same footing as the students depicted in the show. “These are kids who’ve never had a red alert before,” Noga Landau, executive producer and co-showrunner, says. “They never had to operate a transporter or be in a phaser fight.”
In the “Starfleet Academy” writers’ room in Secret Hideout’s Santa Monica offices, Kurtzman tells the staff — a mix of “Star Trek” die-hards, part-time fans and total newbies — that he wants to take a 30,000-foot view for a moment. “I think we need to ground in science more throughout the show,” he says, a giant framed photograph of Spock ears just over his shoulder. “The kids need to use science more to solve problems.”
Immediately, one of the writers brightens. “Are you saying we can amp up the techno-babble?” she says. “I’m just excited I get to use my computer science degree.”
After they break for lunch, Kurtzman is asked how much longer he plans to keep making “Star Trek.”
“The minute I fall out of love with it is the minute that it’s not for me anymore. I’m not there yet,” he says. “To be able to build in this universe to tell stories that are fundamentally about optimism and a better future at a time when the world seems to be falling apart — it’s a really powerful place to live every day.”
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Star Trek Is Facing A Fanbase Challenge – But There's A Hopeful Future Ahead
One of the more persistent conversations that has buoyed several decades worth of nerd conversations is the old "Star Trek" vs. "Star Wars" saw . Do you, dear reader, prefer stern diplomacy, mechanically inclined stories, ethical dilemmas, and constant reference to classic literature of the Western Canon? Then "Star Trek" is for you. You may, however, prefer fable-like tales of derring-do, heroic space-bound violence, and archetypal myths of good vs. evil. If you like your sci-fi to have an ancient flavor and fantastical elements out of King Arthur, then you may prefer "Star Wars."
Which one is better? The answer, of course, is "Star Trek." But which one is more successful and widespread? Frustratingly, the answer is "Star Wars." "Star Trek" has long been more successful on TV, telling hour-long morality tales and pushing up against low budgets. It was about multiculturalism and equality. "Star Wars," meanwhile, got its mileage from simple tales of violent victory, massive budgets, and enormous event films that make billions. "Star Trek" may contain enormous ideas, but "Star Wars" is merely enormous.
In an interview with Variety , the makers of "Star Trek" also admitted they find themselves facing a new problem. Not only did they have to acknowledge that they'll never be as huge as their sci-fi cousin, but their fan base is aging out. One can indeed haul old actors out of mothballs and use them to appeal to the 40-to-70-year-old fans who watched "Star Trek" for decades — see: most of "Star Trek: Picard" — but that, it seems, isn't gathering a new generation of Trekkies. Younger viewers, it seems, aren't constantly jumping on board with new "Star Trek" shows, no matter how hip or expensive they are.
The Deadly Years
"Star Trek," despite its cultural ubiquity, has always been something of a niche interest. It is a cerebral, technical, philosophical, and intellectual series. Sure, it had more than its share of ridiculous stories (Allamariane, "Spock's Brain," so much pain), but at its heart, it appealed to engineers and lit enthusiasts. "It's not the largest fan base," executive producer Akiva Goldsman told Variety. "It's not 'Star Wars.' It's certainly not Marvel." It never has been, however much Paramount would like it to be.
"Star Trek" had a taste of a younger audience in 2009 when J.J. Abrams rebooted the franchise to feature a younger, sexier cast. Abrams' 2009 film was the most successful movie "Star Trek" had ever seen up to that point, and it seemed for a moment that high-octane action was the future; gone were the nerdier days of diplomatic contemplation. That high-octane mode of thinking bled into subsequent "Trek" TV shows, leading to programs like "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Picard." However, as modern as these shows were, they weren't scooping up a newer audience; it was old-school Trekkies who were tuning in out of curiosity.
This was confirmed by "Star Trek: The Next Generation" actor and prolific franchise director Jonathan Frakes . Variety asked Frakes how many people have approached him about the new "Star Trek" shows that've released since 2017. His reply was bleak:
"Of the fans who come to talk to me, I would say very, very few. 'Star Trek' fans, as we know, are very, very, very loyal — and not very young."
"Star Trek" needs the youth vote, and that is key to the franchise's future.
Courting the youth vote
CBS President David Stapf backed up Frakes' statement, saying:
"There's a tried and true 'Trek' fan that is probably going to come to every 'Star Trek,' no matter what it is — and we want to expand the universe."
But how is the franchise going to do that? Its first attempt will be to extend the Kelvin timeline films into a fourth chapter. When "Star Trek Beyond" — the thirteenth "Star Trek" movie and the third in the rebooted Kelvin-Verse — disappointed at the box office, Paramount seemingly put that corner of the franchise to bed.
It appears, however, that the subsequent "Star Trek" TV shows haven't been giant hits either, so, in apparent desperation, more movies are in the works. Steve Yockey ("The Flight Attendant") is currently writing a "final chapter" movie for the Kelvin timeline . Meanwhile, Toby Haynes is attached to direct a separate film that's described as an origin story for the entire "Star Trek" franchise . Haynes might be known to some readers as the director of the "Star Trek" spoof episode of "Black Mirror" titled "USS Callister." Will another Kelvin timeline film draw in a fresh audience? Will either of these films make over $500 million the way the 2009 "Star Trek" movie did (assuming they come to pass)? Only time will tell.
The franchise's primary creatives are also developing a "Star Trek: Discovery" spinoff called "Starfleet Academy," set at the titular sci-fi college where all starship officers graduate. "Academy" will follow a new cast of youthful characters in the 32nd century, and the series has ordered an enormous set to be built, the largest in "Star Trek" history. It will be the second show in "Trek" history to feature a mostly under-20 cast, the first being the animated series "Star Trek: Prodigy."
Shows about young people, for young people
Both of the above ideas, however, are based on a fallacy commonly made by showrunners: that kids only want to see shows about their peers. If "Star Trek" was about younger people, the thinking goes, then younger people will tune in, right? "Star Trek," however, has always been about older characters. Here's my personal (and yes, very specific and opinionated) pitch: The central appeal is that the main characters are mature and well-formed, some of them with unbreakable codes of ethics or command styles they formed many years ago. The franchise is about thoughtful professionals who are good at their jobs, and Trekkies like to see them ply their skills with aplomb. Youthfulness is antithetical to "Star Trek." We don't want to see someone grow up. We want to see them already grown up. This is one thing (among others) that "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" does so well.
The exception to this is "Prodigy," a series about a group of teens in a distant part of the galaxy unfamiliar with Starfleet. When they find an abandoned Starfleet vessel called the U.S.S. Protostar, they are introduced to Starfleet ideals for the first time and learn to grow up with principles. Someone needs to tell the franchise's creatives that they already have their "youth" program ... Oh, wait. It was canceled. (Although Netflix tossed it a lifeline .)
I will hereby offer them the solution, free of charge: don't make more "Star Trek," and don't make younger "Star Trek." Make good, serious, cerebral, thoughtful, slow-moving "Star Trek" that appeals to nerdy kids. The ratings will be lower than you want, but I assure you, you'll be creating a new fanbase that will stick around for decades.
And there will always be nerdy kids. Which means there will always be "Star Trek."
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…and four new photos from the week’s second episode, with three previously released images.
In case you missed it, here’s a new Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 preview special, hosted by The Ready Room’s Wil Wheaton, recapping the show’s first four years and going behind the scenes into the visual effects work of Season 5.
RED DIRECTIVE — Season premiere. Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery are sent to retrieve a mysterious artifact hidden inside a 800-year-old Romulan vessel – but find that they’re not the only ones on the hunt. Meanwhile, Saru is offered the position of a lifetime. Written by Michelle Paradise. Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi.
UNDER THE TWIN MOONS — On Saru’s last mission as Captain Burnham’s Number One, the team ventures to a seemingly abandoned planet to hunt for what might be the greatest treasure in the galaxy. Written by Alan McElroy. Directed by Doug Aarniokoski.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 debuts April 4 on Paramount+, and April 5 on SkyShowtime.
- DSC Season 5
- Red Directive
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- Under the Twin Moons
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How Star Trek's Vulcans Evolved Beyond Gene Roddenberry's Creation
Quick links, creating the vulcans in the original series era of star trek, the vulcans stay at arm's length during the next generation era, how star trek: enterprise reimagined the vulcans and history with humanity, the vulcans and romulans are living in the days of futures past.
When Gene Roddenberry was first creating his " Wagon Train to the stars" in 1964, the Vulcans were the first alien species he created during development. Personified by Mister Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy), these logical humanoids were imagined with pointed ears, green blood and, most importantly, no emotions. However, Nimoy, other actors and writers all contributed behind the scenes to making Vulcans the most important aliens in Star Trek history. What's interesting about the Vulcans is that along with being a logical and scientific people, they are also deeply spiritual and ritualistic. This seems a bit like an incongruity, especially knowing how adamant Roddenberry was about humanism over religion.
Later storytellers helped reconcile these two facets of the Vulcan culture by fleshing out the species' history. Along with strong psychic abilities, the Vulcans are not emotionless. Rather, they have very intense and destructive emotions, far different from their human cousins. Thus, ritualism and spirituality are the "scientific method" they use to suppress their emotions in healthy and constructive ways. In the modern, third wave of Star Trek series, the Vulcan culture continues to be examined with storytellers continuing to build on the foundation laid by Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, Star Trek's "other" Gene , Nimoy and everyone from set designers to costumers.
'The Phone Didn't Ring': Walter Koenig Reflects on Career Struggles After Star Trek
When developing the first Star Trek pilot in 1964, Gene Roddenberry hadn't fully fleshed out the idea of what the Vulcans were. Vulcans existed only so far as making Spock half-human. "I wanted part of him to be at war with the other, the human part and the alien part," he said in The Fifty-Year Mission by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. Later, when developing the second Star Trek pilot, thanks to Lucille Ball , Roddenberry combined Spock's character with the "computer-mind qualities" of Number One, the woman First Officer discarded in the second version. That's how they became unemotional and logic-based.
In The Making of Star Trek by Roddenberry and Stephen E. Whitfield, the former envisioned that, despite the multispecies Federation, crews would be mostly human, Vulcan or other member species. As Spock became Star Trek 's central character , more stories about his people were created. Sarek, his father, was brought into the show. The classic Season 2 episode "Amok Time" introduced the Vulcan homeworld, while also establishing that Vulcans, while logical, were almost irrationally private about their most basic biological functions.
Leonard Nimoy was also essential to defining who the Vulcans were. He created the infamous Vulcan neck pinch and the salute, drawn from his Jewish heritage. Later, in the films, he would weigh in on Vulcan culture, defining it exclusively once he started directing. In The Center Seat - 55 Years of Star Trek , actor Robin Curtis who played Saavik described how Nimoy created the "love scene" between her and the reanimated Spock going through his first Pon Farr. Set and costume designers tried to marry the ideas Vulcans were scientific and logical as well as an ancient society. Their robes, ceremonial accessories and mostly stone structures were born from this notion.
9 Things About Star Trek: The Original Series That Make No Sense
When Gene Roddenberry was asked by Paramount to develop Star Trek: The Next Generation he turned to many of his collaborators from the days of the original series. Robert H. Justman, Dorothy Fontana, David Gerrold and others came back to help, though they didn't last long on the series. While many concepts from The Original Series were reused for The Next Generation , Roddenberry didn't want to include too many familiar elements. Primarily, this meant the Vulcans. There were no regular Vulcan characters in any of the second-wave series until Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager .
Despite the lack of regular Vulcan characters, there was significant advancement to the Vulcan story. The first came in Season 3's "Sarek," in which it's revealed that Vulcans live hundreds of years longer than humans. This episode also introduced what writer Marc Cushman called "the idea of a Vulcan going through senility," in The Fifty-Year Mission . Roddenberry liked the idea, but in the same book writer Ira Steven Behr reveals there was a massive fight with producers over whether they could even say Spock's name. Later, Paramount would convince Nimoy to bring Spock to Star Trek: The Next Generation to "pass the baton" and promote Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
The episode featured Spock seemingly defecting from the Federation to the Romulan Star Empire. Only he wasn't defecting. Spock wanted to bring the logic philosophy of Surak to Romulus in the hopes of reunifying the Romulans and the Vulcans into a single society again. Some fans felt the episode was too small, and executive producer Michael Piller said he was unhappy with his work on the episode. He called the episode "dark," "flat" and "talky" in The Fifty-Year Mission . In hindsight, it's a love swan song for the Spock character. He shares a lovely scene with Data, and his final mission puts him on a path to making the last great enemy of his time in Starfleet an ally.
Star Trek The Next Generation: When Does TNG Get Good?
Every new iteration of Roddenberry's universe since Star Trek: The Animated Series has been met with skepticism, and in some cases, outright hostility from fans. Star Trek: Enterprise perhaps received the most flak, in part because of how it depicted the pre-Federation history of the Vulcans and humans. Rather than dear friends, the Vulcans were antagonistic and did not trust the emotional humans to join the larger galactic society. Enterprise 's creators were trying to do something different without moving things too far from what makes Star Trek so identifiable.
Still, there were conflicts. Antoinette Stella recounted in The Fifty-Year Mission when an angry fan called Paramount to complain a Vulcan character lied. Her assistant, Juan Hernandez spoke to the fan, who pointed out Spock said Vulcans don't lie, quoting The Original Series . "And Juan took a beat and said, 'When Mr. Spock said that, he was lying." In fact, there are many examples of Spock lying, especially in The Undiscovered Country . The Enterprise storytellers made Vulcans more complete by showing they had the same kind of idiosyncrasies and character flaws as any group of people .
The showrunner for season 4, Manny Coto , helped to reconcile the Vulcans of Enterprise with the Vulcans fans knew. " I thought there was a great opportunity to do [a series of episodes] which bridged those two cultures and to develop a story about how they'd floundered from the original teachings of Surak ," he said in The Fifty-Year Mission . Not only did it help explain why these Vulcans seemed so different, it also underscored why Vulcans and humanity would be close allies while still maintaining the elements of secrecy and tension established in previous series.
Review: Discovery's Final Season Is a Bittersweet Star Trek Symphony
The third wave of series -- particularly Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- faced fan consternation as well, particularly because of their handling of Vulcan history. Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, was conceived as Spock's adopted sister, raised by Sarek and Amanda Grayson after her parents died. This gave viewers a new angle on Vulcan culture, from "logic extremists" to a reunified Vulcan and Romulan society in the 32nd Century . The producers know that Vulcans are extremely important to Star Trek , so they want to both honor the past and advance their story, justifying the use of the characters.
The best development to come of this is fixing the biggest mistake of the Kelvin Timeline films . The time-travel convention used to bring Nimoy's Spock into the past inadvertently meant his final mission was a failure. Yet, by the 32nd Century, Spock's mission to unify Vulcan and Romulans is a success, and they fully credit him for the development. This was an important element for Discovery Season 3, according to showrunner Michelle Paradise , allowing Burnham to discover just how far her adopted brother reached out to the galaxy.
In Strange New Worlds , however, some of the Vulcan cultural developments happen as they did in The Original Series era: out of story necessity. For example, the Vulcan V'Shal ritual "purely came out of [writers] breaking the story," co-showrunner Henry Alonso Meyers said . While the storytellers wanted to keep it authentic to Vulcan culture, it was created because it was funny to put Spock through a "when he's 'pretending' to be Vulcan" scenario. The danger of treating Star Trek Vulcans with too much regard for their sacred history is underserving the stories being told today . Thankfully, Star Trek has found that balance as it always does.
The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.
Created by Gene Roddenberry
First Film Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Latest Film Star Trek: Nemesis
First TV Show Star Trek: The Original Series
Latest TV Show Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Cast Nichelle Nichols, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Avery Brooks, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan
TV Show(s) Star Trek: Animated, Star trek, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek Lower Decks, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks
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The USS Voyager-A has been unveiled for Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, confirming one or two changes to the original starship from Star Trek: Voyager.At STLV: 57-Year Mission, the Hageman Brothers screened a clip from Prodigy's season 2 premiere, giving convention attendees the first glimpse of the latest starship to carry the name Voyager.Voyager's return was teased in Prodigy's season 1 finale ...
The trio of Prodigy creatives brought something special with them: a clip from Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 that brings back Robert Picardo as the voice of the Doctor and sees the USS Voyager -A ...
Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 clip, shown at this year's STLV convention, reveals Voyager-A in dry dock, return of The Doctor, Season 2's storyline laid out & ...
Star Trek: Prodigy is a new series with new characters in the universe, but the series is directly connected to Voyager through characters and ships. CBR Story by Joshua M. Patton • 1mo
Co-creators Dan and Kevin Hageman know they have created a bit of a mystery. In their post-finale Ready Room interview, Dan teased, "Admiral Janeway has promised them a new ship, but not the ...
Star Trek: Prodigy: Created by Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman. With Rylee Alazraqui, Dee Bradley Baker, Brett Gray, Angus Imrie. A group of enslaved teenagers steal a derelict Starfleet vessel to escape and explore the galaxy.
A group of young alien adventurers stumble upon the U.S.S. Voyager in the new teaser for the animated series, 'Star Trek: Prodigy.'
The ship is to be the hero ship of Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, replacing the USS Protostar. The clip reveals that not only will the crew be aboard Voyager, Admiral Janeway is taking over as the ship's actual Captain. The Voyager A is a "Lamar special class science vessel.". It's not a new class of ship, at least not precisely.
Furthermore, the Voyager crew has been at the forefront of modern Trek, with the Voyager-J showing up in Discovery, ... Star Trek: Prodigy begins streaming on Netflix on Dec. 25. Ad. Share:
After the STLV USS Voyager-A reveal for the upcoming Season 2 of Star Trek Prodigy I couldn't help myself... This one is for all the Star Trek: Voyager fans ...
The penultimate episode of Star Trek: Prodigy's first season finds the peacefully founded Federation with a dilemma that rivals the Borg. Season 1, Episode 19, "Supernova, Part 1" sees the Diviner's sinister plan coming to fruition as the device aboard the USS Protostar turns a colossal armada of Starfleet vessels against each other.The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the heroes -- and ...
Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 has revealed details about the life of Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) after the end of Star Trek: Voyager.The animated Star Trek series is a stealth sequel to ...
I take a look at some shots from the Season 1 Finale Episode 20 of Star Trek Prodigy and see clues for Voyager's return! Welcome to Sci-Finatics!MERCH - htt...
Star Trek: Prodigy may not be on Paramount+ anymore, but the first season is available digitally and on physical media (with the second half arriving on DVD/Blu-ray soon).At the recent # ...
Star Trek: Prodigy is an American animated science fiction television series created by Kevin and Dan Hageman for the streaming service Paramount+ and the cable channel Nickelodeon.It is the tenth Star Trek series and debuted in 2021 as part of executive producer Alex Kurtzman's expanded Star Trek Universe. Prodigy is the first Star Trek series to target younger audiences, and the franchise's ...
It's been nearly two months since Star Trek: Prodigy was cancelled at Paramount+ and removed from the streaming service, and while the already-aired episodes remain available through digital purchase (and coming to Blu-ray in September), the rest of the series continues on in production. Where (and when!) that next twenty-episode season will be available is the question on every Prodigy fan ...
We're coming up for air here at the annual Las Vegas convention to share some breaking news from the world of Star Trek: Prodigy.While the show may be searching for a new home after its Paramount+ cancellation, the creators have brought fans a new tease for the still-in-production second season of episodes. Unveiled on the Las Vegas convention stage, Prodigy creators Kevin and Dan Hageman ...
Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 sneak peek reveals the surprise return of a Voyager castmember Star Trek: Prodigy canceled, first season to be removed from Paramount+ The Original Series
In the second STAR TREK: DISCOVERY episode of the week, Burnham and Saru face a dangerous mission to find a clue to their quest in "Under the Twin Moons" ... Prodigy. Star Trek Movies · · ... The Original Series (1966) The Next Generation (1987) Deep Space Nine (1993) Voyager (1995) Enterprise (2001) Discovery (2017) Picard (2020) Strange New ...
Star Trek: Section 31 is already receiving high praise. Specifically, for Michelle Yeoh's first scene in the movie. Per ScreenRant, Star Trek: Section 31 director Olatunde Osunsanmi remarked that ...
Voyager's EMH brings the former Protostar crew to the USS Voyager. I do not own this content. Credit goes to producers. #savestartrekprodigy #startrekvoyager
"Strange New Worlds" is the 12th "Star Trek" TV show since the original series debuted on NBC in 1966, introducing Gene Roddenberry's vision of a hopeful future for humanity.
It will be the second show in "Trek" history to feature a mostly under-20 cast, the first being the animated series "Star Trek: Prodigy." Shows about young people, for young people.
After two long years, Star Trek: Discovery returns this Thursday with a pair of episodes to kick off its fifth and final season — and today we can bring you new images from "Red Directive" and "Under the Twin Moons" to whet your appetite for the new adventure! *** Minor Season 5 spoilers below! *** This week: Captain Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the Discovery crew set off on an ...
The third wave of series -- particularly Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds-- faced fan consternation as well, particularly because of their handling of Vulcan history. Michael ...