Why Can’t Today’s “Star Trek” Give Us What We Want?
There are numerous theories why “Star Trek” has had a bumpy ride during these past years. While on the one hand, Paramount+ has given us multiple new series, they were often uneven (“Discovery” and “Picard”). Plus, the best ones were cancelled too soon. (“Lower Decks” and “Strange New Worlds.”)
And then there’s the problem with the movies… or lack of them.
Kelvin Timeline Abandoned
We waited ten long years for the fourth Kelvin timeline movie… only to have it recently cancelled after so many false starts. (The Kelvin timeline was a clever ‘alternate reality’ version of the “Star Trek” universe, which allowed the producers creative license to make certain narrative changes in this Kirk-era prequel.)
I remember reading that the problem was the huge price tag vs. the expected box office.
The writers would have had Chris Hemsworth come back as Kirk’s father. But Thor was too expensive (not to mention all the other actors).
That would have been a wonderful way to wrap this version of “Star Trek.” And I expect many of the other proposed scripts had potential as well. But the producers clearly couldn’t make it work.
A New Ship with Nowhere to Go
So, Chris Pine’s Kirk and crew won’t get their final voyage together on their new ship that was constructed at the end of 2016’s “Star Trek: Beyond.”
Sure, I’ve read there’s now a completely new movie reboot in the works. And that’s fine (if it actually happens).
But that doesn’t change the fact that Trekkies waited a decade for the movie they wanted… and then never got.
“Star Trek” on Paramount+
Instead, we’ve seen a “Star Trek” renaissance explode on television via Paramount+ since 2017. And that’s not so bad, right?
But this great streaming run is seemingly ending. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has wrapped filming its truncated fifth and final season.
And the new “Starfleet Academy” has had a rough first season. They’ve already shot the second season, but the series hasn’t been picked up beyond that.
A lot of fans (myself included) are angry that we never got the spin-off series “Star Trek: Legacy” after “Picard.” With Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) helming the new Enterprise-G, that series would have been spectacular. It would be the perfect bridge between the old and the new.
Instead, we got a show about some cadets in Starfleet Academy that nobody asked for.
Kurtzman Trek
It really shouldn’t be that hard to read the room when it comes to satisfying the core fan base.
I certainly understand that the recipe for “Star Trek’s” ongoing success must include bringing in new fans. And that means evolving the franchise.
I know that many Trekkies have been piling blame onto Alex Kurtzman lately. He’s the showrunner behind all the recent Star Trek series on Paramount+. And he’s clearly been tweaking the “Star Trek” formula.
There’s nothing wrong with updating the “Star Trek” universe. But I would say the core elements of great science fiction storytelling must always apply.
No, not every Trek episode has to be perfect, but with so few episodes being created for each season (10), there’s not much room for misfires.
Grading “Starfleet Academy’s” Freshman Year
“Starfleet Academy” has launched to a slow start. Happily, it’s been picking up steam. Episode 9 is the best yet.
It’s directed by Jonathan Frakes with a more exciting plot that gets out of the classroom and tests the rigor of our cadets. Plus, we get to see Captain Ake, played by Holly Hunter finally act a little more like a strong starship leader.
Still, you might say a good 9th episode is a little late in the semester.
I think the problem with “Starfleet Academy” is that it’s trying so hard to be fresh, it doesn’t feel enough like “Star Trek.” It’s too loose and too often silly.
Sure, it gives us the Doctor from “Star Trek: Voyager” and a couple characters from “Discovery” as anchors. But that’s not enough.
This series has some real work to do, but I’m not sure how you course correct when your second season is already in the can.
“I Don’t Believe in a No-Win Scenario”
I’ve read that some fans are complaining about the politics of “Starfleet Academy.” I don’t think that’s the problem. Being a Trekkie has always required being open to inclusive ideas. That’s the point of “Star Trek.” For 60 years.
Not to oversimplify, but I think this all comes down to the basics. We need to focus more on better storytelling. Better character development. Better science fiction.
And please just give the core fans more of what we want.
Then, I think more of everyone will show up.
I hope it’s not too late.
At Home with Tech 