What can re-energize Star Trek? (Vanity)

Trek Today ^ | 2/23/03 | Trek Today/sonofatpatcher2

[sonofatpatcher2]

What can re-energize Star Trek?

The March 1 issue of TV Guide will examine the state of the Star Trek franchise, with frank comments from Enterprise co-creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga.

In the article, Braga is candid about the lacklustre ratings for Enterprise's sophomore season (and Nemsis' poor box office). "What can you say?" he told the magazine. "We're bummed."

But this doesn't mean the end of the NX-01's adventures, according to UPN entertainment president Dawn Ostroff, who said Enterprise is not going anywhere. "Hit shows often take years."

[sonofatpatcher2]

Ok, sports fans. Nemesis tanked somewhat at the cash box and "Enterprise" has low ratings. What can put the star back in Star Trek?

IMHO: Ashley Judd as Captain Lefler of the USS Enterprise-F with (Jerri Ryan) Seven of Nine as her Number One.

Star power plus acting chops, beauty and two tuff broads leading a new Enterprise would do it for me.

BTW, I always have thought Kirk would kick Picard's hinney-- YET Janeway would bitch slap all the Enterprise Captains. She's in a class of her own and never sat in the Captain's chair on the Enterprise.

Flame away, non-Trekkie campers. I'm an old fart who has reached the age where I could care less.

[Gwaihir]

Hire Farscape's writers.

[JAFA]

Or better yet, scrap Enterprise and pick up Farscape.

[Gwaihir]

I like your idea better.

[chasio649]

i really like Enterprise...Jolene Blalock has an incredible bod!!! It has some interesting story lines also. maybe the whole genre is running its course.

[this_ol_patriot]

They turned it into a whiney old hippie, wilted flower child of a show, it's so...so...so...French now.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

1. Get rid of all the political correctness. All of the captains since Kirk have been increasingly crippled by this to varying degrees. Archer says no one hunts on Earth anymore? Yeah, I almost buy that.
2. Jump start the writing. People who have watched any of the previous series aren't going to be amazed by a stupid shuttle crash just because it's on "Enterprise". It's not new to us, no matter how you market it.
3. Respect ST history/continuity. Andorians have one antenna, no matter what Rick and Brandon say.
4. Hire better actors. Completely ignoring other factors, "Voyager" had to carry some real dead weight and now "Enterprise" is stuck with the same fate.
5. Make more interesting characters. People know who Spock, McCoy, and Scotty are because they are unique and distinctive, not bland and boring interchangable parts.

"Nemesis" was good, not great. Not enough characterization, especially when it came to Troi and Riker's wedding. But I don't think "Enterprise" is fixable. Archer started out okay, but he's too much of a wimp in addition to being slow. He's just not that bright. And the PC-ness of the show is so strangling (recent AIDS episode) that I've stopped watching it.

I'd kill "Enterprise", wait five years, then introduce a new series that was very politically incorrect and like the original as much as possible. I would hire good writers from watchable shows like the "Law and Order" trio and have them watch TOS for pointers and style. I would also hire people who can actually act and get it on a network that wasn't UPN.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

That is why the original series is the best.

Kirk kicks rear ends instead of kissing them.

[Cincinatus]

What can put the star back in Star Trek?

Nothing.

Fundamentally, the problem with Star Trek is the problem with America -- it has not yet been able to shrug off 30 years of cultural rot, creeping Clintonism, the entrenchment of the Entitlement State, and "feelings" replacing thought and action. This decline is completely tracable from the original series, through Next Generation, to Deep Space Nine, to (scraping bottom), Voyager. After a hopeful start that promised to reinvigorate the franchise with Enterprise, it too has descended into the bottomless pits of PC.

We've discussed this issue on FR for years now. I refer you to THIS THREAD of many years past for additional discussion as well as a few laughs.

And the only way I could take Ashley Judd as the captain of the Enterprise is if she did it in the nude.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: ...maybe the whole genre is running its course.

Of course, the Brits thought that in 1812.

And YES, "...Jolene Blalock has an incredible bod!!!

Perhaps she could be the Tac Officer.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: it's so...so...so...French now.

Must, saddly, agree to a point...

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: Make more interesting characters. People know who Spock, McCoy, and Scotty are because they are unique and distinctive, not bland and boring interchangable parts.

Bingo!

[Glenn]

Get rid of all the political correctness.

That was Roddenberry's dream. It was the first TV series to attempt to show society as a blend. Black communications officer. Asian helmsman. Russian navigator. (Or was it the other way around). Vulcan scientist. Supreme but benign commander. I'm no Trekkie. Just calling it as I see it.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: Andorians have one antenna, no matter what Rick and Brandon say.

Sorry, in "Journey to Bable" and "Elaan of Troyius" both Andorians had two, count them, two antenna.

Where did you get they only had one?

[DB]

Hey, I like Next Generation. The last movie sucked though...

I really like Babylon 5. Once it got going it was excellent IMO.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: And the only way I could take Ashley Judd as the captain of the Enterprise is if she did it in the nude.

I could live with that, I'm finally old enogh to be a dirty old man. See her in Norma Jean & Marilyn for evidence.

Seriously, Ashley Judd is a terrific actress and has the acting chops to Captain the Enterprise.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I really like Babylon 5.

I do, too. But one cannot live by Babylon alone.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Where did you get they only had one?

I thought they only had one on TOS. Some of the press mentioned the change on "Enterprise". You sure?

[Cincinatus]

TNG was OK and indeed, had many interesting plot ideas. But basically, it was to the original series as The Empire Strikes Back was to Star Wars -- technically superior, but weaker in narrative structure.

Can you imagine Jim Kirk having a counselor on his bridge, let alone his ship!?!??

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: That was Roddenberry's dream. It was the first TV series to attempt to show society as a blend. Black communications officer. Asian helmsman. Russian navigator. (Or was it the other way around). Vulcan scientist. Supreme but benign commander. I'm no Trekkie. Just calling it as I see it.

You called it right, Glenn. But, Kirk kept violating the Prime Directive again and again and again...