Despite the fact that so many years have passed from the time when Leonard Nimoy appeared on silver screens as Star Trek’s Spock in 1966, he will forever be associated with the character, because it was him who turned it into legend.
Spock was the half-human and half-Vulcan creature with strange looks and a likewise behavior. And to have a character like that on TV – Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original series, had to take science fiction very seriously, carefully crafting every little piece of the story to turn out the way it did.
However, it seems like not everything was handpicked by Roddenberry himself and one little part of Star Trek, which later actually became the trademark of the franchise’s most popular character, was created by the actor himself.
There’s no Reddit thread, fan website, science-fiction lovers club anywhere in the world where you can find...
Spock was the half-human and half-Vulcan creature with strange looks and a likewise behavior. And to have a character like that on TV – Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original series, had to take science fiction very seriously, carefully crafting every little piece of the story to turn out the way it did.
However, it seems like not everything was handpicked by Roddenberry himself and one little part of Star Trek, which later actually became the trademark of the franchise’s most popular character, was created by the actor himself.
There’s no Reddit thread, fan website, science-fiction lovers club anywhere in the world where you can find...
- 5/4/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Rachel Bailey)
- STartefacts.com
Prior to his gig on "Star Trek" in 1966, actor DeForest Kelley spent 20 years traversing the wild and hoary world of episodic television and appearing in supporting roles in little-regarded feature films. His first professional screen acting job was a one-off performance in the one-season 1947 TV series "Public Prosecutor." The series holds the distinction of being the first-ever mainstream televised series to be released on film, instead of being broadcast live, which was standard at the time.
Between that show and "Star Trek," Kelley appeared on over 80 TV shows, often just in single episodes, but sometimes returning for two or three. He also had bit roles in films like "Variety Girl," "The Men," "Taxi," and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," playing Morgan Earp. He was just a hardworking character actor, taking the jobs that were offered him. There is an integrity to that approach.
In 1960, Kelley appeared in an episode of "Alcoa Theater,...
Between that show and "Star Trek," Kelley appeared on over 80 TV shows, often just in single episodes, but sometimes returning for two or three. He also had bit roles in films like "Variety Girl," "The Men," "Taxi," and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," playing Morgan Earp. He was just a hardworking character actor, taking the jobs that were offered him. There is an integrity to that approach.
In 1960, Kelley appeared in an episode of "Alcoa Theater,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted on September 26, 2001, the sixth official "Star Trek" series since the debut of Gene Roddenberry's original in 1966. "Enterprise" came right at the end of a massive "Star Trek" renaissance that saw the 1987 debut of the massively successful "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the 1993 debut of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," the 1995 debut of "Star Trek: Voyager," and the release of "Star Trek: Generations," "Star Trek: First Contact," and "Star Trek: Insurrection" in theaters. The glut of "Star Trek" was a dream for TV programmers who would often schedule entire blocks of the franchise merely to puff up their docket. Personally, this author recalls a time when "NextGen," "DS9," and the original series would run back-to-back-to-back on certain weeknights.
The Sci-Fi Channel, now called Syfy, also leaned heavily on "Star Trek" when it launched back in 1992. "Star Trek" reruns became part of the nascent cable station's bread and butter,...
The Sci-Fi Channel, now called Syfy, also leaned heavily on "Star Trek" when it launched back in 1992. "Star Trek" reruns became part of the nascent cable station's bread and butter,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In Jonathan Frakes' 1996 film "Star Trek: First Contact," the U.S.S. Enterprise travels back in time to the year 2063, the year humanity first invented faster-than-light travel and, almost immediately thereafter, made first contact with an alien species. By "Star Trek" lore, the maiden voyage of the Phoenix, the very first warp-capable ship, caught the attention of a passing Vulcan vessel, causing them to change course, land on Earth, and shake hands with humans. It was the franchise's "Welcome to the neighborhood" moment. It also started a massive utopian rebuilding of Earth, as it had just survived several devastating wars. By "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's estimation, Earth had to almost destroy itself to have a "moment of clarity." After that, the technological, post-war, post-scarcity, post-capitalist utopia could begin.
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Network: Paramount+
Episodes: 50 (half-hour)
Seasons: Five
TV show dates: August 6, 2020 -- Tbd
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore, and Gillian Vigman.
TV show description:
An animated sci-fi comedy series, Star Trek: Lower Decks is the latest TV show in the franchise based on the original Star Trek series created by Gene Roddenberry.
Read More…...
Episodes: 50 (half-hour)
Seasons: Five
TV show dates: August 6, 2020 -- Tbd
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, Eugene Cordero, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore, and Gillian Vigman.
TV show description:
An animated sci-fi comedy series, Star Trek: Lower Decks is the latest TV show in the franchise based on the original Star Trek series created by Gene Roddenberry.
Read More…...
- 4/23/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The next time you fire up eBay looking for a lightly used PS5 or a random everyday item that kind of resembles the face of Jesus Christ, take a closer look -- you might just come across a priceless pop-culture relic that has been missing for decades. Anyone who's used these sorts of online marketplaces for long enough undoubtedly has their fair share of horror stories, but this is one case that ultimately resulted in a happy ending for all involved.
It's a tale that has gone down as part of "Star Trek" lore over the long years. A franchise as long-lasting as this one will inevitably rack up its fair share of fan-favorite props and other objects of import, created by talented and pioneering artists to bring genuinely out-of-this-world visuals and legendary concept art to life. Historically, "Trek" has relied on matte paintings, cutting-edge VFX techniques, and all sorts...
It's a tale that has gone down as part of "Star Trek" lore over the long years. A franchise as long-lasting as this one will inevitably rack up its fair share of fan-favorite props and other objects of import, created by talented and pioneering artists to bring genuinely out-of-this-world visuals and legendary concept art to life. Historically, "Trek" has relied on matte paintings, cutting-edge VFX techniques, and all sorts...
- 4/22/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
John Trimble, longtime Trekkie and fan advocate, passed away on April 19, 2024. He was 87 years old. The world of "Star Trek" owes the man a debt.
Bjo and John Trimble were Trekkies from the very start. Indeed, the married couple were early adopters of "Star Trek," becoming enamored of the series before the word "Trekkies" had even become a part of the fan lexicon. Trimble met Betty JoAnn Conway through the fan networks first set up by genre-movie ultra-booster Forrest J Ackerman, having first conversed while hiding underneath a grand piano at Ackerman's house during a party. They were married for 64 years.
Back in the 1960s, sci-fi and fantasy fan networks were achieved solely through the mail, and Trekkies would communicate almost exclusively through letters columns printed in the backs of sci-fi magazines (a model first invented by Hugo Guernsback back in 1926). More enterprising fans would author and print their own fanzines,...
Bjo and John Trimble were Trekkies from the very start. Indeed, the married couple were early adopters of "Star Trek," becoming enamored of the series before the word "Trekkies" had even become a part of the fan lexicon. Trimble met Betty JoAnn Conway through the fan networks first set up by genre-movie ultra-booster Forrest J Ackerman, having first conversed while hiding underneath a grand piano at Ackerman's house during a party. They were married for 64 years.
Back in the 1960s, sci-fi and fantasy fan networks were achieved solely through the mail, and Trekkies would communicate almost exclusively through letters columns printed in the backs of sci-fi magazines (a model first invented by Hugo Guernsback back in 1926). More enterprising fans would author and print their own fanzines,...
- 4/22/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On September 15, 1965, Irwin Allen whisked television viewers out of their living rooms on a journey to the outer reaches of space, where the Robinson family finds themselves marooned on a strange, not-entirely-hospitable planet thanks to the sabotage of their chief medical officer. For a nation dreaming of a seemingly impossible moon landing, "Lost in Space" was both wish fulfillment and cautionary tale; a part of us was enthralled by the notion of exploring the cosmos, but we were also terrified by the thought of aimlessly hurtling through a universe with no known end and no direction home.
Allen's series didn't dwell much on the more frightening aspects of the Robinsons' predicament. Unlike Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek" (which would debut a year later), Allen employed a fairly rigid formula that found the Robinsons and the hunky Major Don West (Mark Goddard) having to outwit the generally inept scheming of Dr.
Allen's series didn't dwell much on the more frightening aspects of the Robinsons' predicament. Unlike Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek" (which would debut a year later), Allen employed a fairly rigid formula that found the Robinsons and the hunky Major Don West (Mark Goddard) having to outwit the generally inept scheming of Dr.
- 4/22/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "Metamorphosis", guest character Commissioner Nancy Hedford (Elinor Donahue) is taking a break from a vital diplomatic mission to be treated for a rare and potentially fatal condition on board the Enterprise. Her shuttle is attacked, however, by a mysterious energy blob, causing it to crash on a nearby — and presumably uninhabited — planet. Inexplicably, Hedford, Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) are greeted by a man named Zefram Cochrane (Glenn Corbett), the inventor of warp engines who had disappeared a century earlier. By "Star Trek" lore, Zefram Cochrane flew out into space as a very old man and never returned.
This Cochran, however, is young and vibrant here. It seems that the blob of energy — a blob Cochrane calls the Companion — is alive and lives on this world. The being is powerful enough to keep Cochrane young, and has kind...
This Cochran, however, is young and vibrant here. It seems that the blob of energy — a blob Cochrane calls the Companion — is alive and lives on this world. The being is powerful enough to keep Cochrane young, and has kind...
- 4/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The second season of "Star Trek: Prodigy" is still awaiting a release date in North America, although French readers should be able to view it right now on the region-specific France.TV. The story of the cancelation of "Prodigy" is sad for Trekkies, as the kid-centric animated series, created by Kevin and Dan Hageman, was just growing into its own and emerging as a proper "Star Trek" series.
The premise was fun: in an unknown and distant part of the galaxy, a group of teenage aliens -- fleeing slavery in a mine -- discover an abandoned Starfleet vessel called the U.S.S. Protostar. On board, they meet a holographic version of Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), who assumes the teens are Starfleet cadets and require tutelage. The teens are hotheaded, feisty, and brooding in the way that teens tend to be, but Janeway teaches them to operate as a crew and mature as individuals.
The premise was fun: in an unknown and distant part of the galaxy, a group of teenage aliens -- fleeing slavery in a mine -- discover an abandoned Starfleet vessel called the U.S.S. Protostar. On board, they meet a holographic version of Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), who assumes the teens are Starfleet cadets and require tutelage. The teens are hotheaded, feisty, and brooding in the way that teens tend to be, but Janeway teaches them to operate as a crew and mature as individuals.
- 4/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Ethan Peck as Spock in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ season 3 (Photo Credit: Marni Grossman / Paramount+)
It’s good news and bad news for Trekkies. Paramount+ confirmed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season. However, the streaming service also confirmed the upcoming fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks will be the animated series’ final season.
Strange New Worlds is busy shooting season three now, with Paramount+ planning a 2025 premiere. Lower Decks is currently in production on its fifth season. The final season is expected to debut this fall.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure and humor, and we’re elated to...
It’s good news and bad news for Trekkies. Paramount+ confirmed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season. However, the streaming service also confirmed the upcoming fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks will be the animated series’ final season.
Strange New Worlds is busy shooting season three now, with Paramount+ planning a 2025 premiere. Lower Decks is currently in production on its fifth season. The final season is expected to debut this fall.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure and humor, and we’re elated to...
- 4/13/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
We are right in the middle of that time of year where we learn whether shows are renewed or canceled, and we just found out what’s happening to two series in the Star Trek universe!
Paramount+ has revealed the future of the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks and the live-action Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Keep reading to find out more…
According to Variety, Lower Decks will come to an end with the previously announced fifth season.
“We remain hopeful that even beyond Season 5, Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, Rutherford and the whole Cerritos crew will live on with new adventures,” executive producer Alex Kurtzman and showrunner Mike McMahon said in a statement. “While five seasons of any series these days seems like a miracle, it’s no exaggeration to say that every second we’ve spent making this show has been a dream come true.”
Lower Decks stars the voices of Tawny Newsome,...
Paramount+ has revealed the future of the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks and the live-action Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Keep reading to find out more…
According to Variety, Lower Decks will come to an end with the previously announced fifth season.
“We remain hopeful that even beyond Season 5, Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, Rutherford and the whole Cerritos crew will live on with new adventures,” executive producer Alex Kurtzman and showrunner Mike McMahon said in a statement. “While five seasons of any series these days seems like a miracle, it’s no exaggeration to say that every second we’ve spent making this show has been a dream come true.”
Lower Decks stars the voices of Tawny Newsome,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Paramount+ today announced that its hit original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season. The series is currently in production on its third season, which is set to debut in 2025.
Additionally, the previously announced fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, which is also currently in production, will mark the series’ final season and premiere this fall on Paramount+.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of Programming at Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure, and humor, and we’re elated to announce another season ahead of our season three premiere.”
He continued: “Similarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks has brought the laughs with an ample amount of heart to...
Additionally, the previously announced fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, which is also currently in production, will mark the series’ final season and premiere this fall on Paramount+.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of Programming at Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure, and humor, and we’re elated to announce another season ahead of our season three premiere.”
He continued: “Similarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks has brought the laughs with an ample amount of heart to...
- 4/12/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
As the great Billy Joel once said, "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes; I'm afraid it's time for goodbye." That quote takes on an extra layer of meaning with today's double-pronged news regarding the future of "Star Trek." On the big screen, we recently found out that all systems are go for the new movie described to be a prequel to the Kelvin Universe films. But for those who've been enjoying the franchise renaissance on television, well, there's some good news and bad news to report.
We'll start with the good news. Variety has the scoop on a season 4 renewal for "Strange New Worlds," the spin-off from "Star Trek: Discovery" that also serves as a prequel to "The Original Series." The popular and high-quality show is currently in production on its third season, as last teased by director and franchise icon Jonathan Frakes. With the first two completed seasons spanning 10 episodes each,...
We'll start with the good news. Variety has the scoop on a season 4 renewal for "Strange New Worlds," the spin-off from "Star Trek: Discovery" that also serves as a prequel to "The Original Series." The popular and high-quality show is currently in production on its third season, as last teased by director and franchise icon Jonathan Frakes. With the first two completed seasons spanning 10 episodes each,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Paramount+ has made two big decisions about its Star Trek universe.
Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season, while Lower Decks will end with its previously announced upcoming fifth season, expected to air sometime this year.
Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan and executive producer Alex Kurtzman posted a statement on the Star Trek website about the decision to conclude the animated series: “While five seasons of any series these days seems like a miracle, it’s no exaggeration to say that every second we’ve spent making this show has been a dream come true. Our incredible cast, crew and artists have given you everything they have because they love the characters they play, they love the world we’ve built, and more than anything we all love love love Star Trek. We’re excited for the world to see our hilarious fifth season which we’re working on right now,...
Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season, while Lower Decks will end with its previously announced upcoming fifth season, expected to air sometime this year.
Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan and executive producer Alex Kurtzman posted a statement on the Star Trek website about the decision to conclude the animated series: “While five seasons of any series these days seems like a miracle, it’s no exaggeration to say that every second we’ve spent making this show has been a dream come true. Our incredible cast, crew and artists have given you everything they have because they love the characters they play, they love the world we’ve built, and more than anything we all love love love Star Trek. We’re excited for the world to see our hilarious fifth season which we’re working on right now,...
- 4/12/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” currently in production on its third season, has been renewed by Paramount+ for Season 4. Meanwhile, “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the first animated “Star Trek” comedy, will conclude its run on the streamer with its fifth season, which will debut in the fall.
“Strange New Worlds” — set in the years when Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the USS Enterprise, and featuring younger versions of several legacy characters, including Spock (Ethan Peck), Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Kirk (Paul Wesley) — has been a fan favorite since it premiered on Paramount+ in 2022. Season 2 of the series, which included a musical episode and a crossover episode with “Lower Decks,” made Nielsen’s chart of the 10 most-watched streaming original series over multiple weeks.
“On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘Strange New Worlds,’ we are thrilled and grateful to continue our voyages together,” said executive producers and showrunners...
“Strange New Worlds” — set in the years when Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the USS Enterprise, and featuring younger versions of several legacy characters, including Spock (Ethan Peck), Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Kirk (Paul Wesley) — has been a fan favorite since it premiered on Paramount+ in 2022. Season 2 of the series, which included a musical episode and a crossover episode with “Lower Decks,” made Nielsen’s chart of the 10 most-watched streaming original series over multiple weeks.
“On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘Strange New Worlds,’ we are thrilled and grateful to continue our voyages together,” said executive producers and showrunners...
- 4/12/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
In the "Futurama" episode "The Problem with Popplers", the Planet Express crew lands on a distant, uncharted planet hoping to find a fast food joint; the ship had run out of supplies and Bender (John Dimaggio) was only able to make a meal with baking soda and capers. They land on a Class-m planet which, as Leela (Katey Sagal) explains, should at least provide roddenberry bushes. What they find instead are craters stuffed with brown, crunchy, edible meat nuggets ... that are utterly delicious. Snarfing ensues.
No one has set foot on this planet before so the Planet Express crew packs up the morsels and takes them back to Earth to sell on street corners. It's not long before they attract the attention of fast food proprietor Fishy Joe (Maurice Lamarche), and turn the nuggets — nicknamed Popplers — into a global phenomenon.
Naturally, there is something unusual about the Popplers. While Leela eats,...
No one has set foot on this planet before so the Planet Express crew packs up the morsels and takes them back to Earth to sell on street corners. It's not long before they attract the attention of fast food proprietor Fishy Joe (Maurice Lamarche), and turn the nuggets — nicknamed Popplers — into a global phenomenon.
Naturally, there is something unusual about the Popplers. While Leela eats,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "Court Martial", Captain Kirk (William Shatner) is brought on trial following the death of one of his officers, Lieutenant Commander Finney (Richard Webb). The U.S.S. Enterprise had encountered an ion storm and was being buffetted so badly it faced potential destruction. To flee the damage, Kirk had to eject a research vessel while Finney was still on board, sending his officer to his death.
This was a difficult command decision, of course, but there was some debate as to whether or not Kirk ejected the vessel while the Enterprise was at red alert, or if Kirk panicked and ejected the vessel while the Enterprise was still at yellow alert. The latter would be seen as grounds for incompetence and Kirk would be ejected from Starfleet. There is a computer record of Kirk's reaction, including a video, showing he did indeed act hastily, but...
This was a difficult command decision, of course, but there was some debate as to whether or not Kirk ejected the vessel while the Enterprise was at red alert, or if Kirk panicked and ejected the vessel while the Enterprise was still at yellow alert. The latter would be seen as grounds for incompetence and Kirk would be ejected from Starfleet. There is a computer record of Kirk's reaction, including a video, showing he did indeed act hastily, but...
- 4/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There's meeting your favorite celebrity, and then there's meeting Spock. Though we all understand on some level that actors Leonard Nimoy, Zachary Quinto, and Ethan Peck aren't actually the beloved pointy-eared first officer "Star Trek" fans know and love, well, humans aren't really that logical, are we?
"Star Trek" has a long history of inspiring passionate fan reactions, and Peck, who plays the half-Vulcan, half-human fan-favorite character in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is certainly getting a taste of them. In a cover story for Variety about the future of the Paramount-owned franchise, Peck spoke about what it's been like adjusting to playing Spock and described fan encounters as a sort of ritualistic experience. "When I'm meeting fans, sometimes they're coming to be confirmed, like I'm kind of a priest," the actor told a reporter while in the middle of filming season 3 of the excellent Paramount+ prequel series.
"Star Trek" has a long history of inspiring passionate fan reactions, and Peck, who plays the half-Vulcan, half-human fan-favorite character in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is certainly getting a taste of them. In a cover story for Variety about the future of the Paramount-owned franchise, Peck spoke about what it's been like adjusting to playing Spock and described fan encounters as a sort of ritualistic experience. "When I'm meeting fans, sometimes they're coming to be confirmed, like I'm kind of a priest," the actor told a reporter while in the middle of filming season 3 of the excellent Paramount+ prequel series.
- 4/6/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Editor’s note: Does It Fly? releases new episodes Fridays through Den of Geek, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and DoesItFlyPod.com.
After pioneering the future of science fiction on television for decades, Roddenberry Entertainment digs into the real-world science behind pop culture’s most iconic conceits, vehicles, and gadgets with the original video podcast series Does It Fly?. Hosted by noted astrophysicist and science educator Hakeem Oluseyi and television host, actor, and pop culture enthusiast Tamara Krinsky, the show examines devices from the most beloved sci-fi movies and shows, explaining the theoretical science behind them and if they’d actually function properly outside of the comforts of fiction.
To commemorate First Contact Day, the pivotal date where humanity first met intelligent life from another world, as depicted in the classic 1996 movie Star Trek: First Contact, the inaugural episode of the podcast focuses on if Star Trek’s transporter could theoretically work.
After pioneering the future of science fiction on television for decades, Roddenberry Entertainment digs into the real-world science behind pop culture’s most iconic conceits, vehicles, and gadgets with the original video podcast series Does It Fly?. Hosted by noted astrophysicist and science educator Hakeem Oluseyi and television host, actor, and pop culture enthusiast Tamara Krinsky, the show examines devices from the most beloved sci-fi movies and shows, explaining the theoretical science behind them and if they’d actually function properly outside of the comforts of fiction.
To commemorate First Contact Day, the pivotal date where humanity first met intelligent life from another world, as depicted in the classic 1996 movie Star Trek: First Contact, the inaugural episode of the podcast focuses on if Star Trek’s transporter could theoretically work.
- 4/5/2024
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
This Star Trek: Discovery article contains spoilers.
At the end of the Star Trek: Discovery season five premiere “Red Directive,” Dr. Kovich finally levels with Captain Burnham. The mission that she and her crew had been on throughout the episode has escalated beyond even Admiral Vance’s clearance, to a level that only someone as deep within the Federation as Kovich can understand.
The mission involves the Progenitors, the source of all humanoid life in the universe. “A few thousand years ago, we’d have found them gods,” says Kovich. But to long-time Trekkies, the Progenitors are also the topic of a remarkable episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As much as we all love Star Trek and its wild world of alien races, the fact remains that the large majority of those aliens are just regular-looking humans with different bits of putty slapped on their foreheads. Romulans, Klingons,...
At the end of the Star Trek: Discovery season five premiere “Red Directive,” Dr. Kovich finally levels with Captain Burnham. The mission that she and her crew had been on throughout the episode has escalated beyond even Admiral Vance’s clearance, to a level that only someone as deep within the Federation as Kovich can understand.
The mission involves the Progenitors, the source of all humanoid life in the universe. “A few thousand years ago, we’d have found them gods,” says Kovich. But to long-time Trekkies, the Progenitors are also the topic of a remarkable episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As much as we all love Star Trek and its wild world of alien races, the fact remains that the large majority of those aliens are just regular-looking humans with different bits of putty slapped on their foreheads. Romulans, Klingons,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
On April 5, Roddenberry Entertainment, the company behind the “Star Trek” universe, launches a brand new sci-fi podcast called “Does It Fly?” that answers one of the biggest questions sci-fi geeks love to ponder: Could the technology we love in out-there science fiction franchises someday exist in real life?
We’re talking about the “Star Trek” transporter, the subject of the first episode, as well as the lightsabers in “Star Wars,” the replicants in “Blade Runner,” Iron Man’s Arc Reactor, the Tardis from “Doctor Who,” and the technological and philosophical questions raised in the “Black Mirror” episode “San Junipero” — all will be episode topics in the future on the podcast, which will be hosted by astrophysicist and science communicator Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi and pop-culture aficionado Tamara Krinsky.
The concept for this show — along with its very title — comes from something Gene Roddenberry, who pitched a version of the transporter in...
We’re talking about the “Star Trek” transporter, the subject of the first episode, as well as the lightsabers in “Star Wars,” the replicants in “Blade Runner,” Iron Man’s Arc Reactor, the Tardis from “Doctor Who,” and the technological and philosophical questions raised in the “Black Mirror” episode “San Junipero” — all will be episode topics in the future on the podcast, which will be hosted by astrophysicist and science communicator Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi and pop-culture aficionado Tamara Krinsky.
The concept for this show — along with its very title — comes from something Gene Roddenberry, who pitched a version of the transporter in...
- 4/1/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
It has been 8 years since the last Star Trek movie, Star Trek Beyond, graced the big screen. Ever since, while there have been several TV shows and more on the way, the futuristic space franchise has not returned to the big screen despite the announcement of a sequel before the release of the third movie.
A still from Star Trek Beyond
Its loyal and huge fanbase has thus been eagerly waiting, hoping to see the cast of the rebooted saga once again. While negotiations with actors and writers have been broken several times before, the inclusion of Steve Yockey as the new screenwriter has created a significant buzz. And Paramount still hopes that the sequel to Beyond will be the last film of the rebooted movie series featuring its original cast.
Star Trek 4 Gets a New Screenwriter, Again!
Steve Yockey is Star Trek 4’s new screenwriter (Image: Instagram...
A still from Star Trek Beyond
Its loyal and huge fanbase has thus been eagerly waiting, hoping to see the cast of the rebooted saga once again. While negotiations with actors and writers have been broken several times before, the inclusion of Steve Yockey as the new screenwriter has created a significant buzz. And Paramount still hopes that the sequel to Beyond will be the last film of the rebooted movie series featuring its original cast.
Star Trek 4 Gets a New Screenwriter, Again!
Steve Yockey is Star Trek 4’s new screenwriter (Image: Instagram...
- 3/28/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" has a knack for proving skeptics wrong. You say Paramount+ can't do a prequel "Star Trek" series that reimagines iconic characters like Spock, Kirk, and Uhura with a cast of new actors? Watch them. Think it's impossible to strike the original series' balance between earnest pathos, sci-fi geekery, warm-hearted hijinks, and indelible camp? Think again. Don't even get this show started on which genres do and don't check classic "Star Trek" boxes; it'll blow your personal definition of classic "Trek" wide open with a Medieval costume drama, an animation-live action crossover, a musical, or -- in the upcoming season, according to Variety -- a "Hollywood murder mystery."
In Variety's new cover story about the future of the franchise Gene Roddenberry first created in 1966, the future of "Star Trek" is bright. The dynamic, weird, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking prequel series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" comes...
In Variety's new cover story about the future of the franchise Gene Roddenberry first created in 1966, the future of "Star Trek" is bright. The dynamic, weird, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking prequel series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" comes...
- 3/27/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
There's more "Star Trek" television right now that Trekkies know what to do with. Whether you prefer it when the franchise is philosophical yet whimsical in the manner of Gene Roddenberry's original ground-breaking series ("Strange New Worlds"), a mix of raunchy humor and emotionally mature sci-fi storytelling ("Lower Decks"), or embracing a "warm, flashy, 'heart dangling on the sleeve with such force that you might as well brace for an aerial spray' ethos" (as /Film's own Jacob Hall put it in his review of the "Discovery" season 5 premiere), there's something for "Trek" enthusiasts of ever shade right now -- again, on the small screen. Unfortunately, if you enjoy it when the property stretches its wings and takes flight in theaters, you've been plumb out of luck since 2016.
Indeed, the last eight years have been a never-ending cycle of news about "Star Trek" films being put into development, only to...
Indeed, the last eight years have been a never-ending cycle of news about "Star Trek" films being put into development, only to...
- 3/27/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
“I can’t believe I get to play the captain of the Enterprise.”
Anson Mount is sitting across from me on one of the Toronto soundstages for the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which is set in the years when his character, Capt. Christopher Pike, led the legendary Federation starship with a young Spock and Uhura. We’re speaking on the sleek Enterprise bridge, and Mount is recounting the out-of-body experience he had the first time he sat in the iconic captain’s chair. “I had this immediate flashback to playing ‘Star Trek’ as a kid,” he says. “I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t at some point stop and think to myself, ‘I’m on fucking “Star Trek.”’”
“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.
Anson Mount is sitting across from me on one of the Toronto soundstages for the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which is set in the years when his character, Capt. Christopher Pike, led the legendary Federation starship with a young Spock and Uhura. We’re speaking on the sleek Enterprise bridge, and Mount is recounting the out-of-body experience he had the first time he sat in the iconic captain’s chair. “I had this immediate flashback to playing ‘Star Trek’ as a kid,” he says. “I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t at some point stop and think to myself, ‘I’m on fucking “Star Trek.”’”
“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.
- 3/27/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Star Trek is back. And we’re all there for it. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds marks the return of the science fiction series we’ve all grown to love over the years. The series, which features Anson Mount, Jess Bush, and Rebecca Romjin in leading roles, has kept the faithful of the series intrigued, with its action sequences and characters hitting home more than once. Amidst the studded cast, there is one actor who deserves special credit for putting up a fight for an element she wanted to retain from the original Star Trek series.
Rebecca Romjin wanted a return of the Starfleet dress in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Rebecca Romjin was into the idea of bringing back the Starfleet dress
Rebecca Romjin is not new to playing roles in grand franchises, having already been associated with the X-Men for the first 3 films in the franchise. No wonder...
Rebecca Romjin wanted a return of the Starfleet dress in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Rebecca Romjin was into the idea of bringing back the Starfleet dress
Rebecca Romjin is not new to playing roles in grand franchises, having already been associated with the X-Men for the first 3 films in the franchise. No wonder...
- 3/25/2024
- by Smriti Sneh
- FandomWire
In the "Star Trek" episode "The Enemy Within", Captain Kirk (William Shatner) beams up from the planet Alpha 177 covered in a mysterious magnetic dust. Unbeknownst to any of the Enterprise crew, the dust has fouled up the transporter and created a second Kirk inside its memory buffer. After Kirk leaves the room, the second Kirk materializes ... but displays an altered personality. It seems that Kirk has been bifurcated into a gentle version of himself and a cruel, aggressive version of himself. For much of "The Enemy Within," the Evil Kirk stalks around the halls of the U.S.S. Enterprise, startling the crew and accosting Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Gentle Kirk soon realizes that he needs his aggression back in order to be whole. Eventually, the two Kirks confront one another.
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
- 3/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Actress Marina Sirtis played the role of Deanna Troi in Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek: The Next Generation, which remains the defining iteration of the sci-fi franchise for a large section of fans. As a result, Star Trek fans have often taken issue with some of the depictions, themes, and storylines in the series that ran for seven seasons.
Marina Sirtis in a still from Star Trek: Picard
One of the major issues with the show was the portrayal of Deanna Troi, which initially lacked any sort of nuance as she was reduced to a decorative item. Marina Sirtis has voiced her concerns with her character’s sexualized depiction in the series, which will only add to the displeasure of fans. Here is what Sirtis has said about playing Deanna Troi.
Marina Sirtis Criticized Deanna Troi’s Costume in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi in...
Marina Sirtis in a still from Star Trek: Picard
One of the major issues with the show was the portrayal of Deanna Troi, which initially lacked any sort of nuance as she was reduced to a decorative item. Marina Sirtis has voiced her concerns with her character’s sexualized depiction in the series, which will only add to the displeasure of fans. Here is what Sirtis has said about playing Deanna Troi.
Marina Sirtis Criticized Deanna Troi’s Costume in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi in...
- 3/24/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
William Shatner’s James T. Kirk starred in every episode of the original Star Trek television series and in the first seven Star Trek movies. After donning the role for almost two decades, Shatner followed in the footsteps of co-star Leonard Nimoy to direct a Star Trek film. Shatner directed the fifth film in the franchise, Star Trek: The Final Frontier, which received mixed to negative receptions. Shatner revealed that he has one big regret about making the film.
William Shatner as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series
Shatner’s directorial venture was plagued with several problems, mostly arising from the cast & crew’s opinions about Shatner’s storyline. However, the T.J. Hooker star took all the responsibility for his failure, sharing that he was not emotionally equipped to handle the big-budget film.
William Shatner’s Biggest Regret Was How He Failed To Take Charge Of His Directorial Venture...
William Shatner as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series
Shatner’s directorial venture was plagued with several problems, mostly arising from the cast & crew’s opinions about Shatner’s storyline. However, the T.J. Hooker star took all the responsibility for his failure, sharing that he was not emotionally equipped to handle the big-budget film.
William Shatner’s Biggest Regret Was How He Failed To Take Charge Of His Directorial Venture...
- 3/22/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" isn't quite like any other "Star Trek" show, and when it debuted in 1993, it was quite the departure from both the original series and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Instead of following intrepid explorers on starships trekking across the galaxy, "Deep Space Nine" followed the stories of the people who lived on board the space station Deep Space Nine (DS9) — civilians, Bajoran militia, and Starfleet officers alike. Showrunner Rick Berman was in charge of taking the "Star Trek" universe in a new direction following the success of "The Next Generation," but he ended up looking to a rather old television series for inspiration.
In an interview with StarTrek.com, Berman explained the inspiration behind "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and revealed that he and writer/producer Michael Piller got their biggest idea from a classic 1950s Western. That's pretty great given the fact that "Star Trek...
In an interview with StarTrek.com, Berman explained the inspiration behind "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and revealed that he and writer/producer Michael Piller got their biggest idea from a classic 1950s Western. That's pretty great given the fact that "Star Trek...
- 3/22/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Star Wars and Star Trek are two extremely popular American science fiction franchises set in space. Yet the two could not have been more different. Star Wars is known for its epic space battles, Jedi knights, and the force, while Star Trek focuses on exploring new worlds, the art of diplomacy, and scientific discovery with a humanitarian agenda. Both franchises have a massive fan base and have influenced popular culture significantly.
Star Trek has been more inclusive than Star Wars
Yet it seems Star Trek is miles apart from its contender when it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and equality. And the Star Wars actor, Amandla Stenberg’s latest diversity comment about the universe certainly feels like a massive slap in the face for any and every Star Trek fan.
Amandla Stenberg On Star Wars And Diversity
Amandla Stenberg (image via The Late Show)
The Star Wars universe is ever-expanding and...
Star Trek has been more inclusive than Star Wars
Yet it seems Star Trek is miles apart from its contender when it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and equality. And the Star Wars actor, Amandla Stenberg’s latest diversity comment about the universe certainly feels like a massive slap in the face for any and every Star Trek fan.
Amandla Stenberg On Star Wars And Diversity
Amandla Stenberg (image via The Late Show)
The Star Wars universe is ever-expanding and...
- 3/20/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
After a long wait, the U.S.S. Enterprise has received a response from the planet Eminiar VII. They had hoped to contact the planet and establish diplomatic relations with the inhabitants in the star cluster. But the message they receive in return is simple: stay away.
When Kirk gets that reply, he intends to respects their wishes. But no sooner does he order the Enterprise to change course than a man arrives on the bridge and overrides Kirk. This moment must have shocked the first viewers of “A Taste of Armageddon” from the first season of The Original Series of Star Trek. After all, who could override the Captain on his own ship?
The answer is the United Federation of Planets, for whom the man, Ambassador Robert Fox (Gene Lyons), works. Although “A Taste of Armageddon” aired in 1967, the distinction between Starfleet and the Federation still confuses viewers today.
When Kirk gets that reply, he intends to respects their wishes. But no sooner does he order the Enterprise to change course than a man arrives on the bridge and overrides Kirk. This moment must have shocked the first viewers of “A Taste of Armageddon” from the first season of The Original Series of Star Trek. After all, who could override the Captain on his own ship?
The answer is the United Federation of Planets, for whom the man, Ambassador Robert Fox (Gene Lyons), works. Although “A Taste of Armageddon” aired in 1967, the distinction between Starfleet and the Federation still confuses viewers today.
- 3/18/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Every franchise out there should be making casting choices that reflect the breadth and diversity of humanity we see every single day in our own lives, but "Star Trek" in particular has even more reason than others to do so. Heralded from its earliest conception as a progressive, forward-thinking, and uniquely idealistic series of stories, the property has done its best to maintain creator Gene Roddenberry's grand vision throughout its 50+ years of existence. That's not to say "Star Trek" has a perfect track record or has avoided certain missed opportunities over the years. Still, the franchise has always gone much further and more boldly than its contemporaries could ever claim to do.
As /Film's Jacob Hall notes in his review of the "Discovery" season 5 premiere, this particular "Star Trek" series has always made it a point to foreground characters of marginalized identities who rarely get a moment in the spotlight in most other entertainment.
As /Film's Jacob Hall notes in his review of the "Discovery" season 5 premiere, this particular "Star Trek" series has always made it a point to foreground characters of marginalized identities who rarely get a moment in the spotlight in most other entertainment.
- 3/15/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "The Siege of Ar-558," the U.S.S. Defiant is dispatched to a remote outpost where Federation soldiers have captured a Dominion communications relay. This was deep into the seasons-long Dominion War story ark, and "Deep Space Nine" was becoming increasingly bleak. When the Defiant arrives, they find that over 100 Federation soldiers have been killed in trying to keep the array out of the hands of encroaching enemies.
Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) is part of the Defiant's team, and he has never seen combat before. The phaser fire and landmine explosions terrify him, and Nog ends up losing a leg in the battle. In "Star Trek," medical science is advanced enough to grow new legs without any issue, but Nog's sudden limb loss was horrifying. Two episodes later, in "It's Only a Paper Moon," Nog was back on Deep Space Nine, recovering with his new leg.
Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) is part of the Defiant's team, and he has never seen combat before. The phaser fire and landmine explosions terrify him, and Nog ends up losing a leg in the battle. In "Star Trek," medical science is advanced enough to grow new legs without any issue, but Nog's sudden limb loss was horrifying. Two episodes later, in "It's Only a Paper Moon," Nog was back on Deep Space Nine, recovering with his new leg.
- 3/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
What's the best "Star Trek" episode? Of the 79 produced in "The Original Series," the most highly-regarded is often season 1, episode 28, "The City on the Edge of Forever." We at /Film named it as the best "Star Trek" episode and we're not alone.
Here's the premise; the Enterprise is exploring a planet home to the Guardian of Forever, essentially a sentient time portal. Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) is accidentally injected with the fictional drug Cordrazine and leaps through the portal, disrupting the timeline and the main characters' present. So, Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) follow McCoy, winding up in New York City during the Great Depression.
There, they meet Edith Keeler. Keeler is an idealistic woman who runs a soup kitchen and preaches pacificism; Kirk falls in love with her. Unfortunately, Spock discovers that unless Miss Keeler dies, she'll grow to become an influential activist who delays U.S.
Here's the premise; the Enterprise is exploring a planet home to the Guardian of Forever, essentially a sentient time portal. Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) is accidentally injected with the fictional drug Cordrazine and leaps through the portal, disrupting the timeline and the main characters' present. So, Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) follow McCoy, winding up in New York City during the Great Depression.
There, they meet Edith Keeler. Keeler is an idealistic woman who runs a soup kitchen and preaches pacificism; Kirk falls in love with her. Unfortunately, Spock discovers that unless Miss Keeler dies, she'll grow to become an influential activist who delays U.S.
- 3/10/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" is an explicitly pacifist show. Creator Gene Roddenberry was very clear when he invented the premise that "Star Trek" wasn't going to be about inter-species wars, and that battle wasn't going to be the show's focus. True, there are several episodes of the original "Star Trek" series that focus on tactics and battleship-like maneuvers, but the general idea was that the USS Enterprise could solve problems without having to kill or "defeat" anyone.
These notions only became stronger in the days of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a series that was more explicitly about diplomacy and pacifism than the original series. Again, "Star Trek" characters were armed with weapons, but violence was never assumed to be the only natural course of action. If the Federation was ever on the brink of war, it was always spoken of as civilization's ultimate failing. War, Trekkies saw time and again, was...
These notions only became stronger in the days of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a series that was more explicitly about diplomacy and pacifism than the original series. Again, "Star Trek" characters were armed with weapons, but violence was never assumed to be the only natural course of action. If the Federation was ever on the brink of war, it was always spoken of as civilization's ultimate failing. War, Trekkies saw time and again, was...
- 3/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Actor Doug Jones is 6'4" tall and has always been rail thin. He trained as a mime and contortionist, making him uniquely qualified to portray characters whose faces weren't visible. One of his earliest gigs was playing the anthropomorphic crescent moon character Mac Tonight for a series of McDonald's commercials. This led to many, many roles on TV and in movies playing monsters, creatures, and other nonhuman characters. His face is visible in only about half of his roles.
One of Jones' higher-profile roles is Saru, the Kelpien Starfleet officer on "Star Trek: Discovery." Saru was a fearful, cautious character, whose species had been bred to serve as food for another, dominant species on his home planet. He had evolved to think like prey and is incredibly wary of danger. Saru is a sensitive, emotionally open character, a far cry from the bold-faced frontiersman so often seen in the franchise.
One of Jones' higher-profile roles is Saru, the Kelpien Starfleet officer on "Star Trek: Discovery." Saru was a fearful, cautious character, whose species had been bred to serve as food for another, dominant species on his home planet. He had evolved to think like prey and is incredibly wary of danger. Saru is a sensitive, emotionally open character, a far cry from the bold-faced frontiersman so often seen in the franchise.
- 3/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In 1966, Gene Roddenberry and his co-creators gave the world Star Trek, an adventure series that imagined humanity overcoming its racist and sexist and class divisions, which inaugurated a new age of exploration. Corny? Sure. Imperfect? Of course. But that fundamental optimism remains a key aspect of Star Trek, presenting a challenge to those future creators tasked with keeping the franchise alive beyond the years of its birth.
That doesn’t mean the optimism can’t be challenged or re-contextualized. Indeed, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did exactly that, and many put that series at the top of their franchise rankings. But Deep Space Nine also introduced Section 31, a black ops organization within Starfleet and the darkest alternative to Star Trek optimism this side of the Terran Empire.
Sadly, later Trek creators have jumped onto the Section 31 concept, resulting in darker, much more pessimistic (and paranoid) stories that forget the best...
That doesn’t mean the optimism can’t be challenged or re-contextualized. Indeed, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did exactly that, and many put that series at the top of their franchise rankings. But Deep Space Nine also introduced Section 31, a black ops organization within Starfleet and the darkest alternative to Star Trek optimism this side of the Terran Empire.
Sadly, later Trek creators have jumped onto the Section 31 concept, resulting in darker, much more pessimistic (and paranoid) stories that forget the best...
- 3/5/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Neutral Zone", the U.S.S. Enterprise-d encounters a seemingly abandoned cryo-pod floating out in the galaxy. On board are three humans, frozen since the 20th century. When they are thawed, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) takes a Roddenberrian opportunity to lecture them, explaining that their outmoded ideas about capitalism and selfishness are dead in the 24th century. Picard's dialogue is partly utopian but mostly condescending, meant more for TV viewers in 1988 than directed toward his scene partners.
The episode's B-plot involved a visit to the titular Neutral Zone between Federation space and the Romulan Star Empire. There, the Enterprise investigates the destruction of a remote outpost, perhaps the result of Romulan malfeasance. "The Neutral Zone" was the first time Trekkies had seen Romulans since the original series, re-establishing them as a major threat in the galaxy. It also set up the...
The episode's B-plot involved a visit to the titular Neutral Zone between Federation space and the Romulan Star Empire. There, the Enterprise investigates the destruction of a remote outpost, perhaps the result of Romulan malfeasance. "The Neutral Zone" was the first time Trekkies had seen Romulans since the original series, re-establishing them as a major threat in the galaxy. It also set up the...
- 3/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When Gene Roddenberry began developing the screenplay for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" in 1975, expectations for how a science fiction film could look and feel were rapidly shifting. "2001: A Space Odyssey" offered moviegoers a 70mm trip to outer space, while "The Omega Man," "Soylent Green," and the "Planet of the Apes" series fed off the sociopolitical tumult of the times to thrust audiences into dystopian futures of our own foolish making.
Where did a show that was, at its core, a dream of racially and ethnically inclusive space exploration fit in an era of consciousness-raising spectacle and pessimistic earthbound forecasting? Though the series had failed to enthrall a sizable enough viewership to survive more than three seasons during its initial run on NBC in the late 1960s, "Star Trek" had become popular in syndication with 1970s couch potatoes. There was clearly a hunger for more, and there weren't any...
Where did a show that was, at its core, a dream of racially and ethnically inclusive space exploration fit in an era of consciousness-raising spectacle and pessimistic earthbound forecasting? Though the series had failed to enthrall a sizable enough viewership to survive more than three seasons during its initial run on NBC in the late 1960s, "Star Trek" had become popular in syndication with 1970s couch potatoes. There was clearly a hunger for more, and there weren't any...
- 3/3/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Even if you don’t know an El-Aurian from an Illyrian, even if you can’t tell the original Enterprise from the Enterprise-D, you’re probably familiar with one of the fundamental rules of Star Trek: redshirts always die.
Unlike many of the popular misconceptions about the series, the redshirt stereotype does have grounding in the show. Over the course of three seasons in The Original Series, 26 characters wearing red tunics died, as opposed to 15 wearing gold and blue combined. But that trend stopped with the Star Trek movies, and continued to fall away with The Next Generation and the spinoffs that followed.
Why, you ask? Because the costume colors signify a crewman’s role on their particular ship, and the color scheme changed between Tos and Tng.
Although some Trekkies hate to admit it, Star Trek didn’t really have much in the way of canon in its first few episodes.
Unlike many of the popular misconceptions about the series, the redshirt stereotype does have grounding in the show. Over the course of three seasons in The Original Series, 26 characters wearing red tunics died, as opposed to 15 wearing gold and blue combined. But that trend stopped with the Star Trek movies, and continued to fall away with The Next Generation and the spinoffs that followed.
Why, you ask? Because the costume colors signify a crewman’s role on their particular ship, and the color scheme changed between Tos and Tng.
Although some Trekkies hate to admit it, Star Trek didn’t really have much in the way of canon in its first few episodes.
- 2/27/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
There are some hardcore Trekkies in the world who consider Dean Parisot's 1999 comedy to be the best "Star Trek" movie. The main characters in Parisot's film are all struggling actors, still most fondly remembered for their work on a short-lived cult sci-fi series from decades prior. The in-universe show, called "Galaxy Quest," resembles "Star Trek" in several key ways, and the egotistical lead actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), who played the captain of the starship Protector on "Galaxy Quest," was clearly modeled after William Shatner.
The plot of "Galaxy Quest" is amusing: a species of shapeshifting aliens, requiring defense from marauders, recruit the original "Galaxy Quest" actors to serve as their champions. The aliens assumed that rogue TV broadcasts they once saw were very real and have recreated "Galaxy Quest" in real life. The put-upon thespians don't have the heart to explain to the aliens that their show is...
The plot of "Galaxy Quest" is amusing: a species of shapeshifting aliens, requiring defense from marauders, recruit the original "Galaxy Quest" actors to serve as their champions. The aliens assumed that rogue TV broadcasts they once saw were very real and have recreated "Galaxy Quest" in real life. The put-upon thespians don't have the heart to explain to the aliens that their show is...
- 2/27/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Whoopi Goldberg, real name Caryn Elaine Johnson, has come a long way since 1983, when she started her career on stage with her one-woman Spook Show. Since then, she has become an Egot and bagged multiple prominent roles launching her career to success after 1985’s The Color Purple granted her a breakthrough in the industry.
Whoopi Goldberg (@whoopigoldberg | Ig)
One of these prominent roles was none other than that of Guinan in 1987’s critically acclaimed masterpiece series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. But before she even scored the role, Whoopi Goldberg almost lost it for the most ridiculous reason as the creators of the series couldn’t understand why a “movie person” like her would want to join a show like theirs!
Suggested“Not everybody gets a prize”: Whoopi Goldberg Rubs Salt on Barbie Wounds With Brutal Comment on Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Oscar Snub
Whoopi Goldberg Almost...
Whoopi Goldberg (@whoopigoldberg | Ig)
One of these prominent roles was none other than that of Guinan in 1987’s critically acclaimed masterpiece series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. But before she even scored the role, Whoopi Goldberg almost lost it for the most ridiculous reason as the creators of the series couldn’t understand why a “movie person” like her would want to join a show like theirs!
Suggested“Not everybody gets a prize”: Whoopi Goldberg Rubs Salt on Barbie Wounds With Brutal Comment on Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Oscar Snub
Whoopi Goldberg Almost...
- 2/26/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
The background is well-known to Trekkies. Throughout the 1970s, "Star Trek" exploded in popularity. This was thanks largely to some sweet eternal syndication deals, which allowed the series to stay on the air pretty much in perpetuity. In the mid-'70s, "Star Trek" conventions were born, revealing to the world that there was a passionate, ultra-nerdy contingency of Trek fans willing to discuss and celebrate their pop obsession in public. It was at these conventions that series creator Gene Roddenberry opened an ongoing conversation with Trekkies as to what made his series so appealing. One could argue that it wasn't until these conversations that Roddenberry discovered the depth of his show, and the pragmatic philosophies of pacifism and diplomacy it represented.
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the late Spring of 1979, Paramount Pictures' production of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was in big trouble. With a looming release date of December 7 of that year, the film was still struggling to be completed, with the bulk of its visual effects work yet to be even attempted, let alone finished.
In retrospect, given the movie's production history, this was an inevitable problem. Ever since the original "Star Trek" series was cancelled in the summer of 1969, the franchise had experienced a number of stops and starts when it came to being revived. Around the mid-'70s, creator Gene Roddenberry had seemingly set up a script and a production for the show's leap to the big screen, only for Paramount to pivot and seek to turn that work into a proposed reboot of the series back on television, to be known as "Star Trek: Phase II." That show was literal...
In retrospect, given the movie's production history, this was an inevitable problem. Ever since the original "Star Trek" series was cancelled in the summer of 1969, the franchise had experienced a number of stops and starts when it came to being revived. Around the mid-'70s, creator Gene Roddenberry had seemingly set up a script and a production for the show's leap to the big screen, only for Paramount to pivot and seek to turn that work into a proposed reboot of the series back on television, to be known as "Star Trek: Phase II." That show was literal...
- 2/25/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
The "Star Trek" episode "Balance of Terror" features a face-off between the U.S.S. Enterprise and a mysterious Romulan Warbird equipped with a cloaking device. The Romulan Warbird is a flying saucer-like craft with warp engines protruding from either side and a wicked-looking tail fin on the back. It's colored light grey like the Enterprise but sports a painting of a large orange bird on its underside. Most ships on "Star Trek" are solid colors, emblazoned only with identification letters and maybe a racing stripe. Warbirds, with their bird painting, looked like WWII bombers.
The painted Romulan Warbird from the original series is a far cry from the types of ships that the Romulans would be seen piloting in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," set about a century later. On "Next Generation," Romulan Warbirds would be about 10 times larger, solid green, and constricted with outsize bird-like "heads." The wingspan...
The painted Romulan Warbird from the original series is a far cry from the types of ships that the Romulans would be seen piloting in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," set about a century later. On "Next Generation," Romulan Warbirds would be about 10 times larger, solid green, and constricted with outsize bird-like "heads." The wingspan...
- 2/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When "Star Trek" first aired in the late 1960s, it wasn't an overwhelmingly popular hit. When the show was canceled in 1969, it was put into eternal syndication, and it wouldn't be until the mid-1970s that Trekkies would begin to appear in earnest. "Star Trek" conventions started to pop up in hotel ballrooms across the nation, and "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry would occasionally appear at said conventions to discuss his creation with his many fans.
It was during these conversations, really, that Roddenberry began to mentally highlight the messages he put into "Star Trek." Fans, he saw, were responding to Trek's depiction of a world without war and money, a world where diplomacy and exploration took precedence over conquest and acquisition. Many loved the show's diversity.
When it came time to create "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1986, it appeared Roddenberry was eager to shift Trek's themes into overdrive. "Next...
It was during these conversations, really, that Roddenberry began to mentally highlight the messages he put into "Star Trek." Fans, he saw, were responding to Trek's depiction of a world without war and money, a world where diplomacy and exploration took precedence over conquest and acquisition. Many loved the show's diversity.
When it came time to create "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1986, it appeared Roddenberry was eager to shift Trek's themes into overdrive. "Next...
- 2/19/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" was canceled in 1969 and then, 18 years later, the sequel series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" premiered. Reviving canceled shows is standard practice these days, when streaming services have all but replaced network TV and cable. However, the "Star Trek" renaissance was only possible thanks to a feature of that old model of TV: syndication, where a series would be sold for broadcast to multiple different channels.
In a 2007 oral history of "The Next Generation" by Entertainment Weekly, Robert H. Justman (a producer on what's now called "Star Trek: The Original Series") said that syndication reruns of "Tos" were why the suits were interested in a new "Star Trek" series. "[The reruns] just gathered up a whole slew of people who had never seen the show," Justman recalled.
That new "Trek" show ultimately became "The Next Generation." However, it was first conceived of in the late 1970s as "Star Trek: Phase II....
In a 2007 oral history of "The Next Generation" by Entertainment Weekly, Robert H. Justman (a producer on what's now called "Star Trek: The Original Series") said that syndication reruns of "Tos" were why the suits were interested in a new "Star Trek" series. "[The reruns] just gathered up a whole slew of people who had never seen the show," Justman recalled.
That new "Trek" show ultimately became "The Next Generation." However, it was first conceived of in the late 1970s as "Star Trek: Phase II....
- 2/18/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In September of 1987, "Star Trek" returned from a decade-long hiatus on television with a new series meant to give the franchise a somewhat overdue makeover for a more modern age. Nothing could possibly top the adventures of James T. Kirk and Spock from "The Original Series" and its assorted big-screen movies, of course, all of which heralded an idealized vision of our future and created a lasting legacy for several of the most famous characters in all of science fiction. So how could an underdog series like "The Next Generation," starring an entirely new cast and set even further in the future, possibly hope to win over a very loyal and passionate fanbase? Well, the continued involvement of original creator Gene Roddenberry surely couldn't hurt.
Roddenberry's influence on "Trek" as a whole likely only rivals that of George Lucas with "Star Wars," which is saying a lot. Throughout each new television and film adaptation,...
Roddenberry's influence on "Trek" as a whole likely only rivals that of George Lucas with "Star Wars," which is saying a lot. Throughout each new television and film adaptation,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.