The Star Trek Phase II Writer's/Directors' Guide is here: http://www.ti-elvis.com/Phase2WritersGuide.html We've toyed with the idea of having Brion undergo "reprogramming" to make him gay. We're not sure what the LGBT community would think of us reprogramming a character's sexual orientation. (Presumably if the LGBT community thinks it's wrong to "fix" a LGBT character to make him straight, they would also have problems with a straight character being "fixed" to mak him gay. But we wanted to stand it on its head to see how it looks.) Mostly it's all theoretical. With "Kitumba," "The Protracted Man," "Mind-Sifter," and "Bread and Savagery" pretty much in the can in post-production and with "Troublesome Minds" and "The Holiest Thing" in pre-production, and with a release from us about one a year, we probably won't have to worry about any potential Brion Freeman Star Trek Phase II story lines for quite a while. Love interest deaths/break-ups in Star Trek: Gary Mitchell/Elizabeth Dehner Leonard Mcoy/"Nancy Crater" Janice Rand/Charlie Evans Mister Spock/Christine Chapel Angela Martine/Robert Tomlinson Christine Chapel/Roger Korby James Kirk/Lenore Karidian James Kirk/Areel Shaw Khan Noonia Singh/Marla McGivers Mister Spock/Leila Kalomi James Kirk/Edith Keeler George Samuel Kirk/Aurelan Kirk Mister Spock/T'Pring Carolyn Palamas/Apollo James Kirk/Shayna Tyree/Nona James Kirk/Kelinda Mister Spock/The Romulan Commander Kirok/Miramanee Lawrence Marvick/Miranda Jones James Kirk/Deela James Kirk/Elaan, Dohlman of Elaas James Kirk/Marta the Orion Girl James Kirk/Odonna Pavel Chekov/Irina Galliuin James Kirk/Reena Kapeck Mister Spock/Droxine Mister Spock/Zarabeth James Kirk/Janice Lester Relationships we really don't know what happened to: James Kirk/Helen Noel? Angeline Martine-Teller/Esteban Rodriquez? Carolyn Palamas/Montgomery Scott? Pavel Chekov/Martha Landon? James Kirk/Dr. Janet Wallace? Leonard McCoy/Natira? Montgomery Scott/Mira Romaine?
I just watched the 10 min clip. I thought that it was well done for the most part. The lighting and effects were nice. I LOVED the refit scenes of the ship. That said, I was honestly bored out of my mind with the long winded service and speeches. I'm a big fan of an engaging story with good dialogue and do not need constant action and conflict like most ADD people now-a-days, but this clip wasn't very engaging. Meh- I guess I'm not going to like everything and in the end, but it's still really good series that I'm glad people are taking the time to put together for us! I'm just giving my honest opinion on the clip. I also really liked that the concept starbase was used. That was super cool. I would like to see the concept Reliant with the nacelles above it's hull too... And more nudity. Women though- I'm biased on that one.
It's not 100% true to the concept (e.g., rollbar instead of two separate torpedo packs), but Tobias Richter's (the artist behind the new effects) company actually did something like that many years ago: http://www.thelightworks.com/images/pics/ref_illustration/trek_barrier_wall.jpg And while you're at it, check out that site in general to see the experience he and his company can contribute to the series.
Yes, the vignette is too long and plodding with nothing but talking heads. It probably shoud have been shorter by half. Even the shot-for-shot re-do of the Enterprise leaving drydock from The Wrath of Khan is just too long. The shots of the Enterprise leaving the asteroid/drydock is an homage to a drawing done in 1976 by Ralph McQuarrie: And yes, we need more naked women in our productions. As the Co-Executive Producer, my casting couch is wide open.
I think I'd re-categorize that slightly: One-direction crushes Janice Rand/Charlie Evans Mister Spock/Christine Chapel James Kirk, Manipulator, but will "explain this Earth thing called kissing" James Kirk/Lenore Karidian James Kirk/Kelinda James Kirk/Shayna James Kirk/Deela James Kirk/Marta the Orion Girl Under duress/chemical manipulation James Kirk/Elaan, Dohlman of Elaas Only cuz we have to Mister Spock/T'Pring Mutual Interest Gary Mitchell/Elizabeth Dehner Leonard Mcoy/"Nancy Crater" Angela Martine/Robert Tomlinson Christine Chapel/Roger Korby James Kirk/Areel Shaw Khan Noonia Singh/Marla McGivers Mister Spock/Leila Kalomi James Kirk/Edith Keeler George Samuel Kirk/Aurelan Kirk Carolyn Palamas/Apollo Tyree/Nona Mister Spock/The Romulan Commander Kirok/Miramanee Lawrence Marvick/Miranda Jones James Kirk/Odonna Pavel Chekov/Irina Galliuin James Kirk/Reena Kapeck Mister Spock/Droxine Mister Spock/Zarabeth James Kirk/Janice Lester
Did Dr. McCoy have two love intrests, I remember two, the salt vanpire, and the woman on the astoriod.... as far as ST TOS. Help me Ronda....
There's an additional and interesting layer to at least three of these instances. Lenore Karidian, Queen Deela, and Marta were all manipulating Kirk, too. In fact, Lenore really had the upper hand, because Kirk never seemed to suspect her, but rather only suspected her father. In these instances, the females are anything but vulnerable objects to the Kirkness. Sex was used as a weapon on both sides. Arguably, Spock/Romulan Commander falls into this category too, even though they apparently really did fall for each other.
Well, pretty much any way your slice it, 33-year-old Kirk hooking up with 19-year-old Lenore Karidian--for whatever reason--is a little creepy.
I liked it and am looking forward to seeing how the new Cap'n works out. It did take me a while to figure out who was supposed to be speaking at the start. He sounded like a teenager and I didn't feel the strength I should have when seeing Kirk talk his way out of command orders. There was a lack of gravitas there. Still, I'll give myself time to get used to him, I'm sure he'll be fine. Took me a bit to get used to James Cawley, too and he had the tougher job of fighting the Shatner image. Like taking over for Sean Connery. Roger Moore had it easier than George Lazenby. Really liked the new Enterprise. Arex was cool to see, but unless you really can get him to look realistic, I'd be okay with you dropping him. We've got like a half dozen episodes to see before the new version kicks in, it feels like, but I'm looking forward to it.
If i'm not mistaken there were holographic ships in the original script. Might we see them in this episode? How faithful is it to the original script?
From my observations regarding Kirk and women, I think the only two females Kirk fell in love with were Edith Keeler (City of the Edge of Forever) and Miramanee (The Paradise Syndrome). All the others were strategic moves by the good captain. If a man got between Kirk and the Enterprise, he'd knock him out. But if a women came between the captain and his ship, Kirk tried a kinder, gentler approach. And if that didn't work, the captain knocked her out (equal opportunity and all that). There's a telling scene in "The Mark of Gideon" when Odona interrupts Kirk's flirtations by stating he must be worried about the rest of his crew since they're nowhere to be found on the Enterprise. Shatner's face changes from "come hither" to an expression of anger, then back to the look before. I always thought that explained a lot about Kirk's "womanizing." It was a strategy, not an attempt to take his boots off. But hey, that's just me....
I think the original contention was that "most of the love stories in Star Trek end in death or a break up." I think Captain Kirk said it best: "I mean, it's not a one-way street, you know--how you feel and that's all. It's how the girl feels, too." Except for Edith Keeler and Miramanee, all others might well have been strategic moves on Kirk's part. But a "love story" includes someone who might well have been in love with the captain--even if that love wasn't genuinely reciprocated and even if he was simply toying with them or manipulating them.
Back to the subject of Arex, what tools were used to create him and "insert" him into the shot? Maya, LightWave, After Effects...Poser? (Just kidding about that last one. I know that's a "dirty word" in high-end CG circles.) Sincerely, Bill
I'm glad Phase II went through with the refit concept, I was disappointed when it was reported they were going to listen to the detractors and stick with the original design (though I like the changes they've made to the refit since they first unveiled the concept). This is part of what is great about Phase II: They go to the utmost lengths to strive for authenticity, but aren't afraid to go in new directions and push the boundaries some of us have erected around Star Trek, be it in story or imagery. Cawley will be missed, but I look forward to the new Kirk.
I take issue with calling all those who recommended against going with a refit Enterprise "detractors".