There was a lot of pressure from Paramount on VOY and ENT to try to copy the huge success of TNG and prop up UPN. That's why they often fell into rehashing TNG plots, instead of mining their own potentially interesting premises for stories. Its a shame Star Trek has been bereft of interesting sci-fi ideas for so long. I don't hate the JJ movies but they have continued a slide into action cliche's that started with the TNG films. While they are technically well made and well cast they pretty much follow the summer blockbuster formula of cashing in on a established brand name with a CGI destruction porn epic. Star Trek can be so much more and it pains me that no one involved in the franchise right now seems to understand that.
That bothers me as well, to an extent. I said it in the poll thread, but I think they have the perfect setup for more creative stories now because: They are using their budget appropriately for set and costume design. I think it is actually a good move that in both movies, when they decide to go into a hazardous environment, they are wearing space suits. If they would have had those in TOS or TNG (and, of course, a bigger set budget), they could have done some really cool away missions that didn't need to involve someone getting shot, kidnapped, or talkin' bout the plot with a tricorder in hand. I would also note that classic space battles are non un-Star Trek to me. It's unlikely they're going to do something cerebral in the next movie because TMP is regarded poorly (although I don't think that's fair) and because the last time they tried to do it was in part 5. I wouldn't mind seeing a movie at least partly focused on the looming threat of war with the Klingons (or whoever) if they played their cards right and don't do it DS9 style. There are two story types they can't go wrong with: a ship to ship duel or maybe even a contest of wits and intrigue (like in "The Defector"), or an exploratory mission where their technology isn't enough to solve the mystery. Those cerebral TNG episodes are still some of the best because it made the different characters (well, mostly Data, let's be honest) have to put their talents on display.
Well with George Takei wanting a trek return (recent news story here), what about a series showing the later days of the Ent-B and early days of the Ent-C with a semi regular appearance of a certain Admiral Sulu? There's a big chunk of time there we know very little about. Takei would be too old now for a Captain Sulu series, but as a semi regular Admiral I could see it working. Though of course they'd still need compelling story lines, characters etc.
There's definitely a lot of potential in the new movies, they have all the elements in place, actors, special effects, production design etc. They're just missing a decent script. It will interesting to see where Bob Orci and company decide to go with it. We know that the new movie will take place during the five year mission of exploration that was alluded to in ITD. There's the potential for a good sci-fi plot without the tired Star Trek tropes. But like you said, a high concept sci-fi plot hasn't been tried in the movie franchise since ST:5 and I doubt they'll go that route. They will still be beholden to the Hollywood blockbuster formula because of studio and general audience expectations. The best we can hope for is probably the "contest of wits and intrigue" with an interesting adversary. A return to those cerebral stories that TNG did so well will probably have to wait for a new TV series.
How about a throwback to TOS, though more in-line with Vanguard, wherein rather than focus on a single ship let it be more on the sector of space they are in. The main characters could then be spread across several ships/bases/colonies and not be the traditional senior staff group, though they'd be connected in various ways--especially as plots started to develop and events started to unfold over the run. Part of the focus could be on the ones appointed to lead the new expedition into the sector; a Federation Commissioner (a young and idealistic civilian, looking out for the good that the UFP can do and hoping to expand its connections and sway with the indigenous races, whilst wary of the militaristic nature of Starfleet) and a Starfleet Admiral (an old warhorse who has spent years in the trenches and has had their fill of overly-pampered bureaucrats). A very obvious "odd couple", but could lend itself to some interesting story-telling as they butt heads about the purpose of Starfleet and the position of it within the UFP, as well as having someone not in uniform ultimately being the one who calls the shots. There is then a lot of scope for an ensemble of civilians and Starfleeters, as well as representing the wagon train to the stars, the armed fort, and the hardy homesteaders looking to settle the wilderness. It would also be a good way to establish some other races, so rather than have alien-of-the-week the focus could be on the establish inhabitants of the region, fleshing them out and exploring strange new elements of their cultures. Greater emphasis on the sense of adventure and character development/growth, not the overly-complex technobabble. Just a thought.
I can't remember which thread I mentioned this in, but I agree with the idea of colonization and expansion, with more of a frontier type of a feel, and not necessarily other political forces out to stop them. It could be more of a colony effort, with the ship serving as a means to explore more, first the local star system, as well as bringing back resources or artifacts for research.
I think a good idea for Trek would be something like the Titan. We can't really go back because we know what's going to happen. The Titan novel series had a good idea but I dont think it would work putting Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis back on the screen again, they are getting too old but the main characters of their own Trek show. I would suggest something that is post Nemesis: Since the Dominion War the Federation has been rebuilding and now want to go back to their old primary mission of exploration and boldly going into deep space and the show would be based on the newest flag ship of exploration commanded by a man who is interested in exploring the galaxy. However there are a number of people in Starfleet who have changed their views since the war and are only interested in defending Earth and the Federation. One of these people will be the first officer of this ship and he and the Captain will clash over their views but over the course of the series they will gain a mutual respect for each other. Their crew would consist of many different species, and while they are exploring space they will encounter species who have the view of the Federation being an all conquering force that just want to defeat everyone, and it will be the Captain's job to change their views on the Federation.
The reason I'm in favor of a colony or a sector of space - anything with multiple viewpoints - is because Trek has grown so much since TNG first came on. They simply couldn't do anything too different from TOS and hope to have any credibility. Now there is so much of an established universe that you don't need to use a single ship to be so important.
In any given episode? Of course we don't, other than the Dominion War time period a show would have near nothing to do with any previous series, even if set during the exact same time, space (and the Federation) are vast. A new series set during TOS wouldn't have to have anything to do with Kirk and the Enterprise's adventures. You need a base, a focus, for the stories. So you do need a cast of prime characters for the stories to center on.
Agreed In my opinion, Robau is one of the best aspects of Trek 09, and that is speaking as someone who things that is one of the best Trek films currently made. There is such a presence to him, that if you gave me a Prime setting show with Robau in the center seat, I would be all for it.
Nothing in the way off future. Something within the Enterprise B time frame. Or maybe with the academy and a ship on missions, with a crew of cadets and officers
NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! If they do actually reboot it (instead of a limp-wristed 'alternate timeline') then reboot the crap out of it. Be daring and take risks with it, I'd support that more than just hiring 'attractive' new actors and (literally) having flashy special effects (yup another poke at lens flare, for as long as they're going to give me headaches then I'm going to call the PTB on it).
I don't see how the reboot they did wasn't ballsy enough. I mean they destroyed one of the primary planets of the Federation and set up the story to begin a five year mission. There's no limit to what they could do from here.
Similar to the exploration of androids in TNG and holograms in VOY, I think it would be nifty as hell if a new Trek series explored (as a constant companion) dead people. I don't mean simulated dead people, but actual dead people - who aren't actually dead, due to what has become a routine and accepted technology that allows the living to crossover into another existence once their biology can no longer sustain their consciousness. TNG touched on this in The Schizoid Man and then seemed to just wave it away, but it seems to me that once space (room) and resources are no longer an issue, sustaining life would truly become a much more pragmatic goal. I think it would also be interesting if these life prolonging technologies manifested in multiple forms - some would have android bodies and many more might exist merely as conscious data in a self-contained environment, as in Ship In A Bottle. Biological life forms might interact with them through a holographic wall screen whenever they chose. I'm not suggesting that these technologies should be the focus of a new Trek series, but I think it would open up a lot of interesting story lines - the same way that android and holographic technologies did for previous series.
There is concern that a series set later in the millennium may have tech that is too magical. It seems to me that Federation tech reached a sort of transition period in the late 24th century-on the verge of magic, with holodecks, replicators, Soong androids, etc. There may be room for drama/social commentary when such technologies just begin to appear, but are not yet mature enough, or widespread enough, to radically change society. I recall an article written by a science fiction writer ("How to Build the Future" by John Barnes) who wanted his universe to still be recognizable after a period of centuries. His solution was the Inward Turn, in the aftermath of World War III (or was that World War IV?); society emphasizes pursuits other than engineering/technology. So, could Federation tech essentially be frozen-more or less-in this transitional period? Consider aviation between the Wright brothers' first flight and World War I. Yes, the planes were workable aircraft, but not ready to transform society. On the other hand, the first practical steam engine had appeared a couple centuries before, so it was a well established technology before the Wright brothers flew. Thinking about the devastation described in the novels, inflicted by the Borg, a number of planets being rendered desolate. Star Fleet having been decimated by the end of the Dominion War. Death tolls in the tens of billions. Vast numbers of refugees. Federation resources being stretched to the breaking point. Reverting from a post-scarcity economy to a time of shortages/poverty. Under such circumstances, it may be difficult to maintain the bleeding edge technology that existed by the end of the TNG/DS9/VOY series. And presumably there would be little in the way of resources to develop new technology. Sounds like, say, Japan at the end of World War II. Country devastated, few resources. However, another comparison would be with American history-there was a civil war that devestated the South, but in the aftermath of war there was a big frontier. A region where people could go to and start new lives.