Focusing on the Lower Ranks.

[T'Girl]

Ship to ship combat would not be the norm, but there could definitely be some sort of bomber class spacecraft

One idea I had a while ago (which likely would have been too limited) would have been a show that followed a Starfleet fighter squadron during the Dominion War. The squadron would have operated off of a Galaxy class, or possibly a dedicated carrier starship.

 

[Autistoid]

Also, as a quick aside, I know I keep referencing JAG without giving proper references as to what it was. It was an American TV show about a naval officer who investigated situations of a legal nature. He started out as a Lieutenant, often going out in to the field, or working with front line officers and units, or those in the States on bases. Lots of travel, in other words. The dynamic was good in that the interaction was between the main male lead (Lt. Rabb) and his partner (a Navy Lt first and then a Marine Major) as well as a junior officer (Lt. JG) and the various enlisted supporting personnel. The dynamic was quite good, as each one had particular strengths and skills. A similar dynamic can be seen in NCIS (same producer).

Well what I was imaging was not keeping the concept limited to one team or crew type.

The problem with jag is that it's always legal. With only 12 episodes a season sticking to one cast or department wouldn't happen.

If there was a jag episode it's likely be linked to several other episode types.

An engineering episode where a crew must investigate the meltdown of a ship. Spend time exploring the ship and examine issues that surround actual real life engineering.

One of the gags would be that no one person actually understands the big picture, and that the ship's chief engineer must rely on a load of midshipman to actually get work done.

I.e. Life support specialist would know nothing about a warp core.

The guys sent in hazmat suits (risking life and limb) must trust in the expertise on a material science specialist back on board the ship.


Ep2 The episode following this would have the hazmat specialist in different stages of recovery(after being beyond the grave) in sickbay, as we explore modern medical techniques and issues a person would feel after being risen from the dead.

Ep3 the third episode in this ark would have a non bridge senior officer being court marshaled for making poor decisions. (including a great deal about his, after work activities cough cough green alien well you know)

Ep4 in the same ark, would have one of the hazmat specialist getting illegal genetic engineering done to help complete the recovery from ep1. This would deal with the ethic of banning genetic engineering, and the future of life extension, augments, etc.

Ep5 in this ark, would have the involvement of starfleet intelligence. As the crew of the Icarus is sent to shut down genetic engineering facilities in the Secatfos system. Leading to a flight of scientist who believe that they can become gods with the power of genetic engineering.

Ep6 a ambitious junior officer is recruited to section 31. Due his species neurology is involved in a plot to destroy the work of these fleeing scientists.

Ep7 After one of the fleeing scientists vessels have been neutralized, a team must investigate the cause of the ships meltdown. Upon boarding they find out the ship has engineered defense system.

Ep8 The crew learn that the defense system of the ship was infact installed by a section 31 operative, which ties the group to the Tal Shiar.

Ep9 One of the junior officers is capture by the Tal Shiar along with a circle of much higher ranking Star Fleet officials.


Again as I said before these people are lower ranks, not the absolute bottom. I think if you believe in the starfleet universe it is no stretch to belive many on board have unique specializations.

 

[fireproof78]

Well what I was imaging was not keeping the concept limited to one team or crew type.

The problem with jag is that it's always legal. With only 12 episodes a season sticking to one cast or department wouldn't happen.

If there was a jag episode it's likely be linked to several other episode types.

An engineering episode where a crew must investigate the meltdown of a ship. Spend time exploring the ship and examine issues that surround actual real life engineering.

One of the gags would be that no one person actually understands the big picture, and that the ship's chief engineer must rely on a load of midshipman to actually get work done.

I.e. Life support specialist would know nothing about a warp core.

The guys sent in hazmat suits (risking life and limb) must trust in the expertise on a material science specialist back on board the ship.


[Episode Sumaries Here]


Again as I said before these people are lower ranks, not the absolute bottom. I think if you believe in the starfleet universe it is no stretch to belive many on board have unique specializations.

A quick aside, while JAG often did a lot of legal stuff, there was plenty of commentary on current events (from a military perspective) and the main character could be a bit of jack-of-all trades. It was not always a legal procedural.

Secondly, I think the above idea of not keeping it to one department or crew begs the question of what format this show would be. As much I'm trying to follow your concept, it feels very episodic and that even from episode to episode the cast is different. If I'm incorrect, then please let me know, but right now I'm a big confused

My point being, does this team of have a leader? Is there a main cast, or will it change. If it changes, how do you introduce the new characters to the audience in a manner that connects them with the audience?

Ship to ship combat would not be the norm, but there could definitely be some sort of bomber class spacecraft

One idea I had a while ago (which likely would have been too limited) would have been a show that followed a Starfleet fighter squadron during the Dominion War. The squadron would have operated off of a Galaxy class, or possibly a dedicated carrier starship.

This is one of my favorite concepts and one that I wrote in a recent RP I have been a part of for years. I know that DS9 had the Peregrine class fighters in several battles, but we never saw the pilots.

There are several Starfleet pilot concept uniforms and insignia out there that I like.

 

[Autistoid]

Secondly, I think the above idea of not keeping it to one department or crew begs the question of what format this show would be. As much I'm trying to follow your concept, it feels very episodic and that even from episode to episode the cast is different. If I'm incorrect, then please let me know, but right now I'm a big confused

My point being, does this team of have a leader? Is there a main cast, or will it change. If it changes, how do you introduce the new characters to the audience in a manner that connects them with the audience?
[/QUOTE]
That's the basic idea. A recurring role as a lead cast member would be based on how someones performance was.

It would have a strong episodic format, blended with arks.

I like the idea that episodes can be viewed out of order yet still relatively easy enough to reconstruct the plot line. It'd also allow the killing off of characters and still keeping them in the series. HBO's From earth to the moon is a series that capitalizes on this. Additionally you could have a form of pseudo time travel with arks that can span over different time periods.

The mechanism would also allow for a much higher quality of actor to be used. As they aren't as much working for a paycheck, but are auditioning to be a full time cast member. This is something DS9 was a master of doing. When you factor in make up, can give you endless possibilities.

That being said I think if I had to choose a number there would be 10 new cast members in the first season. With each member getting there own lead in one of the 12 episodes.

Keep in mind the value of having midlevel and juniors crewmen is that you can rotate characters to where the action is, that coincides with a logical progression in a characters career.

I.E. What you have a background in engineering, well we need to get you onto the hazmat team.

 

[fireproof78]

That's the basic idea. A recurring role as a lead cast member would be based on how someones performance was.

It would have a strong episodic format, blended with arks.

I like the idea that episodes can be viewed out of order yet still relatively easy enough to reconstruct the plot line. It'd also allow the killing off of characters and still keeping them in the series. HBO's From earth to the moon is a series that capitalizes on this. Additionally you could have a form of pseudo time travel with arks that can span over different time periods.

The mechanism would also allow for a much higher quality of actor to be used. As they aren't as much working for a paycheck, but are auditioning to be a full time cast member. This is something DS9 was a master of doing. When you factor in make up, can give you endless possibilities.

That being said I think if I had to choose a number there would be 10 new cast members in the first season. With each member getting there own lead in one of the 12 episodes.

Keep in mind the value of having midlevel and juniors crewmen is that you can rotate characters to where the action is, that coincides with a logical progression in a characters career.

I.E. What you have a background in engineering, well we need to get you onto the hazmat team.

I have never been a fan of rotating casts on TV shows. Game of Thrones is infamous for that, as well as other HBO productions, and I personally cannot get in to that type of production.

I prefer consistent cast members, or semi-consistent, rather than fluid or different every episode. Not saying your concept can't work, but it is not one that I am inclined to watch or enjoy.

That said, I think the concept of working with lower ranks could work, perhaps along the lines of Hazard Team in Elite Force. I don't think the focus needs to be always on the bridge crew or command staff, but the multi-purpose team, who can provide escort services to diplomats, or rescue stranded individuals, would be an interesting take.

 

[Autistoid]

I have never been a fan of rotating casts on TV shows. Game of Thrones is infamous for that, as well as other HBO productions, and I personally cannot get in to that type of production.

I prefer consistent cast members, or semi-consistent, rather than fluid or different every episode. Not saying your concept can't work, but it is not one that I am inclined to watch or enjoy.

That said, I think the concept of working with lower ranks could work, perhaps along the lines of Hazard Team in Elite Force. I don't think the focus needs to be always on the bridge crew or command staff, but the multi-purpose team, who can provide escort services to diplomats, or rescue stranded individuals, would be an interesting take.

Well be clear those shows are extremely successful which makes it a convincing argument that they would make a nutrek more financially viable then less.

That being said, GofT goes to the extreme. Killing off a continuing pattern of the most popular characters is the reason I stopped watching the show.

It's not so much killing off characters that is needed, it's the resurrection of characters when they clearly would die that is the problem.

If you get assimilated by the borg your dead, bullshit deux machina solutions ruin trek imo.

All the same I think removing characters would be more about getting a better cast than having non at all.

Over time characters would be allowed to develop and achieve more permanent status on the show.

Think Garak, Martok, Gul Dukat, Damar and weyunne on DS9. Some of the best characters in all of trek yet they were initially just guest stars.

 

[fireproof78]

I have never been a fan of rotating casts on TV shows. Game of Thrones is infamous for that, as well as other HBO productions, and I personally cannot get in to that type of production.

I prefer consistent cast members, or semi-consistent, rather than fluid or different every episode. Not saying your concept can't work, but it is not one that I am inclined to watch or enjoy.

That said, I think the concept of working with lower ranks could work, perhaps along the lines of Hazard Team in Elite Force. I don't think the focus needs to be always on the bridge crew or command staff, but the multi-purpose team, who can provide escort services to diplomats, or rescue stranded individuals, would be an interesting take.

Well be clear those shows are extremely successful which makes it a convincing argument that they would make a nutrek more financially viable then less.

That being said, GofT goes to the extreme. Killing off a continuing pattern of the most popular characters is the reason I stopped watching the show.

It's not so much killing off characters that is needed, it's the resurrection of characters when they clearly would die that is the problem.

If you get assimilated by the borg your dead, bullshit deux machina solutions ruin trek imo.

All the same I think removing characters would be more about getting a better cast than having non at all.

Over time characters would be allowed to develop and achieve more permanent status on the show.

Think Garak, Martok, Gul Dukat, Damar and weyunne on DS9. Some of the best characters in all of trek yet they were initially just guest stars.

That is true of many TV shows, and is part of their evolution. My wife is a huge fan of Dr. Quinn and many people who became secondary characters started out as guest roles as other characters. M*A*S*H had a similar thing with Harry Morgan who guest starred in a season 3 episode.

Yes, GoT takes it too far, and that's fine if it works for them. It doesn't work for me and doesn't interest me. Same thing with a Star Trek show. You can rotate supporting cast members, or even replace some of the primary ones after I get to know the main characters, or the dynamics of the world.

Also, at least for my part, I don't necessarily see rotating different members as a possibility of getting a better cast. If the dynamic is not working, then by all means, change it up. But just random change, as realistic as that is, doesn't not make me invested in the characters. Well, it depends on the characters, but as a rule, it is difficult for me, and I'm someone is able to read in to people like Captain' Robau's motivation and he has, what, 10 minutes of screen time?

Again, I like the mid-level idea, but I think it needs to have a strong, consistent lead, who can provide the anchor, at least for the first season.