News coming 8/10?

[M-Red]

Just like ENT, they'll start off with good intentions but they'll get boxed in and fuck up everything.

The inherent problem with prequels is that audiences already know the outcome of the broader saga. So with that in mind, prequels must be absolutely excellent with detailing and execution. When that doesn't happen, writers will just retcon pre-established lore and people just ignore it, at best.

With Trek, this problem is amplified by a factor of infinity.

Which is a lot.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Screw canon...I just hope it's good

 

[JeffinOakland]

Just like ENT, they'll start off with good intentions but they'll get boxed in and fuck up everything.

The inherent problem with prequels is that audiences already know the outcome of the broader saga. So with that in mind, prequels must be absolutely excellent with detailing and execution. When that doesn't happen, writers will just retcon pre-established lore and people just ignore it, at best.

With Trek, this problem is amplified by a factor of infinity.

Which is a lot.

Wah wah then don't watch it. Problem solved.

 

[The Wormhole]

But it's hard to care about any of it if it makes no sense within the bounds of the Trek universe.

Only if you choose to be limited by the "bounds of the Trek universe." That sounds restrictive.

 

[BillJ]

Just like ENT, they'll start off with good intentions but they'll get boxed in and fuck up everything.

Or just imagine it as its own universe...

 

[M-Red]

A post-TUC/pre-TNG prequel possessed, by far, the most latitude for creators to maneuver. That era was a blank slate that could have blended elements from both powerhouse franchises.

An immediate-prequel to TOS better be earth-shattering with characterization and basically needs to be a variation of VOY's plot -- kick them across the galaxy so they can breathe and create.

Keep them in the mix of what we already know is (and more importantly -- ISN'T) possible, and the show basically exists to preach social and political messages to its own choir.

I hope it's a quality show. I'm very underwhelmed now though.

 

[Kelthaz]

Just like ENT, they'll start off with good intentions but they'll get boxed in and fuck up everything.

The inherent problem with prequels is that audiences already know the outcome of the broader saga. So with that in mind, prequels must be absolutely excellent with detailing and execution. When that doesn't happen, writers will just retcon pre-established lore and people just ignore it, at best.

With Trek, this problem is amplified by a factor of infinity.

Which is a lot.

Agreed. The individual stories can be great, but a prequel kills the hope of interesting world building. You can't do something like have Cardassia collapse and join the Dominion or destroy Romulus or introduce a terrifying new threat like the Borg that fundamentally changes the Federation. All you can do is fill in the gaps, and that's less exciting.

 

[Trek16]

I hope they would be willing to kill off characters as even if it's a midquel/prequel, all the main characters of this show are new, so their fates are unknown.

 

[ItIsGreen]

Seriously? Entertainment begins with canon, but canon is not the limit. And if jettisoning canon serve the story, then jettison the canon. True creativity only exists unfettered anyway, I do not need or want the chains of canon holding this show back.

In my head I totally agree with you, but in my heart I know in the past I've been a canon pedant. I've been the guy that goes "well in season 2 episode 17 so-and-so says this, but in season 3 episode 6 they do that, which not only contradicts what so-and-so said, but negates the whole premise of the episode" etc etc. I've also given Enterprise shit for messing with the canon, so I can see why some people are trepdiatious about it. I do think it needs to change and grow to stay relevant though, and as @BillJ says, as long as the broad strokes are there I'll do my best to roll with it and keep my inner pedant under control.

 

[BillJ]

An immediate-prequel to TOS better be earth-shattering with characterization and basically needs to be a variation of VOY's plot -- kick them across the galaxy so they can breathe and create.

Space is frickin' huge. They will have no issues doing their own thing and intertwining with TOS where appropriate. The universe isn't just six meters bigger than the USS Enterprise. Honestly, TOS didn't deal with too many threats that effected the Federation all at once.

 

[Spider]

Agreed. The individual stories can be great, but a prequel kills the hope of interesting world building. You can't do something like have Cardassia collapse and join the Dominion or destroy Romulus or introduce a terrifying new threat like the Borg that fundamentally changes the Federation. All you can do is fill in the gaps, and that's less exciting.

I think all that depends on how good the writers are.

 

[The Wormhole]

I've also given Enterprise shit for messing with the canon,

Enterprise's problem wasn't that it messed with the canon, it's that it did so for no good reason. Did the show really need a Ferengi episode?

 

[JWPlatt]

The universe isn't just six meters bigger than the USS Enterprise.

In one episode of TNG, it actually was smaller than the Enterprise (sorta).

 

[nx1701g]

Just like ENT, they'll start off with good intentions but they'll get boxed in and fuck up everything.

The inherent problem with prequels is that audiences already know the outcome of the broader saga. So with that in mind, prequels must be absolutely excellent with detailing and execution. When that doesn't happen, writers will just retcon pre-established lore and people just ignore it, at best.

With Trek, this problem is amplified by a factor of infinity.

Which is a lot.

Simple solution though: we have NEVER heard of the Discovery before. For all we know they were involved with a critical event I the history of the Federation or, maybe, something we thought happened one way happened completely differently and the Discovery was involved.

 

[BillJ]

Enterprise's problem wasn't that it messed with the canon, it's that it did so for no good reason. Did the show really need a Ferengi episode?

The show wasn't engaging early on.

 

[BillJ]

In one episode of TNG, it actually was smaller than the Enterprise (sorta).

"Remember Me"

 

[M-Red]

@BillJ -- your points are well taken and I hope you're right. I hope it's creative and interesting and it respects and contributes to what's come before it.

I've hoped for that before though. We'll see.

But TOS didn't really deal with threats to the Federation for a reason. With a name like Discovery, I was hoping this one's main focus wouldn't either. Again, we'll see.

 

[The Wormhole]

The show wasn't engaging early on.

The first season actually is better than people generally give it credit for. Certainly not a great show, but not bad for a modern Trek's first season. The second season was awful.

Enterprise really had the problem of not doing anything with any of its interesting storyline. The conflict with the Vulcans and Andorians only got two episodes in the first season when that could have easily been the season's entire story arc.

 

[Kelso]

TOS dealt with threats to the Federation all the time.

 

[Trek16]

a bit more info
-Willing to bring in existing characters besides Spock's mom. Young Dr. McCoy is possible but no plans for him yet
-style of sets, makeup and effects will be updated for 2016
-Section 31 may be an element of new series
-New aliens and reimagining of existing aliens.

from AICN