News Star Trek: Discovery – Adhering To Canon

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A new news article has been published at TrekToday:

Showrunners Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts are aware of the need to be mindful of canon when producing Star Trek: Discovery. Because...

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[Jackson_Roykirk]

From the article:

"...Because of this, there are things that will not be seen on the show, they said in a new interview with Slate, including Romulans, because the original series Balance of Terror was the Federation’s first face-to-face encounter with them..."
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Hmmm. It seems to me that Romulans could still be seen by us, the audience. I'm thinking of an episode that has two concurrent stories that take place in two separate places -- On the Discovery/within the Federation AND taking place on Romulus/a Romulan ship.

We could see the Romulans talking about their attitudes and perceptions toward the Federation while we see the concurrent story in which we hear the Federation's attitudes and perceptions concerning the Romulans. Maybe the story includes an event that binds the two concurrent stories (and gives each story a reason to be happening concurrently), but there would be no direct interaction between the two stories.

An episode like that could be laying the groundwork for the later TOS and TNG episodes in which the Federation and Romulans DID interact.

 

[Kor]

We got enough of the Romulans in ENT.

Kor

 

[Tenacity]

We certainly got enough of the Klingons in the 24th century, yet we're stuck with them in Discovery. So the Romulans? Yeah just another old tired species that's been used to death.

 

[Tuskin38]

Called it with that Romulan part.

 

[Mudd]

Canon is the least important fucking thing in entertainment.

 

[BillJ]

Canon is the least important fucking thing in entertainment.

I can't agree more. Tell entertaining stories and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Nyotarules]

The creators of Star Trek were not slaves to canon, neither should the creators of Discovery.

 

[BillJ]

The creators of Star Trek were not slaves to canon, neither should the creators of Discovery.

Sounds like they are.

 

[Tuskin38]

If they didn't want to be slaves to canon they should have made it a full reboot.

It is their fault.

Whats the point of the lore if you ignore it?

 

[Dar70]

The creators of Star Trek were not slaves to canon, neither should the creators of Discovery.

There was no established Canon yet. They remained generally within the parameters of what they set the entire 3 years.

 

[starmike]

The creators of Star Trek were not slaves to canon, neither should the creators of Discovery.

Not exactly true. Past episodes were referenced in both TOS and TAS, and to an extent, TNG.

 

[cultcross]

Sounds like they are.

Except, as you've pointed out yourself on multiple occasions, they're clearly not. This attempting to have their cake and eat it is bizarre. Just go with what Fuller said right away, reimagining, not strictly adherent to canon except in the broad strokes, it's 2017 not 1967, get over it.

 

[Mr Awe]

The creators of Star Trek were not slaves to canon, neither should the creators of Discovery.

They're treating it as a creative challenge, just like the novelists. And there are plenty of excellent Trek novels that work within the bounds of canon but create fresh new stories.

 

[BillJ]

Not exactly true. Past episodes were referenced in both TOS and TAS, and to an extent, TNG.

That's not being a slave to canon, that's using the toys in the toy box.

 

[BillJ]

They're treating it as a creative challenge, just like the novelists. And there are plenty of excellent Trek novels that work within the bounds of canon but create fresh new stories.

Actually, the more they've attempted that, the less I've enjoyed them. To the point I finally dropped out. I know it is personal preference, but I like Trek that tells the best story possible, or tells the same story from two or three different angles (First Contact, "Federation", "Strangers from the Sky").

I want to be entertained, this isn't some kind of religion.

 

[Tuskin38]

Except, as you've pointed out yourself on multiple occasions, they're clearly not. This attempting to have their cake and eat it is bizarre. Just go with what Fuller said right away, reimagining, not strictly adherent to canon except in the broad strokes, it's 2017 not 1967, get over it.

Fuller also said it was in the prime universe, so he started this.

 

[starmike]

That's not being a slave to canon, that's using the toys in the toy box.

Eh, maybe, early on, but they did have someone working for the show that kept logs of plot points.

 

[Smoked Salmon]

Canon is the least important fucking thing in entertainment.

To you. Some of us find value in the care and attention that goes in to creating a cohesive world, which has certainly been mostly the case in Star Trek despite occasional canon goofs here and there.

Simply because you don't care about canon doesn't mean others shouldn't and it doesn't mean those that do should be admonished and lectured as to why they are wrong.

Personally I am delighted that they are going to the effort of staying true to canon and I hope that carries over to the Klingons in terms of an explanation for the new look. For me it enhances the show and compliments good stories.

 

[starmike]

Canon is the least important fucking thing in entertainment.

Canon is what keeps Spock from being a raging telepathic monster just to join two plot points.