I am not a Star Trek fan ...

[Salinga]

... but I am a fan of the way TNG tells its stories.

For a long time I thought I was a Star Trek fan and called myself that way. But in the light of JJ-Trek, DIS and ORV I have to come to the conclusion, that in fact I am not a Trek fan and never was - I was only a fan of the way TNG told its stories, defined its characters and built/designed its universe. The only reason why its spin offs VOY, DS9 and ENT kept me interested was the fact, that these shows kept parts of the TNG storytelling alive. JJ-Trek dropped it mostly and DIS now pretty much completely and thus I have no interest in this show anymore (and thus in anything related to Star Trek in these cases).

ORV (while certainly not a perfect show) helped me realize that I am interested in that show - much like I was in DS9, VOY and ENT - because ORV also keeps enough of the TNG story telling alive. It also made me realize, that it isnt referencing Trek characters, aliens or places, that keeps me interested, it is entirely the way the show tells its stories - no matter if the show is called "Star Trek" or not, no matter if it plays in the Trek universe or not.

So, I am not a Star Trek fan. I am a TNG-type story telling fan.

 

[BillJ]

Congratulations?

I am a Star Trek fan, I simply don't like Discovery at this point.

 

[JesterFace]

So, I am not a Star Trek fan. I am a TNG-type story telling fan.

Doesn't that make you a 'The Next Generation' fan?

 

[BillJ]

Doesn't that make you a 'The Next Generation' fan?

And, at the very least, a Voyager and Enterprise fan. Since they spent most of their runs doing the same type of stories.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I'll need your comm badge and phaser.

 

[urbandefault]

... but I am a fan of the way TNG tells its stories.

For a long time I thought I was a Star Trek fan and called myself that way. But in the light of JJ-Trek, DIS and ORV I have to come to the conclusion, that in fact I am not a Trek fan and never was - I was only a fan of the way TNG told its stories, defined its characters and built/designed its universe. The only reason why its spin offs VOY, DS9 and ENT kept me interested was the fact, that these shows kept parts of the TNG storytelling alive. JJ-Trek dropped it mostly and DIS now pretty much completely and thus I have no interest in this show anymore (and thus in anything related to Star Trek in these cases).

ORV (while certainly not a perfect show) helped me realize that I am interested in that show - much like I was in DS9, VOY and ENT - because ORV also keeps enough of the TNG story telling alive. It also made me realize, that it isnt referencing Trek characters, aliens or places, that keeps me interested, it is entirely the way the show tells its stories - no matter if the show is called "Star Trek" or not, no matter if it plays in the Trek universe or not.

So, I am not a Star Trek fan. I am a TNG-type story telling fan.

A. So hey, nice talkin' to ya.
B. If you only like TNG and that stuff, fine. Mopowa2ya.
C. You understand that Trek is more than that 80s-90s stuff, right? That aesthetic and style is long past.
D. TOS rules. Love it or GTFO.
E. For Trek to survive, it must evolve and attract new audiences. That means change.
F. Change: nothing seems the same. Unchained, you hit the ground running. link
G. New Trek is the New Trek. If you don't like it, watch your DVDs and stuff. No skin off my nose.
H. Don't let what's new bite you in the ass. What goes around comes around.
I. This stuff is not a personal attack on what you like. It's more stuff for new fans.
J. See A.

 

[Armus]

We all like what we like. If you truly enjoy TNG you have every right to call yourself a Star Trek fan, even if you don't watch the current Trek product on the market.

 

[Mojochi]

I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm loooong past a point that I was truly impressed by anything bearing a Star Trek Label. In fact, I'm not ashamed to admit there is now WAY more Star Trek material I don't like, than that which I do, probably like a 70%-30% ratio by now, & that's being generous. I started liking Trek in the late 70s, & stopped giving a crap by the mid-to-late 90s. That's less than 20 years of the 50 it's been around.

I could fully detail the exact moments & reasons of when & why the franchise began losing me, if anybody cared, & why would they? I no longer see the movies in theaters. I don't subscribe to, nor see the new series, & I've had an overall dislike for the franchise direction for almost half as long as it's existed. So, realistically, they likely aren't winning me back, & by all rights, they probably don't care, & why should they? I end up seeing most of it when it hits my streaming services anyway, just to keep relevant. So they still make a buck or 2 off me now & then

Plus, currently the only thing even close to Star Trek, that I DO tune in for, isn't even Star Trek, but a parody of it, because somebody out there is actually smart enough to know all the ins & outs of how it lost me, & is capitalizing on that, which is pretty amazing really.

That said, I'M still firmly comfortable calling myself a Star Trek fan, & do you know why? because some of the things I consider myself a fan of... were Star Trek. That hasn't changed. The Star Trek that I liked, I still like, & therefore, the fan of Star Trek that I've been, I still am. I don't begrudge anyone enjoying any of the Star Trek I don't care for, & I don't care if anyone holds it against me for not liking the Star Trek that they do. We can ALL be Star Trek fans IMHO.

& THAT is the long & short of it. Call yourself whatever makes you happy, but were I you? I'd still call myself a Star Trek fan

 

[JesterFace]

Maybe we can take an example from the music world.

We all know Metallica.
Metallica is something that is loved and hated, often both at the same time by the same person. Their music is different in different eras and different styles have their lovers and haters.

There are certain songs I like, some are weak, some I love, some just don't work for me... But I think I'm still a Metallica fan, even if I only like some of their music. Because what is good is GOOD.
Same thing with Trek, some of it might be awesome for a certain person, something not... but I guess that makes that person a fan of Star Trek.

And why label yourself or anyone else anyway...

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I dunno, are you 'Not a Star Wars fan' if you only like the original trilogy?

I've had an 'At least it's better than most of the other crap on TV' view of Trek since the end of TNG. TNG and DS9 are two of the best TV series of all time, the other series are at least 'Still better than most of the other crap on TV' with the exception of first two Ent seasons.

If you're saying you're not a Trek fan even though there's one series you really love, are you just trying to distance yourself from being personally identified with Trek fandom? If so, why?

 

[Tenacity]

I truly enjoy Star Wars movies, but don't consider myself a "fan."

(three weeks ... yeahhh)

I love all Star Trek up through Nemesis and the end of ENT. But not every episode. Don't play the games and only read a few of the novels (what the hell are they thinking there?).

 

[Makarov]

Discovery feels close to watching TNG to me. Even better in some ways. As someone that likes TNG above everything else I am enjoying it.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I love the original Star Wars trilogy, I like VII and Rogue One. But, I've been to both Star Trek and Star Wars trivia nights in the last few years. I came in 4th out of 28 in Star Trek trivia and 25th out of 29 in Star Wars trivia. So if I had to pick one, I'm a Star Trek fan.

I like Discovery, but to me it seems like the exact opposite of TNG.

 

[ralfy]

My sense is that all of the shows are similar to others, like X-Files, which consisted of multi-episode story arcs and "monster of the week" episodes, with some story arcs and characters developed further in future seasons.

For STD, though, we've seen multiple story arcs and information about characters crammed into a few episodes. Hopefully, this issue will be resolved by not adding more content in the near future.

 

[2takesfrakes]

STAR TREK: The Next Generation is the franchises' finest series -- and Gene Roddenberry's crowning achievement. It could not have been improved upon, let's put it that way. That's not to say that there aren't elements I dislike, such as the Lwaxana Troi character, but every rose has thorns, does it not? For example, Trekkies and their cosplay and ... and so forth. I'm not into the whole Trekkie stigma and lifestyle ... I am a closet STAR TREK fan. Until 2009, I wouldn't even acknowledge that STAR TREK existed, publically. But that movie ... is cool. Even then, I keep my pious zeal for TNG under wraps! Even girlfriends over the years hadn't a clue! Never letting it show. Still ... my love for TNG is without limit.

Riker is amongst my favourite STAR TREK characters in the entire franchise and Jonathan Frakes has shown us his vision for STAR TREK, having become a filmmaker in his own right ... and that really speaks to me, you know? I'd love to do that ... to direct motion pictures, particularly low-budget projects about topics that are near and dear to me heart. Totally non-Trek fare written and produced by me -- not that I've done anything like that, yet. But that continues to be my wish ... tis a dream of mine. I can't say that TNG lit that fire, deep within me ... but it did much to encourage it. TNG has brought so much joy to me. And you'd think me mum would understand ... but she never did. Never ...!!! She hated STAR TREK as much as I've loved it -- TOS, especially: the acting, the costumes, the corny dialogue, the cheap sets & FX. And what she's said about TNG, I can't bring myself to type, here. I just can't do it ... but I stood my ground and let this franchise entertain me ... and make me smile. Once you experience TNG, the rest of STAR TREK kind of leaves you wanting ... not that you hate them, or anything. It's not that. But they're nowhere near as satisfying ...

 

[JayTheTrekkie]

Salinga: Only liking one or two (or 3) TV trek series makes you a Star Trek fan.

I like TNG and VOY the most as they are my favorite series. I like DS9 but its not really my favorite series.

Didn't care much for Enterprise. Never watched and never will watch TOS. Although, I'll watch any trek series that take place in the mid & late 23rd century if it will be my favorite or not.

The only thing I never really did was read Star Trek Novels (only have read some, that was it).

Anyways, back to TNG....TNG was the first TV trek series I have watched and it was my favorite right away. I enjoyed it a lot.

 

[JesterFace]

Never watched and never will watch TOS.

You really should watch TOS, that's where it all began.

 

[F. King Daniel]

C. You understand that Trek is more than that 80s-90s stuff, right? That aesthetic and style is long past.

Tell that to FOX! The USS Orville interior sets are right out of the TNG universe.

 

[Ghel]

Tell that to FOX! The USS Orville interior sets are right out of the TNG universe.

Absolutely! I really enjoy The Orville and tend to think of it as a more laid-back version of TNG/TOS. The sets and style appear very close to TNG and even the music lately seems to be very Original Series-esque with the dramatic rises at key points. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Brannon Braga is a show runner for the production (and that has seemed to be a GOOD thing.) Conversely, I can't bring myself to pay for CBS all access just to watch Discovery. It may be good, but I won't know until it is released in another format or on another service.

 

[Jayson1]

... but I am a fan of the way TNG tells its stories.

For a long time I thought I was a Star Trek fan and called myself that way. But in the light of JJ-Trek, DIS and ORV I have to come to the conclusion, that in fact I am not a Trek fan and never was - I was only a fan of the way TNG told its stories, defined its characters and built/designed its universe. The only reason why its spin offs VOY, DS9 and ENT kept me interested was the fact, that these shows kept parts of the TNG storytelling alive. JJ-Trek dropped it mostly and DIS now pretty much completely and thus I have no interest in this show anymore (and thus in anything related to Star Trek in these cases).

ORV (while certainly not a perfect show) helped me realize that I am interested in that show - much like I was in DS9, VOY and ENT - because ORV also keeps enough of the TNG story telling alive. It also made me realize, that it isnt referencing Trek characters, aliens or places, that keeps me interested, it is entirely the way the show tells its stories - no matter if the show is called "Star Trek" or not, no matter if it plays in the Trek universe or not.

So, I am not a Star Trek fan. I am a TNG-type story telling fan.

Aren't you a fan of stuff that isn't Trek? Don't give up on being a Trek fan because you never know. Some future Trek show or movie might be different but be just as enjoyable but in a different way than TNG was. I'm surprised also you didn't pick the TOS movies. I know some people who don't like TOS the show but still enjoy the movies and almost everone loves "Wrath of Khan."

Jason

 

[SolarisOne]

I know some people who don't like TOS the show but still enjoy the movies and almost everone loves "Wrath of Khan."

I'm one of those people.

 

[Graham]

But in the light of JJ-Trek, DIS and ORV I have to come to the conclusion, that in fact I am not a Trek fan and never was - I was only a fan of the way TNG told its stories, defined its characters and built/designed its universe.

Sounds to me like you found consistent aspects of the TNG-era Trek that you liked. Which means you do like Trek!

JJ-Trek dropped it mostly and DIS now pretty much completely and thus I have no interest in this show anymore (and thus in anything related to Star Trek in these cases).

You're far from alone in that attitude.

As an aside, have you seen TOS? What do you make of that?

ORV (while certainly not a perfect show) helped me realize that I am interested in that show - much like I was in DS9, VOY and ENT - because ORV also keeps enough of the TNG story telling alive.

Finding those things in The Orville is no coincidence - The Orville is essentially a Star Trek series in everything but name, it was deliberately designed to be that way.