Beyond the producers/writers/creative team stating out of universe that Discovery and by extension Strange New World's "is in the prime timeline...", is there any on screen, i.e. in universe proof, that these shows exist in the same timeline as TOS, TNG, VOY, DS9. I don't accept the opening of "If Memory Serves" or certain events that happened in the prime timeline occuring or being mentioned in DSC or SNW, as proof, because we've seen that happen before in the Kelvin movies.
Timeline proof.
- Thread starter JcarlA
- Start date
If you don't accept any of that, nothing anybody says will convince you. If you want to consider it an alternate timeline, go right ahead. Whatever helps you enjoy the shows (or feel free to watch something else).
Just think of ENT as being the original timeline, and everything after being fractured reality bubbles because of the Temporal Cold War. It's what I've decided to do.
How about that time on Disco when Michael watched a clip from TNG?
Pretty sure Firefly isn't in the Prime Timeline.
I severely doubt him thinking of DSC or SNW as an "alternate timeline" will make him enjoy them. If it wasn't that, he'd find something else.
Note to @JcarlA: I can't convince you of anything because I only think of the visuals of DSC to be a reboot. The actual events themselves still take place even if they look different. As far as SNW, I think it's more than just a visual reboot. DSC is one level of reboot and SNW is a step above that.
You either like each show on its own terms, or you don't. I still think of ENT as really being more of a prequel to TNG/DS9/VOY than to TOS.
There's TOS Trek, there's TNG Trek, there's Disco Trek, and there's Kelvin Trek. Just think about it like that and be done with it.
"The Prime Timeline" is what's currently in Active Canon. Right now it's a mix of TOS Trek, TNG Trek, and Disco Trek. Things that get pushed out or revised become Inactive Canon or Obsolete Canon. Star Trek Canon is like the US Constitution. It keeps getting amended.
I know some people don't like hearing this but: The sooner you accept that Star Trek Canon has become like canon in comic books, the saner and happier you'll be. That might not have been what it started off as, but that's what it's become over time.
Or the simpler answer, which kids have an easy time with but adults usually don't: It's all make-believe!
Last edited:
Clips of Leonard Nimoy's Spock from "Unification II" used in "Unification III" right after seeing a flashback to Ethan Peck's version.
Tilly's NX-01 snowglobe.
Or the time they showed a scene from The Cage...
You’ve seen proof, but you don’t like the proof, so you want some other proof?
Well, as true as that is, the OP actually did specify the use of footage from The Cage didn't count, for some reason. Probably because it would instantly destroy the argument.
They're shows produced in 2022 that are based on shows made in 1966 (The Cage was filmed in 64 actually).
That's all I have to say about it.
This is the actual answer.
That's all I have to say about it.
This is the actual answer.
Proof and proof, what is proof?!
Proof is a little tweeting bird.
NORMAN, coordinate.
Proof is a little tweeting bird.
NORMAN, coordinate.
Why can’t people just enjoy things?
I’ll never get how upset some people are about “which timeline is this?” or “which universe is that?”.
It’s all just TV shows. I love all those TV shows, but that’s all they are.
At the end of the day it’s up to the individual to decide how these things fit together (or don’t). There are bits of Star Trek I don’t like, but they count. I just don’t like them and I’m alright with that.
I’ll never get how upset some people are about “which timeline is this?” or “which universe is that?”.
It’s all just TV shows. I love all those TV shows, but that’s all they are.
At the end of the day it’s up to the individual to decide how these things fit together (or don’t). There are bits of Star Trek I don’t like, but they count. I just don’t like them and I’m alright with that.
So the standard is an extremely limited one. So, basically it's journey to ignore what is presented on screen.
Sounds like you have already made up your mind.
It's a lot more "fun" to be outraged about things than it is to be chill about things.
At least, that's what I've been able to gather through observation over the years.
I think growing up with Doctor Who and it’s very very very very loose ideas about what a so-called ‘canon’ means as well as the fact that Doctor Who fans tend to pick and choose what counts and doesn’t (from various spin off media) really cushioned my landing when I got into Star Trek.
From my point of view, the creative intention behind any of the ‘streaming’ Star Trek is that it’s all connected into what fans refer to as the ‘prime’ timeline.
So that’s what it is.
However, if a fan wishes to go down the head-canon route, a perfectly legitimate path, and say something doesn’t count or whatever, then that’s all gravy.
With any entertainment, the onus is on the viewer to find their own degree of enjoyment. If that manifests itself as something the viewer finds makes them upset or angry though… well, it’s probably best to either stick with the old shows that made them happy or just find a new hobby altogether.
From my point of view, the creative intention behind any of the ‘streaming’ Star Trek is that it’s all connected into what fans refer to as the ‘prime’ timeline.
So that’s what it is.
However, if a fan wishes to go down the head-canon route, a perfectly legitimate path, and say something doesn’t count or whatever, then that’s all gravy.
With any entertainment, the onus is on the viewer to find their own degree of enjoyment. If that manifests itself as something the viewer finds makes them upset or angry though… well, it’s probably best to either stick with the old shows that made them happy or just find a new hobby altogether.
Similar threads
