I've picked the guy I'd like to see bring Trek back to TV

[CTGuyton]

Aaron Sorkin.

I was a huge fan of West Wing. I've actually watched it on netflix and the DVDs from start to finish probably 6 or 7 times. American President, Social Network were huge successes.

He's got a great ability at character building, and I think would be able to bring a new crew to life. Sorkin has his own following that would help bring viewers to Trek. He's got a very unique style, and we'll see a lot more of the ship with his walk and talk scenes!

I don't know how big of a Trek fan he is, I know he mentioned Trek once in a WW episode, but I don't think it's a negative. He can hire a writer or two who know the Cannon to keep him straight if he strays too far, but with the JJ-verse basically hitting the reset button for all potential story lines, it gives him a lot of freedom to be creative and original.

I'd like to hear what you guys think, or maybe other ideas. Not so much what we want to see out of a new TV show or a Prime/JJVerse flame war, but who we think would be best to bring Trek new life on the small screen.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Aaron Sorkin.

I could see that being good.

My choice would be David E. Kelley. He showed me with Boston Legal and Harry's Law that he can tackle serious issues, throw in the ludicrous, and still make you care about the characters.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Let's take a chance on The Bieb as the new Captain! He's got the look and the appeal to get the ratings and put STAR TREK's return to television into interstellar orbit! Gomez can be his estranged lover, from some Planet Erotica, or another and recently assigned to ENTERPRISE. Their renewed love affair ignites the small screen as they kick ass and take names in a pulse-pounding, adrenalin-pumping, high-octane series like STAR TREK has never seen before!

 

[CTGuyton]

David E Kelly would be good also. I've only watched Boston Public/Legal and his new one The Crazy Ones but he's got a long list of hit shows he would bring a lot of credibility and creativity to the table.

I'd like to see Trek in today's television market. I'm watching TNG on netflix now, already watched DS9, TOS, Ent, i'll do Voy next. These shows wouldn't cut it on today's television. Probably part of the reason Ent never connected. JJ made Trek relevant again, and I'd like to see someone bring it back to the small screen with the same results.

I'm not saying Trek has to be fundamentally changed or anything like that. I just think the previous shows were very cheesy and campy. I'd like to see what Sorkin would be able to do with it. Very character driven. We'd see main or at least recurring characters leave the show by being killed off or Riker finally taking a promotion. Stuff like that. West Wing never had to go to battle but still went 7 seasons with adversaries and continuing story arcs and such.

It won't ever happen. TV Execs and myself never seem to agree. But it's fun to imagine.

 

[Skellington]

Aaron Sorkin.

I was a huge fan of West Wing.

In my opinion, The West Wing kind of was Aaron Sorkin's take on Trek, but one whose unique selling point was that it could tackle social issues with directness rather than obliquely through allegory. Though it might be nice to see him bring a West Wing sensibility to the show proper; it would be a show about ethical and extremely competent people working towards the common good, perhaps just what genre TV (and drama TV in general) needs about now.

 

[CTGuyton]

it would be a show about ethical and extremely competent people working towards the common good

Exactly. Personally, I'm a right wing conservative. I've been to a few Tea Party rallies, and I'm a big supporter of Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and other similar politicians. Anyone who has seen the West Wing or Newsroom knows that Aaron Sorkin and I don't agree on anything politically. But WW was bigger than that. These characters were genuinely good people fighting for the greater good. Despite my disagreeing with their politics, I feel in love with the characters and supported them.

 

[urbandefault]

Can Sorkin write action? Because Trek without action is like a day without ... action.

 

[BigJake]

He collaborated on Enemy of the State. I'm not sure if that qualifies as action...

My pick: David Milch, baby. I can picture it now...

Kirk: It looks like this planet's got a working dilithium claim.
Yeoman Rand: Well, sir, is that a fact?
Kirk: A hell of a working dilithium claim, and if we knew each other better I'd throw "fucking" in there.
Rand: I can't say I'd mind if you did, sir.
Kirk: A working fucking dilithium claim, Miss Rand, and thank you for allowing me my full range of expression.

It would be glorious...

 

[Maestro]

Let's take a chance on The Bieb as the new Captain! He's got the look and the appeal to get the ratings and put STAR TREK's return to television into interstellar orbit! Gomez can be his estranged lover, from some Planet Erotica, or another and recently assigned to ENTERPRISE. Their renewed love affair ignites the small screen as they kick ass and take names in a pulse-pounding, adrenalin-pumping, high-octane series like STAR TREK has never seen before!

It's pronounced, "The Gomez."

 

[David.Blue]

Aaron Sorkin is good, yeah.

 

[BillJ]

I guess this is where there is a bit of a disconnect in fandom. I want Star Trek to be big, brash science-fiction not political drama. Sorkin has no grounding in sci-fi. Why would I want him running a Star Trek series?

Probably why I'm not a huge fan of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

 

[Kirby]

Aaron Sorkin.

I can't argue with that; but I'm still pissed at Sorkin for letting Sports Night die in favor of West Wing.

 

[BigJake]

Why would one have wanted Heath Ledger playing the Joker -- wasn't he known for lightweight heart-throb roles before that? Sometimes the most unexpected choices are the best ones.

(OTOH, sometimes they're not.)

Still no fellow-travellers on the David Milch train? Maybe another Deadwood-Trek mashup will change some hearts and minds:

Kirk: Now if anyone from the Enterprise comes down to the planet and turns a playing card or downs a drink or takes up with a woman, you get the trading rights and keep the f----n' dilithium.
Kang: What makes you talk to me in that tone of voice?
Kirk: I'm makin' a counter offer.
Kang: You come into this system, park in my orbit, within six hours you vaporize a guy with Cyrano Jones backin' your play. Next day I'm supposed to sit down and do business without askin' who the f--- you are or what the f--- you're doin' here?
Kirk: As far as what happened on the concourse, with Jones bein' involved, that was a turn of events.
Kang: A what?
Kirk: It was a turn. Of events.
Kang: Oh, a turn of events. Your XO calls it a coincidence. So, what with this coincidence and turn of events starin' me in the f----n' face and five other f----n' things I'm supposed to be payin' attention to, I still make you a sensible proposal and you answer by insulting me in my own ready room.
Spock: The Captain meant no insult, Commander Kang.
Kang: You stay out of this! You don't know nothin' about this! You weren't down here, so why don't you do whatever you pointy-eared c---s----ers do when you're not running your mouths off or actin' superior!
Kirk: You don't want to be talkin' that way.
Kang: Don't tell me how to talk in my own f----n' place! Now, here's my counter offer to your counter offer - go *f---* yourself!
Spock: Captain...
Kang: Get him... away from me!

 

[Australis]

Love Sorkin's work, but I think he'd be too wordy, and the 'romance' stuff in his last 2 series (Studio 60 & Newsrom) has been weak IMO.

 

[shivkala]

^
Plus, are there enough corridor sets for the crew members to walk and talk through?

 

[Yoda]

Sorkin? Eff that. Just round up whoever's still alive from the DS9 staff kthxbai.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

^
Plus, are there enough corridor sets for the crew members to walk and talk through?

 

[Kelthaz]

I came in here expecting something ridiculous like Seth McFarlane, but this is a pretty good idea. The West Wing is exactly what I want to see out of Star Trek.

 

[urbandefault]

Love Sorkin's work, but I think he'd be too wordy, and the 'romance' stuff in his last 2 series (Studio 60 & Newsrom) has been weak IMO.

I'm a big fan of Studio 60, mainly because I like Matthew Perry. The casting was spot on, and the chemistry was very good. I believed that this could have been a real behind the scenes show. Some of the "forced" romance stuff happened because the show had been cancelled and he wrapped it up as best he could. I thought, all in all, he did a good job of it.

Sorkin is very good at dialogue and character development, but I don't know if he could handle the setting or the action that would be necessary for a Trek show. I also don't know if he would be willing to let other people write what he isn't good at doing himself.

From everything I know about him (granted, not much) he needs to be in control. That's good from a continuity standpoint, but one person can't do it all. If he could let other writers do what they do best it might be a good show.

Just a few thoughts, your mileage may vary.

 

[CTGuyton]

I don't think he'll have an issue with the action. Although I'm of the impression he's also controlling, but he always had a writing staff that at the very least contributed story lines and whatnot. I'm sure he'll have no problem taking credit for any ideas they push him into. I also think he's a great writer and story teller. It may not be his strong suit, but I'm sure he would be more than capable when it comes to writing any sort of story, including scifi and action.

What I do expect that we'll "lose" with a Sorkin written show, is some of the more campy storylines. Q-pid, Temporal Cold War, among others. I personally don't enjoy those episodes as much. I always consider them "filler". We're exploring the stars yet I'm watching Picard prance around in tights as Robin Hood. Sorkin would bring a more "realistic" feel to the show.

And as I was talking about in another thread, I enjoy longer story arcs. Sorkin has a tendency to carry things over for seasons. Anyone who watched West Wing may have noted Charlie's "It doesn't go away" line from the season 1 finale, it was in reference to a line made when his character was introduce in ep 2 or 3. Also Josh's "A man falls in a hole" to Leo. I'm pretty sure there was at least a season between those scenes.

I'm sure some people wouldn't enjoy it, but I don't think many would say it wasn't good. Maybe that it isn't "Trek" but Trek imo is outdated as it is. There isn't one series that Trek has put out that could work on TV today. NCIS, Dexter, Walking Dead. I don't think Trek, as is, could stand up to these shows on a weekly basis. Maybe I'm wrong in my choice of Sorkin, but I'd like to see Star Trek reinvent itself to a degree and make a comeback on the small screen.