Poll STAR TREK CONTINUES: "To Boldly Go (Parts I & II)" - Grading & Discussion Thread

15 mins.

 

I saw that in the credits. So that's twice in this film where I thought "Wow, synth samples have come a long way" only to find out "Nope, using the real thing."

 

According to Mignona in the podcast, apparently one of the two shelved STC episodes was a sequel to A Piece of the Action...

 

A bit of background. I supplied detailed Drydock photos to the production which were used as a basis for the cgi. I thought they vfx team did a brilliant job there.

 

Yes, my mouth watered at that part of the podcast.

I realized how invested I was in the story at that point when I totally missed the TOS spacesuited fellow floating on the drydock. That doesn't even happen at the MOVIES!

For several years now I've seen fans trumpeting this as the "real Star Trek". I've always thought it was well done but I recognized the things I didn't like. (I still haven't seen all of them.)

But with these two episodes I've been reduced (elevated?) to a gushing fanboy. Wow.

 

That story seems fated never to be told - even TNG never could get around to making their planned sequel episode that Ron Moore wanted to do.

I'm kinda glad the other episode Vic talked about never came to be. I'm not sure the musical B-story would've been received well, but maybe it would've worked depending one whatever the main plot might've been.

 

I could care less about the Piece of the Action sequel. But the Musical Episode would have been unique.

 

For the most part, I really enjoyed both episodes. I had a feeling all of the "created for STC" and "not seen past the pilot" characters would have their stories closed off here. And, they were pretty well done. Now, these are fan films, so obviously, the level of acting and writing can't be held up to professional levels, unless the writers and actors are in fact professionals. Many are, so I expect more from this cast than I did from, say, Farragut.

Regarding the "fan service," I honestly wish they truly treated this as the end of the 1960's series' 4th year rather than a "bridge the gap" episode. Obviously, in 1969 or, as this episode would have been filmed, 1970, they didn't know a film would be made a decade later. So any actual wrap up episode would have ended a LOT sooner without the new uniforms, glimpses of the refit design, the space dock or movie-era music references. That always bothers me in fan films that profess to be a natural continuation of the original series. This went from that to a "story of how everything evolved." I was okay with Spock and McCoy resigning, but Vic in the Admiral's uniform was weird looking. However, for a fan service story, it was fine and held much emotion.

In this episode, as in the series overall, most of the performances were good. Todd has been my favorite fan-film-Spock since the second episode. He is top notch. Michelle was equally good and her final scene was heartbreaking, even if it was a little dragged out. Honestly, and I never would have thought I;d say this back after seeing the first episode, the weakest link had become Chris Doohan. At first glance, he's perfect: looks like his dad and sounds like his dad. But then, after 11 episodes, you realize he never changes his delivery. EVER. Every single scene he plays Scotty as excited, over the top and talking way too fast. This is 3rd season "Day of the Dove" Scotty every single time. He went from "man, he should be Scotty in the movies" to "kill me." It's a shame, but nobody got Scotty right in the fan films. He either talked too much or was over the top.

The new music, speaking of over the top, was distracting. Like most fan films, it tended to be overscored. Every single joke or moment had a stinger or a theme. Yeah, the original series had a lot pf music and some was overused (This Side of Paradise for example wore out "2nd Ruth" every time Spock got gooey eyed for Leila), but like most fan films, this was just slathered on and over wrought.

However, the tie ins to the pilot and the looks back on the 5 year mission were very nice. I had a good time watching it.

Overall, STC was a great fan series. Not on part with the original series for the most part (seriously: professional network show vs fan film - no chance in hell), but really, really well done. Some unforgettable moments were created and that can't be understated.

A fine achievement, and as was said way up thread, "warts and all."

 

I can't say I'm too upset we won't see that. But I'm probably in the minority.

 

Or thirty minutes in two parts. People are making this a way bigger deal than it is.

 

Which means that you do care some, since you have the capacity to care less.

 

This.

 

Thank God we were spared this.

 

Somebody said earlier in this thread that each 15 min story has to be self contained, so they could not make longer episode and cut it into 15 min parts, or did i read that wrong?

 

No, the guidelines permit self contained fifteen minute stories, or a self-contained story that comprises two fifteen minute instalments. People keep arguing that recurring characters are forbidden, but to date there's been no suggestion from the studio that that is the case. And those of us who have kept making films, and using the same characters, have had zero problems. But then most of us never did have any problems.

Again, I'll point out that these are guidelines for what the studio is willing to turn a blind eye to. They're not a list of commandments from on high.

 

Of all the things I want to be "spared" from this is pretty low on the list. I have a hard enough time getting to see the things I WANT to watch without worrying about the things I don't want to watch existing.

 

Ok, thank's, i stand corrected, and i was not really complaning or arguing about any of it, just wanting to know what was going on and was sad to hear that STC will no longer be around as ususal, which is a real shame.

Take care.

 

No worries, I didn’t take it that way so hope my tone didn’t come off as snarky. So many people keep spreading misinformation about what the guidelines are that I feel a need to counter that.

 

I don't know.The thought of a fan production trying to make a flat out comic episode reminds me of the story of the dying Shakespearean actor who's assistant asked if it was hard to die. The old man replied "No. Dying's easy. Comedy, THAT'S hard."

 

I don't think enough acknowledgement has been given to Andy Farber and the orchestra for the scoring of this episode. The familiar themes perfectly complimented and enhanced the episode, particularly in the action sequences , the farewell to McKennah, the speech at Star Fleet, Kirk's final bridge survey.and transition to the TMP themes. Overall, it was masterfully done. I'm looking forward to the BTS video on the music.