It's been a while since I've posted onto this forum as I've been caught up with other things. However, I've get them sorted out and settled down again to amongst other things, watching the rest of TOS and TNG episodes I haven't seen. I don't have much of TOS to watch and I have to admit I have really enjoyed it more than I had thought which is the basis of this thread. I am surprised how much I've enjoyed TOS and TNG because they don't have dark multi episodes arcs. In fact, I actually enjoy TOS a lot more with it's elements of comedy between the 3 main characters, Kirk, Spock and Bones as well as the cheesy fights amongst other things. I've got to admit I like the counterweight of these lighter elements against the seriousness of the particular episodes story. I know it is a product of it's time and I could imagine there is would have been an element of studio interference where these elements would have been added to make it 'acceptable' to mainstream audiences of that era. However, I wonder if this approach could work in a modern Star Trek series? The Orville sounds like it is similar to what I am suggesting. I haven't seen it but it doesn't really appeal to me as it is feels more like an affectionate parody of TOS rather than a series in it's own right. However, what I like would to see is the mixture of light comedy with buddy banter between main characters and the serious drama that is required for such a type of programme to work. Above all, I don't want it to be dumb that appeals to the lowest common dominator by going for cheap gags but quality writing where the lighter moments are of the quality of classic character based sitcoms. This may not be sophisticated to modern audiences especially in the streaming era of TV series where the seasons are essentially one storyline and it's adult nature where themes can be explored that would not be able to on traditional TV. However, I feel there can be a market for both types of programme and especially in the Star Trek universe. I would be interested in thoughts about this.
Actually The Orville is an affectionate parody of TNG. Having grown up with TOS and other period, episodic TV dramas with occasional humorous moments, I have to come down on that side of the question. Sometimes I enjoy big arcs (I'm a B5 fan!), but sometimes they can be annoying and get in the way.
Lower Decks is definitely what you are looking for. First episode of Discovery season three is also a lot of fun.
I definitely agree with recommending Lower Decks. To me it's the best Trek show that's on right now! The characters are likable and well written, the humor is pretty consistently good (ymmv on some episodes) and it dives into some interesting concepts and visuals.
Thanks to all who have replied. Lower decks does sound like what I am after. I do hope that there is a live action one that goes the same way. I've not seen Picard or Discovery but they look too serious and while there is nothing wrong with that, it would be good to have something different or the material approached in a different way. Ultimately though it that is the current trend of popular TV then it's got to be that way.
I think Lower Decks is by far the funnest ST series on right now, of the three currently going. It's suprisingly good anyway. Discovery is serious but has its fun moments. It is not a perfect series. It's divisive, but worth a look. I like it quite a bit. Picard is serious. It may have a glimmer of light poking through the clouds but yeah.
It's not out yet, but Strange New Worlds, with its emphasis on stand-alone stories and taking place on Pike's Enterprise, probably won't be much like Discovery or Picard either. The Discovery episode "New Eden" (Season 2, Episode 2) and some of the Short Treks: "Q & A", "The Trouble With Edward", and "Ask Not" give a sample of what Strange New Worlds might be like. Even people who don't like Discovery like "New Eden".
Consider Short Treks - Disco and Picard tell season long dramatic arcs, whereas the related Short Treks are stand alone stories, some of which are comedic (The Escape Artist, The Trouble with Edward, etc.). Some are stronger than others, but they're worth checking out! And yeah, Lower Decks is great. Strange New Worlds will be more episodic as well.
“Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad” (Discovery season one) and the Short Trek “The Escape Artist” are both fairly light fare featuring Harry Mudd.
I think Star Trek can be a great many things as part of its format. I think where it gets into trouble is when it locks in on being any one of those particular things for too long a period. Too much lighthearted cheese is no better than too much serious melodrama. The great thing about the TOS and TNG formats was that the writers knew how to change tones at the appropriate times during the season so that it wasn’t total burnout on one particular style or character.
I like having light moments to balance out the dark moments. I wouldn’t hold up Orville as an example cause it gets into extremes like cutting off someone’s leg where it’s not believable the person would ever be forgiven, or using aliens as circus acts, or straight date rape. But stuff in the level of say, Buffy or Stargate would be welcome.
I do wonder how much longer The Orville is going to be around for. It lost so many viewers that I’m surprised it got a third season. I guess one potential positive for its fans is that Hulu might just be willing to pay for it to have another season, regardless of how well it does initially, as the model of streaming platforms seems to value having lots of content more highly than other platforms which have finite space for content. I personally dislike The Orville a lot, but I know a few Trek fans really love it so I hope it sticks around for them.
I suspect that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is going to have more of the old cheesy fun type content, if only because the old-style episodic format it will be using opens itself up to that particular subgenre more than the serialized drama format. So, they'll have Spock there to play with, and Spock almost always worked well with the cheesy fun stuff back in the day because he can play a classic "straight man" to whatever zany stuff they come up with.
I love The Orville! It is made with such love and affection for the genre and presents a ray of hope and optimism for what might be, something that is sorely lacking these days. The humour can be a bit hit or miss, but when they focus on telling good stories examining the human experience/condition in a sci-fi setting they do some solid work. Still waiting on Lower Decks to find a home over here, but of all the modern Trek shows it's the one I'm most interested to see. It might not take itself seriously and turned off some fans, but I've already had that, so I'm keen to have something else to try out.
That is a a good point. There needs to be a good tempo throughout a whole season to make it work. It is like a song where the most enjoyable part may be the rousing or uplifting chorus but if you have that intensity all the way through, it becomes boring. Done properly, getting low parts like say a guitar solo accentuates the rousing chorus and even silences work. I've just starting watching Stargate: Universe and that is a binge watching format where each episode typically ends in a cliff hanger and there has been quieter moments which explorers individual characters. It's a different type of storytelling from TOS and the other Star Trek series. I like the intensity of binge watching TV programmes like SG:U but I also appreciate now traditional TV series like TOS where I can just tune in for an episode or two and go out again. There are times where I don't want to get too involved with a TV programme and just want to jump into a series and have some entertainment with a random standalone show. It does seem like it is a different challenge to write such a series and I hope that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds gets this right as this sounds like a live action series that I would be interested in.