A Non-Human Alien Captain
- Thread starter TheVortaKeevan
- Start date
Nope.
I think it would require some sort of impending global crisis for the general audience to possibly give a shit about Star Treks egalitarian vision of the future. Maybe WW3?
I even see enough on these boards how much people dislike GR's vision of the future in regards to existentialism and egalitarianism. They just like the fun and action. For Star Trek to move forward it has to evolve in to that and lose its core values; which it is doing with the films quite effectively.
They don't and haven't lost anything. I still see people getting along. But at the same time, you have to actually entertain your audience. If you don't do that, your audience will find something else that does entertain them.
Unforetunately, I have to agree with SubCommander-I wouldn't be surprised if there was never again a television Trek.
The largest gap in live action Trek was the decade between TOS and TMP. If there is to be a (likely TOS) television reboot, I wouldn't be surprised if there would be a similar gap between JJTrek and the TV reboot.
Now, will anybody care about Trek but an aging, shrinking fan base? Maybe younger people who enjoyed JJTrek?
I would love to be wrong and hope I am, but right now, that is how I see it.
After seven hundred episodes, I think I'm okay if it never comes back to TV. A movie every few years scratched the itch for new Trek sufficiently.
As someone who recognizes the existentialist themes in early Star Trek. I respectfully disagree.
We are both entitled to our opinions though.
As someone who recognizes the existentialist themes in early Star Trek. I respectfully disagree.
We are both entitled to our opinions though.
Much of this stuff is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
It's down to personal preference I suppose, but if Star Trek did return to TV, I would watch it: Kirk & Spock reboot, or another crew that is interesting wouldn't matter to me. The important thing would be quality.
I think an annual mini-series format, or a short season (no more than 10 episodes) might work best. That would cut down on filler episodes, at least.
As someone who recognizes the existentialist themes in early Star Trek. I respectfully disagree.
We are both entitled to our opinions though.
Much of this stuff is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
I agree with both BillJ and SubCommander.
If there should be a new television Trek, I would probably watch it. (Actually, Enterprise was the last TV series that I watched on a regular basis).
On the other hand, if it never came back to television I would be Okay with that. At this point I am simply grateful to see (or read) any Trek at all.
Because if there were any Trek characters that the average home viewer couldn't bring themselves to care about, they were Spock, Data, and Worf.
There could be an alien captain but it would only work if it were from a race that doesn't just represent one aspect of humans.
I don't think people would have any trouble sympathizing with an alien character as people tend to see alien characters as humans anyway, especially if they are attractive.
Star Trek at its best doesn't have any problem having fun sexy action and smart existential themes at the same time. I know there are more people who like pure action than brainy cultural commentary. But the thing is, every other show on TV already has fun sexy action.
Action lovers, you already have all of big budget movies and most of television. Hands off my stuff!
I don't think people would have any trouble sympathizing with an alien character as people tend to see alien characters as humans anyway, especially if they are attractive.
Star Trek at its best doesn't have any problem having fun sexy action and smart existential themes at the same time. I know there are more people who like pure action than brainy cultural commentary. But the thing is, every other show on TV already has fun sexy action.
Action lovers, you already have all of big budget movies and most of television. Hands off my stuff!
I've thought for a while that Dina Meyer as an Unjoined Trill would make a great Captain.
Alternatively, I'd love to see an Andorian in the centre seat.
Alternatively, I'd love to see an Andorian in the centre seat.
I'm all for an Andorian captain! That would be incredible!
I don't think there ought to be an issue with not having a human in the centre seat - it's possible to identify with non-human characters in the other shows (Kira, Worf, Kes - even characters like Garak and Nog to a degree) so I don't see why the audience would have a problem with it!
This is a sci-fi show after all and in some ways, having an alien character makes it easier to subtly explore more real world cultural parallels.
I don't think there ought to be an issue with not having a human in the centre seat - it's possible to identify with non-human characters in the other shows (Kira, Worf, Kes - even characters like Garak and Nog to a degree) so I don't see why the audience would have a problem with it!
This is a sci-fi show after all and in some ways, having an alien character makes it easier to subtly explore more real world cultural parallels.
Ferengi first mate. Maybe the Federation Council has seen just a little too much high-minded principle upholding and a little too little acquisition of cool stuff, so an oversight committee hands Starfleet a few "recommendations." Hence, a first mate with some ingrained ideas on what's "good" that the captain WILL hear.
Doesn't have to be crazy talk like ditching the PD (but, in time, that has to come up). Just viewing some missions more as opportunities.
Doesn't have to be crazy talk like ditching the PD (but, in time, that has to come up). Just viewing some missions more as opportunities.
Often the alien characters are more interesting and diverse than the human ones, I definitely prefer many of them to a lot of the human ones.
The problem I see is one of money. The cost of makeup for the star of the show would put a drain on the budget, since the Captain is pretty much going to be the center of attention and likely in every episode. That brings several hours per day of shooting as extra paid time just to get the actor made up into whatever species they come up with, as most take at least and hour to put the makeup on for a skilled team, and half that to take it off.
I'd just like to retcon the Ferengi right out of existence.
Also, ditching the PD would be very un Trek.
Which is why I wrote that ditching the PD would be "crazy talk." But the PD IS frequently challanged from some angle in may episodes, and it would be inevitable that a Ferengi first officer would counsel some advice, some time, that would create PD tension.
I like the Ferengi, myself. Not their silly start in The Last Outpost, but Quark, Brundt, Rom, Nog, Zek (love Wallace Shawn), yes.
Spend less on space battles and big explosions so the focus is more on the people, that would help balance the books.
Though looking at the likes of the last season of DS9 where they had multiple aliens in heavy prosthetics. Though granted they weren't the star but Odo, Quark and Worf were main characters and in every episode, whilst the likes of Nog, Garak, Dukat, Damar, and the Female Changeling were in many of the episodes, without breaking the bank.
I always think that Trek needs to make more of its aliens, especially having more in the background or as recurring characters, for added diversity. Human-centric ships are just dull to look at IMO.
