An idea (dipping my toe in the pool)

[BillJ]

Okay... so I've seen a lot of series pitches around here and I've offered my fair share of criticism so I thought I would toss an idea out there.

See if it floats or sinks like a stone.

So my idea is called Star Trek: Generation 3 (I know... catchy title).

The series would open at the tail end of a massive war. The opening scenes would be the final battle with the enemy. The battle is going badly for the Federation when the invaders begin to retreat with the exception of a solitary vessel. Then we see the vessel explode in a massive fireball.

Fast forward one hundred years later...

We see a glistening new starship and catch a glimpse of the name Enterprise. As we get a tour, ala TMP, of the new ship we hear a news report in the background about how this ship will be the first FTL capable vessel in a century. The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Worlds that use to be days from each other and in real-time communications range were suddenly alone in the dark.

The Enterprise mission is to begin to re-establish contact with the former Federation members. A way to re-explore the vast Trek universe.

The crew would be made up of mostly humans with some descendants of races that were stuck on Earth when subspace was contaminated...

 

[Lorna]

Not sure about having an enemy capable of doing this and with just a ship to boot.
I'd prefer it if subspace was affected throughout the galaxy and nobody really knew why it happened.
Perhaps it's a naturally occurring phenomena that happens every so many millions of years and has previously been responsible for the fall of Empires.
Could be a phenomenon connected to the super massive blackhole at Galactic centre, it goes through a short phase every few million years where it generates a continuous subspace shockwave that prevents warp travel.

Another route could be that Starfleet scientists already know about it, they've been doing research and studies and conclude that this is going to happen but they have no idea of exactly when, so the Federation has been in preparation for it best they can. When it does happen though any ship at warp or attempting warp causes an explosion destroying the ship. This allows for there being no warp vessels later on.

The phase begins and warp travel is shutdown for around 100 years and then when subspace becomes accessible again they begin constructing the Enterprise and this will be the new first ship that is to head out and re-establish the Federation.

 

[Solarbaby]

Nifty concept. It would be interesting to see how the Federation planets have changed since their isolation. Perhaps subspace communications were also affected and no one was able to contact each other

 

[BillJ]

Nifty concept. It would be interesting to see how the Federation planets have changed since their isolation. Perhaps subspace communications were also affected and no one was able to contact each other

The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Great minds think alike.

 

[BillJ]

Not sure about having an enemy capable of doing this and with just a ship to boot.
I'd prefer it if subspace was affected throughout the galaxy and nobody really knew why it happened.
Perhaps it's a naturally occurring phenomena that happens every so many millions of years and has previously been responsible for the fall of Empires.
Could be a phenomenon connected to the super massive blackhole at Galactic centre, it goes through a short phase every few million years where it generates a continuous subspace shockwave that prevents warp travel.

Another route could be that Starfleet scientists already know about it, they've been doing research and studies and conclude that this is going to happen but they have no idea of exactly when, so the Federation has been in preparation for it best they can. When it does happen though any ship at warp or attempting warp causes an explosion destroying the ship. This allows for there being no warp vessels later on.

The phase begins and warp travel is shutdown for around 100 years and then when subspace becomes accessible again they begin constructing the Enterprise and this will be the new first ship that is to head out and re-establish the Federation.

Interesting thoughts. But I like the idea of having it caused by an alien species with alien motivations... it also serves as the 'over-arcing' thrust of the story.

Humanity and the Federation have essentially been sent to their collective rooms and grounded by forces far more advanced than anything they know of.

To be honest I lifted the base idea of isolating humanity/Federation from Encounter at Farpoint. I always found the idea compelling on many different levels. And it's an idea I've toyed around with essentially since Farpoint in 1987.

 

[Solarbaby]

So why would the aliens do this to the federation? I think the federation spans 20,000 light years

 

[BillJ]

So why would the aliens do this to the federation? I think the federation spans 20,000 light years

8,000 light years per First Contact, the 5,000 was essentially a place holder until I developed more details.

Motivation: I always saw the race waging the war (the Sha'leel) as a dying race. This is a test of sorts for humanity as the Sha'leel doesn't want their expansive cultural and technological advances to fall into non-existence.

They see humanity as a maturing child and the heir apparent to their 'fortune', so to speak.

 

[Admiral2]

Okay... so I've seen a lot of series pitches around here and I've offered my fair share of criticism so I thought I would toss an idea out there.

See if it floats or sinks like a stone.

So my idea is called Star Trek: Generation 3 (I know... catchy title).

The series would open at the tail end of a massive war. The opening scenes would be the final battle with the enemy. The battle is going badly for the Federation when the invaders begin to retreat with the exception of a solitary vessel. Then we see the vessel explode in a massive fireball.

Fast forward one hundred years later...

We see a glistening new starship and catch a glimpse of the name Enterprise. As we get a tour, ala TMP, of the new ship we hear a news report in the background about how this ship will be the first FTL capable vessel in a century. The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Worlds that use to be days from each other and in real-time communications range were suddenly alone in the dark.

The Enterprise mission is to begin to re-establish contact with the former Federation members. A way to re-explore the vast Trek universe.

The crew would be made up of mostly humans with some descendants of races that were stuck on Earth when subspace was contaminated...

Here's what you need to keep in mind when participating in this forum:

1. Not a SINGLE idea proposed here will ever find its way onto a television or movie screen. We all like to argue about them as if they will be, but as a matter of intellectual honesty and for the sake of your sanity just remember that any negative criticism is just a BBSer needlessly raising their blood pressure over a dead issue.

2. The above said, the best way to prove the merits of your idea is in the context of a narrative. It gives the people you're proposing it to here something concrete to examine, and not just an abstract. So write a fan fiction based on the concept, or ask a friend who writes fanfic you like to craft it for you. When it's done, put it in the fan fic forum and leave a link here. If the story changes some minds, great. If not, remember: needless high blood pressure, dead issue.

 

[BillJ]

1. Not a SINGLE idea proposed here will ever find its way onto a television or movie screen. We all like to argue about them as if they will be, but as a matter of intellectual honesty and for the sake of your sanity just remember that any negative criticism is just a BBSer needlessly raising their blood pressure over a dead issue.

Trust me... I have no grand illusions of a TV writing career. That career began and ended with a submission to Star Trek: Voyager more than a decade ago.

Like I said in an earlier post, this idea has been bouncing around in my head since 1987. Who knows if it ever makes it beyond this embryonic stage.

 

[Admiral2]

1. Not a SINGLE idea proposed here will ever find its way onto a television or movie screen. We all like to argue about them as if they will be, but as a matter of intellectual honesty and for the sake of your sanity just remember that any negative criticism is just a BBSer needlessly raising their blood pressure over a dead issue.

Trust me... I have no grand illusions of a TV writing career. That career began and ended with a submission to Star Trek: Voyager more than a decade ago.

Like I said in an earlier post, this idea has been bouncing around in my head since 1987. Who knows if it ever makes it beyond this embryonic stage.

In that case...

You could say the enemy vessel was either powered by or carrying something powered by Omega Particles (like in Voyager's "The Omega Directive"). The subspace killing effect can spread out over time from the site of the battle until it encompasses Federation space about fifty years hence. The problem is the destroyed subspace is probably not coming back, so the new Enterprise would need an entirely new (to the Trek uni anyway) concept for faster than light travel.

 

[BillJ]

In that case...

You could say the enemy vessel was either powered by or carrying something powered by Omega Particles (like in Voyager's "The Omega Directive"). The subspace killing effect can spread out over time from the site of the battle until it encompasses Federation space about fifty years hence. The problem is the destroyed subspace is probably not coming back, so the new Enterprise would need an entirely new (to the Trek uni anyway) concept for faster than light travel.

Interesting thought. The details aren't important (warp versus new FTL), as long as it leaves the Sha'leel and their intentions in tact and makes space seem immense again.

 

[BillJ]

Here is a list of (admittedly fanwank) characters I drew up some time ago...

Captain Jamie Kirk – Commander of the Enterprise and descendant of James T. Kirk, a famous Federation explorer. She's young and shares a command style reminiscent of her forebear. Has a background in engineering.

Commander Garrick Nagal – Enterprise XO, early to mid-50's from Mars with human ancestors.

Doctor T'Sora – Enterprise's Vulcan Chief Medical Officer. She is much more comfortable doing research than taking care of patients.

Lt. Commander Tregg – Tellarite Chief Engineer. Knows the Enterprise inside and out... but won't reinvent the wheel. Has a nasty temper.

Lieutenant Sarah Alexander – Goes by 'Alex'. Is the 'jack-of-all-trades' Operations Manager.

Lieutenant O'llo – Green-skinned Science Officer. O'llo is almost seven feet tall and rail thin. Comes from a species that doesn't understand monogamy (this character is my salute to Gene Roddenberry).

Doctor Katherine Ballantine – Expert on alien cultures 'on loan' from the Daystrom Institute.

“We have spent a century hiding. Peeking out every now and then to send a signal to worlds that we're no longer sure exist. It is now time to head out and meet our collective fate.” - Captain Jamie Kirk

 

[Saquist]

Okay... so I've seen a lot of series pitches around here and I've offered my fair share of criticism so I thought I would toss an idea out there.

See if it floats or sinks like a stone.

So my idea is called Star Trek: Generation 3 (I know... catchy title).

The series would open at the tail end of a massive war. The opening scenes would be the final battle with the enemy. The battle is going badly for the Federation when the invaders begin to retreat with the exception of a solitary vessel. Then we see the vessel explode in a massive fireball.

Fast forward one hundred years later...

We see a glistening new starship and catch a glimpse of the name Enterprise. As we get a tour, ala TMP, of the new ship we hear a news report in the background about how this ship will be the first FTL capable vessel in a century. The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Worlds that use to be days from each other and in real-time communications range were suddenly alone in the dark.

The Enterprise mission is to begin to re-establish contact with the former Federation members. A way to re-explore the vast Trek universe.

The crew would be made up of mostly humans with some descendants of races that were stuck on Earth when subspace was contaminated...

Excellent idea.
Creative, Interesting and dynamic.

 

[the skullcowboy]

Your Idea is intriguing however sounds a bit like the premise of " Andromeda " in the for lack of a better term " fall of the federation " still I would give it a season or two to see where it went

 

[Saquist]

The Federation needs a shake up.
Frankly they've been around too long with a major cataclysm and they survived the incidents like the War and 2 Borg Invasions too easily...Stop making the Federation immortal.

 

[AggieJohn]

Okay... so I've seen a lot of series pitches around here and I've offered my fair share of criticism so I thought I would toss an idea out there.

See if it floats or sinks like a stone.

So my idea is called Star Trek: Generation 3 (I know... catchy title).

The series would open at the tail end of a massive war. The opening scenes would be the final battle with the enemy. The battle is going badly for the Federation when the invaders begin to retreat with the exception of a solitary vessel. Then we see the vessel explode in a massive fireball.

Fast forward one hundred years later...

We see a glistening new starship and catch a glimpse of the name Enterprise. As we get a tour, ala TMP, of the new ship we hear a news report in the background about how this ship will be the first FTL capable vessel in a century. The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Worlds that use to be days from each other and in real-time communications range were suddenly alone in the dark.

The Enterprise mission is to begin to re-establish contact with the former Federation members. A way to re-explore the vast Trek universe.

The crew would be made up of mostly humans with some descendants of races that were stuck on Earth when subspace was contaminated...

Neat concept, you know you could have this occur as a result of the chain of event that lead to the destruction of Romulus, it was like a massive supernova, nice way to tie in the last movie. I know that STO covers that period but its not like Star Trek shows don't crap on their games when it comes to cannon material.

 

[Saquist]

Okay... so I've seen a lot of series pitches around here and I've offered my fair share of criticism so I thought I would toss an idea out there.

See if it floats or sinks like a stone.

So my idea is called Star Trek: Generation 3 (I know... catchy title).

The series would open at the tail end of a massive war. The opening scenes would be the final battle with the enemy. The battle is going badly for the Federation when the invaders begin to retreat with the exception of a solitary vessel. Then we see the vessel explode in a massive fireball.

Fast forward one hundred years later...

We see a glistening new starship and catch a glimpse of the name Enterprise. As we get a tour, ala TMP, of the new ship we hear a news report in the background about how this ship will be the first FTL capable vessel in a century. The enemy weapon had contaminated sub space for 5,000 light years. Essentially killing all warp and subspace communications.

Worlds that use to be days from each other and in real-time communications range were suddenly alone in the dark.

The Enterprise mission is to begin to re-establish contact with the former Federation members. A way to re-explore the vast Trek universe.

The crew would be made up of mostly humans with some descendants of races that were stuck on Earth when subspace was contaminated...

Neat concept, you know you could have this occur as a result of the chain of event that lead to the destruction of Romulus, it was like a massive supernova, nice way to tie in the last movie. I know that STO covers that period but its not like Star Trek shows don't crap on their games when it comes to cannon material.

Best to leave that Movie's explanation alone.
It was senseless and shouldn't want a series to start off with the scientist the world over grumbling at your TV series...