Brannon Braga on a possible Season 5 through Netflix + More...

[ChristopherPike]

I'd like to say there was, as I maybe would put some funds toward it... providing I got them back, if nothing happened. But realistically it's too expensive to produce Star Trek up to the standard expected, unless you're a secret millionare looking to hide some cash in a tax dodge. Veronica Mars, they can basically go shoot that out in the streets and borrow some real building for a few weeks. Starships cost money!

Trouble with the Save Enterprise campaign, which for me at least, carried on until at least May 2006 - when I mailed a printed document containing thousands of petition signatures looking for a Direct-to-DVD continuation of some sort - was it didn't really have any insider help. I stopped mailing homemade postcards not long after and gave it all up.

Then there was this site not connected to that, except through somebody else who used to post at the Trekunited forums. It's not been updated for years and is very much dead from the looks of it.

For a few years, this place I used to hang around at: Save Enterprise and Beyond

Hoping for a second wind thanks to Netflix is the safest way to hope for these things to happen, and I still wouldn't get your hopes up. If CBS wanted to produce a Star Trek show, whether its Enterprise or whatever... they'd just do it already. I dunno... I doubt differentiating streaming figures between this version and that one will determine where they set that new spin-off and what it's about. I bet CBS would look at Netflix's data and lump it all in, as Star Trek. :\

The 22nd Century would need to be the only game in town to get such a spike in interest noticed and that's not going to happen. Sure they could try some crafty tactics, like promoting it harder and displaying the 5 series in chronological rather than production, so Enterprise is always at the beginning of any list. Or the other way around, list the produced seasons with the most recent in 2004-5 at the top.

 

[F. King Daniel]

How about something unofficial? Star Trek: Renegades raised $200,000 on Kickstarter for their pilot movie, reuniting many of Voyager's secondary cast and a few others. Would any of the Enterprise cast or crew be interested in something similar?
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzA1xaOAo9M[/YT]

 

[Gaith]

I find it disturbing that Braga would actually give any fans of the series false hope in this regard.

This. The idea that ENT would get an official filmed revival at this point is only slightly more plausible than Nader actually becoming president in 2017.

All Good Things come to an end... and so does Enterprise.

 

[Danger Ace]

Not sure how any Star Trek would stay exclusive to Netflix myself. I mean, there must be plenty of old farts like me, who like shelves full of DVD and Blu ray box-sets!

Sadly, my friend, they won't care. They'll be like Kahn in ST II:TWoK. They'll look you straight in the eye and hiss, "The way we see it, you simply will have no alternative."

And you won't.

If Netflix underwrote any form of new Trek then it would be based on how many NEW subscribers they felt they could attract. And to maximize their growth it would need to be "exclusive" to their service for quite some time.

Also, the media conglomerates don't like CDs, DVDs, or Blu Rays. They do not want you to own box sets or any physical manifestation of their inventory. They love that streaming is almost here as the predominant system of delivery. Why? Because it gives them maximine control and say in how and when you enjoy their offerings.

All kidding aside, I loathe "Enterprise" not only for what it was and wasn't, but for what it, in my opinion, represented. Having said that, I recognize there are those who (to varying degrees) love the series', therefore, I would support a renewal of "Enterprise." One thing I do love within Star Trek fans is the incredible diversity of thought and outlook - that is such a neat (and not mentioned often enough) feature of Trek fandom. Salute.

 

[Danger Ace]

It is nice to see his enthusiasm for the show is still solid. I would love this to happen. Is there a Kickstarter campaign?

Actually, the much hyped "Veronica Mars" Kickstart campaign is also drawing some backlash as many (me included) feel it is an abuse of what Kickstart was setup for - it was setup to help the "little guy"/independent gain financing for their projects. It is not there to help multi-national super-conglomerates extend the brand of their franchises.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Also, the media conglomerates don't like CDs, DVDs, or Blu Rays. They do not want you to own box sets or any physical manifestation of their inventory. They love that streaming is almost here as the predominant system of delivery. Why? Because it gives them maximine control and say in how and when you enjoy their offerings.

There's no Netflix or similar service here and if "the media conglomerates" don't want my money, I'll find something else to do.

 

[xortex]

I thought the petition was for erasing all of the Enterprise episodes and pretending like it never existed. I wanted to sign that. It was a stillborn miscarriage. CBS bought or is partnering with Lionsgate I heard. What that mean I don't know. It doesn't sound good for Star Trek.

 

[Danger Ace]

There's no Netflix or similar service here and if "the media conglomerates" don't want my money, I'll find something else to do.

Really? Netflix, Hulu and similar content providers are actually blocked from doing business in Switzerland?

Oh, and the conglomerates want your money ... just 100% on their terms with 0% consideration given to the consumers. The media conglomerates control the vertical. The media conglomerates control the horizontal. They are mother. They are father. ... And, btw, there are four lights.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Really? Netflix, Hulu and similar content providers are actually blocked from doing business in Switzerland?

Blocked? What do you mean, blocked? They're not doing business is Switzerland (or, in fact, in most countries in the world) because they don't want to pay for international distribution rights. They're not blocked.

 

[ChristopherPike]

Thanks, Danger Ace. I appreciate the sentiment. Refreshing to agree to disagree and leave it at that.

I don't see Braga as offering false hope myself and I don't think fans of Enterprise are particularly naive. Disappointment and acceptance of it not being able to go the full 7 seasons, completely comes with the territory. He's ventured an opinion based what's happening with fellow writer/producers he knows in Hollywood. An observation that would have a sound prospect of working, if Star Trek happened to be the usual mundane drama set in the USA, typically the usual pretty Californicators, and little or no expensive SFX shots or standing sets surrounding them.

If you're watching Enterprise on Netflix, then it's because that's how you want to watch it anyway. If what Brannon Braga's suggesting is even remotely likely, it will have to happen in spite of him.

Star Trek series aren't even available from Netflix UK, besides I prefer physical media and regularly reach my limited broadband limit it seems, without even having watched hours of episodic TV.

If there were some new storyline involving this show, and I could only see it on Netflix, then I would have to join the 21st Century. Pay more for broadband. Pay regularly to Netflix. It's no different than subscribing to BSKYB, which I did to see first run episodes. I switched to Freesat, when Enterprise ended in 2005 and never looked back. On the whole, I'd sooner just wait for the box-set or see episodes released individually if necessary... You pay for the discs, and that's it. No contract issues or threatening additions to the bill, from your service provider.

 

[Danger Ace]

Blocked? What do you mean, blocked? They're not doing business is Switzerland (or, in fact, in most countries in the world) because they don't want to pay for international distribution rights. They're not blocked.

Well cousin, I got news for you ... I'm in California not Switzerland so I don't know what you've got access to nor the whys or why nots of it beyond that with which you are willing to share. Please don't get haughty or disrespectful or start playing games of "gotcha" because you wanted to be purposely incomplete in your postings.

And question: Forget Netflix. You are saying that there is NO similar service by which you can get programming over the internet?

Update: Did a quick search. Many stated there was no Netflix equiv in Switzerland however I also found forums that spoke of people in Switzerland using AppleTV with US iTunes accounts.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Well cousin, I got news for you ... I'm in California not Switzerland so I don't know what you've got access to nor the whys or why nots of it beyond that with which you are willing to share. Please don't get haughty or disrespectful or start playing games of "gotcha" because you wanted to be purposely incomplete in your postings.

I'm sorry if I came off as abrasive. I know you hate that kind of attitude.

 

[SeerSGB]

It is nice to see his enthusiasm for the show is still solid. I would love this to happen. Is there a Kickstarter campaign?

Actually, the much hyped "Veronica Mars" Kickstart campaign is also drawing some backlash as many (me included) feel it is an abuse of what Kickstart was setup for - it was setup to help the "little guy"/independent gain financing for their projects. It is not there to help multi-national super-conglomerates extend the brand of their franchises.

Yeah the whole Veronica Mars things grated on me too. Crowdfunding is a way--or was at any rate--for smaller producers/indie productions to get off the ground and get funding. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the big-studios that already hold the keys and have the coffers to make the productions to use things like Kickstarter and drown out the smaller guys by having the money to wage large campaigns that get a lot of attention

 

[Dream]

Leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the big-studios that already hold the keys and have the coffers to make the productions to use things like Kickstarter and drown out the smaller guys by having the money to wage large campaigns that get a lot of attention

Warners never drown out anyone. It's not like they are adverting the whole thing in a dozen magazines or asking for money in commercials. The only people doing anything is the creator of the show, who put up the page.

It has only been the fans and several news people writing a few articles that is spreading the news.

 

[Danger Ace]

Some very interesting points revealed including Braga's belief that a fifth season would still be feasible if enough support was garnered in an environment such as Netflix.

A related news item from yesterday:

Netflix Picks Up Wachowskis/ Georgeville Sci-Fi Drama ‘Sense8′ With 10-Episode Order

So anything is possible.

If Paramount did decide to explore this route with "Star Trek" I would still think going with an original creation would be far better than attempting to rehash "Enterprise."

 

[ChristopherPike]

At this point, there's probably an agreement in place, that prevents Star Trek coming back to TV (Netflix, still the same thing, serialised drama in the home), until after JJ Abrams production company are done. Another 2 or 3 years at least? Once another film after Into Darkness has been completed. Like October 1986 when TNG was first announced, and Voyage Home had just wrapped, was still weeks away from release but unlikely to be anything other than a success. Something that could fall between the cracks, while one set of custodians were mulling over renewing a contract. Another production team step into a perfectly timed void, and get a 13 episode order during the short duration the right to a new production reverts back to CBS. During which time, Bad Robot are still negotiating for their fourth movie, but have lost the exclusivity small print bit and find they have to co-exist with another Enterprise.

 

[Danger Ace]

At this point, there's probably an agreement in place, that prevents Star Trek coming back to TV (Netflix, still the same thing, serialised drama in the home), until after JJ Abrams production company are done. Another 2 or 3 years at least? Once another film after Into Darkness has been completed. Like October 1986 when TNG was first announced, and Voyage Home was still weeks away but unlikely to be anything other than successful. Something like this would probably have to fall between the cracks, while Bad Robot were mulling over renewing a contract. :\

I wouldn't assume that. Nothing prevents new TV. Last I read talks of a new animated Star Trek webseries is proceeding. Bryan Fuller has spoken of wanting to do a Star Trek live-action series. I just think Paramount is being cautious and have come to realise just how close they came to killing the franchise.

 

[LobsterAfternoon]

I suspect they'll prolly stick with the nu Universe for the foreseeable future.

 

[ChristopherPike]

So much of Enterprise seems to be a case of "We wanted to do X, but were forced to compromise and do Y."

And here you are with the biggest built-in reset button, called the Temporal Cold War.

Something which could basically allow a second throw of the dice, going backwards to go forwards again... with the elements we liked kept and ones we don't, removed and reasoned as having been interference by the future.

No TCW and Klingon first contact would obviously be different.

Without Klaang to return back home, you probably end up with a different crew assigned to the NX-01 under Archer, launched at a later date. While at the same time, all of those characters still exist and can be run into again back on Earth or in service with Starfleet elsewhere.

Throw in a nagging sense of deja vu. The possibility characters vaguely remember the way history was. Trip meeting T'Pol in different circumstances, since she was never brought onboard as an observer and she's elevated to a Vulcan Ambassador. Having nightmares that Elizabeth has been killed during an attack on Earth, but waking to find a subspace communication from her.

Loads of little things (technology, history) that have unravelled, to form something different. Perhaps improved.

Want to do a run of episodes set on Earth, where Terra Prime are protesting the construction and launch of Earth's first Warp 5 ship? Then start this soft reboot with that in there.

Throw in a Future Guy appearance, who seems to have found a way to travel into the past at last to interfere directly. Then reveal who he is and kill him swiftly to prove that storyline is finally dead.

Perhaps the ultimate end to the TCW timeline lead to the slightly off 24th Century seen in "These are the Voyages", and all the acculmilated changes resulted in a Riker and Troi more likely to be among those seen on an alternative TNG Enterprise, just the week before in "Parallels".

 

[Dream]

We will get a new Trek show when CBS thinks they can make money off of it. Not a moment sooner.