Poll Just how important is adherence to continuity in Star Trek?

[Valenti]

According to Gerrold, it's not even a universe, it's more precisely a world. Given he was only talking about TOS at the time but TNG takes place in Kirk's continuity, timeline and universe. 2009 = schism (break in timeline, continuity), fractured fan base, Alternate Universe. Call it something else and destroy that if you want to.

 

[SPCTRE]

my intent is NOT to ignite fiery arguments between fans who passionately hold differing opinions

as the kids say, you came to the wrong neighborhood

 

[Riker'sMailbox]

I voted that stories should generally adhere. As long as the big things remain the same, I am good. I wouldn't even notice if two shows set in the same time period had different pips or uniforms, or if a non-important alien looks one way in one series and a different way in another. Entertain me, make me think a little, wow me with cool effects and neat technobabble, and I am good.

 

[at Quark's]

Am I really the only person who JUST DOESN'T CARE?????!!!!!

OK, suppose they are going to do a TNG reboot, in which it turns out Picard is a sadistic pedophile whenever he can get away with it under his sanctimonious veneer of Federation ideals. Lore is actually preferable to Data, since at least he is openly evil, whereas Data seems innocent but is much more insidious. Troi is using her skills to subtly manipulate people (or torment them if it so pleases her). Riker is willing to do anything to advance his career, but is still smart enough not to be so ruthless to get into the focus of Starfleet brass too much. And so on, and so on. So, essentially what you would expect from a "smarter" mirror universe. However there is no trace of irony or that it is intended to be an alternate universe or as a conscious deconstruction / critical evaluation of the ideals that once inspired Star Trek (like in DS9, where our heroes don't always do the right thing, but at least usually try to do so under difficult circumstances).

They're all still "good stories" to watch though.

While I wouldn't have problems watching that on its own terms (as a portrait of a dystopian future), I think I might have a problem watching it under the Star Trek name, since that is for me still associated with optimism about the future.

 

[Stoo]

Option 3 I guess. I'd expect a new show to comply with the broad strokes of existing continuity, but not be shackled by it.

 

[Herbert]

I like continuity. It provides a baseline and a sense of grounding and familiarity. Some deviation is to be expected but I like the continuity to be followed as much as possible. That being said, over the 50 or so year span of the life of Star Trek, there was never any unified attempt to keep things cohesive. Also, story trumps continuity, every single time. Thus, we have the mess that we have now and yet more discussion about it from the fan base.