Large plotlines

[Itisnotlogical]

Personally, I'm a big fan of continuing plotlines that last for multiple episodes and even entire series's. To me, it makes the universe of Trek so much more rich and deep, like when Bajoran/Cardassian animosity is foreshadowed towards the end of TNG and then becomes a major part of DS9. So, everybody on the TrekBBS, throw your hands up for recurring extras and mention your favorite "superplots".

 

[Smellincoffee]

DS9 was rife with 'superplots': the rise of the Dominion and the resulting Dominion war; changing Cardassian politics, Klingon and Ferengi successions, the wormhole aliens' Grand Plan for Bajor and Sisko... In a way, the Dominion superplot is even more impressive than Enterprise's third season Xindi arc: the Dominion was first mentioned in season 2 and intermittent hostilities began in season 3. While DS9's final four seasons weren't all about the Dominion, they were never far from thought.

 

[Robert DeSoto]

I agree. It doesn't even have to be big "superplots" to make the universe rich. Even minor connections make each little piece fall into place like a puzzle. For example, the Vulcan backed Coridan government fighting against Andorian backed Coridan rebels in ENT. Then the Babel Conference in TOS which we find out in TNG led to Coridan admission into the Federation. Which in turns makes it a Dominion target when war breaks out.

Or even something even smaller like the Borg invasion in First Contact which leaves Starfleet's forces "spread very thin". And the Dominion moves in its invasion fleet immediately after.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Back in muh day, we used ta calls dis continuity...


My favorite was an isolated incident aboard a single ship in "Space Seed" eventually giving way to the far-reaching "Genesis trilogy" 15 years later in Star Treks II-IV...

Second favorite was the use of the Khitomer Conference in Star Trek VI being used retroactively as the first stepping stone for the Federation-Klingon alliance shown in TNG...

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I love plot elements that cross numerous episodes/seasons, they don't have to be huge things. It makes the series feel more "real", in that something that happens has continuous effects thereafter. It also helps with developing the characters.

Its the one criticism I have with TNG, in that almost every episode was so self-contained. In the episode when Geordi is kidnapped and brainwashed by Romulans to be their assassin, he is in Troi's office at the end and she says how it will take time and will be hard on him, but that they'll get through it. Then in the next episode, he's fine and dandy.

Bry

 

[Nerys Myk]

^^Thats just the way TV was done in those days. Made it easier to syndicate.

 

[AlphaTrek]

I'm a fan of long drawn out plots. Like how the X-Files had the smoking man subplot going on for ages, keeps you sucked in. But I also like the one off stuff as well to keep it all fresh! You gotta have both baby! lol

 

[Avon]

i think geordi should've had a breakdown or something after being kidnapped.

it would've made a change from saying ' warp core critical, she canna take no more, etc', rolling under a blast door or watching data frolic.