Only the big Three?
- Thread starter The Grim Ghost
- Start date
I rather liked that TOS had lots of interchangeable crew. I never really liked the later shows' decision to stick with a set cast most of the time. It led to stupid things like Neelix and Kim joining a geological survey because they'd been in a cave once. On the other hand, modern actors and studios prefer the certainty of a set contract. There are certainly lots of stories of guests they wanted to return being unavailable (Brooke Bundy, Ashley Judd, Michelle Forbes etc).
However, the fact that the writers seek to bring back recurring characters is a sure sign that fans like that kind of continuity even today. Uhura really DID inspire black women to become astronauts - what kind of an awesome legacy is that!
The recurring cast in TOS served a purpose of setting a bar of racial equality and political harmony. Chapel and Rand - the most disposable of the recurring cast were white American women - and interestingly sexism is where Trek continues to be at its weakest even today perhaps partly because of that.
However, I was never a major fan of the big three dynamic. Most of my favourite episodes are where other recurring characters get in on the action. The Man Trap is a particular favourite as it took some time to introduce the characters. Even if Grace Lee Whitney was dropped from the main cast, it was still a great shame that she didn't get to return in the place of some of those yeomen of the week and a real shame that a role intended for her in the Trouble with Tribbles was nixed by the producers.
However, the fact that the writers seek to bring back recurring characters is a sure sign that fans like that kind of continuity even today. Uhura really DID inspire black women to become astronauts - what kind of an awesome legacy is that!
The recurring cast in TOS served a purpose of setting a bar of racial equality and political harmony. Chapel and Rand - the most disposable of the recurring cast were white American women - and interestingly sexism is where Trek continues to be at its weakest even today perhaps partly because of that.
However, I was never a major fan of the big three dynamic. Most of my favourite episodes are where other recurring characters get in on the action. The Man Trap is a particular favourite as it took some time to introduce the characters. Even if Grace Lee Whitney was dropped from the main cast, it was still a great shame that she didn't get to return in the place of some of those yeomen of the week and a real shame that a role intended for her in the Trouble with Tribbles was nixed by the producers.
Yeah, I know...
I just don't think Koenig wore it well. IIRC, I think they gave him a more 'respectable' do later on....
The massive comb forward was hardly respectable!
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Pavel_Chekov
^^
Aww, it wasn't that bad...
Back in the 1980s, when the Trek movies turned up every other year at best and Shatner and Nimoy were holding out for more money . . .
I wondered why they couldn't bypass the Big Two and make another film with the secondary cast. So, Kirk and Spock are retired or too busy: we still have a great adventure.
I figured that the true fans would support the venture (I know that I'd have gone to see it), and just maybe if it were successful, the stars would return next time. And if they didn't, well then, carry on without them.
But, I suppose that Paramount knew that Kelly, Doohan and the rest couldn't really carry it off. When I look back upon it, none of the supporting players had much of a career outside of Star Trek. Perhaps -- as much as we love them -- they really didn't have enough star power.
Thoughts?
I wondered why they couldn't bypass the Big Two and make another film with the secondary cast. So, Kirk and Spock are retired or too busy: we still have a great adventure.
I figured that the true fans would support the venture (I know that I'd have gone to see it), and just maybe if it were successful, the stars would return next time. And if they didn't, well then, carry on without them.
But, I suppose that Paramount knew that Kelly, Doohan and the rest couldn't really carry it off. When I look back upon it, none of the supporting players had much of a career outside of Star Trek. Perhaps -- as much as we love them -- they really didn't have enough star power.
Thoughts?
Takei was keen to do a mini-series with the Excelsior, which would have been fun but it was repeatedly nixed. Shame. He was often quite hammy but I think his performance in Heroes was pretty good. He could have done quite well if given the right direction.
I haven't seen Of Gods & Men yet but it sounds reasonable enough and I really want to see it.
I haven't seen Of Gods & Men yet but it sounds reasonable enough and I really want to see it.
All well said. Re. Uhura inspiring future astronauts - yes, a truly awesome legacy to have. Re. TOS serving a purpose of setting the bar higher on equality - that is exactly what television needed for the mid/late 60's. Re. Grace Lee Whitney - agreed, and if you haven't done so, I heartily recommend you pick up a copy of her autobiography and have a read.
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