• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Regarding continuity: So... now what?

What should they do in regards to canon in the new universe?


  • Total voters
    109
I just got back from the new movie, and I must say I liked it. It was fast paced, great action scenes and the new Enterprise looks good. Its not Shatner's Kirk's Enterprise, but its still cool.
Now about the Canon, I'm all in favor of changing the two major issues that have been mentioned. When Nero's ship is destroyed, I assumed that this would've hit the reset button on this universe, in some cases. Kirk's father lives, although since he is away, James Kirk is still a rebel. Vulcan survives, and Amanda lives. The Enterprise still looks the same, and James Kirk assumes Command at a Young age.
Why is it neccesary to maintain Canon? Because there were so many references to the previous Trek universe that its hard to imagine this as an alternate. The Bond movies Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace don't make reference to the Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan movies, so its easier to accept Craig's movies as a true reboot.
That said, I still think this was a good movie for the previously stated reasons, I just wish that the major continuity issues had been resolved.
 
There should be absolutely no resets whatsoever. None of that pointlessly inaccessible fanwank garbage.

This film looks like a massive success so far, entertaining and exciting non hardcore fans. If there's a sequel, people will buy tickets because it's a sequel to this movie, not nemesis or enterprise.
 
In regards to Bond films, they are stand alone films. Some facts remain the same (such as Bond being a widower) and other info is revealed (such as Q's real name). There isn't much canon to alter since if it was maintained, Bond would be 80+.
 
OK, so now i have seen the movie. This was an amazing movie. I will rate this above TVH and just below TUC and TWOK. So third best, easily. Now, about canon ... Does it suck that a lot of canon was ignored? Kinda, yeah it does. Does it bother me? Not in the slightest. I blame the strict adherence to canon among fans as one of the major problems with Trek. If you completely adhere to canon, then i feel that that would restrict the kind of stories you can tell. And OK, i will agree that some adherence to canon is a good thing. For the most part, this movie does adhere. All the cast is there. They did mention key things that are referenced later. And come on, Kirk making it with a green woman? How is that NOT canon? :p Now, they made it clear that this is an alternate reality/time line. That's fine by me. As far as i am concerned, the original time line still exists. This is an alternate time line akin to the Mirror Universe. And if this universe is how Trek will go from now on, i'm fine with that. It's like what they did with Nu BSG. It was completely different and people were pissed, but you know what? It got much higher ratings than the original. It appealed to far more people than the original ever dreamed of doing, and i think that this is what Nu Trek will do. Will we die hard fans not like it at first? Some of us will not. Others will. But ... does this movie appeal to a greater base? Yes, most definitely. Is this movie a breath of fresh air in Trek? Yes. I am reminded of TUC when they were talking about being afraid of change. This is what Trek is now; we all gotta get used to it. So i simply loved this movie and i have no problem that it will take place in a new universe/timeline/whatever. I'm fine with it and am pleased with the direction these guys are taking Trek into.
 
In regards to Bond films, they are stand alone films. Some facts remain the same (such as Bond being a widower) and other info is revealed (such as Q's real name). There isn't much canon to alter since if it was maintained, Bond would be 80+.

Who said he isn't?
 
Continue in the new parallel timeline, accounting for major events that likely woldn't have been affected by the Nero incident (and the time war shenanigans from ENT, if we want to throw those in too.) And for god's sake, no reboots! Actions have consequences, characters can die, and sometimes, we can be surprised. Besides, the destruction of Vulcan, and it's aftermath, is exactly the sort of thing that makes this Trek more relatable to the post 9/11 generation. The new Trek should believe in hope - but also acknowledge that sometimes, horrible things happen that can't be undone.
 
Keep the universe as is, it gives you room to make many changes. With Vulcan gone it changes the balance of power in that region, and gives the Romulans more power. I think the changes could make for some interesting story lines.
 
If was based in the old universe - where's the interest for anyone? A universe where Vulcan has been destroyed is a universe where anything can happen.

A roadmap where we need to get to point A by stardate 325345 and then point B by stardate 346365 is as boring as hell...
 
I think they should do one or two more films in this timeline, then use the reset button, and start doing ENT movies. Or a new series, set in the 24th or 25th century.
 
I think they did push the reset button on all the past Trek series and continuity. I view it as a cop out to make their life easier. Which may turn out to be a good thing, or not. Berman should have thought of that for Enterprise. ;)
 
I really hope the next film is more in the realm of heady science fiction but more successful than TMP. For instance, the Enterprise is out there on a mission of exploration, alone, and discover something new and different but potential harmful. The new film succeeded in bringing back the fun to Star Trek, now it's time to bring back the science fiction elements to the story (now without the added baggage of continuity). My hope is that the screenwriters realize that not every single Trek movie should have a "villain" (Nero, Shinzon, Kruge, Khan, etc.) Deal with the unknown!
 
Personally, I'm happy they blew up Vulcan, killed George Kirk and Amanda early. It gives this reboot a sense of danger. In the original, there was no danger because you knew none of the main cast was going to die, or if they did, it would be reset by the episode's end. I WANT to wonder if the crews going to get out in time or if Earth's actually going to survive. I kinda like the sense of danger. It's, you know... exciting.
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top