Seth McFarlane wants to Reboot Trek on TV

[Psion]

What do you think of the Planet of Titans Ent for Phase II in the art section? I've always said it was the way to go. Sleek.

I think that's a fantastic work of art, and I wouldn't be too upset if that was the hero starship. But, the scientist in me still sees a spaceship that suffers from "airliners in space syndrome." That is, the decks are parallel with the axis of motion. It'd make much more sense if the decks were perpendicular to that axis, then engine acceleration would be able to provide at least some of the ship's artificial gravity.

On the other hand, part of the charm of Star Trek is a world that abounds with super science, and trying to force it to conform to sound spaceship design according to 21st century rules would rob it of some of that charm.

 

[AviTrek]

What do you think of the Planet of Titans Ent for Phase II in the art section? I've always said it was the way to go. Sleek.

I think that's a fantastic work of art, and I wouldn't be too upset if that was the hero starship. But, the scientist in me still sees a spaceship that suffers from "airliners in space syndrome." That is, the decks are parallel with the axis of motion. It'd make much more sense if the decks were perpendicular to that axis, then engine acceleration would be able to provide at least some of the ship's artificial gravity.

On the other hand, part of the charm of Star Trek is a world that abounds with super science, and trying to force it to conform to sound spaceship design according to 21st century rules would rob it of some of that charm.

PSION, for Starships to maneuver at anywhere close to the speed their shown at, then the forces applied would crush humans against the walls/floors. The only way it works is with inertial dampener technobabble. Once you add that to the mix, it's probably easier to just kill all internal engine force and then add your own gravity.

 

[Psion]

What do you think of the Planet of Titans Ent for Phase II in the art section? I've always said it was the way to go. Sleek.

I think that's a fantastic work of art, and I wouldn't be too upset if that was the hero starship. But, the scientist in me still sees a spaceship that suffers from "airliners in space syndrome." That is, the decks are parallel with the axis of motion. It'd make much more sense if the decks were perpendicular to that axis, then engine acceleration would be able to provide at least some of the ship's artificial gravity.

On the other hand, part of the charm of Star Trek is a world that abounds with super science, and trying to force it to conform to sound spaceship design according to 21st century rules would rob it of some of that charm.

PSION, for Starships to maneuver at anywhere close to the speed their shown at, then the forces applied would crush humans against the walls/floors. The only way it works is with inertial dampener technobabble. Once you add that to the mix, it's probably easier to just kill all internal engine force and then add your own gravity.

I tend to agree with you ... the artistically-designed starships are nicer looking that the scientifically-designed ones, but ...

Just limit the forces applied for maneuvering to those the crew can withstand. We can assume the warp drive doesn't exert a force on the crew since it is a bubble of spacetime that moves superluminally. Combat maneuvering, however, would have to be slower and more considerate of the g-forces applied. This would significantly impact the designs of the ship and sets, and would change the way starship combat is depicted. G-tolerant species would have an advantage in combat, even if their weapons weren't as good. Automated weapons platforms might become an important part of the ship's arsenal.

In many ways, this constraint opens many dramatic possibilities for story-telling.

But ... it wouldn't be your grandfather's Star Trek!

 

[xortex]

It's an exploration ship of peace. It shouldn't even have phasers.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Not in the Star Trek I watch.

 

[Kemaiku]

There's this thing called 'self defense'. Not everyone you meet is friendly, not every situation safe and normal. Phasers are a tool and a defensive system, needed on every ship we've seen.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Exploration = trespassing on other people's turf.

Phasers are highly advised.

 

[Captain Robert April]

Also, asteroids are notorious for not heeding calls to alter course, lest they collide with you.

 

[Captain Robert April]

My apologies if this has already been mentioned early on in this thread, but MacFarlane has been given the reigns of another sacred geek franchise -- Cosmos.

While I hate his other shows, I'm slowly warming to the guy and honestly think he might be just the key to bringing Trek back to television. My dream Star Trek series would use the original crew, but with an updated premise that includes some of the latest ideas in science and science fiction.

Imagine it, a producer of a science fiction show who's actually interested in science!

 

[Psion]

My apologies if this has already been mentioned early on in this thread, but MacFarlane has been given the reigns of another sacred geek franchise -- Cosmos.

While I hate his other shows, I'm slowly warming to the guy and honestly think he might be just the key to bringing Trek back to television. My dream Star Trek series would use the original crew, but with an updated premise that includes some of the latest ideas in science and science fiction.

Imagine it, a producer of a science fiction show who's actually interested in science!

*I* would prefer that. At least a few people around here would prefer that. But the question is are there any such producers out there with the talent to do it successfully? I doubt I'll ever see it happen.

 

[Sindatur]

My apologies if this has already been mentioned early on in this thread, but MacFarlane has been given the reigns of another sacred geek franchise -- Cosmos.

While I hate his other shows, I'm slowly warming to the guy and honestly think he might be just the key to bringing Trek back to television. My dream Star Trek series would use the original crew, but with an updated premise that includes some of the latest ideas in science and science fiction.

Imagine it, a producer of a science fiction show who's actually interested in science!

*I* would prefer that. At least a few people around here would prefer that. But the question is are there any such producers out there with the talent to do it successfully? I doubt I'll ever see it happen.

Eh, JMS once pitched a Trek Series (I'm not gonna delve into the B5 vs DS9 war, I treasure them both as my top two favorite Series) and on Babylon 5, he had NASA advisors, so, yea, I think there's Producers out there that could aim the Science towards reality

 

[Hartzilla2007]

Imagine it, a producer of a science fiction show who's actually interested in science!

*I* would prefer that. At least a few people around here would prefer that. But the question is are there any such producers out there with the talent to do it successfully? I doubt I'll ever see it happen.

Eh, JMS once pitched a Trek Series (I'm not gonna delve into the B5 vs DS9 war, I treasure them both as my top two favorite Series) and on Babylon 5, he had NASA advisors, so, yea, I think there's Producers out there that could aim the Science towards reality

Yeah, but his idea was to basically do a TOS reboot that was some kind of macguffin quest becuase he couldn't think of any other reason for a 5 year mission where as I can think of at least 3 that don't require said macguffin.

Though other than that I might have been fun.

 

[xortex]

Exploration = trespassing on other people's turf.

Phasers are highly advised.

Yea, because if you're gonna tresspass, you want to bring along phasers to shoot them if they protest.

Just curious. what are the three reasons for exploration? I like JMS' quest theory in general. It gives Trek a good reason why it has to happen - ie. because we're curious about something specific.

 

[Nerys Myk]

1) Land
2) Money
3) Power

 

[xortex]

Well, resources is a better way to say money and land. Strategic allies is power.
I can't help thinking there's a McDonald's on most of these planets. Talk about contamination. Klingon has a tribble hut, of course.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

1) Land
2) Money
3) Power

And you've just exposed the soft underbelly of Star Trek. Its idea of exploration is completely at odds with all of human history.

It's a lie, but Star Trek is based on lies. Honestly does anyone think humanity will ever give up capitalism or religion? I don't. But that's okay, we can still play the what-if game.

 

[Ranger3]

My apologies if this has already been mentioned early on in this thread, but MacFarlane has been given the reigns of another sacred geek franchise -- Cosmos.

While I hate his other shows, I'm slowly warming to the guy and honestly think he might be just the key to bringing Trek back to television. My dream Star Trek series would use the original crew, but with an updated premise that includes some of the latest ideas in science and science fiction.

Imagine it, a producer of a science fiction show who's actually interested in science!

*I* would prefer that. At least a few people around here would prefer that. But the question is are there any such producers out there with the talent to do it successfully? I doubt I'll ever see it happen.

I will admit, this is an usual partnership as far as Cosmos is concerned.

 

[Hartzilla2007]

It's a lie, but Star Trek is based on lies. Honestly does anyone think humanity will ever give up capitalism or religion? I don't.

And aparently so does TOS.

 

[BrownShatner]

1) Land
2) Money
3) Power

And you've just exposed the soft underbelly of Star Trek. Its idea of exploration is completely at odds with all of human history.

TOS had numerous stories where they were attempting to control Dilithium supplies and strategically located planets, as well as supporting human colonization. These themes could easily be re-introduced into a new version of Trek.

 

[Captain Robert April]

Let's also not forget two raving capitalists, Harcourt Fenton Mudd and Cyrano Jones.