Shatner's 'Trial Run'
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As much as I enjoyed Collision Course, not for a second did I believe those guys would ever become the Kirk and Spock from TOS. I saw it as another reboot of Trek, not a prequel.
I'd like to see a Shat/Reeves-Stevens nuTrek Academy book series, filling in what Kirk, Spock, Gaila and Uhura was doing for those three years. It would be fun. "The old Kirk writes the new Kirk!" - it even advertises itself.
I'd like to see a Shat/Reeves-Stevens nuTrek Academy book series, filling in what Kirk, Spock, Gaila and Uhura was doing for those three years. It would be fun. "The old Kirk writes the new Kirk!" - it even advertises itself.
Except that in the movie, Spock graduated a year before Kirk even enrolled. Kirk took the Kobayashi Maru three years after his enrollment, according to the onscreen captions, and the Academy commandant introduced Spock as one of the Academy's most esteemed graduates, who had programmed the simulation for the previous four years. (Presumably a cadet wouldn't be allowed to program the test, since he'd have to take it.) And of course the fact that Spock was already a commander and first officer of the Enterprise should make it clear that he wasn't a classmate of Kirk, Uhura, and the others.
So what? I never said Kirk and Spock have to meet each other. They can be part of the same adventure, interacting with Uhura and Gaila while never meeting themselves.
But the point is, Spock wouldn't have been at the Academy in that period, except intermittently to program the simulation, so he wouldn't necessarily be a primary focus of an Academy series set in 2255-58. Meanwhile, what about Sulu and Chekov? They'd be there at the same time, so they could also be subjects of such a series (though I imagine Chekov was probably on an accelerated program and came along later than the others).
I know it's not canon and it may not matter to you, but I believe ADF's adaptation states that chekov was not a cadet at starfleet academy, but was an accelerated student at the Russian equivalent. I didn't even know there was such a thing, but there you go...
I was given the impression by the movie that Spock had been an academy instructor for the four years since he graduated. I don't think there's anything in there to say either way, so i guess it would be up to the writer (or whatever Paramount/Bad Robot dictate)
I have a hard time believing that someone who'd worked solely as an Academy instructor could earn full commander's rank that quickly, let alone be considered qualified to be the first officer of Starfleet's flagship. To earn a post of such high rank and responsibility on a starship, Spock must've gotten extensive starship experience in those four years.
Kirk had about 10 minutes of experience and he was made first officer and then captain
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^ I trust some of you are now seeing the credibility problems with this film.
I'm still trying to figure out how to list this sucker in the Concordance....
I'm still trying to figure out how to list this sucker in the Concordance....
Kirk had about 10 minutes of experience and he was made first officer and then captain
Under exceptional circumstances. Spock was evidently appointed through standard channels.
I agree with your other points as to why Spock probably wasn't there at the same time as Kirk. However, at least in the Prime universe, this one doesn't hold - Spock didn't take the Kobayashi Maru test.
^Well, what I was trying to say was that Academy policy probably wouldn't allow cadets to program a cadet simulation just on general principles. Although I guess maybe the equivalent of a TA might exist...
Its funny on how people think the new Trek movie is hard to believe yet think that a young enlisted non-officer Kirk steal the Enterprise and fight pirates under the nose of Capt Pike and Starfleet.
I think, for the purposes of this hypothetical nuTrek academy story, people would be willing to accept that Spock was teaching during whatever part of the 3 years the story was set.
Well, I'd rather he was doing something more interesting with his career. Surely there are more potential prequel stories to tell about these characters than ones that revolve around the Academy.
All we know that Spock was a Commander, an Academy Instructor, and a well respected officer. Which means that Spock has enough time to gain enough seniority and prestige to be acknowledged as such by the Academy Commandant and gain the position of the Federation Flagship XO.
Kirk was an exceptional anomaly as he always was. Exceptional events happen around Kirk ranging from his entire life. Why would gaining a command at such an early age be any exception? So to really accept one version based on credibility then you have to accept the other as well based on the same or similar criteria.
I personally would like to see the circumstance revolving around Kirk, his early career, and knowledge that he is father. Did he calm down much or became more reckless?
Kirk was an exceptional anomaly as he always was. Exceptional events happen around Kirk ranging from his entire life. Why would gaining a command at such an early age be any exception? So to really accept one version based on credibility then you have to accept the other as well based on the same or similar criteria.
I personally would like to see the circumstance revolving around Kirk, his early career, and knowledge that he is father. Did he calm down much or became more reckless?
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The bulk of the 2009 flick takes place in 2258. This would make Spock 28 years old. If Kirk, who was 25 in 2258, was able to complete the academy curriculum in 3 years, who's to say Spock didn't do it in even less time? Spock could have had time in his career to be on a ship with Pike, and also act as an instructor at the academy for some time. it's all good 
On reflection, I've remembered that he was depicted as Uhura's instructor, so yes, I guess he would've been teaching for some of the time, anyway. I actually covered that to an extent in my now-shelved Seek a Newer World, so I should've remembered that.
Kirk had about 10 minutes of experience and he was made first officer and then captain
Under exceptional circumstances. Spock was evidently appointed through standard channels.
As someone else pointed out, that's why guys get medals, not why they get command appointments. Sergeant York got the Medal of Honor, he didn't get promoted to colonel and given command of the battalion.
