Should TOS characters be seen or referred to?

[jaime]

Batman adaptations have no running continuity from one era and/or studio to another, so there's no cultural investment / importance of casting that matches something on the level of TOS.

With Bond, some recasting choices were so bad, few have anything to say about it--other than the fact a superior actor was replaced. To this day, many Bond fans issue a collective groan just mentioning "Roger Moore." On the other hand, its not a stretch to say Connery remains the most representative, iconic face of the filmed character--one all others are judged against. That's how powerful the Connery portrayal is in the popular culture. TOS actors are (arguably) more associated with the mere thought of TOS.

The other thing to remember is TOS is not an adaptation. Batman, Bond, Holmes...none of their filmed versions are the original in the first place. Shatner is as responsible for the original Kirk as any of the myriad writers. He's also the base template for Starfleet captains...hence the way Kirk is brought up every time there's a new guy in a new centre seat. That's something you also see to a lesser respect with Spock..largely because his character archetype descendants are in very different positions usually.

 

[Franklin]

I would expect TOS characters to be seen or referred to from time to time. The series is set in a time period where it makes sense to do it. Maybe a nice adventure involving the Discovery crew and Pike's Enterprise. Maybe Robert April will finally become canon. I just hope the DIS characters can stand enough on their own that when TOS characters are used it's not just as a novelty to prop up interest or create buzz for the show. If it becomes that, then that means they're in trouble. So maybe once a season or so as an organic part of whatever story arc they're building, but no more than that.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The other thing to remember is TOS is not an adaptation. Batman, Bond, Holmes...none of their filmed versions are the original in the first place. Shatner is as responsible for the original Kirk as any of the myriad writers.

Strong dose of truth, jaime. There was no "Kirk" before Shatner--that includes Roddenberry's early captain templates, which did not hint at the personal character depth that made Kirk, which were all Shatner. Kirk was no blank slate, no "other version" of Pike (or Hunter). So yes, unlike Bond, Batman, Dracula, Holmes and host of other characters that had a published life and identity--none were a completely new creation from the ground up in adaptations like Kirk, thus Kirk is intensely connected to Shatner and not easily replaced. As it stands, anyone being honest is not going to say Chris Pine simply became the new face of the character most recognized by popular culture.

He's also the base template for Starfleet captains...hence the way Kirk is brought up every time there's a new guy in a new centre seat. That's something you also see to a lesser respect with Spock..largely because his character archetype descendants are in very different positions usually.

All true.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Jack Black as Harry Mudd

Steve Carell as Nilz Baris

 

[ancient]

I hope no pre-existing characters are seen or referenced. The galaxy is small enough already.

 

[Kevman7987]

Trek always has a previous series' regular as a "send off" character in the pilot of the new series. I wonder who from Enterprise will make an appearance? Bakula? Trinneer? Blalock?

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Trek always has a previous series' regular as a "send off" character in the pilot of the new series. I wonder who from Enterprise will make an appearance? Bakula? Trinneer? Blalock?

Blalock would make the most sense to me. Either that or Billingsley (who is probably one of the more active in "guest star" roles of the ENT cast).

 

[CaptainDonovin]

Maybe someone knew Josė Tyler from Pike's ship or Pikes name gets mentioned.

Scotty could since he served on several ships before the Enterprise (as mentioned in Relics).

 

[Starhawk]

I wouldn't mind having them referred to, but not seen.

 

[The Lonely Man]

No problem with a passing mention or even a brief cameo. I wouldn't be keen on much more than that though.

 

[velour]

You just know that one way or another TOS and/or ENT character(s) will be shown or referred to. The writers can't help themselves.

 

[Ithekro]

I'd go for Robert April actually. See if he's an ambassador or still in Starfleet at this point. A TAS reference.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I want a member of the crew to be Young Boothby, in his pre-gardening career as a Starfleet badass.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I think Boothby would just be being born around the time of Discovery.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Do we actually know anything about what Boothby did in his younger days?

(As for his birth year, I think it's roughly ten years after DSC takes place.)

As for the inevitable ENT cameo in the first episode, I'd guess it will be T'Pol, if only for the fact that she's the one most likely to live that long. And since she won't be afflicted with Trellium D poisoning this time around, she won't look as haggard as she did in E2.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Do we actually know anything about what Boothby did in his younger days?

(As for his birth year, I think it's roughly ten years after DSC takes place.)

As for the inevitable ENT cameo in the first episode, I'd guess it will be T'Pol, if only for the fact that she's the one most likely to live that long. And since she won't be afflicted with Trellium D poisoning this time around, she won't look as haggard as she did in E2.

I agree it would make the most "in universe" sense, however Jolene's acting credits since ENT concluded have been pretty limited and she hasn't done the convention circuit much either so I'm not sure she'd be up for it. On that basis, I'd say Phlox is probably more likely (Denobulans are also canonically long-lived).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Lots of actors don't like to do conventions, it doesn't mean they didn't enjoy playing the roles they did. If Jolene was asked, I'm sure she would do the cameo.

If nothing else, actors can always use the work, and I'm sure she's no exception.

 

[Blooded]

I'm hopeful for some ENT cameos down the line, or name drops, but if it doesn't happen I can be content with Beyond's insane amount of throwbacks to that show.

I fully expect TOS cameos at some point, and it would be a lost opportunity not to do so. Personally, I'd like to see them use the Kelvin-verse actors for any characters they use who have appeared in those films. For me, those actors are now the characters, regardless of timeline.

We don't even know if the CBS/Paramount deal would allow CBS to recast those roles, do we? Makes sense that the arrangement between the two would allow CBS to use tv versions of the characters, but I can't imagine Paramount wouldn't have some fail safe in place to stop their own product being cheapened by multi-casting of the same roles?

 

[Tenacity]

Personally, I'd like to see them use the Kelvin-verse actors

Likely a financial impossibility. And I would prefer a recast to maintain a separation between the prime and one of the alternate universes.

Do we actually know anything about what Boothby did in his younger days?

If Boothby isn't Human, but instead a long life alien, then he could have been an adult during the time of the Discovery series.

Maybe someone knew Josė Tyler from Pike's ship or Pikes name gets mentioned.

Being after the time of The Cage, maybe one of the characters (secondary characters?) on the Discovery could be Jose Tyler himself.

We don't know really anything about him and so he would be practically a new character.

 

[Blooded]

Likely a financial impossibility. And I would prefer a recast to maintain a separation between the prime and one of the alternate universes.

Quinto has done TV work whilst still a part of the Trekverse, hasn't he? And Cho has done a bit of tv in the past. Urban is a big fan of his character so would potentially be interested too. I don't think money would be an issue, personally.

It's more likely we'll see secondary characters though, as has been said by others. Pike seems the most logical, but it's a question of who the studio would want these cameos to appeal to: die hards, or casuals.

I'll admit that there's a fair argument to be made that this show is perhaps the first Trek show aimed purely at Trek fans, given CBS have put it behind a pay wall, so it will be interesting to see how that impacts decisions on cameos and whatnot.