Star Trek 3: The Edge of Forever

[Khan 2.0]

No, they never existed to go back to the '30s.

Yes, they did.

Remember, the divergence only happens in 2233. Any time before that, there is only one timeline, not two.

Time travelers from either the prime or Abrams timelines can travel back to any point prior to 2233, and while they're doing that, they can even meet. They're simply two possible futures. Either one is equally real.

No, that's not how alternate timelines work. The divergent point was in 2233 but the fact that an alternate timeline was created makes them both separate from each other in all aspects. Therefore while both timelines' pasts would be identical up to 2233, they're still completely separate and they don't overlap. If they did, all that prime-Spock would have to do to go home is slingshot around a sun to 1930, go to Earth, wait for his younger self and co. to show up and then go back to through the Guardian with them and then take a second hop back to his own future.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The divergent point was in 2233 but the fact that an alternate timeline was created makes them both separate from each other in all aspects. Therefore while both timelines' pasts would be identical up to 2233, they're still completely separate and they don't overlap

Incorrect on that last bit. Prior to 2233, there ARE no "both timelines". There is only ONE timeline before that. 2233 is the divergence - the point where one timeline becomes two. That's how it works.

 

[Mad Mike]

The divergent point was in 2233 but the fact that an alternate timeline was created makes them both separate from each other in all aspects. Therefore while both timelines' pasts would be identical up to 2233, they're still completely separate and they don't overlap

Incorrect on that last bit. Prior to 2233, there ARE no "both timelines". There is only ONE timeline before that. 2233 is the divergence - the point where one timeline becomes two. That's how it works.

I must respectfully disagree, based on all the quantum theory stuff that Orci was posting over on Trekmovie.com back before ST09 was coming out. On the other hand, like most things, I imagine that it works however the plot at the moment requires it to

 

[Mad Mike]

As a follow up, here's a link to Roberto Orci's explanation of how his view on alternate timelines work (as of the release of Trek 09).

http://trekmovie.com/2008/12/11/bob...-movie-fits-with-trek-canon-and-real-science/

So, until the writers decide to pitch this in favor of something different to make a story work, there are two complete and separate timelines in regards to Prime-Trek and Nu-Trek. I would have included it in my last post, but I didn't have to time to go digging.