Poll STAR TREK CONTINUES: "To Boldly Go (Parts I & II)" - Grading & Discussion Thread

[Noname Given]

By the way, watched “The Deadly Years” today, and noted that when the Enterprise accelerated to warp when escaping the Romulans, Kirk, Sulu and Checkov were pushed back in their chairs in such a manner that suggested quite clearly that the view screen faces directly forward and that Uhura’s station (and not the turbo lift) faces directly aft.

^^^
Obviously that just shows the warp field was non-symmetrical, or the inertial dampers had problems properly compensating for said acceleration.

 

[Maurice]

If I recall correctly the “phaser bank” is actually an aircraft part and I was pretty sure MJ drew it. And I was pretty sure MJ came up with the name of the ship class.

As I recalled from Star Trek History's writeup (link) the items in question were aircraft hydraulic reservoirs. Jefferies probably cut and paste the drawings out of a catalog and added text. I think it was a pure cut and paste job with no drawing on his part.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Anyone who looks at season 2 of TOS and compare it with season 3 the cast appears dramatically different, while seasons 1 and 2 their faces look closely the same.

There was no time skip going into season three. That was not even an American TV production tool in the late 1960s. As noted by Treadwell, the cast appeared older because...they aged. This cannot be difficult to understand. When season two went into production, the cast were clearly still "fresh" or closer to their appearance (other than hairstyle changes) in season one, but the schedule, weight changes (more than any seen in S1), and personal life issues added age to the actors (the Big Three in particular) by the end of season two.

Getting another season, luckily, they would have to skip along to complete the 5 year mission. This is not obvious? The question is not for you, Treadwell, but to people who actually watch TOS.

Roddenberry or anyone else were not stuck on what would have been a pointless, obsessive need to sell the idea of a 5 year mission being complete by the end of season three. It never happened, which is why Roddenberry (in 1973-75) sold the Animated Series as the "continuing adventures" of the 1701 crew, since in that form, the concept did not end with TOS' "Turnabout Intruder".

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Having these ships be obliterated in STC so easily don't honor how durable and special these Star Ships were. Sad to think "A Mirror Darkly pt. II" and "The Tressaurian Intersection" were only creative pieces who got it right. These Starship Class vessels were something to behold.

When were ships not obliterated so easily? During TOS, the Constellation was irrevocably wrecked (then destroyed), then, there's the Intrepid, Exeter (abandoned, so its effectively lost), the Defiant (lost in Tholian space) and lets not forget the ships damaged in "The Ultimate Computer." Constitution Class ships were out on the frontier--had greater responsibilities, so it makes sense that they would face greater dangers.

 

[Bixby]

People are too quick to equate the "five-year mission" part with 5 seasons of television episodes. If the show had been a lot more popular back then and had gone on to reach 7,8 or even 9 seasons, all of them would have probably been considered a part of a 5-year mission...

Just look at the difference between the second pilot ("Where No Man Has Gone Before") and the next official episode: it's obvious there is a lapse of time between these two just by the differences in uniforms and crew, but nobody yells out loud there should be a full year of adventures between these, making what we know as the third season actually the official 4th, for example...

 

[Warped9]

I worked it out once that the three seasons of TOS (excluding WNMHGB) could actually comprise the five years. Add in TAS and it can still work. Five years could even be stretched out another few months and it could still be considered a 5-year mission.

 

[GNDN18]

The Korean War (1950-53), lasted 11 seasons on M*A*S*H. Sometimes time is not linear.

 

[Firebird]

The Korean War (1950-53), lasted 11 seasons on M*A*S*H. Sometimes time is not linear.

And Christmas came about five or six times, too. It's all a bit timey-wimey.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Checking out the score that's available for download at the STC site. I must say I enjoy Andy Farber's "Kirk's Theme" for the finale and used in shorter form for the final log entry. It's bombastic, uplifting and has a late 60s/early 70s vibe.

 

[Not Herbert]

A late 60s/early 70s vibe? Oy, I guess I cannot help but sound dated. The intention was to write a timeless theme that could work for anything from ST:Phase II (the series that never was, as opposed to New Voyages) so something like Orville or Discovery. Actually, the "Kirk Theme" has no Trek specific motifs, and could work for non sci-fi stuff like The West Wing, or Designated Survivor, or any quasi-noble, military, quasi-pompous, whatever. At least, that was the intention. We didn't have much time for a perfect take, so the recording is a bit sloppy.

 

[Tallguy]

A late 60s/early 70s vibe? Oy, I guess I cannot help but sound dated. The intention was to write a timeless theme that could work for anything from ST:Phase II (the series that never was, as opposed to New Voyages) so something like Orville or Discovery. Actually, the "Kirk Theme" has no Trek specific motifs, and could work for non sci-fi stuff like The West Wing, or Designated Survivor, or any quasi-noble, military, quasi-pompous, whatever. At least, that was the intention. We didn't have much time for a perfect take, so the recording is a bit sloppy.

Well, anything that doesn't sound like Zimmer sounds 'dated' now I guess. I'm sure Star Wars sounded old fashioned in 1977. Star Trek: The Motion Picture was a return to a more traditional sound for Goldsmith and it had no traditional Star Trek elements.

I did think of The West Wing myself, actually. That military/ not military sound.

So, well done! And thank you for posting all of these. I'm in score overload these days so I have only dabbled but I love what I've heard.

 

[Phoenix219]

People are too quick to equate the "five-year mission" part with 5 seasons of television episodes. If the show had been a lot more popular back then and had gone on to reach 7,8 or even 9 seasons, all of them would have probably been considered a part of a 5-year mission...

Just look at the difference between the second pilot ("Where No Man Has Gone Before") and the next official episode: it's obvious there is a lapse of time between these two just by the differences in uniforms and crew, but nobody yells out loud there should be a full year of adventures between these, making what we know as the third season actually the official 4th, for example...

I've actually maintained quite often that the pilot episode is actually the finale of an unseen season. The impact of losing two main cast, beloved characters in Kelso and Mitchell, and maybe a slight retcon giving Dehner a bigger previous role, can change the perceived impact of the events of the pilot immensely. I would love a fan series to have tackled a set of episodes with Spock as a new arrival, more of an outsider; a main cast that included Lee, the Doctor, Gary, Kirk Dehner and maybe Sulu, Smith and Scotty.

 

[Warped9]

I've actually maintained quite often that the pilot episode is actually the finale of an unseen season. The impact of losing two main cast, beloved characters in Kelso and Mitchell, and maybe a slight retcon giving Dehner a bigger previous role, can change the perceived impact of the events of the pilot immensely. I would love a fan series to have tackled a set of episodes with Spock as a new arrival, more of an outsider; a main cast that included Lee, the Doctor, Gary, Kirk Dehner and maybe Sulu, Smith and Scotty.

A neat idea. A few stories set within those early months or a year before the ship is refit and dispatched onto its 5-year mission.

 

[Phoenix219]

And Christmas came about five or six times, too. It's all a bit timey-wimey.

That 70s Show did 2 seasons per year, but *still had Christmas every season* .....

 

[Phoenix219]

A neat idea. A few stories set within those early months or a year before the ship is refit and dispatched onto its 5-year mission.

I guess that depends on interpretation; I always assumed it was the first year, with the aired seasons being 2-4, and TAS/STC as 5.... but I could totally rationalize the barrier being a completely different mission before the official 5YM.

In the hypothetical fan series, I think it would be a nice nod to have an aged member of the Cage's crew still on board, if at all possible. I didn't think enough before I made my earlier Spock comment; he wasn't a new arrival, the *entire rest of the crew was* - the outsider status being maintained as the show emphasizes the Kirk/Mitchell friendship and makes us fall in love with the guy. Maybe the remaining Pike era crew member can be Spock's one mentor-friend figure, or something.

 

[trekshark]

finally saw these. Thought it was good. Loved the way he said sabotage, just like Shatner in that clip that's floating around youtube

 

[Ssosmcin]

finally saw these. Thought it was good. Loved the way he said sabotage, just like Shatner in that clip that's floating around youtube

It’s petty much the way Shatner has been saying it since forever. I used to laugh at it as a kid when he cracked it out on Trek.

“Sabba-taag” Love that man.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

I just watched parts I and II, having never actually seen any of the prior STC episodes. It was a fun experience, and I must say the production value is incredible. I actually believed I was watching a "new" episode of TOS. The actors do a reasonably good job of recreating the originals -- Vic Mignogna subtly channels Shatner, in particular, especially in the final few scenes. I also must say they nailed the casting of the Romulan Commander. I had recently rewatched "The Enterprise Incident", and it was as if she was just yanked 50 years into the future.

My one "complaint" was the clash of TMP vs. TOS aesthetics at the end. 10 years of VFX went by in one scene, and it just didn't match. Was Kirk's lecture to the crew on the Enterprise? Because it looked like the TMP version, which hadn't yet been refitted.

Anyway, all in all I give it an 8.5/10. A lot of fun to imagine how the series might actually have wrapped up and tied in to the films. About 30 years ago, I read the DC comics annual that offered a similar "final voyage" story. I was delighted to be able to watch it as it might actually have been aired.

Kudos to the production crew!

 

[Firebird]

I think Kirk's final briefing to the crew was supposed to be at an assembly hall at Starfleet Command.

 

[Iamnotspock]

A late 60s/early 70s vibe? Oy, I guess I cannot help but sound dated. The intention was to write a timeless theme that could work for anything from ST:Phase II (the series that never was, as opposed to New Voyages) so something like Orville or Discovery. Actually, the "Kirk Theme" has no Trek specific motifs, and could work for non sci-fi stuff like The West Wing, or Designated Survivor, or any quasi-noble, military, quasi-pompous, whatever. At least, that was the intention. We didn't have much time for a perfect take, so the recording is a bit sloppy.

I thought you managed that very well. There is a part of that theme though, that reminds me of part of the unused cue for 'The Enterprise' in TMP. Was that intentional?

I also must say they nailed the casting of the Romulan Commander. I had recently rewatched "The Enterprise Incident", and it was as if she was just yanked 50 years into the future.

It's her daughter.