TNG Reboot/Re-imagining?

[T'Girl]

Ice Queen (and was glad to see her gone too).

 

[Nerys Myk]

And you really want ST to be nothing more than a look backwards?

Setting a series X number of years after the previous series isn't actually moving forward. Exploring new ideas, even if its with the same characters, is.

Marvel has not done a reboot so far (knock on wood) and has had the stronger continuity of the two.

Marvel reboots all the time. They just like to do them "in continuity". Remember with Bucky was kid in his early teens who was a camp mascot and not a highly trained, ruthless killer? Or when Spider-man was married?

 

[fireproof78]

I guess my point is, why reboot when you can avoid the dreaded reboot comparison of Picard 2.0 to Picard 1.0 with a whole new series?

But this is something fandom loves to do. Just look at all the contortions done to try and explain that Prime Kirk was noble in his tampering with the Kobayashi Maru test and Abrams Kirk is somehow a jerk for doing the same exact thing.

At some point, another ship and another crew just become incredibly generic. Getting lost in other ships and other crews.

Don't mistake me, at all. I love the Abrams reboot, and the exploring of Kirk as a younger man with different challenges. If they reboot TOS again, I'll watch that too. I have no issue, whatsoever, with reboots. I enjoy seeing different takes on shows, and reiterations of ideas, such as TOS, or BSG, Batman, Spiderman, etc. Some are good and some are not, but the conceptions are still fun.

Also, reboots are nothing new to the human race and storytelling. I think in the future Star Trek/Star Wars thread I mentioned that Star Wars is just a retelling of the Hero's Journey, a story that has been told numerous times, all with different cultural flavors.

I don't have a problem with a TNG reboot, but I question the viability of it. TOS, for all its warts, has a deeper imprinting upon cultural consciousness than any other iteration of Trek. As much as I would watch it, I don't think it would be viable from a business standpoint. I could be wrong, and would hope that I am, but I don't think the name recognition would be enough.

Also, I think that Star Trek needs to keep in mind the core ideas that it was founded upon. Regardless of era, there was a sense of action and adventure, as well as some social commentary. It was not message first and then the space stuff. There was still a sense of fun, or adventure, that was a part of it.

Of all the iterations, I think TOS captures that spirit the best, without always being preachy. As much as some message shows resonate, it doesn't need to be that way all the time.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I'm no big fan of TNG or it's characters. I think Voyager would be the best bet for a reboot, truncating the whole story into two hours, akin to the 1998 Lost in Space movie (which I enjoyed!)

 

[Vger23]

I don't think there is a strong likelihood that they will reboot any post-TOS series. I like them all to some extent, but as others have wisely pointed out, there isn't enough public identification with those characters and settings for it to be popular. Regardless of your personal preferences and desires, the public equate "Star Trek" with Kirk and Spock more strongly in our culture, and that's where the future of Star Trek lies.

As for "moving forward with another crew and ship" I think that "Star Trek The NEXT Next Generation" is even less desirable. We've been there and done that both on TV and in fan productions, and it's the same tired template over and over again. The only deviation was DS9, which was fantastic but had hardly any following outside fandom.

someone else said it best- I'd watch whatever they try to do and I'd give it a fair shake...but I don't think many others would. And, even more fundamentally, they're not going to do it because they know it won't fly.

There's a big separation in fan's desires and what is actually realistic, sustainable and feasible in the entertainment industry.

 

[Ryan8bit]

someone else said it best- I'd watch whatever they try to do and I'd give it a fair shake...but I don't think many others would.

That's pretty much how I feel too. However, it's definitely not what I'd prefer to see.

I liked TNG, but I really don't think it merits a reboot. I think TOS did to some extent, however I don't think it merits multiple reboots forever, and as a TV series I don't think it would be that great. I'd really like to see a TV show, and for that I don't think a reboot would work very well.

 

[borgboy]

I think there could be possibilities for a reboot TNG or some new crew for a tv series.
Consider what's being done with super hero franchises in movies and tv. Marvel has Agents of SHIELD, with no important characters from the movies or comics involved except the relatively previously very minor character of Agent Coulson. DC has done Arrow and it's spin off Flash, and the unrelated Batman prequel Gotham series, while they're doing a whole separate continuity in their new movies.
If Agent Coulson can get his own tv series then I'd think a reboot TNG, or a brand new crew, could carry a tv series.
I'm totally open to just about anything new for Trek. I think a reboot TNG could be a lot of fun. I also think a new ship or space station (such as doing a reboot version of Vanguard) that shares continuity with the new Trek movies set in the same periodwould make a lot of sense.
Have some of the supporting characters like Scott, Chekov, Sulu, Carol Marcus, etc do a story arc and guest appearances. Recognizable aliens like Klingons, Romulans, Vulcans, etc can be used as wanted for audience recognition. Characters, ship or station whatever, can make a cameo appearance in the movies to cross promote.

 

[Vger23]

I DO think that a reboot of TOS using the "BSG-style" overhaul would work. I'm not saying that the tone or style of that show is what should be copied, merely the type of reboot that was done.

If you took TOS and rebooted it with a modern approach to characters, story arcs and so forth that would be the core. You'd need to recapture the "pioneering spirit" of the original and bring back the danger and wonder of exploring space that disappeared with the post 1987 Trek spin-offs.

One of the things that could be fascinating as a format would be to take the "multiple stories / multiple settings" approach of Game of Thrones. Have the TOS characters and the USS Enterprise be a central point to the stories and arcs, but have arcs and characters at Starfleet Command, various outposts, even the Klingon and/or Romulan Empires and have interwoven stories using this method. Show how new discoveries, new developments, etc have impacts across the Quadrant. Could be fascinating. It's a way to do the "expanded universe" stories that so many geeky Trek fans seem to want without getting away from the Enterprise and the characters at the core.

 

[Vger23]

I think there could be possibilities for a reboot TNG or some new crew for a tv series.
Consider what's being done with super hero franchises in movies and tv. Marvel has Agents of SHIELD, with no important characters from the movies or comics involved except the relatively previously very minor character of Agent Coulson. DC has done Arrow and it's spin off Flash, and the unrelated Batman prequel Gotham series, while they're doing a whole separate continuity in their new movies.
If Agent Coulson can get his own tv series then I'd think a reboot TNG, or a brand new crew, could carry a tv series.
I'm totally open to just about anything new for Trek. I think a reboot TNG could be a lot of fun. I also think a new ship or space station (such as doing a reboot version of Vanguard) that shares continuity with the new Trek movies set in the same periodwould make a lot of sense.
Have some of the supporting characters like Scott, Chekov, Sulu, Carol Marcus, etc do a story arc and guest appearances. Recognizable aliens like Klingons, Romulans, Vulcans, etc can be used as wanted for audience recognition. Characters, ship or station whatever, can make a cameo appearance in the movies to cross promote.

But again, the argument isn't about what we as fans think "might be a lot of fun." If you're talking about a network or cable television series...you need to hit the ball out of the park.

I'm going to say something that may seem harsh and unkind, and it is not meant that way in the slightest, but nobody gives a $hit about TNG or any of the other spin-offs besides the small hardcore fan base. So, even though something might be "fun" or "have some promise..." that's not nearly enough for it to get done!

Again, we need to be capable of separating ourselves from our own personal desires and preferences and think about what kind of show might actually succeed in an objective and clear manner.

A TNG reboot or a "Star Trek NEXT Next Generation" show would not be viable. It just wouldn't. The TOS characters and setting is the most broadly recognizable and acceptable across the world, and even THAT is not a no-brainer as a re-boot for TV. So, any random new show / new setting or a TNG era reboot has even less likelihood of being interesting and successful. Even if we the fans would check it out and commit some time to it, that's not enough interest to sustain a series. It's just simple math, guys.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

You and me both! And yes the civilians on board was never emphasized enough.

They made a big deal about the ship carrying families but only had a few unforgettable episodes that dealt with them.

I agree. In your concept as diplomatic liaison, would she be in command red or still in science cyan? I'd personally rather see her in red, too many women in ST get shoved into the science division.

I was thinking to keep her in the sciences. Her diplomatic and public relations training would be on the command track, but she is also a psychiatrist, psychologist, sociologist, xenologist and linguist. Wouldn't be adverse to having her in red though.

 

[borgboy]

I get what you're saying. I am looking at Agents of SHIELD as an example. I think surely if Agent Coulson can headline a tv show that a new crew or new TNG reboot could work. They'd still have the familar alien races of Klingons and Vulcans, etc, starships, etc could find an audience.
I don't see where TNG or a new crew is any less viable an idea now than it was in the 80s. No one in 1987 knew anything about TNG then after all, and it was successful. If BSG could be successfully rebooted, then I think TNG could too. I don't think classic BSG was any more famous or popular before the reboot than TNG is now, and the new movies can help promote the series.

 

[Vger23]

I get what you're saying. I am looking at Agents of SHIELD as an example. I think surely if Agent Coulson can headline a tv show that a new crew or new TNG reboot could work. They'd still have the familar alien races of Klingons and Vulcans, etc, starships, etc could find an audience.
I don't see where TNG or a new crew is any less viable an idea now than it was in the 80s. No one in 1987 knew anything about TNG then after all, and it was successful. If BSG could be successfully rebooted, then I think TNG could too. I don't think classic BSG was any more famous or popular before the reboot than TNG is now, and the new movies can help promote the series.

Well, sure! If you want to think that way about it...I mean...I suppose ANYTHING is possible.

It's just not at all likely.

Agents of Shield is not a good example. Generic Marvel / Superhero fandom is MUCH larger and more viable than the hardcore Star Trek fan base (which is a rather fragmented, anal bunch to say the least). And there is no "mass-appeal" for Star Trek outside of that fan base.

BSG is also not a good example. BSG had only about 24 hours with of entertainment- give or take. The fan base was nowhere NEAR the level of Star Trek's in terms of expectations, background knowledge, and attachment to a particular universe and continuity. Star Trek on the other hand has 100's upon 100's of hours, and the fans argue over the spacing in the stripes on Commodore Wesley's tunic vs. those on Commodore Stone's and what that may mean.

TNG is also not a good example. That WAS in essence a "reboot" of sorts. It was almost the original such venture. Everything after it (for better or worse) is viewed as kind of a "copy of a copy," and in many cases- rightfully so. The formula of "yet another diverse crew" got stale. Only DS9 dared to be a little different. And, while that show was brilliant, it failed to reach a mass-audience and even alienated some of the anal, fragmented hardcore fandom (just as every subsequent version of Trek has done to a further and further degree).

So, it comes down to likelihood. Is it more likely that Happy Days would be remade...or Joanie Loves Chotchie? Was the original Battlestar Galactica more likely to be remade than Galactica 1980? Hopefully this makes my point. Why would anyone want to "reboot a remake" when the original is the prime and most identifiable element?

But, like I said...I can accept that anything is possible. I'm sure there's a mathematical possibility that the moon will turn pink and crash into France tonight...! But it's really not very likely. I have the same feelings about fans who make the "TNG Reboot" or "Moving forward in the original timeline" argument. Yeah...it's possible. Likely, though? Nope. Not even remotely.

 

[Vger23]

I posted this back in the spring regarding the general direction I think they'd need to go:

You want a new Trek series that I think would actually work? Ok...here it goes. I honestly believe these are required elements, regardless of how we feel or what we personally want.

1. No crossover fanwank. No Dr. Bashir and Tom Paris showing up to help B4 defeat the Borg Queen. This is where the current novels are total crap. A show depending on this kind of gimmick would be garbage.

2. Nothing post-Nemesis or post-Voyager.

3. Nothing so far in the future or so far away that it is no longer relatable.

4. Can't have "intergalactic politics" that so many fans love override a theme of pioneering and space exploration.

5. No war theme. It was already done well in DS9. No need to revisit that arc.

6. No need for the silly fan-wanky crew make-up so many seem to want. You know, no dolphin security officers, Horta Captains, or Romulan ships councilors. Stupid.

I believe this means a total reboot. If it were in my hands, I'd reboot the Kirk and Spock era aboard the original Enterprise as severely as BSG rebooted that franchise. Mainly, I think this is the way to go because of "brand recognition," but also because those characters are the best.

What made the original great was that it was cutting-edge and took a ton of risks for the time. I believe you'd need to bring a modern mentality and accomplish that very same thing for our time. Make it a cable show with a limited season run (8-10 episodes) so the writing and production values are top-notch.

I'd also look at doing something like Game of Thrones, where you have multiple interconnected story lines taking place in multiple locations. It would be cool to have the Enterprise be the hub of storytelling activity, but to have interconnected drama taking place on Earth, a remote space station, Kronos, etc.

I think they'd also need to have more risks with the characters. They'd need to be willing to make massive changes and developments and/or have character deaths occur at times. Have conflict and drama!

Also, don't overdo the technobabble or nerdy tech elements. Have more of aTOS approach where that stuff is there, but doesn't take 5 mins to explain, nor does it become necessary to solving the episode every week.

Include the classic antagonist races like Klingons, Romulans, and Tholians, but revamp them considerably to be multi-faceted and not so one-dimensional. The crap idea that Trek perpetuated was that "all Klingons are boisterous drunken warriors" and "all Romulans are scheming double-crossers." For a series that valued diversity, it really tended to pigeonhole races.

Visually, I think they need to abandon the static, 1987 TNG era presentation of ships. I'd love to see more of a "2001" realism to the starship scenes. Not taking it too far...but just taking it in a different direction, much the same way BSG did.

And, thematically, like in said earlier, it's a 70-30 split on pioneering / exploration and intergalactic politics. Lots of character drama and relationships. And, comparing the format to Thrones or BSG isn't to be mistaken for saying that Treks's fun and optimism should give way to darkness and violence. Sure, it can't be moustache twirling villains dressed in black against the ultimate pious good guy all the time either, but you can never do away with the fundamental theme of mankind striving to better themselves and working together. I wouldn't make them all perfect like the TNG characters, but they would also avoid the overboard use of "moral ambiguity" that seems so popular these days as well.

I think if you created a show based on these fundamentals, you'd have the best chance for success with fans and modern audiences. I'm Sure it would disgust and repel some fans, but that's completely unavoidable. You can't create a series like this and try to please everyone...and it would be death to try. Make something that is high-quality and dramatic and avoid fanwanky nerdy stuff and you can bring in a good percentage of the existing fan base and start to build a totally new one to ensure the franchises continuity and longevity.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

^Some great ideas there!

Last time there was a thread on a TNG reboot, I posted this:

I've often thought about what I would do to "reboot" TNG. Believe I've outlined my thoughts before in this forum. That being said here are a few of my ideas.

I'd mine the original TNG bible, using many of the ideas that were either altered or dropped when the series actually went into production, such as the Enterprise being on a 15 to 20 year mission, alone and without much contact with Starfleet Command. I would explore the community that would be built around the idea that the ship was alone, with only each other to truly rely on.

Starship Life

In other words, I'd find stories among the crew, both Starfleet and civilian, what life truly would be like on a great starship sailing the stars. Much like the movie MASTER AND COMMANDER really portrayed what life was like on an 18th century Royal Navy frigate.

While I wasn't overly fond of the families concept, I'd keep it since it's a great source of conflict and something that would add occasionally tension on the ship. TNG never really dealt with the concept well.

Who are the people that would bring their families? How does that come into conflict with other characters? Does that create strife between the "military" officers and the civilian population, both of whom will occasionally have competing agendas and, of course, different worldviews?

The Crew

One thing that always bugs me about TNG is the lack of conflict, or Roddenberry's "perfect human" idic. The "band of brothers", which can be squarely rested at David Gerrold's feet since he wrote the original bible, was something I never quite understood. Sure they can get along, even like each other but that doesn't mean they aren't going to disagree.

Human beings whether today or 400 years from now will still have their own personalities, their own experiences that shape their worldviews. Conflict isn't who slept with whom — that melodramtic, soap operish idea of conflict. No, it's when one worldview rubs against an opposing one. Or how those worldviews approach problems. Think about McCoy and Spock, who had an underlying conflict because of the different worldviews. Even Kirk and Spock didn't always see eye-to-eye. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" had a wonderful tension between the two, which I wished had been seen more in the actual series.

That's what I mean by conflict. How each character views a problem and how they'd solve it, how that differs from another characters? How one character's goals may stand in the way of another?

TNG missed the boat by eliminating any tension between Picard and Riker. EaF set up a potential strife with the idea that Riker didn't allow his former captain to beam down. You were waiting for something like that to happen with Picard and him, but it never did only the lip service of "you can't beam down, regulations, blah blah."

Not to say they'd be entirely the same characters from TNG. There'd be some changes.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard:

Much younger than in the original. Perhaps late 30s. This would allow him to drive much of the show's action. Still thoughtful, perhaps not as reserved. He is still very much of a different era of Starfleet where captains lead away missions, didn't hesitate to put themselves into harm's way. An era that is slowly going away.

He is primarily driven by the need to protect his ship and crew at all cost, even at the sacrifice of his own life. This worldview has been shaped by the loss of his previous command, the Stargazer, which nearly resulted in his being booted out of the fleet. He is an explorer at heart, who has learned to be a warrior. And those two personality traits often cause him internal conflict.

Commander Wilhelmina T. Ryker, aka "Number One":

Yes, a woman. TNG lacked a lot of strong women in command roles. Always wanted to see Shelby as first officer after BoBW. Either replacing Riker or becoming his XO.

She is ambitious. She is driven by her desire to get her own command. She believes that she should be the captain of the Enterprise. She is very much an officer of the new era of Starfleet, which is less military and less formal. Her worldview and her own ambition often puts her into direct conflict with Picard.

They don't always see eye-to-eye on command decisions. She occasionally challenges him in front of others.

Like Riker in the original bible, she'd find it a little hard to accept ...

Data:

Never liked that a human built Data. Really liked the concept that his origins were a bit more mysterious in the original bible. I'd bring back that concept. I'd return him to being more an artificial biological being as he was in the early episodes, rather than the mechanical automaton he later became.

Still a childlike quality, Data would make some humans uncomfortable. Yet he'd be a reasoned, logical creature, which could at times make him dangerous and a bit unpredictable. He could use reason to sacrifice a life because it was logical to do so to save a greater good. Without empathy, he'd be someone that could do harm but not realize that he is doing so.

Deanna Troi:

She'd be a civilian First Contact specialist. An advisor to Picard on contact with alien lifeforms. Bring back some of the more reserved aspect of the character from the first season. Yet that aspect would only be for when she's on duty. Off-duty she is very much aware of her own sexuality, especially since there are little taboos regarding sex on Betazed. She is a sensual creature, sultry but very much in control of it.

However, there are those humans that are intimidated by Troi because of her telepathic skills. Since she is from a planet without inhibitions, some fear that she'd invade their privacy.

Dr. Beverly Crusher:

Less Janice Rand with a medical degree. While she'd still have a past with Picard, she'd be a research scientist in her own right, aboard Enterprise because of that.

Slightly older than Picard, her husband, Jack, was his mentor. Picard replaced him as captain of the Stargazer when he was killed on an away mission. Part of Beverly blames him for Jack death since it was his duty to protect his captain. The other is guilt for having an affair with Picard while her husband was alive.

However, she is driven by a need to save life, no matter what, to uphold her oath as a physician. More than that, she is also strongly driven to complete a comprehensive work on xenomedicine. This agenda creates conflict between her, Picard and Ryker.

Midshipman Wesley Crusher:

Roddenberry gave lip service that Picard, Riker and Wesley represented the three stages of an officer's career. Less genius, Crusher is truly Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. Eager, unexperienced and a bit of a self-doubter, who is constantly thrown into situations where he has to prove himself. Picard can be overly hard on him, as he trains the young Crusher to become an officer.

And the Rest ...

Haven't really given much thought to the other characters. I much liked Geordi on the bridge rather than when he was the chief engineer. I'd maybe explore him a bit and how having a device as an extension of himself informs his worldview.

Not sure if there would be a Tasha. Although, I'd probably make her Hernandez to make the cast more ethnically diverse. Worf would be there, not sure how.

Stories

Less episodes per season, to stretch the budget and tighten up the storytelling. The series would still be episodic, but with the occasionally planet exploration taking place over the course of several episodes.

It would be episodic like MAD MEN, where each episode stands on its own but pushes the conflict between characters a bit further or to a head in the last episode of the season. You can watch an individual episode and still get the story, but watch the entire season and you see a greater tapestry.

The characters would change and evolve over the episodes, much like MAD MEN. I'd bring the sophistication of today's television storytelling to the action-adventure of STAR TREK.

I'd also buy LitSF short stories, from today and yesteryear, and adapt them. Bring on contemporary writers like John Scalzi, Cory Doctorow and Neil Gaiman as contributors. Maybe even as consultants.

 

[T'Girl]

I posted this back in the spring regarding the general direction I think they'd need to go:

I came up with this about four years ago ...

Set anywhere between the end of the Romulan War and WNMHGB, show the Federation and Starfleet in their younger days.

Need someone fresh in command, neither Kirk nor Archer, A more Stephen Decatur like character, young - brash - headstrong - driven, exploring the space surrounding the infant Federation. He a veteran of the romulan war, this is his first command, given his youth he's likely only a Lt.Commander or Commander. His lack of "seasoning" result in his making the rare mistake.

The ship will not look like a corridor from a Hilton hotel. Make it tight inside, world war two submarine tight, people squeeze past each other. The crew has families, just not aboard with them. There are married couples.

Story Ideas. Except for the walled off Romulans and the rarely seen Klingons, the new crew explores space with NO gigantic powers. Makes first contacts (without the benefit of the prime directive), fights against minor but strong enemies, encounters pirates and slavers, faces ethical dilemmas, we get to know his crew, this is a time of expansion for the Federation and also Earth.

Story Ideas. No one uses the phrase "empire building' but that basically what it is. It's very 15th through 18th century Earth-like.

Story Ideas. The Federation doesn't coalesce right away into a more perfect union, there are settling in problems.. This will be less politics and more civilian competition. Trade routes, resources, new colonies -- think of the new Federation as a on-going Journey to Babel.

Story Ideas. Humanity wasn't held back for a century by the Vulcans (who are still arrogant assholes), Humans exploded out into the galaxy immediately after Cochrane's first flight. Earth has many dozens of colonies, some of which are successful others not.

Story Ideas. Throw a little zinger in sometimes, show that 22nd century Humans don't think exactly like us. Two centuries had to have changed us in some ways.

Story Ideas. Our heroes lose sometime, sometimes badly.

Story Ideas. There is a female Vulcan character, a young minor officer from the Vulcan defense forces. No catsuit, the Vulcans are usually shown in robes of some kind, put Vulcan-girl in something like that. Think about Japanese Samurai/ Jedi Knight form of dress. But still give her freedom of movement. With the right material you'd still be able to see her boobs. Increase the strangeness factor on the Vulcans, Amok Time did a fair job of this. They live 250 years and the average family has 20 odd children, the reason they send them into the desert on the kas-wan is because they want most of them to die.

Story Ideas. Junk Star Trek's "modern secular liberalism." Sure a few of our characters will embrace this, but most of the characters are a diverse group in terms of their beliefs. Economics, philosophies, religion, politics. As we get to know them we'll realize that the characters are very different from each other. The crew will have relationships, sex hook ups, marriages, friendships, enemies, problems.

Story Ideas. There would be two secondary characters, one a person of profound faith, the other a adamant atheist. Make them best friends, there would be a on going C story arc of the two of them arguing, joking, pushing their individual interpretation of the events in various episodes. Think of the friendly arguments between McCoy and Spock. Just something in the background.

There will be aliens of course, they will be alien through the actors portrayals and minimal make-up, but not super elaborate make-up.

Not sure just how "military" the show would be. I think today's audience might accept a more traditional military organizational structure.

During this particular show Earth/Federation/Starfleet there will be no replicators. But there will be money.

 

[Nerys Myk]

If I was going to reboot TNG, I'd pull from all the 24th Century shows for characters and ideas.

My 24th Century crew

Captain Picard- Commanding officer. An older seasoned commander. Calm, cool and a bit aloof. He's highly principled and a firm believer in what the Federation stands for

Commander Kira- Executive officer. A former Bajoran freedom fighter/militia member who's world has recently joined the Federation. She's a bit of a hot head, which masks the horrors she experienced during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor.

Lt Commander Tuvok- Security Chief. A Century old Vulcan who was a mentor to Picard when he first joined Starfleet. He's recently returned to "active duty" after spending several years on a covert operation ( possibly on Romulus)

Sr CPO O'Brien- Chief of Engineering. A cheerful likable everyman whose's a veteran of the Cardassian War. He'd like to put the war behind him, but like Kira has a hard time letting go. He masks his pain through heroic fantasies on the holo deck.

Lt. Bashir- Chief Medical Officer.Intelligent, young, naive, ambitious with an eye for romance. He's often O'Brien's partner in holo adventures. This is his first deep space assignment. He also hides a secret.

Lt. Worf- Tactical Officer. A Klingon officer who takes great pride in his culture. He's often at odds with Tuvok who has a very different approach to protecting the ship. Part of this stems from Worf's childhood memories of a Romulan attack that killed his parents. Memories that include a man with Tuvok's face.

Lt. Data- Science Officer. An android that resembles a humanoid female. She's fascinated with being human, which perplexes Tuvok. Data was found on Exo III, the last of the androids left by a mysterious race called the Old Ones.

Lt. Commander Dax- Diplomatic Officer. A Trill on it's seventh host, a young officer named Jadzia, Dax is a skilled diplomat and first contact specialist. With contacts that span centuries and the galaxy Dax is someone not to underestimate even if her face is that of pretty young woman.

Supporting characters

Admiral Sisko- Commander of the Enterprise's homeport, a space station orbiting Bajor called Deep Space Nine and the entire Bajoran Sector. The Bajoran sector sits on the Federation frontier and borders the Cardassian Union, it's former overlord. Beyond it is unexplored space. Territory that the Federation and the Union both covet.

Quark- A Ferengi trader based on DS9.

Keiko O'Brien- Chief O'Brien's wife who lives on DS9

Dr. Beverly Crusher- Head of Federation relief operations on Bajor.

Gul Dukat- The local Cardassian commander and Picard's "rival".

Lt Tom Paris- Enterprise Conn officer.

Garak- A Cardassian tailor on DS9 and a sometimes source for Tuvok.

 

[Vger23]

I posted this back in the spring regarding the general direction I think they'd need to go:

I came up with this about four years ago ...

Set anywhere between the end of the Romulan War and WNMHGB, show the Federation and Starfleet in their younger days.

Need someone fresh in command, neither Kirk nor Archer, A more Stephen Decatur like character, young - brash - headstrong - driven, exploring the space surrounding the infant Federation. He a veteran of the romulan war, this is his first command, given his youth he's likely only a Lt.Commander or Commander. His lack of "seasoning" result in his making the rare mistake.

The ship will not look like a corridor from a Hilton hotel. Make it tight inside, world war two submarine tight, people squeeze past each other. The crew has families, just not aboard with them. There are married couples.

Story Ideas. Except for the walled off Romulans and the rarely seen Klingons, the new crew explores space with NO gigantic powers. Makes first contacts (without the benefit of the prime directive), fights against minor but strong enemies, encounters pirates and slavers, faces ethical dilemmas, we get to know his crew, this is a time of expansion for the Federation and also Earth.

Story Ideas. No one uses the phrase "empire building' but that basically what it is. It's very 15th through 18th century Earth-like.

Story Ideas. The Federation doesn't coalesce right away into a more perfect union, there are settling in problems.. This will be less politics and more civilian competition. Trade routes, resources, new colonies -- think of the new Federation as a on-going Journey to Babel.

Story Ideas. Humanity wasn't held back for a century by the Vulcans (who are still arrogant assholes), Humans exploded out into the galaxy immediately after Cochrane's first flight. Earth has many dozens of colonies, some of which are successful others not.

Story Ideas. Throw a little zinger in sometimes, show that 22nd century Humans don't think exactly like us. Two centuries had to have changed us in some ways.

Story Ideas. Our heroes lose sometime, sometimes badly.

Story Ideas. There is a female Vulcan character, a young minor officer from the Vulcan defense forces. No catsuit, the Vulcans are usually shown in robes of some kind, put Vulcan-girl in something like that. Think about Japanese Samurai/ Jedi Knight form of dress. But still give her freedom of movement. With the right material you'd still be able to see her boobs. Increase the strangeness factor on the Vulcans, Amok Time did a fair job of this. They live 250 years and the average family has 20 odd children, the reason they send them into the desert on the kas-wan is because they want most of them to die.

Story Ideas. Junk Star Trek's "modern secular liberalism." Sure a few of our characters will embrace this, but most of the characters are a diverse group in terms of their beliefs. Economics, philosophies, religion, politics. As we get to know them we'll realize that the characters are very different from each other. The crew will have relationships, sex hook ups, marriages, friendships, enemies, problems.

Story Ideas. There would be two secondary characters, one a person of profound faith, the other a adamant atheist. Make them best friends, there would be a on going C story arc of the two of them arguing, joking, pushing their individual interpretation of the events in various episodes. Think of the friendly arguments between McCoy and Spock. Just something in the background.

There will be aliens of course, they will be alien through the actors portrayals and minimal make-up, but not super elaborate make-up.

Not sure just how "military" the show would be. I think today's audience might accept a more traditional military organizational structure.

During this particular show Earth/Federation/Starfleet there will be no replicators. But there will be money.

This is actually fairly compelling. Thes a lot her that could be well fleshed-out. I like the thought of exploring the "Robert April / Axanar" era 10-20 years prior to The Cage. Well done (I'm usually very disinterested in "fan ideas" for new shows because they're always fairly derivative or cookie-cutter.

 

[Orphalesion]

Setting a series X number of years after the previous series isn't actually moving forward. Exploring new ideas, even if its with the same characters, is.

Of course it has to be new ideas. DS9 was a god example of moving forward, Voyager was not.
But I still would find it horribly limiting if ST as a franchise chains itself forever to the TOS characters. Never a female main character but Uhura, never an alien main character but Spock. Bah! Horrible!

It's still looking back, "let's go back to the roots, the original" I just don't agree with sentiments like that. Who cares what was first? Let everything run its course.

That's why I also said earlier I would no be happy with a TNG reboot just happier than with another TOS reboot because I find a lot of the characters in TNG more interesting.

Marvel reboots all the time. They just like to do them "in continuity". Remember with Bucky was kid in his early teens who was a camp mascot and not a highly trained, ruthless killer? Or when Spider-man was married?

The marvel universe is vast so I have no idea which incarnation f Bucky you mean. but the Winter Soldier incarnation very much builds on established continuity.
Spider-Man..I give you that, and they have been criticized ever since.

But it has not so far replaced the current Avengers or X-Men completely with the 60s ones "because they were the originals"

I posted this back in the spring regarding the general direction I think they'd need to go:

I came up with this about four years ago ...

Set anywhere between the end of the Romulan War and WNMHGB, show the Federation and Starfleet in their younger days.

Need someone fresh in command, neither Kirk nor Archer, A more Stephen Decatur like character, young - brash - headstrong - driven, exploring the space surrounding the infant Federation. He a veteran of the romulan war, this is his first command, given his youth he's likely only a Lt.Commander or Commander. His lack of "seasoning" result in his making the rare mistake.

The ship will not look like a corridor from a Hilton hotel. Make it tight inside, world war two submarine tight, people squeeze past each other. The crew has families, just not aboard with them. There are married couples.

Story Ideas. Except for the walled off Romulans and the rarely seen Klingons, the new crew explores space with NO gigantic powers. Makes first contacts (without the benefit of the prime directive), fights against minor but strong enemies, encounters pirates and slavers, faces ethical dilemmas, we get to know his crew, this is a time of expansion for the Federation and also Earth.

Story Ideas. No one uses the phrase "empire building' but that basically what it is. It's very 15th through 18th century Earth-like.

Story Ideas. The Federation doesn't coalesce right away into a more perfect union, there are settling in problems.. This will be less politics and more civilian competition. Trade routes, resources, new colonies -- think of the new Federation as a on-going Journey to Babel.

Story Ideas. Humanity wasn't held back for a century by the Vulcans (who are still arrogant assholes), Humans exploded out into the galaxy immediately after Cochrane's first flight. Earth has many dozens of colonies, some of which are successful others not.

Story Ideas. Throw a little zinger in sometimes, show that 22nd century Humans don't think exactly like us. Two centuries had to have changed us in some ways.

Story Ideas. Our heroes lose sometime, sometimes badly.

Story Ideas. There is a female Vulcan character, a young minor officer from the Vulcan defense forces. No catsuit, the Vulcans are usually shown in robes of some kind, put Vulcan-girl in something like that. Think about Japanese Samurai/ Jedi Knight form of dress. But still give her freedom of movement. With the right material you'd still be able to see her boobs. Increase the strangeness factor on the Vulcans, Amok Time did a fair job of this. They live 250 years and the average family has 20 odd children, the reason they send them into the desert on the kas-wan is because they want most of them to die.

Story Ideas. Junk Star Trek's "modern secular liberalism." Sure a few of our characters will embrace this, but most of the characters are a diverse group in terms of their beliefs. Economics, philosophies, religion, politics. As we get to know them we'll realize that the characters are very different from each other. The crew will have relationships, sex hook ups, marriages, friendships, enemies, problems.

Story Ideas. There would be two secondary characters, one a person of profound faith, the other a adamant atheist. Make them best friends, there would be a on going C story arc of the two of them arguing, joking, pushing their individual interpretation of the events in various episodes. Think of the friendly arguments between McCoy and Spock. Just something in the background.

There will be aliens of course, they will be alien through the actors portrayals and minimal make-up, but not super elaborate make-up.

Not sure just how "military" the show would be. I think today's audience might accept a more traditional military organizational structure.

During this particular show Earth/Federation/Starfleet there will be no replicators. But there will be money.

I like some of the ideas very much, others not very.

I would love to see the believer and atheist characters. And makign the Alien cultures actually alien.

However not a big fan of the minimalist make-up on the aliens. The elaborate make-up on the alien characters was what I liked about Enterprise.
Also not a big fan of money existing or Starfleet becoming more military.

In general I'd rather have something set a century after everything established so far, with maybe a technological decline in-between to prevent the setting form being too powerful.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I'm not sure I buy this whole idea of "moving forward" within STAR TREK. There's no limit to what this reboot can offer. The ENTERPRISE can even dispense with Warp Drive, altogether and just fold space, as its chief means of transport, I mean ... people can already beam across the entire Galaxy, as it is. And this is all with the show's primary focus being Captain Kirk and his crew. "Mixing it up" with different ships and crews doesn't add, or change anything. Especially, when at the end of every Great Journey in STAR TREK there is a reflection of "us" ... of Humanity.

V'GER needs something more to believe in. NuKhan is just protecting his family. TNG, DS9, VOY & ENT all gave us the same "Man Behind the Curtain" deal as TOS did. With Kirk & Co., we already have Time Travel, and Aliens of every kind and stakes that aren't just global, they're galactic. There's nothing really to "move forward" to but more of this "meeting ourselves" at the end of our STAR TREK travels. Mixing up ships and crews now will only water down the franchise and weaken it to where it loses all viability again. And I, for one don't want to see that, because I happen to like STAR TREK.

 

[Vger23]

I'm not sure I buy this whole idea of "moving forward" within STAR TREK. There's no limit to what this reboot can offer. The ENTERPRISE can even dispense with Warp Drive, altogether and just fold space, as its chief means of transport, I mean ... people can already beam across the entire Galaxy, as it is. And this is all with the show's primary focus being Captain Kirk and his crew. "Mixing it up" with different ships and crews doesn't add, or change anything. Especially, when at the end of every Great Journey in STAR TREK there is a reflection of "us" ... of Humanity.

V'GER needs something more to believe in. NuKhan is just protecting his family. TNG, DS9, VOY & ENT all gave us the same "Man Behind the Curtain" deal as TOS did. With Kirk & Co., we already have Time Travel, and Aliens of every kind and stakes that aren't just global, they're galactic. There's nothing really to "move forward" to but more of this "meeting ourselves" at the end of our STAR TREK travels. Mixing up ships and crews now will only water down the franchise and weaken it to where it loses all viability again. And I, for one don't want to see that, because I happen to like STAR TREK.

Nicely said, Frakes. Hard to argue.