TOS Purity and ENT

[Noname Given]

On reason to go forward, is not to have to explain the overly advanced looking tech on ENT compared to TOS.

But that just the thing - honestly, when you look at what TOS was attempting to [present, ENT's tech doesn't look 'more advanced as all.

TOS - All bridge stations (except the Helm have 4 to 6 display screens recessed into the modular bridge that can display VERY high resolution graphics. (Source for this - The Ultimate Computer when Scotty asks Chekov to check the G95 system - he goes do the station and brings up a high resolution display on one of the recessed monitors (Yes, to accomplish that in 1967 they used a plastic overlay, BUT it is supposed to represent a detailed computer generated display.)

ENT - In contrast; on the NX-01 bridge all the monitors are big, rather bulky; and stick out; and by comparison the graphics quality of what they display is lower.

Then there's the 'blinking colored lights'. On TOS (on any monitor) you often saw small red, yellow, blue and green indicators blinking at various rates. On ENT the display monitors had these SAME colored indicators on the display monitors, much larger and blinking more slowly. (and I'm sure this was an intentional aspect added by the production design crew).

As for sliding doors - there are nothing but automated sliding doors on the 1701. On ENT's NX-01; yes, they have some sliding doors; but in MANY places (most notably Main Engineering); they have manual locking airtight hatches.

So, again, if you watch with any eye to what each series was attempting to represent; I don't get that ENT looks more advanced than TOS - yes, the set elements and actual monitors they used in the production of the show ARE more advanced; but what they are attempting to convey isn't when you look at stuff in the context that it's presented.

Hell, when they started adding actual TV displays and monitors to the 1701 in ST:TMP; I personally thought the bridge and other areas DID look 'less advanced' than in the 'Star Trek' TV show, because the displays were MUCH larger; and the raster graphics looked less advanced and lower resolution then the plastic display overlays sometimes used for the TV show.

I sometimes wonder if it's a generational thing in that these days, with effects technology as it is today, some younger folks (in some respects) don't use their imagination as much because with current CG technology, images and things can be done that leave a lot less to the imagination as a result?

But again, if you look at what the series are attempting to convey (using the various production techniques of their day respectively); I've never understood how people who watch the shows can say the NX-01 bridge looks and functions in a 'more advanced' state then the 1701 bridge as show on TOS.

 

[Robert D. Robot]

^ Thank you for posting such well-reasoned comments!

You give several good, specific examples of how the NX interior does look less advanced in its technology compared to TOS 1701.
In contrast, I usually see only vague complaints lacking any real supporting specific examples when someone criticizes the NX for looking "too advanced".

 

[Wingsley]

I never had a serious problem with the look of the NX-01's interior sets. I thought they were very logically done and looked quite appropriate, continuity-wise. In fact, I really liked the somewhat cramped, metallic look of the sets.

The exterior look of the NX-01, while basically sound an plausible, had too much of a TNG look to it, especially the excessive use of windows and the brightly glowing side grillework on the nacelles.

 

[Robert D. Robot]

^ Hmmm..... I do see what you are saying.

I guess in my own mind I am allowing for certain trends of style, design, and technology to have meandered back & forth as they also, in general, moved forward in the years between 2151 and 2361. For example, maybe there was a technological reason that the grillwork glowed like it did on NX class ships, why later developments in technology lead to engines that did not produce glowing grillwork on Constitution class vessels, but then a leap or two in engine design lead to the more powerful engines of the Galaxy class, but a resulting consequence/characteristic of this newer technology also happened to be the re-appearance of grillwork that glowed.

I do see your point though, Wingsley, and I do agree about the similarities that you point out between ENT and STNG and respect this. I guess I find a way to "explain around" the issue, but I appreciate the point that you are making.