Isn't it an artifact of the franchise's general unwillingness to show protracted conflicts (as well as to compete with Star Wars)?
Was blowing up Romulus a good idea?
- Thread starter The Overlord
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I don't think they write their scenarios relatively to those of Star Wars.
Although I generally enjoy them I do understand most of the complaints usually made about the Brian Herbert/Kevin J Anderson Dune novels, but this one I don't get. What is wrong with short chapters? It's a criticism I see often made, both of the Dune novels and of other novels in general. In fact, I remember Family Guy making a joke about the short chapters in The da Vinci Code. But I don't really get how this is an issue.
Ironically, this would make reunification much more attractive to some and more loathsome to others if your home planet is gone and your numbers have taken a major hit. You'd see Romulans change their opinions in both directions. Some might revere Nero as a god and start a terrorist cult; those who also lost family and are angry. With no homeworld, they'd be looking for a new one or expanding their colonies elsewhere.
Also, there would be the Vulcan's side of things. Some of them would resent Romulan grovelling; others would want to work for peace. Who would rise up and take Spock Prime's place as mediator?
You'd see way more Romulans than you ever did before because they're the ones who this story hinges on.
Those of you who criticize 24th century-set Trek for being all "We're Humans, we're superior and awesome, we've solved everything..." That could change in the aftermath of the disaster. Maybe some Romulans want to take refuge on Federation settlements, even Earth or Vulcan Prime themselves. Maybe there's even a civil war brewing and the Federation has to pick sides. Perhaps a splinter group of Romulan refugees want to defect to the Federation for protection from the other side - some could even serve on Starfleet ships, despite not being Starfleet officers. Maybe Starfleet is forced to put its lofty exploring goals on hold temporarily while it maintains the peace.
You'd have opportunists taking advantage of those that remain and exploiting the tension, maybe even heating it up to achieve a desired goal. Maybe an old enemy of the Romulans (never seen/mentioned before or only briefly) rises up in the power vacuum and they have nowhere to turn but old foes.
I definitely believe they can use this element to tell good stories, especially if it's about a new crew. There's no limit to the possibilities...
Also, there would be the Vulcan's side of things. Some of them would resent Romulan grovelling; others would want to work for peace. Who would rise up and take Spock Prime's place as mediator?
You'd see way more Romulans than you ever did before because they're the ones who this story hinges on.
Those of you who criticize 24th century-set Trek for being all "We're Humans, we're superior and awesome, we've solved everything..." That could change in the aftermath of the disaster. Maybe some Romulans want to take refuge on Federation settlements, even Earth or Vulcan Prime themselves. Maybe there's even a civil war brewing and the Federation has to pick sides. Perhaps a splinter group of Romulan refugees want to defect to the Federation for protection from the other side - some could even serve on Starfleet ships, despite not being Starfleet officers. Maybe Starfleet is forced to put its lofty exploring goals on hold temporarily while it maintains the peace.
You'd have opportunists taking advantage of those that remain and exploiting the tension, maybe even heating it up to achieve a desired goal. Maybe an old enemy of the Romulans (never seen/mentioned before or only briefly) rises up in the power vacuum and they have nowhere to turn but old foes.
I definitely believe they can use this element to tell good stories, especially if it's about a new crew. There's no limit to the possibilities...
It is well known that the cinematic universe was a response to Star Wars.
Maintaining a set order in a fictional universe where none of the heroes will EVER be in permanent danger or be affected in an irreversible manner - where no major changes to the settings, factions, groupings, or timeline is a recipe for stagnation.
It's almost childish really, this notion that everything will always be ok at the end of the novel, episode, or film.
It's almost childish really, this notion that everything will always be ok at the end of the novel, episode, or film.
Strawman. Noone is arguing for this.
So you're saying the writers should violate the Prime Directive?
Kirk approves this message.Not everything. But really, doesn't everyone hope the characters can live as happily ever after as possible?
The entire thread is about the validity of a major planet being destroyed. Why would it need to be off limits?@Laura Cynthia Chambers
I don't.
I applauded the death of Han Solo, for example. It made a resonant, emotional impact that would have been lost had he been rescued at the last second.
But it is an intergalactic empire, destroying one planet doesn't mean the entire race is gone. I seriously think some folks have problems wrapping their minds around this fact.
As someone who appreciates good drama, okay. But if you lived in that world and he was your pal, would you still clap?
Granted, you don't, nor do I live in the Trek world. Still, it's sad to think your fave character doesn't make it and die of old age after a long life of love, adventure, and friendship. But that's what alternate timelines are for.
Now if I can think of so many ways to use the death of Romulus in a post that took me about 5 minutes or less to compose, surely a team of writers or a good novel author can do that much.
It could be something of interest in the future... just sayin'....
You mean Kevin J Anderson's continuation using Brian's name ?
The first prequel series was passable generic sci - fi novel. The Butlerian Jihad was the same (although it pains me we'll never read the Butlerian Jihad book Frank and McNelly were writing before Frank got sick that Brian tossed out, likely because McNelly want his fair share of the profits). The sequels to the series were a kick to the balls and I stopped reading the sidequels when Paul ran off to join the circus.
What are you guys talking about....???
It has to be done well, I suppose.
That could be interesting as a book or TV series.
Noone is articulating the position you posted in post 147. That's your attempt to poison the well.
And saying it's a bad idea is not some kind of outrageous input into this discussion either.
I don't categorically oppose blowing up Romulus if it's handled appropriately. But I dislike blowing up entire planets with all the depth of stomping on a beach ball and then dislocating the entire film for it to unfold in some other universe. That's just a cop out or a contrived way to shove in Nimoy. And it doesn't help that Nero isn't a particularly clear villain. He struggles for space with alot of the other noise going on in that film.
May I ask what "handled appropriately" entails?
A long montage of footage of Romulus from TNG interspersed with slow, soft piano music?
A full motion picture build up to the death of the planet?
What? - what does "handled appropriately" mean?
A long montage of footage of Romulus from TNG interspersed with slow, soft piano music?
A full motion picture build up to the death of the planet?
What? - what does "handled appropriately" mean?
There was more story about Nero, giving some justification to his hatred for Spock but they removed it, making the whole thing completely absurd.
Sometimes life is completely absurd, and things go violently wrong simply because someone has a screw loose.
What's that got to do with the removal of Nero's story?
You said they removed story points that make Nero absurd.
Sometimes people are just apeshit crazy. Take the Colorado movie shooter, or Kim Jong-Un who executed his Education minister (with anti-aircraft guns
) for slouching during a meeting. People doing crazy things don't really need a motive.
Anything else you would care to mention would be more apt than blowing up the planet like a beach ball and then waltzing off for the film to actually happen in some other place, lol. It's obviously a mangled way to shove in Nimoy and impress the kids with FX tidal waves. It's at a Wily Coyote level really.
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