What Does a Non-Trekker Need to Know Going Into This Movie?

[scottydog]

My daughter (who is 20) has always mocked me for being a star trek fan. Well, she's heard that the movie is good, and I've convinced her to go see it with me. She says she'll go in with an open mind. I've already seen it twice, so this is a good excuse to see it a 3rd time!

Anyway, what kind of background info should I give her? I don't want to give her too little, but I don't want to bore her to death with detailed trek history, either. She basically knows nothing and is starting from scratch. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[FemurBone]

You'll need to explain the Vulcans to her. The logic, The Vulcan neck pinch and the Vulcan mind meld. Those things are just thrown into the film with no explanation.

 

[GalaxyX]

Nothing is needed. The movie stands on it's own. If you want you can give her some general information, like what the Federation is, and what Romulus is. If she likes the movie, she may be interested in watching the original shows afterward anyway.

 

[Sector 7]

You'll need to explain the Vulcans to her. The logic, The Vulcan neck pinch and the Vulcan mind meld. Those things are just thrown into the film with no explanation.

Perhaps let her read the Countdown Comics, as well. It may explain Nero's motivation as well.

 

[GalaxyX]

I took one of my best friends to see the movie. This guy is as far from Trekkie as possible. He was expecting a snoozefest and was actually quite surprised at what it was. He still probably won't pick up the Collector's edition of TOS or TNG but at least now Star Trek is no longer nerd territory to him.

I suspect something similar would happen with your daughter. Let her see the movie for what it is. "Explaining" anything is just going to bog down the experience. If she has questions afterward, then you can explain

 

[Bigedmond]

not to make fun of the guy in the star trek uniform sitting 2 rows in front of you. His Vulcan ears help him hear you laugh at the fact hes never had a girlfriend.

Well, that was my experience.

 

[perigee]

In the not too distant future - on Stardate 2250 -
There was a guy named Kirk, not too different from you or me.
He met this girl and got into a fight,
Got on his bike, and drove all night
he got beat up and kicked in the face,
But Captain Pike liked him, so they shot him into space.

They gave him cheesy simus - the worst they could find.
Kirk got pissed off and changed the thing, just to screw with all their minds.
Now, keep in mind Kirk can't control how the simmy begin or end; because he does,
he gets impeached and pissed off his Vulcan friennnd.

Star Trek Role Call!

Sulu! Checkov! Scotty! Booooonnnness!

You're wondering about the Black Hole stars, and how the crew reacts,
Just repeat to yourself, it's just a show - I should really just relax

For Star Trek Elevennn...

That about covers it. Thank you.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Nothing, the movie is designed for the non-Trekker crowd and introduces each and every character because you got to have an origin story these days so just let her enjoy it on her own terms.

 

[Gojira]

My 21 year daughter who was not a Star trek fan, nor did she have much knowledge about the show, other than knowing Kirk and Spock, saw the movie before I did and loved it and understood it completely.

 

[Squiggy]

not to make fun of the guy in the star trek uniform sitting 2 rows in front of you. His Vulcan ears help him hear you laugh at the fact hes never had a girlfriend.

Well, that was my experience.

I could give you a simple solution to your problem.

 

[startrekwatcher]

Pretty much nothing. It requires very little in the way of TOS knowledge.
You might want to explain the Vulcan/Romulan relationship in the 23rd century and Ambassador Spock's efforts on Romulus which would shed some light on some of the future events in 2387. I thought this was handled poorly.

You might let them know what a katra, katric ark are.

 

[NCC-1701-B]

i took a freind to see it, and he wasnt really expecting much (he is 16, like me, but most 16yr olds wont even go near trek) But he came out and wanted to know more. Then he called me a geek for knowing it all :P

yeah, all you need to explain is the vulcan emotion thing, thats all i needed to explain

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Pretty much nothing. It requires very little in the way of TOS knowledge.
You might want to explain the Vulcan/Romulan relationship in the 23rd century and Ambassador Spock's efforts on Romulus which would shed some light on some of the future events in 2387. I thought this was handled poorly.

You might let them know what a katra, katric ark are.

Hell, I don't even know what a katric ark is...

 

[Kelthaz]

not to make fun of the guy in the star trek uniform sitting 2 rows in front of you. His Vulcan ears help him hear you laugh at the fact hes never had a girlfriend.

Well, that was my experience.

I could give you a simple solution to your problem.

Yeah, sit in the back. It's easily the best row.

 

[startrekwatcher]

Pretty much nothing. It requires very little in the way of TOS knowledge.
You might want to explain the Vulcan/Romulan relationship in the 23rd century and Ambassador Spock's efforts on Romulus which would shed some light on some of the future events in 2387. I thought this was handled poorly.

You might let them know what a katra, katric ark are.

Hell, I don't even know what a katric ark is...

It was only ever mentioned before on ENT in "Awakening" as an object that stores the katras of important Vulcan figures. I thought it was important for someone to be aware of in order to realize that those Vulcans including Sarek down in that ancient chamber were most likely melding with the arks in order to preserve all the total knowledge of those various Vulcan figures including Surak so they could rebuild their culture.

 

[Islander]

You might as well have her watch all previous movies and series. Why deprive her of the fun of arguing about canon and time travel mechanics with us?

 

[Messianni]

I'd just let her see it without any explanation and if she has questions afterwards, answer. That's what I did for a friend of mine; she didn't want to see it with anyone else but me, since she knew I could answer any questions she had. She understood virtually everything, just a question or two about what Spock's connection to the Romulans were and such.

 

[Islander]

I'd just let her see it without any explanation and if she has questions afterwards, answer. That's what I did for a friend of mine; she didn't want to see it with anyone else but me, since she knew I could answer any questions she had. She understood virtually everything, just a question or two about what Spock's connection to the Romulans were and such.

Is that how you would approach all parenting interventions?

 

[seigezunt]

Nothing, other than being prepared to ignore the guy in the audience whimpering "my childhood, my childhood."

 

[scottydog]

Just read all the posts above. You people are all nuts but I love you anyway.

I think what I'm getting from you is tell her very little and go from there. Thanks!