What's the earliest a show can be set and still be Star Trek?

How about season 1 and 2 of Enterprise?

 

Well played, sir. Well played indeed.

 

Honest answer: I think any time frame, as long as there is SOME connection to the Star Trek universe, probably works. Heck, you could have a series set millions of years ago about the Preservers, I guess....and it's still Star Trek.

 

1966. lol

I am not sure there is any good reason to limit it at all. We have heard (fictional) historical accounts within it dating back thousands, if not millions? of years. Any one of those story fragments could be built upon if they wanted to, and assuming the story was good enough.

 

"So here's the pitch. Alien star travelers visit ancient Greece, where they're worshipped as gods. Alien lifeforms escape from their ship and laboratories: hydras, centaurs, gorgons, minotaurs, etc. The 'gods' feud with each other, seduce mortal humans, take sides in the Trojan War. Drama ensues.

"We call it STAR TREK: ADONAIS."

 

Voyager, but stuck on ancient Earth (aka any time pre-space flight) due to time travel. Dual time, with a DTI team on their tail, but hampered by a limited ability to time travel due to (insert problem here). They can observe and communicate to a limited extent, but can't exfil.

 

STAR TREK: GUARDIAN OF FOREVER. Boldly going anywhere in history!

 

Technically, they can go all the way back to Earth's beginning.

 

I honestly think all a Trek series needs is to be in the Trek universe. It doesn't even need Star Trek in the title. We already did that once with Enterprise. Star Trek's just a name for the franchise. The extent of trekking can be anywhere between 0 and 100%. All that matters is a good story. They could make TV films about the Vulcan/Romulan schism or do an adaptation of MJF's "Kahless" book or do a proper "Assignment:Earth" series. I've been keen on a Trek series that's just about 24th century removalists.

 

Considering Voyager was once sent back to the literal Big Bang by Quinn...

 

Anything post 1966 in their timeline would be Star Trek. A miniseries about the Eugenics wars would be fun. Especially with the theory that future guy may have played a part in it.

 

What's the earliest a show can be set and still be Star Trek?
Whenever.

What's the earliest a show can be set and still feel like Star Trek?
Now, there's the question we're really asking.

 

I'd like to see a show (maybe an anthology, maybe with some time jumps) taking place post first contact and pre Enterprise.

Show the development of various warp capabilities, maybe some large and very low warp colony ships, the loss of Cochrane, early colonies, developing interstellar trade, the "boomers" etc.

 

I was thinking a DTI show, they could travel to any period. It wouldn't just be about time cops but could also be about studying the science, history, different races. While still allowing for adventures, comedy, drama, etc in the stories

I t could be invaluable as you'd learn how to escape time loops or learn how to cope with alternative versions of people/reality

 

April 5, 2063

 

And the Guardian is bigger on the inside, I'll bet.

 

Kind of like Snoopy's doghouse, Newt Scamander's satchel, or Digory Kirke's wardrobe.

 

You forgot the Tardis

 

Well, it's good that we have you to cover for me, then.

 

I gotta be honest, I'd totally be up for a series set aboard the SS Valiant...