Which TNG novels would make good episodes/films?

[Shikarnov]

A couple weeks ago @RAMA started a thread asking which episodes would make good films. In the same vein, I ask you all today which TNG novels -- or parts of novels -- you think would make for an interesting live-action story on the big or small screen.

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My initial contribution goes to Diane Carey's Ship of the Line. While the overall story is enjoyable enough, the part I would have loved to see made would be Captain Picard's interactions with a holographic Captain Kirk during the battle in the Neutral Zone depicted in Balance of Terror. I think the scene -- and it's companion, another holographic program from The Enemy Within -- would make for a great B-plot in an episode. (It obviously wouldn't work as a movie since general audiences would have no idea what's going on).

@Greg Cox 's Q-Continuum series would make for a fantastic arc story that could probably be woven through an entire season. And while I know TNG tended to stay away from many TOS concepts, the idea of breaching the Galactic Barrier (on which Cox puts a magnificent twist) is the very essence of going "where no one has gone before."

And I don't think I'll ever be able to shake Peter David's Vendetta from memory. It would have made a far far more worthy followup to The Best of Both Worlds than we actually got on screen.

 

[Shikarnov]

Grrr -- I neglected to quadruple check my thread title. =/\= Shikarnov to @Mutai Sho-Rin , would you please use your Q-like mod powers to add "good" before the word "episodes"? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

The Grrrowl inspired me to act quickly.

 

[Nyotarules]

The Destiny novels - I can see the audience response now ' Oh shit its human's fault why ____ exist'

 

[Kilana2]

Both Imzadi novels. And Peter David's Q-in-Law. But just episodes, not movies. Movies include foes like the Borg or the Romulans or the Klingons.
Imzadi I: want to see an aged Riker mourning for Troi. Imzadi II: want to see Lwaxana against Worf.
As to Q-in-Law: Lwaxana versus Q would be hilarious!

 

[Richard Baker]

'Vendetta' by Peter David would make a great movie, Unfortunately it would violate established canon with Guinan and the Borg which came later after it's writing.

'Dark Mirror' by Diane Duane is another great novel which I could see as a movie. A Mirror Universe 1701-D which is not just the same ship with a decorative change but something with a similar configuration but designed for conquest. It is a great read but all those stupid DS-9 Mirror shows establish an alternate canon as well.

 

[Nyotarules]

Would make interesting episodes with no reset button

'Myriad universe Echoes and Refractions' 1st story where Spock died as a child and Kirk's XO was Andorian,
'Myriad universe Infinity's Prism' 1st story- the aftermath where Terra Prime was successful,all aliens were deported in the 22nd century and Kirk becomes a bitter racist due to tragic events.

 

[Shikarnov]

^ It would have been really neat to do something like that -- omit the reset button. But one wonders how that would work practically. I'm thinking about Yesteryear...

Assuming no reset was possible, when Kirk and the landing party returned from the surface and met Thelin, would Starfleet in that timeline have even accepted Captain Kirk as their Captain Kirk and allowed him to remain in command at all?

We often think about time travel from the perspective of our heroes trying to get home, but from the other side it brings up interesting questions about what to do with a displaced personnel. Ironic, given the nature of this thread, but I actually think that question would be really interesting to explore in the kind of depth only a novel could provide.

 

[Nyotarules]

^ It would have been really neat to do something like that -- omit the reset button. But one wonders how that would work practically. I'm thinking about Yesteryear...

Assuming no reset was possible, when Kirk and the landing party returned from the surface and met Thelin, would Starfleet in that timeline have even accepted Captain Kirk as their Captain Kirk and allowed him to remain in command at all?

We often think about time travel from the perspective of our heroes trying to get home, but from the other side it brings up interesting questions about what to do with a displaced personnel. Ironic, given the nature of this thread, but I actually think that question would be really interesting to explore in the kind of depth only a novel could provide.

Interesting question, since their Kirk would have different experiences, despite being competent to command a starship and Spock is meant to be dead so he would be out of a job as well. The novel can explain how Sarek remained a widow for so long...perhaps he visited Orion brothels every 7 years?
Actually I've read the novel it does not explain how Sarek remains a widow for so long lol Refractions universe does not have happy endings

 

[RAMA]

Vendetta adaptation.

Destiny and it's associated novels. In fact, since that's unlikely, I'd love to see an animated version of this part of trek history.

 

[tomswift2002]

Vendetta

While they were not issued under the TNG banner, William Shatner's The Return, Spectre, Dark Victory & Preserver would also be interesting to see on the big screen.

 

[Amaris]

Agreed with everyone who says Vendetta. I remember borrowing that from a friend back in middle school (he, *ahem* never got it back). It's a fantastic story that would do well on the big screen, or as an episode arc.

Along with that particularly awesome title, I would like to see:

The Devil's Heart by Carmen Carter. I love this book so much, because it combines ancient lore on a huge scale, Picard's love of archaeology, old Vulcans, Romulan Queens, and the Guardian of Forever (somewhat).

Federation by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. I realize it would directly conflict with First Contact, but damn that story was just so much fun. Plus, we would get to see more history on Micah Brack, how Cochrane made the impellor work in the first place, and many other little bits and pieces that would be fascinating to see unfold on screen.

Shell Game by Melissa Crandall. This was a pocket books series novel (#63) that focused on a Romulan built spacestation built during Kirk's era, and the tragedy of events that followed. It's essentially the story of the Mary Celeste, but in space, and would make a fantastic thriller type movie/episode I believe.

Sarek by A.C. Crispin. Oh, how I love this novel. It was the very first Star Trek novel I ever owned, and the story has stuck with me to this day. It occurs between STIII and STVI, and involves Vulcans, Klingons, interstellar espionage, a human and Klingon making out... I mean, um, investigating their respective cultures ... moving on...

And finally...

Spock's World by Diane Duane. We don't really get to see episodes focusing on Vulcan and its incredibly rich history. Well, now we get to see Vulcan considering seceding from the Federation! Again, it would knock around a bit of already established canon, but who wouldn't want to see Dr. McCoy berate an entire auditorium of Vulcans in their own language?

 

[Kilana2]

I go with Sarek, too. One of the best novels I've ever read.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Eyes of the Beholder - simply because we need cute little Andorians! Also, how else will we see Vulcans sitting and listening to Elvis...?

Survivors - because of the relationship issues between Tasha and Data

Grounded - Not just because of the main plot, but also due to Penelope and her condition... I have to admit that I liked that plot a bit more then the main one!

And, if we can stretch the point a little:- the fanfic called Free Enterprise. For those that have not read it, the ship is captured by Ferengi and sold to the Romulans. Picard and crew are stranded on a planet surface before being rescued, returned to Starfleet Command and subject to a huge investigation. After realising that Starfleet are not going after the ship so quickly, Picard and Riker ask crew members to volunteer to break regulations and steal a ship in order to find Enterprise. Starfleet sends another ship after it that takes the line of:

"Picard, surrender"

"No"

"Please?"

"No"

"You are running away? Oh no... However can we stop you...? Good luck!"

Meanwhile, on the Enterprise, the computer has gained sentience and is picking off Romulans at will. Eventually, the crew get the Enterprise back, the Romulans take the other ship to Romulus which then explodes in orbit!

 

[Tracy Trek]

Both Imzadi novels. And Peter David's Q-in-Law. But just episodes, not movies. Movies include foes like the Borg or the Romulans or the Klingons.
Imzadi I: want to see an aged Riker mourning for Troi. Imzadi II: want to see Lwaxana against Worf.
As to Q-in-Law: Lwaxana versus Q would be hilarious!

Yes, that section of the book where Mrs. Troi lets Q have it for leading her on, but she still has the Q powers he let her have. Brings new meaning to the phrase, "Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned". And wasn't it Worf that suggested they should sell tickets to the spectacle?

 

[Shikarnov]

^ Worf always gets the great lines... I was watching Deja-Q the other day on Netflix...

Q: "What must I do to convince you people [that I'm mortal]?"
Worf: Die.

 

[NigellaDeanna20]

"ship of the line" deffinately would have been a really good one. I thinkl "Contamination" by John Vornholt (a predominantly Worf And Troi Story) would also have been a interesting one to do.

 

[Tracy Trek]

Actually I think all of John Vornholt's novels would make good episodes. I've liked all of his that I have read. Masks, War Drums, Sanctuary.

 

[somebuddyX]

I think this is a cool idea and reminds me of how Doctor Who would adapt novels into episodes for the new series, even getting the original writers back to write the teleplay.
Federation. I'd like to see the 21st century stuff and pursuit by Thorsen adapted to a new character in the regular canon.
The Ashes of Eden. I loved the idea of Kirk being reunited with the Enterprise-A as a kind-of privateer for the Chal and Sulu chasing him down in the Excelsior (if my memory is correct). I think that could play with some different character ensembles, like have Kirk, Chekov and Scotty along with some new Chal characters on the Enterprise and Sulu, McCoy, Spock and Uhura on the Excelsior. I've always wanted to pit Sulu against Kirk.
This is from the comics but I'd love to see the time travel arc from Star Trek: Early Voyages #12-15 where Mia Colt is sent into the future. I loved all the little changes, like the NCC-1701 being in a museum in San Francisco, Pike commanding the Enterprise-A, Kirk now a smuggler with Scotty and so on.

 

[JRoss]

Vendetta was the first Trek novel I ever read. It is awesome. Destiny as a film or duology. Ty phone pact setting as a new series.