When the Borg were first introduced on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (in the 1989 episode "Q Who"), they were terrifying. Clearly inspired by the works of H.R. Giger, the Borg sported tubes, servos, wires, and ineffable black machinery sprouting from their bodies. The Borg were made up of other species that had been kidnapped and assimilated into their collective, their minds wiped and replaced with a singular, terrifying machine consciousness. The Borg traversed space in outsized cube-shaped vessels, likewise crisscrossed with wires and ducts. They only had one goal: to grow. As Q (John de Lancie) described them, the Borg are the ultimate users. They look out at the universe and emotionlessly see nothing but raw materials to expand with.
The Borg returned periodically throughout "Next Generation," becoming one of the show's more impressive antagonists. The race of soulless machine people proved to be a great villain.
Naturally, when "Next Generation" moved into feature films,...
The Borg returned periodically throughout "Next Generation," becoming one of the show's more impressive antagonists. The race of soulless machine people proved to be a great villain.
Naturally, when "Next Generation" moved into feature films,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Captain's Holiday", Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was forced to take a vacation on the sexed-up beach resort planet of Risa where his impishly playful crew hoped he would have a drink, get laid, and return to the job less stern and more relaxed. Picard, a studious and intellectual fellow, would have been more content drinking tea and reading James Joyce's "Ulysses" in a dark room.
Luckily, Risa proves to be more exciting than Picard realized. He had no interest in beach shenanigans, but he did fall into the company of the utterly dazzling Indiana-Jone-type adventurer Vash (Jennifer Hetrick), a roguish tomb raider. Picard and Vash end up having to protect a rare, powerful artifact from time-traveling Vorgons, and fall in lust as a result. Picard returns to the Enterprise more relaxed and with a new romantic interest in the back of his mind.
Luckily, Risa proves to be more exciting than Picard realized. He had no interest in beach shenanigans, but he did fall into the company of the utterly dazzling Indiana-Jone-type adventurer Vash (Jennifer Hetrick), a roguish tomb raider. Picard and Vash end up having to protect a rare, powerful artifact from time-traveling Vorgons, and fall in lust as a result. Picard returns to the Enterprise more relaxed and with a new romantic interest in the back of his mind.
- 4/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "The Enemy Within", Captain Kirk (William Shatner) beams up from the planet Alpha 177 covered in a mysterious magnetic dust. Unbeknownst to any of the Enterprise crew, the dust has fouled up the transporter and created a second Kirk inside its memory buffer. After Kirk leaves the room, the second Kirk materializes ... but displays an altered personality. It seems that Kirk has been bifurcated into a gentle version of himself and a cruel, aggressive version of himself. For much of "The Enemy Within," the Evil Kirk stalks around the halls of the U.S.S. Enterprise, startling the crew and accosting Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Gentle Kirk soon realizes that he needs his aggression back in order to be whole. Eventually, the two Kirks confront one another.
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
- 3/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Before they were Professor Charles Xavier and Jean Grey in "X-Men," Patrick Stewart and Famke Janssen shared the screen on an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Stewart was, of course, the series lead, Enterprise-d Captain Jean-Luc Picard, while Janssen played Kamala, one of the many beautiful alien women on "Star Trek." Captain Kirk may be the famed womanizer, but Picard had his dalliances over the show's seven seasons -- Kamala included.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
- 3/24/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Perfect Mate," the U.S.S. Enterprise-d is tasked with transporting a Kriosian ambassador (Tim O'Conner) to an arranged peace ceremony with a species called the Valtians. As a peace offering, the Kriosians aim to deliver a mysterious, eight-foot pod to the Valtians. Thanks to the meddling of some traveling Ferengi, the pod is cracked open, revealing Kamala (Famke Janssen) to have been sealed inside. Kamala was roped into an arranged marriage with the Valtian ambassador, a humanoid gift to "sweeten the deal." She was being transported in stasis.
The reason for her stasis quickly becomes clear. Kamala is an "empathic metamorph," meaning she can sense the desires of the men in her vicinity and alter her personality to match what they might be attracted to. She also produces clouds of powerful pheromones, driving men wild with lust. Having her wander...
The reason for her stasis quickly becomes clear. Kamala is an "empathic metamorph," meaning she can sense the desires of the men in her vicinity and alter her personality to match what they might be attracted to. She also produces clouds of powerful pheromones, driving men wild with lust. Having her wander...
- 3/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
David Carson's 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations" has a farfetched premise, even by Trek's own outlandish standards. It seems there is a mysterious energy ribbon called the Nexus that periodically floats through the galaxy. The Nexus destroys any starships it encounters but also sweeps living beings into its own mysterious pocket dimension. The Nexus' pocket dimension is essentially Heaven, where its victims live out their happiest memories. Time also stands still in the Nexus, allowing its inhabitants to remain there eternally.
The physical existence of Heaven, one might think, would be a heady concept for a humanist franchise like "Star Trek." How would the universe react if Heaven was in a physical location one could visit? One might think there would be a mad dash to get there as soon as possible, rapidly depleting the galaxy's population.
Sadly, "Generations" sidesteps any interesting ideas in favor of a useless "pass the...
The physical existence of Heaven, one might think, would be a heady concept for a humanist franchise like "Star Trek." How would the universe react if Heaven was in a physical location one could visit? One might think there would be a mad dash to get there as soon as possible, rapidly depleting the galaxy's population.
Sadly, "Generations" sidesteps any interesting ideas in favor of a useless "pass the...
- 3/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Trekkies who were there in 1994 may remember the incredibly fast turn-around for "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The final episode of the series, "All Good Things..." aired on May 23, and the first feature film adaptation of the show, "Star Trek: Generations," was released in theaters on November 18. In the intervening six months, Trekkies would be able to tide themselves over with ten new episodes of "Deep Space Nine." Even though a seminal TV series in the "Star Trek" universe was coming to an end, there was no drought to suffer through.
Both Paramount and "Star Trek" executive producer Rick Berman were feeling apprehensive about "Generations." One can see their apprehension in Berman's choice of story: thanks to a magical temporal nexus, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was able to meet up with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who was presumed dead 87 years prior. The two of them teamed up to fistfight...
Both Paramount and "Star Trek" executive producer Rick Berman were feeling apprehensive about "Generations." One can see their apprehension in Berman's choice of story: thanks to a magical temporal nexus, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was able to meet up with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who was presumed dead 87 years prior. The two of them teamed up to fistfight...
- 3/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The premise for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is a little complex for the non-Trekkie, but ripe for drama when one delves in.
The titular station, Deep Space Nine, was in orbit around the non-Federation world of Bajor. For the past several decades, Bajor had been militarily occupied by the Nazi-like Cardassians, a species that regularly enslaved and mass-murdered Bajoran citizens. At the outset of the series, the Cardassian occupation had just ended, and Bajor inherited their disused station. In order to aid the Bajoran restoration, Starfleet was assigned to run Deep Space Nine and to oversee the rebuilding of Bajor's government (which was already tilting dangerously close to a corrupt theocracy).
Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) was the Starfleet officer put in charge of the broken-down DS9 and his first officer was the haughty former Bajoran resistance fighter, Major Kira (Nana Visitor). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was unique in...
The titular station, Deep Space Nine, was in orbit around the non-Federation world of Bajor. For the past several decades, Bajor had been militarily occupied by the Nazi-like Cardassians, a species that regularly enslaved and mass-murdered Bajoran citizens. At the outset of the series, the Cardassian occupation had just ended, and Bajor inherited their disused station. In order to aid the Bajoran restoration, Starfleet was assigned to run Deep Space Nine and to oversee the rebuilding of Bajor's government (which was already tilting dangerously close to a corrupt theocracy).
Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) was the Starfleet officer put in charge of the broken-down DS9 and his first officer was the haughty former Bajoran resistance fighter, Major Kira (Nana Visitor). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was unique in...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Outcast", the crew of the Enterprise aids a species called the J'naii in locating and rescuing a missing shuttlecraft. The J'naii are a genderless species, claiming to have evolved past specific gender identities. In their society, any expression of maleness or femaleness is considered darkly taboo, and gendered sexual contact has been criminalized. Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) spends a great deal of the episode working with a J'naii pilot named Soren (Melinda Culea) and the two bond. Soren will eventually reveal that she feels more female than genderless and that she is attracted to Riker. When Soren's gender identity reaches the other J'naii officials, she is threatened with the sci-fi equivalent of a conversion camp.
By today's politics, "The Outcast" feels clumsy in its attempts to discuss gender identity. It can, however, be commended for even attempting to tell a trans...
By today's politics, "The Outcast" feels clumsy in its attempts to discuss gender identity. It can, however, be commended for even attempting to tell a trans...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
By 2001, "Star Trek" had — for better or for worse — fallen into a groove. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" launched in 1987 and took place almost a century after the events of the original series. It was bold new ground to cover for the then-20-year-old franchise, and the universe of the 24th century had to be built from the ground up. Over the next few years, "Next Generation" established how strong and dynamic a series it was, clearly distinguishing itself from its forebear. Indeed, "Next Generation" became so popular that when "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" debuted in 1993, it took place within the same time frame.
Then, keeping the ball rolling, the 1995 series "Star Trek: Voyager," continued directly in the same timeline, running concurrently with "Deep Space Nine" (albeit in an entirely different part of the galaxy). The continuation of the same NextGen timeline into "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" only...
Then, keeping the ball rolling, the 1995 series "Star Trek: Voyager," continued directly in the same timeline, running concurrently with "Deep Space Nine" (albeit in an entirely different part of the galaxy). The continuation of the same NextGen timeline into "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" only...
- 2/10/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
A note on revisionism: as many of you out there no doubt already know, it's become de rigueur for studios, corporations and filmmakers themselves to continue to tinker with their works. George Lucas and his "Special Editions" (and subsequent re-revisions) of the "Star Wars" films are the most prominent example of this, and the most illustrative of the concept's drawbacks. For while the idea of a "Director's Cut" or alternate version is a phenomenon that's been employed by everyone from Richard Donner to Michael Mann, Lucas' changes to "Star Wars" were part creative-minded, part "future-proofing" in terms of updating the visual effects to better conform with the Prequel Trilogy.
The most egregious victim of this trend is the original "Star Trek" TV series. Given that "Trek" had gained a (I believe erroneous) reputation for containing chintzy, so-called "dated" visual effects, CBS Television made the choice in 2006 to remaster the 1960s...
The most egregious victim of this trend is the original "Star Trek" TV series. Given that "Trek" had gained a (I believe erroneous) reputation for containing chintzy, so-called "dated" visual effects, CBS Television made the choice in 2006 to remaster the 1960s...
- 2/8/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
I watch a lot of movies, but even ones that stab at my heart rarely make me tear up. "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is, to quote Hayley Williams of Paramore, the only exception.
Spock (Leonard Nimoy) dies to save the Enterprise and his comrades, taking a lethal dose of radiation when giving the ship's engine a boost. He passes on after a final conversation with his best friend James Kirk (William Shatner). It's fair to say Nimoy was a better actor than Shatner, yet it's the latter who affects me most here. From the way his voice trembles as he yells Spock's name to the quiet heartbreak across his face as he watches his friend's final moments of pain, it's the most empathic acting I've ever seen from Shatner.
So, there's a part of me that will always resent the next film, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,...
Spock (Leonard Nimoy) dies to save the Enterprise and his comrades, taking a lethal dose of radiation when giving the ship's engine a boost. He passes on after a final conversation with his best friend James Kirk (William Shatner). It's fair to say Nimoy was a better actor than Shatner, yet it's the latter who affects me most here. From the way his voice trembles as he yells Spock's name to the quiet heartbreak across his face as he watches his friend's final moments of pain, it's the most empathic acting I've ever seen from Shatner.
So, there's a part of me that will always resent the next film, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,...
- 1/21/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Khan Noonien Singh's trajectory as a fictional character is the opposite of his in-universe life story. He was once a superhuman tyrant who ruled much of the Earth — after being overthrown, he fled to space aboard the SS Botany Bay. Upon reawakening, he was bested twice by James T. Kirk and died failing to avenge himself. For audiences though, Khan went from a villain of the week (in the "Star Trek" episode "Space Seed") to the greatest of all "Trek" villains thanks to his reappearance in the film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
Before "The Wrath of Khan," however, "Star Trek" was in trouble. "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" underwhelmed, Paramount was hesitant about a sequel, and Leonard Nimoy had to be convinced to return as Spock. That's why the film famously ends with his character dying — except, during shooting, Nimoy changed his mind about exiting. Thus, when...
Before "The Wrath of Khan," however, "Star Trek" was in trouble. "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" underwhelmed, Paramount was hesitant about a sequel, and Leonard Nimoy had to be convinced to return as Spock. That's why the film famously ends with his character dying — except, during shooting, Nimoy changed his mind about exiting. Thus, when...
- 1/20/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Jonathan Frakes' 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" was about a remote planet called Ba'ku, the home of a gentle colony of farmers who, thanks to a quirk of the planet's radioactive rings, can live healthily for centuries. A shady species called the Son'a have teamed up with Starfleet to harvest the radiation from the Ba'ku homeworld and forcibly relocate the citizens. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) feels that the forced relocation of the Ba'ku is morally wrong under the circumstances, and stages the titular insurrection.
The film climaxed with Picard and the Son'a captain Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham) fighting one another for control of the radiation collector. Picard was in his 60s and Ru'afo's body and face had been ruined by many years of cosmetic surgery. While Picard and Ru'afo engaged in a fistfight, Commander Riker (Frakes) battled a Son'a ship using scooped-up explosive gases as a weapon. On the planet below,...
The film climaxed with Picard and the Son'a captain Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham) fighting one another for control of the radiation collector. Picard was in his 60s and Ru'afo's body and face had been ruined by many years of cosmetic surgery. While Picard and Ru'afo engaged in a fistfight, Commander Riker (Frakes) battled a Son'a ship using scooped-up explosive gases as a weapon. On the planet below,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's pretty well known among Trekkies that Robert Wise's 1979 feature film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" came about after the proposed 1977 TV series "Star Trek: Phase II" never quite made it off the ground. "Phase II" was meant to be the initial "Star Trek" spinoff series, but various behind-the-scenes decisions eventually saw the project mutating to fit the big screen. "Phase II" characters were changed to be part of "The Motion Picture," and several ideas for "Phase II" scripts made their way into future episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which debuted in 1987.
Trekkies will also tell you that Paramount was unimpressed by the box office numbers for "Motion Picture," a film that "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was heavily involved in. Harold Livingston is the credited screenwriter, but Roddenberry aided in the story and served as producer. Because "Motion Picture" was a relative dud, Roddenberry was pushed out of the sequel.
Trekkies will also tell you that Paramount was unimpressed by the box office numbers for "Motion Picture," a film that "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was heavily involved in. Harold Livingston is the credited screenwriter, but Roddenberry aided in the story and served as producer. Because "Motion Picture" was a relative dud, Roddenberry was pushed out of the sequel.
- 1/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The glory-obsessed, wild-eyed Klingon character of Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) was first introduced in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Reunion", in which the leadership of the Klingon High Council was in a state of flux. It seemed that the old Chancellor K'mpec (Charles Cooper) was being slowly poisoned, and one of two men was set to take his place. There was the dishonorable Duras (Patrick Massett) or the mysterious Gowron. Ultimately, Worf (Michael Dorn) killed Duras in a fit of rage after Duras murdered Worf's mate K'Ehlyr (Suzie Plakson), leaving Gowron in charge. Gowron would sit at the head of the Klingon High Council as Chancellor until the events of the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "Tacking Into the Wind", when Worf would slay him as well.
Gowron has always been a fan favorite, as Robert O'Reilly's performance was often enjoyably over-the-top. Grit your teeth and growl the phrase "Gloohry to yooooou,...
Gowron has always been a fan favorite, as Robert O'Reilly's performance was often enjoyably over-the-top. Grit your teeth and growl the phrase "Gloohry to yooooou,...
- 12/31/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When reading actor Brian Cox's memoir "Putting the Rabbit in the Hat," I was disappointed that he didn't mention his work on David Fincher's superlative "Zodiac." Throughout the book, Cox shows no reluctance to burn bridges, and given his ribbing of "Succession" co-star Jeremy Strong's method acting, I was eager to see if he'd have similar words about Fincher's infamous perfectionism. Alas, no such stories exist.
True to its title, the 2007 "Zodiac" film is about the Zodiac killer, the still unidentified murderer who left Northern California quaking with fear as the 1960s closed. The film spans the 1960s to 1980s (with an epilogue in 1991), focusing on the killings and then Robert Graysmith's (Jake Gyllenhaal) investigation years later.
One of the movie's earlier sequences recreates an episode from October 22, 1969. Someone claiming to be the Zodiac said he would dial into Jim Dunbar's Kgo-tv (local to...
True to its title, the 2007 "Zodiac" film is about the Zodiac killer, the still unidentified murderer who left Northern California quaking with fear as the 1960s closed. The film spans the 1960s to 1980s (with an epilogue in 1991), focusing on the killings and then Robert Graysmith's (Jake Gyllenhaal) investigation years later.
One of the movie's earlier sequences recreates an episode from October 22, 1969. Someone claiming to be the Zodiac said he would dial into Jim Dunbar's Kgo-tv (local to...
- 12/31/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The honorable Klingon Kurn (Tony Todd) first appeared in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Sins of the Father". In that episode, he revealed that he was the long-lost little brother of Worf (Michael Dorn), the only Klingon in Starfleet. Kurn had been living under a fake name, as his and Worf's father had been (falsely) accused of betraying a camp of Klingons to the Romulans years before. In Klingon society, a son is just as guilty as their parent, hence the episode's title. The crime in question was actually committed by the father of a character named Duras (Patrick Massett), who had covered up the crime and was now poised to sit on the Klingon High Council.
Rather than accuse a potential Klingon ruler of malfeasance and potentially throw the entire Klingon Empire into a civil war, Worf chose to keep all this secret. He instead allowed his...
Rather than accuse a potential Klingon ruler of malfeasance and potentially throw the entire Klingon Empire into a civil war, Worf chose to keep all this secret. He instead allowed his...
- 12/31/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Jonathan Frakes' 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" is hardly the most celebrated of the 13 extant "Star Trek" movies. The film wasn't terribly well-reviewed when it was released, and a general fan consensus seems to dictate that it may be the least of the four films based on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
Notably, "Insurrection" looks cheap. The bulk of the film's action takes place on the Ba'ku homeworld, but the filmmakers were unable to do anything to make it look appropriately alien. The exteriors were filmed in Thousand Oaks, California, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and, well, it looks like they just shot the film in California. Additionally, the Ba'ku were given no alien makeup, leaving them looking like regular old people. Worst of all, the Ba'ku costume designs were unbearably boring, as everyone was draped in loose-fitting, off-white hippie-wear that even mannequins would be embarrassed by.
The...
Notably, "Insurrection" looks cheap. The bulk of the film's action takes place on the Ba'ku homeworld, but the filmmakers were unable to do anything to make it look appropriately alien. The exteriors were filmed in Thousand Oaks, California, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and, well, it looks like they just shot the film in California. Additionally, the Ba'ku were given no alien makeup, leaving them looking like regular old people. Worst of all, the Ba'ku costume designs were unbearably boring, as everyone was draped in loose-fitting, off-white hippie-wear that even mannequins would be embarrassed by.
The...
- 12/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Throughout the seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the android Data (Brent Spiner) often struggled with his inability to connect with his crewmates. Unlike Data, his organic peers were all emotional beings who could laugh, get angry, and intuit friendly interactions via their feelings and social acumen. Data had no emotions, at least not demonstrably, and had to rely on analysis and study to understand humans. Data longed to be human and often asked his friends to explain their baffling idiosyncrasies. Data's emotionlessness was not a flaw, but a design choice by his creator.
Later in the series, Data secured an emotion chip built specially for him by his presumed-dead creator. At first, he was afraid to install it, but after a prank gone awry in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations," Data finally decided to give himself the emotions he had been longing for. It's a pity that...
Later in the series, Data secured an emotion chip built specially for him by his presumed-dead creator. At first, he was afraid to install it, but after a prank gone awry in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations," Data finally decided to give himself the emotions he had been longing for. It's a pity that...
- 12/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The "Star Trek" franchise was nearing a crossroads in 1986. 20 years after the premiere of The Original Series on NBC, moviegoers were showing up in significant numbers to follow the big-screen exploits of Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise. But while 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and 1984's "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" were hits for Paramount (they both grossed in the $78 million range domestically), they were not blockbusters. So when stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy asked for salary bumps, the studio had some tough decisions to make.
Paramount almost received an unexpected windfall when their under-contract box office juggernaut, Eddie Murphy, asked to be in the fourth "Star Trek" movie. Murphy had just starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," the highest-grossing movie of 1984, and, as a hardcore Trekker, wanted to be a part of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi universe. The studio was thrilled,...
Paramount almost received an unexpected windfall when their under-contract box office juggernaut, Eddie Murphy, asked to be in the fourth "Star Trek" movie. Murphy had just starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," the highest-grossing movie of 1984, and, as a hardcore Trekker, wanted to be a part of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi universe. The studio was thrilled,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
One of the more fantastical elements of J.J. Abrams' 2009 film "Star Trek" is the use of a mysterious, seemingly magical substance called Red Matter.
In the 23rd century, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) used Red Matter to create a black hole in the Romulan star system just as its sun was about to go supernova. The idea was that the black hole would suck up the exploding star like a vacuum cleaner and save the Romulan homeworld. No, the actual astral physics don't many any sense, but this is what they went with.
Spock did suck up the supernova with his black hole, but he was too late to save Romulus. The black hole, it turns out, was also a portal through time, and Spock is sucked in and deposited about a century in the past. Following Spock through the time hole is a bitter Romulan named Nero (Eric Bana), incensed...
In the 23rd century, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) used Red Matter to create a black hole in the Romulan star system just as its sun was about to go supernova. The idea was that the black hole would suck up the exploding star like a vacuum cleaner and save the Romulan homeworld. No, the actual astral physics don't many any sense, but this is what they went with.
Spock did suck up the supernova with his black hole, but he was too late to save Romulus. The black hole, it turns out, was also a portal through time, and Spock is sucked in and deposited about a century in the past. Following Spock through the time hole is a bitter Romulan named Nero (Eric Bana), incensed...
- 12/6/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Trekkies and sci-fi nerds in the early 1990s were riding high. The original "Star Trek" cast wrapped up their final movie together with "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was striding through its best period. Most importantly, the Sci-Fi Channel launched within nerds' cable packages in 1992, and a panoply of riches opened up. Some previously inaccessible shows were suddenly regularly rotated through the Channel's calendar, and classic sci-fi movies were finally gathered under one umbrella. About 30 years ago, the Sci-Fi Channel slate was embarrassingly good, containing "Planet of the Apes" movies, "Star Trek" reruns, "The Incredible Hulk" reruns, airings of "Starman," and curious documentary shows like "Mysteries from Beyond the Other Dominion" and "Inside Space." Kids got to enjoy "Transformers," "Stingray," and "Space: 1999." Adults got to watch "Night Gallery" and "Tales from the Darkside." 1992 Sci-Fi Channel was truly TV at its peak.
Barry Schulman...
Barry Schulman...
- 12/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "Whom Gods Destroy", the U.S.S. Enterprise was lured to a distant planet that hosted an advanced mental health facility built for the people who, even after being subjected to the thorough rigors of 23rd-century medicine and psychology, are still quite unhealthy. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) must match wits with one of the facility's patients, Fleet Captain Garth (Steve Ihnat), who has taken over the asylum. Among his mentally unwell servants is a woman named Marta (Yvonne Craig), an Orion dancer who attempts to stab Kirk. Craig plays the part with energy and wildness and she's a big part of why "Whom Gods Destroy" is fun to watch.
To play Marta, as seen in the photo above, Craig had to be painted almost entirely green. Her costume was a short, diaphanous tunic, so her arms, armpits, back, and legs all had to be coated in green makeup.
To play Marta, as seen in the photo above, Craig had to be painted almost entirely green. Her costume was a short, diaphanous tunic, so her arms, armpits, back, and legs all had to be coated in green makeup.
- 12/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Here's a fun piece of trivia: when Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) proposes the Genesis Device in her proposal video in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," is it accompanied by an animated simulation showing a dead moon being magically terraformed within a matter of seconds. The animated simulation, rendered by Industrial Light and Magic, was the first instance of a fully rendered CGI sequence in a feature film. According to the October 1982 issue of American Cinematographer Magazine, the Genesis simulation was originally envisioned as a more traditionally realized sequence wherein a character turns a rock into a flower. Special effects supervisor Jim Veilleux felt that something more impressive was required to capture the scope of the Genesis Device's power, and the CGI sequence was developed instead.
The Genesis Device is one of the more magical objects to have emerged from "Star Trek." Introduced in "Star Trek II," it...
The Genesis Device is one of the more magical objects to have emerged from "Star Trek." Introduced in "Star Trek II," it...
- 12/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
You might've heard over the years that William Shatner has a propensity for diva behavior, both on and off set. He could be controlling, selfish, and downright insulting. He's been accused of stealing lines and generally being a jerk to his "Star Trek" cast mates. James Doohan, who endeared himself to fans as the Enterprise's chief engineer Scotty, once remarked, "I wanted to thump him on more than one occasion." At a roast held in Shatner's honor, Nichelle Nichols, a television legend for her portrayal of Black communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, joked, "People say you're a pompous, arrogant, egotistical, self-centered, narcissistic jerk. I don't think you're narcissistic."
Obviously, the cast learned to deal with Shatner being Shatner, which allowed them to hang together for several decades and six feature films. They all made a good deal of money milking "Star Trek" for every cent it was worth, and thank god...
Obviously, the cast learned to deal with Shatner being Shatner, which allowed them to hang together for several decades and six feature films. They all made a good deal of money milking "Star Trek" for every cent it was worth, and thank god...
- 11/26/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In Stuart Baird's 2002 film "Star Trek: Nemesis," Tom Hardy plays Shinzon, a human clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), grown in a lab by the dastardly spies in the Romulan Empire. When their clone plot didn't quite turn out the way that they wanted, the Romulans disavowed Shinzon's existence and sent him as a young boy to be enslaved in a Reman mine. The Remans were a cousin species of the Romulans that had been enslaved for many generations. Shinzon would grow up among the goblin-looking Remans, sharing their plight. Perhaps possessed of Picard's knack for leadership, Shizon would eventually lead a Reman uprising against the Romulans. "Nemesis" was the first time Trekkies ever caught a glimpse of the Remans. Shinzon's massive warship, the Scimitar, would be staffed entirely by Reman officers.
Most notably, Shinzon's unnamed right-hand man, a Reman Voiceroy, would be played by Ron Perlman, an...
Most notably, Shinzon's unnamed right-hand man, a Reman Voiceroy, would be played by Ron Perlman, an...
- 11/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In 2006, CBS began the meticulous process of remastering the original "Star Trek" series for release on Blu-ray and on HD DVD (remember those?). The live-action sequences were to be seen in high-definition for the first time, and the new versions were extrapolated from surviving 35mm masters. The show's special effects were to be recreated using modern CGI techniques, as modern HD TV screens would have made the original effects stand out in an awkward way. The release of the "remastered" Treks caused some debate among Trekkies. Was it exciting to see a TV series from 1966 brushed up to look as modern as possible, or should the shoddiness of the original be maintained for reasons of aesthetic purity? Luckily, unlike the "Special Editions" of "Star Wars," both the old versions and the new versions are readily available on Blu-ray.
The debate, however, will eternally remain if it's better to watch "Star Trek...
The debate, however, will eternally remain if it's better to watch "Star Trek...
- 11/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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The Daniel Craig era of James Bond changed up the many decades-long film series in a number of different ways. Most notably was its tonal shift, steering further away from the goofier and campier elements of the series that the "Austin Powers" trilogy had so much fun lampooning. After all, once you make "Die Another Day," the only direction you can go is a more grounded one. But there had been serious James Bond films before, such as the earliest Sean Connery films or the Timothy Dalton era. The bigger change the Craig films made was taking a page out of the modern franchise booklet, and that was serialization.
The first 20 James Bond films may have brought actors and filmmakers over from one film to another, but the plots of those films rarely carried over. Part of the pleasure of...
The Daniel Craig era of James Bond changed up the many decades-long film series in a number of different ways. Most notably was its tonal shift, steering further away from the goofier and campier elements of the series that the "Austin Powers" trilogy had so much fun lampooning. After all, once you make "Die Another Day," the only direction you can go is a more grounded one. But there had been serious James Bond films before, such as the earliest Sean Connery films or the Timothy Dalton era. The bigger change the Craig films made was taking a page out of the modern franchise booklet, and that was serialization.
The first 20 James Bond films may have brought actors and filmmakers over from one film to another, but the plots of those films rarely carried over. Part of the pleasure of...
- 10/29/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
The 1991 two-part "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Unification" was a banner event for Trekkies. Although Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) appeared in the show's pilot as a 137-year-old man, the events of the series were meant to be far enough removed from the original "Star Trek" series to assure no further crossovers. "Next Generation" was determined to shake off the legacy of its forebear and forge its own path.
After five seasons, however, the new legacy was established. "Next Generation" had lasted longer than the original series, and its characters were now recognizable on their own merits. "Next Generation" became its own thing. It was only then, when the show could stand on its own two legs and didn't require constant references to the original series, that a guest spot from a beloved original series character could take place. In "Unification," Spock (Leonard Nimoy) returned. Trekkies loved it, not just because they loved Spock,...
After five seasons, however, the new legacy was established. "Next Generation" had lasted longer than the original series, and its characters were now recognizable on their own merits. "Next Generation" became its own thing. It was only then, when the show could stand on its own two legs and didn't require constant references to the original series, that a guest spot from a beloved original series character could take place. In "Unification," Spock (Leonard Nimoy) returned. Trekkies loved it, not just because they loved Spock,...
- 9/17/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the first season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the chief medical officer on board the U.S.S. Enterprise-d was Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), a fearlessly moral, mature character who was already at the peak of her professional career. Dr. Crusher was a great character as she was always eager to speak her mind and always knew where she stood on any ethical issues. Unlike many other characters on the show, who were still discovering their humanity, their career tracks, or their identity, Dr. Crusher had already arrived, as it were. She was one of the few "adults" on the show.
She was also hated by one of the "Next Generation" producers, Maurice Hurley. As Trekkies likely know, the first season of "Next Generation" was a tumultuous time behind the scenes, with show creator Gene Roddenberry, his personal lawyer Leonard Maizlish, and multiple other showrunners and producers...
She was also hated by one of the "Next Generation" producers, Maurice Hurley. As Trekkies likely know, the first season of "Next Generation" was a tumultuous time behind the scenes, with show creator Gene Roddenberry, his personal lawyer Leonard Maizlish, and multiple other showrunners and producers...
- 9/12/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" was the undisputed king of sci-fi television in the 1990s, but it lost that crown in the 2000s; prequel series "Star Trek: Enterprise" ended the franchise's reign with an abbreviated four season run (2001 to 2005). Different shows won the hearts of online fandom, including two contemporaries of "Enterprise" — "Futurama" and "Firefly."
The legacy of "Firefly" far outlasted its 14 episode run; fan demand led to the creation of the finale movie "Serenity" in 2005. Meanwhile, "Futurama" enjoyed a respectable 72 episode run from 1999 to 2003, but enduring popularity has revived it twice, first from 2007 to 2013, and again for a new season which premiered this summer. Short length doesn't mean a show will be forgotten, especially when the Internet can sustain a fandom like never before.
As detailed in "Star Trek" oral history book "The Fifty Year Mission" by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, these three shows intertwined in an episode of miscommunication and Hollywood office politics.
The legacy of "Firefly" far outlasted its 14 episode run; fan demand led to the creation of the finale movie "Serenity" in 2005. Meanwhile, "Futurama" enjoyed a respectable 72 episode run from 1999 to 2003, but enduring popularity has revived it twice, first from 2007 to 2013, and again for a new season which premiered this summer. Short length doesn't mean a show will be forgotten, especially when the Internet can sustain a fandom like never before.
As detailed in "Star Trek" oral history book "The Fifty Year Mission" by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, these three shows intertwined in an episode of miscommunication and Hollywood office politics.
- 9/11/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Actor Jonathan Frakes' directorial debut on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was for the third season episode "The Offspring", the episode where Data (Brent Spiner) builds his own android daughter (Hallie Todd). One might note that Frakes' character, Commander Riker, didn't appear much in that episode. This kicked off a full-blown directorial career for Frakes that hasn't slowed since. Frakes directed eight episodes of "NextGen" in total, as well as the feature films "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996) and "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998).
Frakes would go on to direct "Thunderbirds" and "Clockstoppers," and enter a prolific career helming episodes of high-profile TV shows like "Leverage," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Burn Notice," and "The Librarians." He also stayed within the Trek family over the years, directing episodes of "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," "Discovery," "Picard," and the notable crossover between "Strange New Worlds" and "Lower Decks." He even oversaw two episodes of "The Orville," which...
Frakes would go on to direct "Thunderbirds" and "Clockstoppers," and enter a prolific career helming episodes of high-profile TV shows like "Leverage," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Burn Notice," and "The Librarians." He also stayed within the Trek family over the years, directing episodes of "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," "Discovery," "Picard," and the notable crossover between "Strange New Worlds" and "Lower Decks." He even oversaw two episodes of "The Orville," which...
- 9/11/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The world was a drastically different place when the James Bond film series kicked off in 1962 with "Dr. No." Gender roles were still set in stone. It was a man's world, one in which women were expected to keep a clean and orderly house while the breadwinner put in his forty hours a week. Should a woman seek employment outside of the home, it's because they were single and could type or file up a storm.
In movies, unmarried women tended to be tragic figures or femme fatales (when they weren't queens or goddesses). If they weren't desperate for a good man to make them whole, they were hellbent on compromising and destroying one. Or they were tools of wealthy, nefarious men, like the Bond girls. Beginning with Ursula Andress' Honey Ryder, the Bond girl was typically a femme fatale who helplessly fell for the British secret agent's rough charm...
In movies, unmarried women tended to be tragic figures or femme fatales (when they weren't queens or goddesses). If they weren't desperate for a good man to make them whole, they were hellbent on compromising and destroying one. Or they were tools of wealthy, nefarious men, like the Bond girls. Beginning with Ursula Andress' Honey Ryder, the Bond girl was typically a femme fatale who helplessly fell for the British secret agent's rough charm...
- 9/11/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
"The Inner Light" is handily one of the best episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The events of the episode are so dramatic that it's a little unusual that Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) didn't bring them up more often in future episodes of the show. Indeed, in the third season of "Star Trek: Picard," the retired admiral mentions that he's finally ready to be a father and let the next step of his life unfold, failing to acknowledge that he already lived to be an old man, already raised his own children and grandchildren, and already fell deeply in love with an alien woman on a distant planet where he lived for many decades. Never mind that it was all a memory implant given to him by a rogue space probe.
The events of "The Inner Light" dictated that Picard essentially has two lifetimes worth of memories crammed into his head.
The events of "The Inner Light" dictated that Picard essentially has two lifetimes worth of memories crammed into his head.
- 9/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
A fun piece of trivia: the theme music to "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is actually a wholly unoriginal piece of music. It is a combination of the opening strains of the original "Star Trek" theme song composed by Alexander Courage, and the main theme for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" composed by Jerry Goldsmith. The "Next Generation" theme merely re-orchestrated the "Tos" and "Tmp" scores a little bit. This wasn't always the plan, however. Dennis McCarthy, frequent composer for "Next Generation" (he worked on 88 episodes), wrote an alternate theme that was replaced at the last minute.
McCarthy also composed the score for "Encounter at Farpoint," the show's pilot episode. McCarthy's sound would come to define "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and dictate how other composers would move forward with the Paramount orchestra. Every Trekkie likely has, in their very DNA, the tense moment of suspense music that McCarthy so...
McCarthy also composed the score for "Encounter at Farpoint," the show's pilot episode. McCarthy's sound would come to define "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and dictate how other composers would move forward with the Paramount orchestra. Every Trekkie likely has, in their very DNA, the tense moment of suspense music that McCarthy so...
- 9/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The "Star Trek" movie franchise is in a bit of an odd spot right now, as we haven't had anything on the big screen since 2016's "Star Trek Beyond," which served as the third entry of J.J. Abrams' rebooted iteration. Dubbed the "Kelvin Timeline," these films existed in a new branch reality that Abrams created in 2009's "Star Trek," paving the way for a new incarnation that could honor what came before but pave a new path forward with a new cast. Now, Paramount is keeping things largely relegated to streaming, with shows like "Strange New Worlds" left to anchor the franchise. But there was a time when the studio was looking to exploit the Kelvin Timeline far more aggressively.
As explained in the book "The Fifty-Year Mission" by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, after "Star Trek" and before 2013's "Into Darkness," Paramount commissioned a series of in-universe novels.
As explained in the book "The Fifty-Year Mission" by Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, after "Star Trek" and before 2013's "Into Darkness," Paramount commissioned a series of in-universe novels.
- 9/4/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Modern fandom, as we have come to understand it, likely originated in the letters columns of "Amazing Stories," the sci-fi magazine first published in April of 1922. The magazine's publisher, Hugo Gernsback, founded a fan community called the Science Fiction League and encouraged the readers of "Amazing Stories" to write in and, importantly, to correspond with one another. Sci-fi fans gathered around certain works of literature and, later, movies and TV. Decades hence, when "Star Trek" went off the air, fan communities were ready to congregate like never before, and, lo, the sci-fi convention was born.
Bubbling underneath the surface of the now-exploded "Star Trek" fandom was an undercurrent of sexuality in which certain fans loved reveling. Sometime in 1970, enterprising Trekkies began writing erotic fiction starring Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, exploring the on-screen relationship that some saw as bubbling with sexual attraction. The slang term to describe these erotic stories was "Kirk/Spock,...
Bubbling underneath the surface of the now-exploded "Star Trek" fandom was an undercurrent of sexuality in which certain fans loved reveling. Sometime in 1970, enterprising Trekkies began writing erotic fiction starring Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, exploring the on-screen relationship that some saw as bubbling with sexual attraction. The slang term to describe these erotic stories was "Kirk/Spock,...
- 9/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The post-9/11 world was rough on "Star Trek." The not-super-popular "Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted on September 26, 2001, and the world wasn't in the mood. The U.S. president at the time, George W. Bush, began to affect violent, revenge-forward rhetoric, and many U.S. citizens were in a bitter, wounded mindset. While some may say that the utopian future of "Trek" was needed at that time, one can see how its idealism felt out of place. "Star Trek" would have us reaching out to our enemies and solving problems through diplomacy. That suggested course of action didn't sit well with a nation itching to enact justice. It's no wonder films like "The Avengers" took off in the post-9/11 milieu; the Avengers avenge the destruction of our cities. Diplomacy was out, freelance super-powered military mercs were in.
So when "Enterprise" was canceled in 2005 after four seasons, it seemed that "Star Trek" was at an end.
So when "Enterprise" was canceled in 2005 after four seasons, it seemed that "Star Trek" was at an end.
- 9/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The James Bond saga is about as well-established a film franchise as you can get. But somewhere, there's an alternate timeline in which the first ever Bond movie was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
- 9/3/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Of all the James Bond movies, "The Man with the Golden Gun" isn't the most beloved. Debuting to lackluster reviews in 1974, following the success that was '73's "Live and Let Die," Roger Moore's sophomore outing as Bond failed to dazzle audiences who were growing weary of the franchise.
The producers had a rough time replacing Sean Connery, who'd come to define the character with his run as England's greatest spy, before departing the series and being replaced by Aussie actor George Lazenby. While Lazenby did a solid job in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," he too left the role after his one and only appearance, after which Connery returned for the less than stellar "Diamonds Are Forever."
Unfortunately, Connery would once again leave the role that helped launch his career following this brief return, clearing the way for Roger Moore to take on the mantle with "Live and Let Die.
The producers had a rough time replacing Sean Connery, who'd come to define the character with his run as England's greatest spy, before departing the series and being replaced by Aussie actor George Lazenby. While Lazenby did a solid job in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," he too left the role after his one and only appearance, after which Connery returned for the less than stellar "Diamonds Are Forever."
Unfortunately, Connery would once again leave the role that helped launch his career following this brief return, clearing the way for Roger Moore to take on the mantle with "Live and Let Die.
- 9/3/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Actor Alexander Siddig, who played the plucky, handsome young medical officer Dr. Julian Bashir on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," began the series credited as Siddig El Fadil, his professional name from the start of his career until he changed it in 1995. Dr. Bashir was something of a naïf in the show's first few seasons, and would, in subsequent seasons, come to outgrow his once-firmly-held immature notions that practicing medicine in desperate locations is a bright, plucky adventure. He quickly came to realize that he merely needed to work hard to help people in need, and that righteousness was a reward unto itself. Unlike a lot of the "young" characters on "Star Trek" (Wesley Crusher and Harry Kim come to mind), Dr. Bashir was allowed to grow up; he had personality traits other than his youth.
In the indispensable oral history book "The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The...
In the indispensable oral history book "The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The...
- 9/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: Enterprise" was originally intended to be a lot more low-tech than it was. "Enterprise" is set roughly a century prior to the original "Star Trek," and show co-creator Brannon Braga initially conceived of a series that was a lot more earthbound. There were to be no transporters, no phasers, and -- perhaps most controversially -- no trekking. Braga wanted the bulk of the show's first season to take place entirely on Earth as the Enterprise is built and humanity prepares for its first extended mission into space. Paramount, however, didn't like Braga's ideas, feeling that the Enterprise needed to be launched in the pilot. Also transporters. Also phasers. Recognizable Trek iconography was required. Braga reached a compromise by including transporters, but stating that it was still a new technology unsafe for human use. And, yes, Enterprise officers carried phasers.
Paramount wasn't happy with just those cosmetic additions, however.
Paramount wasn't happy with just those cosmetic additions, however.
- 9/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When making "Star Trek: Enterprise," show creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga clearly aimed to skew into the "old-fashioned." They wanted to strip "Star Trek" of a lot of its more familiar high-tech machinery, leaving its characters in a more daring, exploratory position. What would it be like to venture out into the cosmos in an 87-person vessel only capable of warp-5, and not equipped with tractor beams, replicators, shields, phasers, or human-ready transporters? What if the Prime Directive hadn't been written yet, and you were familiar with very few alien species? This was meant to be a "Trek" that leaned into the franchise's more frontiersman-like elements.
Even the characters were bold, simple archetypes. Captain John Archer (Scott Bakula) was a smiling, fresh-faced military man eager to "get out there." He was a Boy Scout, not unlike something one might see in a 1950s Western. One can see Archer's...
Even the characters were bold, simple archetypes. Captain John Archer (Scott Bakula) was a smiling, fresh-faced military man eager to "get out there." He was a Boy Scout, not unlike something one might see in a 1950s Western. One can see Archer's...
- 9/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The final episode of the original "Star Trek," an episode called "Turnabout Intruder," aired on June 3, 1969. It was an inauspicious end for the now-celebrated sci-fi series, as the episode was, by its very construct, blazingly sexist. In the episode, Sandra Smith played Dr. Janice Lester, an ex-lover of Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who uses an eerie new technology to shunt her consciousness into Kirk's body and put Kirk's consciousness into her own. She aims to impersonate Kirk because she was never able to attain the rank of captain herself. This is the only time in "Star Trek" history where it is said that women were, by Starfleet's own rules, not allowed to be captains. Additionally, there are several lines of dialogue about how Lester's female emotions are clearly getting in the way of her judgment, and how she resents her own sex.
This has thankfully been ignored by all modern "Star Trek" writers.
This has thankfully been ignored by all modern "Star Trek" writers.
- 7/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for film fans, with some of the best films of the year in theaters and lots of elaborate and thoroughly-researched books to read. This rundown has real variety, with new and recent texts covering cinema history, TV greats, and, of course, Star Wars. Note that one of this year’s finest books, The Oliver Stone Experience (Abrams Books), was covered by The Film Stage in September via an interview with author Matt Zoller Seitz. Make sure to check out Experience, and see below for another fine selection from the prolific Seitz.
Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual History, Updated Edition by Daniel Wallace (Dk Publishing)
It’s a fantastic idea: a book that offers a timeline not of the Star Wars story, but of the Star Wars phenomenon. This newly updated edition of the 2010 release now includes recent works like...
Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual History, Updated Edition by Daniel Wallace (Dk Publishing)
It’s a fantastic idea: a book that offers a timeline not of the Star Wars story, but of the Star Wars phenomenon. This newly updated edition of the 2010 release now includes recent works like...
- 12/1/2016
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
A nearly 600-page biography of a French filmmaker would not make every summer reading list, but any discerning cinephile will consider Éric Rohmer: A Biography. It’s one of several stunning recent releases, along with a weighty oral history of Star Trek, an intimate remembrance of Stanley Kubrick, and a fascinating breakdown of the great Suspiria. Now that’s an eclectic roster of beach reads.
The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: Volume One: The First 25 Years by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman (Thomas Dunne Books)
Even minor Star Trek fans will be spellbound by The Fifty-Year Mission, a stunning oral history from Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. The first in a two-volume set — Volume Two, covering the last 25 years, will be released in late-August — is impressively comprehensive, and full of unforgettable stories. These include the original series rivalry between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy,...
The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: Volume One: The First 25 Years by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman (Thomas Dunne Books)
Even minor Star Trek fans will be spellbound by The Fifty-Year Mission, a stunning oral history from Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. The first in a two-volume set — Volume Two, covering the last 25 years, will be released in late-August — is impressively comprehensive, and full of unforgettable stories. These include the original series rivalry between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy,...
- 8/4/2016
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
In their new book, "The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek," co-authors Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman intend to deliver the definitive story of Star Trek, as told by the people who lived it.The book contains excerpts from hundreds of interviews the authors conducted with cast, crew, writers, directors, studio executives and other key people associated with the franchise. Both authors have decades-long relationships with Star Trek and are well-equipped to guide the reader on this journey."Volume One: The First 25 Years" focuses on the original 1966 television series its creation and development, achievements, production challenges and cancellation after three seasons. Also included are dedicated chapters on the rise of fandom, "Star Trek: ...
- 7/19/2016
- GeekNation.com
Back in the ‘70s, plans for a “Star Trek” movie were underway by creator Gene Roddenberry. In a new excerpt from the book, “The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek – The First 25 Years” by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, previous scripts by Roddenberry had Captain Kirk fighting against Jesus and even stopping the JFK assassination.
Ultimately both ideas were rejected by then Paramount boss Barry Diller and the studio continued to pursue new storylines. The Hollywood Reporter posted an excerpt from the book where author Michael Jan Friedman gave more detail of Roddenberry’s script.
“Gene was — and still is — one of my heroes, for God’s sake, no pun intended. As he had already left the land of the living, this was a unique opportunity to collaborate with him. But when I read the material, I was dismayed. I hadn’t seen other...
Ultimately both ideas were rejected by then Paramount boss Barry Diller and the studio continued to pursue new storylines. The Hollywood Reporter posted an excerpt from the book where author Michael Jan Friedman gave more detail of Roddenberry’s script.
“Gene was — and still is — one of my heroes, for God’s sake, no pun intended. As he had already left the land of the living, this was a unique opportunity to collaborate with him. But when I read the material, I was dismayed. I hadn’t seen other...
- 7/6/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Gene Roddenberry’s early iteration of Star Trek: The Motion Picture was also set to feature ‘some mildly erotic, midlife-crisis stuff’
An early version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) would have culminated in Captain Kirk fighting an alien disguised as Jesus, according to a new unauthorised oral history of the series.
The Fifty Year Mission by Edward Gross and Mark A Altman revealed that the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, worked on a number of concepts, including a time-travel adventure in which the crew attempts to stop the Kennedy assassination. But the most offbeat idea featured a shapeshifting alien that could manifest as biblical figures.
Continue reading...
An early version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) would have culminated in Captain Kirk fighting an alien disguised as Jesus, according to a new unauthorised oral history of the series.
The Fifty Year Mission by Edward Gross and Mark A Altman revealed that the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, worked on a number of concepts, including a time-travel adventure in which the crew attempts to stop the Kennedy assassination. But the most offbeat idea featured a shapeshifting alien that could manifest as biblical figures.
Continue reading...
- 7/6/2016
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
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