Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.
Yes, My precious!
Published on May 11, 2007 By Dr Guy In Current Events

One last one for the road since it is no longer current.  But I was struck (No, I am not going to sue) by a thought.

While I am not a trekkie (others may disagree), I am a die hard Trek Fan.  I think the best was the original, but TNG was good.  As was DS9 for part, and Voyager for most.  Enterprise..........

let's just say I watch it in reruns.

But I think I have found the difference.  Why do I like the older episodes?  And tolerate the newer ones?

Gene Roddenberry.  His vision of the future was not one of constant conflict, but of exploration.  I think he got that from Isaac Asimov (Who is my absolute favorite).  Perhaps not.  But his episodes were filled with some conflict. But mostly discovery.  And that is what made Star Trek Special.

He died during the term of DS9.  And you can tell when he did.  For then the series turned from exploring interspecies relationships (with millions, there could never be a dearth of plot lines) to a War with the Dominion.

And in my opinion, went down hill.

I do not question the other writers for mixing in their views of the future, But simply put, it is not Gene's.  And the Star Trek franchise suffered for that.  Big time.

I watch all the series, even in syndication.  Cause I love the characters. But I treasure Gene's influence on the older episodes the most. 

Perhaps out of a myopic dream.  perhaps out of wanting it to be true.  Whatever reason, Star Trek did not die with Jonathan Archer and Enterprise.  Star Trek died with Gene.  It is his dream, his reality.

And mine as well.

Rest in Peace Gene.  I miss you.


Comments
on May 11, 2007
"Rest in Peace Gene. I miss you."

Amen to that. I have to confess though I did sort of like the Dominion War episodes, although it was a bit protracted.
on May 12, 2007
War. Death. Fighting. Killing.

I'd much prefer to watch it on Star Trek than have it happening in the world.

At any rate, back to the topic at hand - I'm not a Star Trek kind of guy. I'm more of a Firefly/Galactica (yeah, people, the new one) kind of guy. A grittier, more realistic future.

It might not be as clean and washed up as Roddenberry's ideas, but still . . . me likey.
on May 12, 2007

I have to confess though I did sort of like the Dominion War episodes, although it was a bit protracted.

There was not an absense of war in Roddenberry's ST, but like you hinted at, it was not the main focus.  The Dominion war was too protracted.

on May 12, 2007

I'm more of a Firefly/Galactica (yeah, people, the new one)

Fess up!  You just like Starbuck.

on May 12, 2007
I kind of lost interest about the time Mr Roddenberry passed away. I agree that the direction changed a lot after that.

Asimov is also one of my favorites. Intelligent science fiction is what he was all about. I still re-read the Foundation series from time to time.
on May 12, 2007
I still re-read the Foundation series from time to time.


I am just finishing up re-reading it.
on May 12, 2007
At any rate, back to the topic at hand - I'm not a Star Trek kind of guy. I'm more of a Firefly/Galactica (yeah, people, the new one) kind of guy. A grittier, more realistic future.


I’m sorry that’s just two funny you think Firefly was a more realistic view of the future than Star Trek. Space faring races living like we did in the 18th century old west. An engineer with no training just a knack for hyperspace engines. She even had greasy coveralls, yes that’s right, a greasy hyperspace engine. The show was entertaining, but had to be the most inaccurate version of the future ever put on film.

They actually made a program called “The science of Star Trek” showing how realistic some of the technologies introduced by Gene turned out to be.
on May 12, 2007

They actually made a program called “The science of Star Trek” showing how realistic some of the technologies introduced by Gene turned out to be.

Did you notice how in the latter episodes, they had to change some things?  because technology had already gone passed it? (like the communictors).