There is nothing that excites me more than seeing Jonathan Frakes. Yes, that’s Riker from Star Trek: Next Gen, but it’s also Jonathan Frakes from Beyond Belief. My best friend and I used to sit in bed and watch Beyond Belief while eating Chicken Biscuits with squeeze cheese. We were slightly obsessed. Not with just the show and Jonathan Frakes, but also with narrator Don Lafontaine and the research work of author Robert Tralins. This was our A-Team.
The series was created by Lynn Lehman, whose only other credit was an acting role in 1976’s Guardian of the Wilderness. The show was like a mysterious puzzle for the audience. Each episode presented a collection of short stories, ranging from paranormal encounters to bizarre coincidences. Viewers were treated to tales of kids being total dicks, like pulling pranks that bordered on the supernatural, or the haunting ghost of a...
The series was created by Lynn Lehman, whose only other credit was an acting role in 1976’s Guardian of the Wilderness. The show was like a mysterious puzzle for the audience. Each episode presented a collection of short stories, ranging from paranormal encounters to bizarre coincidences. Viewers were treated to tales of kids being total dicks, like pulling pranks that bordered on the supernatural, or the haunting ghost of a...
- 4/30/2024
- by Niki Minter
- JoBlo.com
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 Jonathan Frakes' 1996 film "Star Trek: First Contact," the U.S.S. Enterprise travels back in time to the year 2063, the year humanity first invented faster-than-light travel and, almost immediately thereafter, made first contact with an alien species. By "Star Trek" lore, the maiden voyage of the Phoenix, the very first warp-capable ship, caught the attention of a passing Vulcan vessel, causing them to change course, land on Earth, and shake hands with humans. It was the franchise's "Welcome to the neighborhood" moment. It also started a massive utopian rebuilding of Earth, as it had just survived several devastating wars. By "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's estimation, Earth had to almost destroy itself to have a "moment of clarity." After that, the technological, post-war, post-scarcity, post-capitalist utopia could begin.
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
With the rise of adult animation, such as Rick and Morty, on streaming services, it may surprise many Star Trek fans that their adult animated show has been canceled by Paramount +.
However, there is some good news about the show.
Season 5 will still be released, the show's final season.
Many fans of the show and Star Trek fans do not understand why Paramount + has decided to cancel the show as the Star Trek universe seems to be on the rise.
We'll explore why.
What is Star Treks: Lower Decks Animated Show?
Before we examine why the Star Trek: Lower Decks animated show was canceled, let's talk about what it is about and how it fits into the whole Star Trek lore.
Star Trek: Lower Decks takes place in the year 2380, around ten years after the Next Generation series ended in the Star Trek universe.
It's named after one of...
However, there is some good news about the show.
Season 5 will still be released, the show's final season.
Many fans of the show and Star Trek fans do not understand why Paramount + has decided to cancel the show as the Star Trek universe seems to be on the rise.
We'll explore why.
What is Star Treks: Lower Decks Animated Show?
Before we examine why the Star Trek: Lower Decks animated show was canceled, let's talk about what it is about and how it fits into the whole Star Trek lore.
Star Trek: Lower Decks takes place in the year 2380, around ten years after the Next Generation series ended in the Star Trek universe.
It's named after one of...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jason Collins
- TVfanatic
True lightning-in-a-bottle phenomena are immensely difficult to recapture. 60 years after "The Twilight Zone" completed its initial run in 1964, subsequent attempts to resuscitate the property -- either with an anthology film or reboot series -- have failed to match its cultural impact, even with vaunted directors Steven Spielberg, George Miller, Wes Craven, William Friedkin, Jonathan Frakes, Ana Lily Amirpour, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, and Osgood Perkins lending their talents behind the camera. It's a testament to everything the late Rod Serling accomplished with his surreal amalgamation of genre storytelling and social commentary that we tend to overlook his many other significant contributions as an artist (which include co-penning the 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie).
When the original "Twilight Zone" ended, however, its legacy seemed far from assured. Serling had burnt himself out after writing so many episodes for the series, with the consensus being that the show's final two seasons were...
When the original "Twilight Zone" ended, however, its legacy seemed far from assured. Serling had burnt himself out after writing so many episodes for the series, with the consensus being that the show's final two seasons were...
- 4/21/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Paramount+ today announced that its hit original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a fourth season. The series is currently in production on its third season, which is set to debut in 2025.
Additionally, the previously announced fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, which is also currently in production, will mark the series’ final season and premiere this fall on Paramount+.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of Programming at Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure, and humor, and we’re elated to announce another season ahead of our season three premiere.”
He continued: “Similarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks has brought the laughs with an ample amount of heart to...
Additionally, the previously announced fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, which is also currently in production, will mark the series’ final season and premiere this fall on Paramount+.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the Star Trek universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of Programming at Paramount+. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has found the perfect blend of action, adventure, and humor, and we’re elated to announce another season ahead of our season three premiere.”
He continued: “Similarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks has brought the laughs with an ample amount of heart to...
- 4/12/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
As the great Billy Joel once said, "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes; I'm afraid it's time for goodbye." That quote takes on an extra layer of meaning with today's double-pronged news regarding the future of "Star Trek." On the big screen, we recently found out that all systems are go for the new movie described to be a prequel to the Kelvin Universe films. But for those who've been enjoying the franchise renaissance on television, well, there's some good news and bad news to report.
We'll start with the good news. Variety has the scoop on a season 4 renewal for "Strange New Worlds," the spin-off from "Star Trek: Discovery" that also serves as a prequel to "The Original Series." The popular and high-quality show is currently in production on its third season, as last teased by director and franchise icon Jonathan Frakes. With the first two completed seasons spanning 10 episodes each,...
We'll start with the good news. Variety has the scoop on a season 4 renewal for "Strange New Worlds," the spin-off from "Star Trek: Discovery" that also serves as a prequel to "The Original Series." The popular and high-quality show is currently in production on its third season, as last teased by director and franchise icon Jonathan Frakes. With the first two completed seasons spanning 10 episodes each,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” currently in production on its third season, has been renewed by Paramount+ for Season 4. Meanwhile, “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the first animated “Star Trek” comedy, will conclude its run on the streamer with its fifth season, which will debut in the fall.
“Strange New Worlds” — set in the years when Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the USS Enterprise, and featuring younger versions of several legacy characters, including Spock (Ethan Peck), Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Kirk (Paul Wesley) — has been a fan favorite since it premiered on Paramount+ in 2022. Season 2 of the series, which included a musical episode and a crossover episode with “Lower Decks,” made Nielsen’s chart of the 10 most-watched streaming original series over multiple weeks.
“On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘Strange New Worlds,’ we are thrilled and grateful to continue our voyages together,” said executive producers and showrunners...
“Strange New Worlds” — set in the years when Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the USS Enterprise, and featuring younger versions of several legacy characters, including Spock (Ethan Peck), Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Kirk (Paul Wesley) — has been a fan favorite since it premiered on Paramount+ in 2022. Season 2 of the series, which included a musical episode and a crossover episode with “Lower Decks,” made Nielsen’s chart of the 10 most-watched streaming original series over multiple weeks.
“On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘Strange New Worlds,’ we are thrilled and grateful to continue our voyages together,” said executive producers and showrunners...
- 4/12/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" might be considered the most lighthearted show in the vast canon of "Trek." It's a series that returned to an episodic structure, allowing its stories to conclude at the end of an hour, rather than stretching them across an entire season -- and sometimes well past their breaking point. The old-world structure has allowed the showrunners to experiment with genre in ways not previously tried on "Star Trek." One episode may be a body-swap comedy, while the next is a terse horror tale. There are a few steely, soul-crushing wartime dramas sprinkled throughout, but their headiness is leavened by lightweight time-travel stories, party-animated crossovers, and an episode in which Spock becomes a human and eats too much bacon. The most notorious "Strange New Worlds" episode is likely "Subspace Rhapsody," a full-on musical.
Trekkies who prefer more professional, mature characters may bristle a little at the...
Trekkies who prefer more professional, mature characters may bristle a little at the...
- 4/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There's meeting your favorite celebrity, and then there's meeting Spock. Though we all understand on some level that actors Leonard Nimoy, Zachary Quinto, and Ethan Peck aren't actually the beloved pointy-eared first officer "Star Trek" fans know and love, well, humans aren't really that logical, are we?
"Star Trek" has a long history of inspiring passionate fan reactions, and Peck, who plays the half-Vulcan, half-human fan-favorite character in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is certainly getting a taste of them. In a cover story for Variety about the future of the Paramount-owned franchise, Peck spoke about what it's been like adjusting to playing Spock and described fan encounters as a sort of ritualistic experience. "When I'm meeting fans, sometimes they're coming to be confirmed, like I'm kind of a priest," the actor told a reporter while in the middle of filming season 3 of the excellent Paramount+ prequel series.
"Star Trek" has a long history of inspiring passionate fan reactions, and Peck, who plays the half-Vulcan, half-human fan-favorite character in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is certainly getting a taste of them. In a cover story for Variety about the future of the Paramount-owned franchise, Peck spoke about what it's been like adjusting to playing Spock and described fan encounters as a sort of ritualistic experience. "When I'm meeting fans, sometimes they're coming to be confirmed, like I'm kind of a priest," the actor told a reporter while in the middle of filming season 3 of the excellent Paramount+ prequel series.
- 4/6/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
A Variety cover story about the future of "Star Trek" includes plenty of exciting updates about the future of the series, but it's also just a trivia treasure trove for "Trek" fans -- including the ones who work on the shows. "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" stars Anson Mount and Ethan Peck both noted how surreal their jobs are, while Mount also revealed that they get to go to work on a set named after part of a starship.
"Sometimes we call it The Holodeck," Mount told Variety when describing the massive augmented reality walls (similar to those used by Industrial Light & Magic's The Volume) that turn the set into a virtual-physical hybrid space. Variety's Adam B. Vary observed that Mount "[couldn't] help but break into a boyish grin" when he talked about the Ar walls they call The Holodeck, as if it's yet another childhood dream come true. In an...
"Sometimes we call it The Holodeck," Mount told Variety when describing the massive augmented reality walls (similar to those used by Industrial Light & Magic's The Volume) that turn the set into a virtual-physical hybrid space. Variety's Adam B. Vary observed that Mount "[couldn't] help but break into a boyish grin" when he talked about the Ar walls they call The Holodeck, as if it's yet another childhood dream come true. In an...
- 4/6/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
This Star Trek: Discovery article contains spoilers.
At the end of the Star Trek: Discovery season five premiere “Red Directive,” Dr. Kovich finally levels with Captain Burnham. The mission that she and her crew had been on throughout the episode has escalated beyond even Admiral Vance’s clearance, to a level that only someone as deep within the Federation as Kovich can understand.
The mission involves the Progenitors, the source of all humanoid life in the universe. “A few thousand years ago, we’d have found them gods,” says Kovich. But to long-time Trekkies, the Progenitors are also the topic of a remarkable episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As much as we all love Star Trek and its wild world of alien races, the fact remains that the large majority of those aliens are just regular-looking humans with different bits of putty slapped on their foreheads. Romulans, Klingons,...
At the end of the Star Trek: Discovery season five premiere “Red Directive,” Dr. Kovich finally levels with Captain Burnham. The mission that she and her crew had been on throughout the episode has escalated beyond even Admiral Vance’s clearance, to a level that only someone as deep within the Federation as Kovich can understand.
The mission involves the Progenitors, the source of all humanoid life in the universe. “A few thousand years ago, we’d have found them gods,” says Kovich. But to long-time Trekkies, the Progenitors are also the topic of a remarkable episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As much as we all love Star Trek and its wild world of alien races, the fact remains that the large majority of those aliens are just regular-looking humans with different bits of putty slapped on their foreheads. Romulans, Klingons,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
One of the more persistent conversations that has buoyed several decades worth of nerd conversations is the old "Star Trek" vs. "Star Wars" saw. Do you, dear reader, prefer stern diplomacy, mechanically inclined stories, ethical dilemmas, and constant reference to classic literature of the Western Canon? Then "Star Trek" is for you. You may, however, prefer fable-like tales of derring-do, heroic space-bound violence, and archetypal myths of good vs. evil. If you like your sci-fi to have an ancient flavor and fantastical elements out of King Arthur, then you may prefer "Star Wars."
Which one is better? The answer, of course, is "Star Trek." But which one is more successful and widespread? Frustratingly, the answer is "Star Wars." "Star Trek" has long been more successful on TV, telling hour-long morality tales and pushing up against low budgets. It was about multiculturalism and equality. "Star Wars," meanwhile, got its mileage from simple tales of violent victory,...
Which one is better? The answer, of course, is "Star Trek." But which one is more successful and widespread? Frustratingly, the answer is "Star Wars." "Star Trek" has long been more successful on TV, telling hour-long morality tales and pushing up against low budgets. It was about multiculturalism and equality. "Star Wars," meanwhile, got its mileage from simple tales of violent victory,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When producer Alex Kurtzman launched Star Trek: Discovery nearly a decade ago, the idea of bringing the Star Trek franchise back to TV was a gamble. Back in 2015, the most popular science fiction TV series were either on the SyFy Channel or Doctor Who. After having gone out with a whimper with Enterprise in 2005, could Trek rematerialize as a fully rejuvenated version of itself? Could a mainstream audience be enticed back to the final frontier by yet another new crew? At first, the answer was maybe.
After several delays, Star Trek: Discovery debuted in 2017 on a newly minted streaming service, CBS All-Access, and the reviews were mixed. After the departure of Bryan Fuller, some critics felt Disco’s first season had a patchwork quality, amounting to a Trek tapestry that was as challenging as it was audacious. To say Discovery’s early years were some of the riskiest in Trek...
After several delays, Star Trek: Discovery debuted in 2017 on a newly minted streaming service, CBS All-Access, and the reviews were mixed. After the departure of Bryan Fuller, some critics felt Disco’s first season had a patchwork quality, amounting to a Trek tapestry that was as challenging as it was audacious. To say Discovery’s early years were some of the riskiest in Trek...
- 4/2/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
On the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Genesis", the eternally nervous Lieutenant Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) goes to sickbay insisting he has Terellian Death Syndrome. Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden), finding it's a mild flu, injects him with a synthetic T-cell, activating a gene that would provide him with immunities. Unwittingly, Dr. Crusher also activates every dormant gene in Barclay's body, causing ancient, pre-evolutionary "memory" genes to activate and forcing Barclay to change species. Barclay suddenly evolves into a spider. It spreads, naturally. Nurse Ogawa (Patti Yasutake) evolves into an ape. Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) evolves into a protohuman. Data (Brent Spiner) evolves into a 1980 Commodore Vic-20.
That last one was a little joke. Data is fine.
"Genesis" has a lot of great makeup effects (by the show's hardworking makeup technician Michael Westmore), but the premise is a little silly, even for "Star Trek." Then again, the science in...
That last one was a little joke. Data is fine.
"Genesis" has a lot of great makeup effects (by the show's hardworking makeup technician Michael Westmore), but the premise is a little silly, even for "Star Trek." Then again, the science in...
- 3/31/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
‘Loki’ Episode ‘Glorious Purpose’ Nominated for Best Dramatic Presentation Amongst Strong Contenders
Last year, Marvel Studios faced criticism and low box office numbers with two out of three major projects flopping both financially and critically. However, ‘Loki’ came back strong with its second season, earning praise from fans and critics alike as one of MCU’s best recent releases.
The show not only delivered an enjoyable experience but also wrapped up Loki’s character arc well while laying the groundwork for future Multiverse Saga developments. It’s no surprise that ‘Loki’ has garnered multiple award nominations, including this year’s Hugo Awards, known for honoring outstanding science fiction and fantasy works.
Loki’s last episode, ‘Glorious Purpose,’ was nominated for Best Dramatic Presentation and will have some strong competition.
Doctor Who: “The Giggle”, written by Russell T. Davies, directed by Chanya Button (Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for The BBC and Disney Branded Television) Loki: “Glorious Purpose”, screenplay by Eric Martin,...
The show not only delivered an enjoyable experience but also wrapped up Loki’s character arc well while laying the groundwork for future Multiverse Saga developments. It’s no surprise that ‘Loki’ has garnered multiple award nominations, including this year’s Hugo Awards, known for honoring outstanding science fiction and fantasy works.
Loki’s last episode, ‘Glorious Purpose,’ was nominated for Best Dramatic Presentation and will have some strong competition.
Doctor Who: “The Giggle”, written by Russell T. Davies, directed by Chanya Button (Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for The BBC and Disney Branded Television) Loki: “Glorious Purpose”, screenplay by Eric Martin,...
- 3/30/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘Loki’ Episode ‘Glorious Purpose’ Nominated for Best Dramatic Presentation Against Tough Competition
Marvel Studios faced fan backlash and record low-box office results last year, with 2 out of 3 major projects failing both when it comes to earnings and critical reception, but not all was bad. ‘Loki’ returned with the second season and the show was highly praised by fans and critics alike, being the best project that the MCU has released in recent time.
The show was not only extremely enjoyable and ended Loki’s character development on a high note, it also set up some pretty grand implications for the continuation of the Multiverse Saga. It’s no wonder then that the show has been nominated for several awards, including this year’s Hugo award. The Hugo Awards are prestigious awards given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements. They are named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine ‘Amazing Stories.’
Loki’s final...
The show was not only extremely enjoyable and ended Loki’s character development on a high note, it also set up some pretty grand implications for the continuation of the Multiverse Saga. It’s no wonder then that the show has been nominated for several awards, including this year’s Hugo award. The Hugo Awards are prestigious awards given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements. They are named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine ‘Amazing Stories.’
Loki’s final...
- 3/30/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
“Star Trek” fans got a couple fascinating details in a March 27 report by Variety on the future of the franchise on Paramount+. The biggest for sure is that the character of Rachel Garrett, the first female captain of the USS Enterprise, will be appearing in the “Section 31” direct-to-Paramount+ movie that’s going to star Michelle Yeoh.
The actress Kacey Rohl will be playing Garrett, who was the captain of the Enterprise-c in the first half of the 24th century and was the subject of one of the most beloved “Next Generation” episodes ever: “Yesterday’s Enterprise” (she was played by Tricia O’Neal in the original episode).
That time-travel episode was about how the Enterprise-c was ripped out of history at a battle with the Romulans where it was supposed to have perished; instead the ship was hurled 22 years into the future where it meets Picard’s Enterprise, the Enterprise-d. As...
The actress Kacey Rohl will be playing Garrett, who was the captain of the Enterprise-c in the first half of the 24th century and was the subject of one of the most beloved “Next Generation” episodes ever: “Yesterday’s Enterprise” (she was played by Tricia O’Neal in the original episode).
That time-travel episode was about how the Enterprise-c was ripped out of history at a battle with the Romulans where it was supposed to have perished; instead the ship was hurled 22 years into the future where it meets Picard’s Enterprise, the Enterprise-d. As...
- 3/28/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" has a knack for proving skeptics wrong. You say Paramount+ can't do a prequel "Star Trek" series that reimagines iconic characters like Spock, Kirk, and Uhura with a cast of new actors? Watch them. Think it's impossible to strike the original series' balance between earnest pathos, sci-fi geekery, warm-hearted hijinks, and indelible camp? Think again. Don't even get this show started on which genres do and don't check classic "Star Trek" boxes; it'll blow your personal definition of classic "Trek" wide open with a Medieval costume drama, an animation-live action crossover, a musical, or -- in the upcoming season, according to Variety -- a "Hollywood murder mystery."
In Variety's new cover story about the future of the franchise Gene Roddenberry first created in 1966, the future of "Star Trek" is bright. The dynamic, weird, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking prequel series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" comes...
In Variety's new cover story about the future of the franchise Gene Roddenberry first created in 1966, the future of "Star Trek" is bright. The dynamic, weird, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking prequel series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" comes...
- 3/27/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
When a franchise has lasted for upwards of half a century and is still going strong, the decision-makers in charge will inevitably run into one pressing question above all others: Where do we go next? "Star Trek" became a beloved institution among the nerdiest of fans for a pretty good reason, largely because of its wholesale commitment to treading new ground and envisioning a new future. But with the franchise firing on all cylinders these days and no signs of slowing down anytime soon, writers have become increasingly hard-pressed to boldly go where no others have gone before ... literally speaking, that is, since recent "Star Trek" shows like "Strange New Worlds," "Lower Decks," "Discovery," "Picard," and more have filled in all sorts of gaps in the official canon.
It's no secret that Paramount is eager to get back in the big-screen business for "Trek," however, and one of the more...
It's no secret that Paramount is eager to get back in the big-screen business for "Trek," however, and one of the more...
- 3/27/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
“I can’t believe I get to play the captain of the Enterprise.”
Anson Mount is sitting across from me on one of the Toronto soundstages for the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which is set in the years when his character, Capt. Christopher Pike, led the legendary Federation starship with a young Spock and Uhura. We’re speaking on the sleek Enterprise bridge, and Mount is recounting the out-of-body experience he had the first time he sat in the iconic captain’s chair. “I had this immediate flashback to playing ‘Star Trek’ as a kid,” he says. “I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t at some point stop and think to myself, ‘I’m on fucking “Star Trek.”’”
“Strange New Worlds” is the 12th “Star Trek” TV show since the original series debuted on NBC in 1966, introducing Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a hopeful future for humanity.
Anson Mount is sitting across from me on one of the Toronto soundstages for the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which is set in the years when his character, Capt. Christopher Pike, led the legendary Federation starship with a young Spock and Uhura. We’re speaking on the sleek Enterprise bridge, and Mount is recounting the out-of-body experience he had the first time he sat in the iconic captain’s chair. “I had this immediate flashback to playing ‘Star Trek’ as a kid,” he says. “I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t at some point stop and think to myself, ‘I’m on fucking “Star Trek.”’”
“Strange New Worlds” is the 12th “Star Trek” TV show since the original series debuted on NBC in 1966, introducing Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a hopeful future for humanity.
- 3/27/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Three of the 12 "Star Trek" shows to date begin with the same familiar narration, which was originally spoken by Captain Kirk (William Shatner) in 1966:
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise, its five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before."
For "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (2022), "no man" was changed to "no one." "Next Generation" was also a "continuing mission" and not a "five-year mission." That narration has come to represent the ethos of the entire "Star Trek" franchise, highlighting that the various shows and movies are about exploration, new life, and going boldly. Unlike the title crawl of "Star Wars," there is no talk of conflict, conquering enemies, or asserting dominance. In the original series, the narration played over a gentle...
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise, its five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before."
For "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (2022), "no man" was changed to "no one." "Next Generation" was also a "continuing mission" and not a "five-year mission." That narration has come to represent the ethos of the entire "Star Trek" franchise, highlighting that the various shows and movies are about exploration, new life, and going boldly. Unlike the title crawl of "Star Wars," there is no talk of conflict, conquering enemies, or asserting dominance. In the original series, the narration played over a gentle...
- 3/17/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Making a triumphant return to television with Star Trek: Picard, Patrick Stewart reprised his beloved role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Narrating the story of a retired Picard, who is approached by a mysterious woman for help, only to later find that she holds the key to the secrets of his past life, the show features Alison Pill, Ed Speleers, Jonathan Frakes, and more.
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: Picard
But while the 3 seasoned 2020 show earned massive praise from fans, overall – the second season in particular turned out to be rather controversial. During a Master Replicas Collectors Club Zoom chat, Season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas thus shed some light on what went wrong with the second season. Fans will be baffled, once they learn how the show was butchered.
Terry Matalas Revealed Why Star Trek: Picard S2 Fell Short
While the third season of Star Trek: Picard is held in high regard by fans,...
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: Picard
But while the 3 seasoned 2020 show earned massive praise from fans, overall – the second season in particular turned out to be rather controversial. During a Master Replicas Collectors Club Zoom chat, Season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas thus shed some light on what went wrong with the second season. Fans will be baffled, once they learn how the show was butchered.
Terry Matalas Revealed Why Star Trek: Picard S2 Fell Short
While the third season of Star Trek: Picard is held in high regard by fans,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire
The cancelation of "Star Trek: Discovery" came as a surprise for the cast and crew. It seems that word of the show's cancelation came just as director Jonathan Frakes was filming the last few episodes, and the showrunners had to rush to wrap up the series in a satisfying way, re-writing a few scenes to indicate that this was indeed the end for the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery-A. Early word is that the fifth season of "Discovery" will boast an archaeology-forward, galactic Indiana Jones-style adventure story extrapolated from the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Chase".
Naturally, the cast and crew of "Discovery" are feeling wistful. Sonequa Martin-Green (who plays Captain Burnham), Wilson Cruz (who plays Dr. Culber), and executive producer Alex Kurtzman spoke at this year's SXSW -- which /Film attended -- and they were given a moment to ensure that the series was given a proper sendoff.
Naturally, the cast and crew of "Discovery" are feeling wistful. Sonequa Martin-Green (who plays Captain Burnham), Wilson Cruz (who plays Dr. Culber), and executive producer Alex Kurtzman spoke at this year's SXSW -- which /Film attended -- and they were given a moment to ensure that the series was given a proper sendoff.
- 3/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The crew of the U.S.S. Discovery will sign off on their final transmission this year when "Star Trek: Discovery" comes to an end after 5 seasons. The first "Star Trek" show of the Paramount+ era has gone through plenty of highs and lows across 55 episodes and counting, but with the end in sight, it's the perfect time for the cast and crew to reflect on the best memories they have from years spent bringing the series to life.
Cast members were in attendance for the world premiere of "Discovery" season 5 at South By Southwest this week (as was /Film's Jacob Hall), where star Wilson Cruz fondly recalled a particularly wholesome on-set tradition the entire cast participated in. Cruz, who plays Dr. Hugh Culber in the show, replied to a question about the cast's favorite set memories by explaining that specific crew members were given the spotlight each day. "I...
Cast members were in attendance for the world premiere of "Discovery" season 5 at South By Southwest this week (as was /Film's Jacob Hall), where star Wilson Cruz fondly recalled a particularly wholesome on-set tradition the entire cast participated in. Cruz, who plays Dr. Hugh Culber in the show, replied to a question about the cast's favorite set memories by explaining that specific crew members were given the spotlight each day. "I...
- 3/13/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Quick, who’s the most important person in Star Trek? Jim Kirk? Jean-Luc Picard? Morn?
No, no, and maybe, but not who we had in mind. The most important person in Star Trek is the character who has appeared in every series, except The Original Series: William T. Riker, the character immortalized by Jonathan Frakes.
Of course, Frakes played Commander Riker for seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His twin/clone/variant Thomas Riker showed up as a Maquis agent on Deep Space Nine, while Q shenanigans brought Will to the Delta Quadrant on Voyager. No one, not even Frakes, likes Riker’s appearance with Troi in the finale of Enterprise. But everyone loved Riker and Troi’s vocal appearances on Lower Decks. And, yes, it takes some fudging, but Star Trek: Very Short Treks allowed Riker to blast his trombone with the Star Trek: The Animated Series crew,...
No, no, and maybe, but not who we had in mind. The most important person in Star Trek is the character who has appeared in every series, except The Original Series: William T. Riker, the character immortalized by Jonathan Frakes.
Of course, Frakes played Commander Riker for seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His twin/clone/variant Thomas Riker showed up as a Maquis agent on Deep Space Nine, while Q shenanigans brought Will to the Delta Quadrant on Voyager. No one, not even Frakes, likes Riker’s appearance with Troi in the finale of Enterprise. But everyone loved Riker and Troi’s vocal appearances on Lower Decks. And, yes, it takes some fudging, but Star Trek: Very Short Treks allowed Riker to blast his trombone with the Star Trek: The Animated Series crew,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
The production of "Star Trek: Discovery," as Trekkies likely know, was notoriously troubled. The original concept for "Discovery," as envisioned by TV mastermind Bryan Fuller, was a "Star Trek" anthology show wherein every season would take place in a different era in "Trek" history. The first season was to take place shortly before the events of the original 1966 "Star Trek" series, while the second would be concurrent with the original series. The third season would overlap with "Star Trek: The Next Generation," set a century later, and the fourth would take the series into the distant future.
"Discovery" followed this mold, but only kind of. The first season of "Discovery" did indeed precede the original series, while its second interacted directly with a young Spock (Ethan Peck) and the pre-Kirk USS Enterprise. Then, thanks to a time portal, the USS Discovery was thrown forward in time almost a millennium, and...
"Discovery" followed this mold, but only kind of. The first season of "Discovery" did indeed precede the original series, while its second interacted directly with a young Spock (Ethan Peck) and the pre-Kirk USS Enterprise. Then, thanks to a time portal, the USS Discovery was thrown forward in time almost a millennium, and...
- 3/10/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Never bet against James Cameron. The man is responsible for some of the best and highest-grossing blockbusters of the last 40 years, and yet every time he makes a new (and admittedly risky) movie, everyone is skeptical about its chances of success. Granted, Cameron himself saying "Avatar: The Way of Water" had to become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time just to break even does sound ludicrous and nearly impossible, but still! Jimmy C delivers.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to see now that the "Avatar" franchise just prints money, but before 2009 there were plenty of reasons to be doubtful of a brand-new sci-fi movie making that much money. This means that James Cameron faced naysayers, particularly studio execs who thought they knew how to deliver the highest-grossing movie of all time better than the guy who had done it already.
In an interview with The New York Times,...
Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to see now that the "Avatar" franchise just prints money, but before 2009 there were plenty of reasons to be doubtful of a brand-new sci-fi movie making that much money. This means that James Cameron faced naysayers, particularly studio execs who thought they knew how to deliver the highest-grossing movie of all time better than the guy who had done it already.
In an interview with The New York Times,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Love them or hate them, the Academy Awards remain a cornerstone of the movie industry and popular culture. Film fans everywhere tend to have a lot to say about the award show, even if it’s to get a few grievances about its existence off their chests. Through all of its ups and downs over the last 90+ years, that continued level of relevance is a testament to the power of the name “Oscars.”
But for as popular as that shorthand name for the Academy Awards may be, its origin remains surprisingly obscure. In fact, until very recently, we only had a vague idea of how, when, and why the name “Oscars” became synonymous with the Academy Awards. It’s a story that not only reveals the truth (or at least the partial truth) behind a question you’ve likely asked at some point but quite a lot about how the...
But for as popular as that shorthand name for the Academy Awards may be, its origin remains surprisingly obscure. In fact, until very recently, we only had a vague idea of how, when, and why the name “Oscars” became synonymous with the Academy Awards. It’s a story that not only reveals the truth (or at least the partial truth) behind a question you’ve likely asked at some point but quite a lot about how the...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Neutral Zone", the U.S.S. Enterprise-d encounters a seemingly abandoned cryo-pod floating out in the galaxy. On board are three humans, frozen since the 20th century. When they are thawed, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) takes a Roddenberrian opportunity to lecture them, explaining that their outmoded ideas about capitalism and selfishness are dead in the 24th century. Picard's dialogue is partly utopian but mostly condescending, meant more for TV viewers in 1988 than directed toward his scene partners.
The episode's B-plot involved a visit to the titular Neutral Zone between Federation space and the Romulan Star Empire. There, the Enterprise investigates the destruction of a remote outpost, perhaps the result of Romulan malfeasance. "The Neutral Zone" was the first time Trekkies had seen Romulans since the original series, re-establishing them as a major threat in the galaxy. It also set up the...
The episode's B-plot involved a visit to the titular Neutral Zone between Federation space and the Romulan Star Empire. There, the Enterprise investigates the destruction of a remote outpost, perhaps the result of Romulan malfeasance. "The Neutral Zone" was the first time Trekkies had seen Romulans since the original series, re-establishing them as a major threat in the galaxy. It also set up the...
- 3/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers for The Orville, Star Trek: The Original Series, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Featuring broad comedy and characters who don’t seem to be taking their jobs very seriously, the first trailer for The Orville suggested that the Fox series would be a spoof of Star Trek.
In said trailer, Captain Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) tries to eat a marble and asks an alien to move over so he is framed better in the viewscreen. Lt. Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) drinks beer while on duty, flying a shuttle, at 9:15 a.m. Commander Kelly Grayson’s (Adrianne Palicki) former marriage to Mercer is treated to rather stale “comic” arguments about going to therapy. Mercer’s reaction to Lt. Commander Bortus’s (Peter Macon) species being entirely male is to observe, with truly cutting and original wit, that they probably don’t have many arguments about leaving the toilet seat up.
Featuring broad comedy and characters who don’t seem to be taking their jobs very seriously, the first trailer for The Orville suggested that the Fox series would be a spoof of Star Trek.
In said trailer, Captain Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) tries to eat a marble and asks an alien to move over so he is framed better in the viewscreen. Lt. Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) drinks beer while on duty, flying a shuttle, at 9:15 a.m. Commander Kelly Grayson’s (Adrianne Palicki) former marriage to Mercer is treated to rather stale “comic” arguments about going to therapy. Mercer’s reaction to Lt. Commander Bortus’s (Peter Macon) species being entirely male is to observe, with truly cutting and original wit, that they probably don’t have many arguments about leaving the toilet seat up.
- 2/28/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Star Trek will soon boldly go – again – where no man has gone before…Ok, so many a man has been to Miami, but have they done so out of their sheer love for Star Trek? To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Voyager, Royal Caribbean is launching Star Trek: The Cruise VIII, which will give fans an immersive experience that will, yes, make them a voyager.
Next year, Voyager fans can board Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas – which had its maiden voyage in 2000, the year before the Star Trek series went off the air – to celebrate the series. And there will be plenty for them to do aboard the cruise ship, aside from making a mess of the buffets. According to the cruise’s official website, there will be a variety of shows, Q&a sessions, panels, trivia sessions, parties, theme nights, interactive events, and much more.
Those who...
Next year, Voyager fans can board Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas – which had its maiden voyage in 2000, the year before the Star Trek series went off the air – to celebrate the series. And there will be plenty for them to do aboard the cruise ship, aside from making a mess of the buffets. According to the cruise’s official website, there will be a variety of shows, Q&a sessions, panels, trivia sessions, parties, theme nights, interactive events, and much more.
Those who...
- 2/25/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
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
In March 2023 it was announce that the upcoming fifth season of "Star Trek: Discovery" was to be its last. This is something of a major moment for modern "Star Trek," as "Discovery" was seen as the bold return of the franchise to the small screen for the first time in 12 years. It was also the flagship show on Paramount's brand-new streaming service, CBS All Access, now called Paramount+.
The show will last one more season, and "Star Trek" will be left in the hands of its remaining programs "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and "Star Trek" Lower Decks." It's planned "Section 31" series was transformed into a movie, and "Star Trek: Prodigy" was also recently canceled, graciously allowed a second and final season before leaving the airwaves. There is currently a "Starfleet Academy" series in the works.
At the end of the show's second season, the Discovery was thrown forward...
The show will last one more season, and "Star Trek" will be left in the hands of its remaining programs "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and "Star Trek" Lower Decks." It's planned "Section 31" series was transformed into a movie, and "Star Trek: Prodigy" was also recently canceled, graciously allowed a second and final season before leaving the airwaves. There is currently a "Starfleet Academy" series in the works.
At the end of the show's second season, the Discovery was thrown forward...
- 2/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) first appeared in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Ensign Ro", and she introduced an interesting character dynamic to the series. Whereas most of the characters on "Next Generation" were wholly devoted to Starfleet principals and unwaveringly loyal to Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), Ensign Ro felt that Starfleet frequently let suffering go unacknowledged. She was combative and disobedient as a result, often openly defying her captain and responding to diplomatic solutions with belligerence.
Forbes' performance was so assured and defiant, however, that Ro's disobedience never felt impulsive or immature. Her reactions were organic and principled, revealing a hardened but understandable heart. Ro only appeared in eight episodes of "Next Generation," but she was always welcome to shake up the system and offer metaphorical headbutts to her commanding officers.
Ro's final "Next Generation" episode was "Preemptive Strike" wherein she found herself sympathizing with a group...
Forbes' performance was so assured and defiant, however, that Ro's disobedience never felt impulsive or immature. Her reactions were organic and principled, revealing a hardened but understandable heart. Ro only appeared in eight episodes of "Next Generation," but she was always welcome to shake up the system and offer metaphorical headbutts to her commanding officers.
Ro's final "Next Generation" episode was "Preemptive Strike" wherein she found herself sympathizing with a group...
- 2/18/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
While Jonathan Frakes was starring on Star Trek: The Next Generation, he was also doing his homework, learning the skills he’d need to become a director. That certainly paid off for him — he started directing episodes of Tng starting in its third season, and he’s now directed more than 100 episodes of television. He’s also directed a handful of feature films, including the first Star Trek movie to feature the Tng crew, Star Trek: First Contact. In fact, First Contact was his first time directing for the big screen, and it was universally acclaimed as being one of the best films in the franchise. At the time of First Contact’s release, Frakes spoke to us about how directing a Star Trek movie was different than directing the Star Trek television shows. (Click on the media bar below to hear Jonathan Frakes) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads...
- 2/17/2024
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
At the very end of the first season of "Star Trek: Picard," after the story had concluded and everyone was headed back home, the violent bounty hunter Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) and Admiral Picard's close friend Raffi (Michelle Hurd) sat idly conversing. They reached out and began romantically holding hands, implying that the characters were initiating a romance. Previously throughout "Star Trek," both Seven and Raffi had only been seen having romances with men, so their respective bisexuality came as a pleasant surprise.
Sadly, at the start of the second season of "Picard," enough time had passed that Seven and Raffi had already dated for a while ... and had broken up. There was now a great deal of romantic resentment between them, and they had to struggle to fulfill their mission in the 21st century (the second season featured a time travel plot). In the show's third and final season,...
Sadly, at the start of the second season of "Picard," enough time had passed that Seven and Raffi had already dated for a while ... and had broken up. There was now a great deal of romantic resentment between them, and they had to struggle to fulfill their mission in the 21st century (the second season featured a time travel plot). In the show's third and final season,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
As the old meme dictates, find someone who looks at you the way Gowron looks at everything.
Gowron, played by actor Robert O'Reilly, only appeared in four episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and on eight episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," but O'Reilly's outsize performance left a massive impression in the minds of Trekkies everywhere. Gowron was initially introduced as a potential successor to the recently fallen head of the Klingon High Council, eventually ascending in the place of the conniving Duras. After his ascendency, Gowron would occasionally travel through the franchise to growl at other characters and demonstrably declare how the Klingon Empire was going to behave.
O'Reilly's performance involved a lot of mugging and growling, and as a result, Gowron has become one of the more openly memed characters in the franchise. Growl "Glory to you" or "You have brought shame upon your house,...
Gowron, played by actor Robert O'Reilly, only appeared in four episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and on eight episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," but O'Reilly's outsize performance left a massive impression in the minds of Trekkies everywhere. Gowron was initially introduced as a potential successor to the recently fallen head of the Klingon High Council, eventually ascending in the place of the conniving Duras. After his ascendency, Gowron would occasionally travel through the franchise to growl at other characters and demonstrably declare how the Klingon Empire was going to behave.
O'Reilly's performance involved a lot of mugging and growling, and as a result, Gowron has become one of the more openly memed characters in the franchise. Growl "Glory to you" or "You have brought shame upon your house,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Avatar: The Way of Water, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Star Trek: Picard were among the main winners Sunday at the 51st Saturn Awards, which honor the best in genre entertainment.
Winners across film, TV and home media were revealed Sunday during a ceremony at the L.A. Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel hosted by Joel McHale. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
James Cameron’s Avatar sequel won a leading four awards on the film side for Best Science Fiction Film, Direction, Screenwriting and Visual Effects after coming in to the night with a leading 12 nominations. Oppenheimer, which had 11 noms, was named Best Thriller and won for Best Editing while the film’s Emily Blunt won Best Supporting Actress. Blunt also presented Nolan with the honorary Saturn Visionary Award.
Other honorary awards went to Life Career honoree Jodie Foster, Keanu Reeves, Seth MacFarlane,...
Winners across film, TV and home media were revealed Sunday during a ceremony at the L.A. Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel hosted by Joel McHale. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
James Cameron’s Avatar sequel won a leading four awards on the film side for Best Science Fiction Film, Direction, Screenwriting and Visual Effects after coming in to the night with a leading 12 nominations. Oppenheimer, which had 11 noms, was named Best Thriller and won for Best Editing while the film’s Emily Blunt won Best Supporting Actress. Blunt also presented Nolan with the honorary Saturn Visionary Award.
Other honorary awards went to Life Career honoree Jodie Foster, Keanu Reeves, Seth MacFarlane,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
It's worth recalling that "Star Trek: Enterprise" is one of the less popular "Star Trek" shows. "Enterprise" debuted in late September 2001, and was set about a century before the events of the original "Star Trek" series. It followed the adventures of the very first human vessel sent on a long-range space voyage, and took place at a time when a lot of familiar "Star Trek" technologies/notions hadn't been invented yet; there were no tractor beams, no shields, no human-safe transporters, and no Prime Directive. "Enterprise" clearly wanted to revive the old-world frontiersmanship so familiar to fans of the 1966 series.
"Enterprise," however, only lasted four seasons; the three previous Trek shows ran for seven years each. The series was canceled in 2005, and, at the time, it seemed like "Star Trek" was pretty much over and done with. Some might credit the show's writing as a culprit for its unpopularity; it...
"Enterprise," however, only lasted four seasons; the three previous Trek shows ran for seven years each. The series was canceled in 2005, and, at the time, it seemed like "Star Trek" was pretty much over and done with. Some might credit the show's writing as a culprit for its unpopularity; it...
- 2/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Anyone who has seen "The Orville" will intuit immediately that show creator Seth MacFarlane is a huge fan of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." In addition to the archetypal characters one might find in any post-"Star Trek" sci-fi show, MacFarlane borrowed a lot of "Star Trek" stories and key notions for his series. "The Orville" takes place in a future devoted to starship-driven space exploration, and starships tend to look a lot like the U.S.S. Enterprise, with various workstations lining the walls of a bridge overseen by a pair of commanding officers. Likewise, the Orville itself belongs to the Planetary Union, an organization similar to the Federation from "Star Trek." On top of all that, the crew of the Orville is a melting pot of various alien cultures, and its workers have to overcome their differences to solve problems and engage in diplomacy.
Perhaps to encourage further...
Perhaps to encourage further...
- 2/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Royale", the Enterprise encounters a mysterious, uninhabited planet that houses a small bubble of breathable air. When Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner), and Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) beam down to investigate, they astonishingly find a 20th-century-era hotel/casino called The Royale, populated by people who don't seem to know they're the only humans located on a distant world.
Through a series of investigations, the Starfleet officers learn that the Royale was constructed by strange, powerful aliens many years before, specifically to house a single human astronaut who left Earth way back in 2037. It seems the off-screen aliens accidentally killed most of the astronaut's friends and shunted his ship through a wormhole. To make it up to him, the aliens scanned a pulp novel the astronaut was reading -- a chintzy piece of neo-noir garbage called "Hotel Royale...
Through a series of investigations, the Starfleet officers learn that the Royale was constructed by strange, powerful aliens many years before, specifically to house a single human astronaut who left Earth way back in 2037. It seems the off-screen aliens accidentally killed most of the astronaut's friends and shunted his ship through a wormhole. To make it up to him, the aliens scanned a pulp novel the astronaut was reading -- a chintzy piece of neo-noir garbage called "Hotel Royale...
- 2/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The respectable Saturn Awards were first launched in 1973 by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, and have been presented annually ever since.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" has won multiple Saturns in the past, notably winning Best Genre Series twice during its initial run. Additionally, Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner won Saturns for their acting, playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Commander Data respectively. Frustratingly, no other member of the show's venerated ensemble won Saturns for their performance.
Until now. As announced by TrekMovie, a special Lifetime Achievement Saturn award will be given to Stewart, Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Wil Wheaton. That group represents the core ensemble of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," with most of them having appeared in all seven seasons of the TV series and in four movies. Also, all of them have returned to the...
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" has won multiple Saturns in the past, notably winning Best Genre Series twice during its initial run. Additionally, Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner won Saturns for their acting, playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Commander Data respectively. Frustratingly, no other member of the show's venerated ensemble won Saturns for their performance.
Until now. As announced by TrekMovie, a special Lifetime Achievement Saturn award will be given to Stewart, Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Wil Wheaton. That group represents the core ensemble of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," with most of them having appeared in all seven seasons of the TV series and in four movies. Also, all of them have returned to the...
- 2/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The third season of "Star Trek: Discovery" threw the titular ship forward in time by nearly a millennium, landing the U.S.S. Discovery in a time that was very much different from the one they left. In the distant future, the galaxy was recovering from a massive unexplained cataclysm called The Burn, wherein every single starship using dilithium crystals (that is: pretty much all of them) exploded at the same time. The Federation was wounded and shrank to an almost nonexistent entity, and a mercurial, widespread crime ring called the Emerald Chain rose in its place. The Emerald Chain was made up of greedy, vicious capitalists who used violence and slavery to keep their economic chokehold on the quadrant.
One of the characters the Discovery met in this future dystopia was Ryn (Noah Averbach-Katz), an Andorian who reluctantly served as a slave overseer for the wicked Osyraa (Janet Kidder...
One of the characters the Discovery met in this future dystopia was Ryn (Noah Averbach-Katz), an Andorian who reluctantly served as a slave overseer for the wicked Osyraa (Janet Kidder...
- 1/27/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Jonathan Frakes is a long-seasoned veteran of being both behind and in front of the camera. Frakes got to cut his teeth directing on the show that made him a beloved sci-fi character, Star Trek: The Next Generation, where he portrayed Captain Picard‘s second in command, Commander William Riker. Frakes would go on to helm some of the continuing spin-offs of the popular show, as well as the film adaptations. Recently, Frakes got to make a triumphant return as Riker in Star Trek: Picard, but would also direct several episodes.
Deadline now reports that Frakes is set to direct television adaptations of the novel and audiobook series, Deathlands. The novels come from crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik’s indie company, Next Cypher Productions. The show is planning to start production this year and set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria in the spring. Deadline would get a little detail about...
Deadline now reports that Frakes is set to direct television adaptations of the novel and audiobook series, Deathlands. The novels come from crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik’s indie company, Next Cypher Productions. The show is planning to start production this year and set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria in the spring. Deadline would get a little detail about...
- 1/24/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes is to direct a 10-part series based on novel and audio book Deathlands.
The series comes from NextCypher, the indie that crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik launched last year, and is set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria, this spring. When we first told about the show in August 2022, Garzik described it as “Mad Max: Fury Road meets Yellowjackets in an epic post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure.”
Mark A. Altman as the showrunner and executive producer. Thomas P. Vitale and Garzik are also executive producers. Christine Sheaks is handling global casting efforts.
Frakes — known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard and several Star Trek movies — is directing. “One of the things that I find so compelling about Deathlands is that it’s a series about hope and the...
The series comes from NextCypher, the indie that crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik launched last year, and is set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria, this spring. When we first told about the show in August 2022, Garzik described it as “Mad Max: Fury Road meets Yellowjackets in an epic post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure.”
Mark A. Altman as the showrunner and executive producer. Thomas P. Vitale and Garzik are also executive producers. Christine Sheaks is handling global casting efforts.
Frakes — known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard and several Star Trek movies — is directing. “One of the things that I find so compelling about Deathlands is that it’s a series about hope and the...
- 1/24/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The character of Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) was introduced in Nicholas Meyer's 1982 film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Dr. Marcus had invented a revolutionary terraforming technology called the Genesis Wave which could be fired into a planet and rearrange the entire world's ecosystem to make it livable. In "Khan," the technology was still untested, and Dr. Marcus was searching for a life-free planet -- sans even scant microbes -- to terraform. With her was her bitter son David (Merritt Butrick) who expressed quite openly how much he hated the formalism and military underpinnings of Starfleet. He would rather carry out scientific experiments with his mother in peace.
It would eventually be revealed that Dr. Marcus was an old lover of Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) and that David was actually Kirk's long-lost son. "Star Trek II" was at least partially devoted to Kirk reconnecting with Dr. Marcus,...
It would eventually be revealed that Dr. Marcus was an old lover of Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) and that David was actually Kirk's long-lost son. "Star Trek II" was at least partially devoted to Kirk reconnecting with Dr. Marcus,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Darth Vader is synonymous with "Star Wars." George Lucas dubbing his space-set saga "The Tragedy of Darth Vader" is obvious retroactive thinking, but looking at how much of the story centers around the villain, is he wrong? It's not often that a character can become a mascot and remain scary, either. Yet somehow, the Dark Lord of the Sith pulls it off.
What about the actor behind Vader's distinctive black, armored visage? There's been many over the years, even if you may not be able to place their faces. Vader's face being seen so little adds to his mystique and further cements him as a character beyond any one performer.
Indeed, Vader is usually played by more than one actor in the very same movie; the role has traditionally been divided between the man wearing the costume and the one providing Vader's voice. Across major "Star Wars" film and TV productions,...
What about the actor behind Vader's distinctive black, armored visage? There's been many over the years, even if you may not be able to place their faces. Vader's face being seen so little adds to his mystique and further cements him as a character beyond any one performer.
Indeed, Vader is usually played by more than one actor in the very same movie; the role has traditionally been divided between the man wearing the costume and the one providing Vader's voice. Across major "Star Wars" film and TV productions,...
- 1/20/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The final episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," called "All Good Things..." saw Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) becoming unstuck in time, very similar to what happened in Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Slaughterhouse-Five." Picard finds himself in his present, but frequently traveling uncontrollably to a point seven years in his past, just before the first episode of "Next Generation." Then, just as uncontrollably, Picard would be thrown several decades into his future, now a bearded old man wrestling with a brain ailment. Picard's time jumps, it seems, are a test of Q (John De Lancie), the trickster god intent on gauging humanity's moral worthiness for space travel.
The future sequences would likely be most fascinating to Trekkies. Where would the "NextGen" characters be in several decades? Would the Enterprise-d still be in use? Would their careers change? Would the show's main characters remain friends or drift apart? As it so happens,...
The future sequences would likely be most fascinating to Trekkies. Where would the "NextGen" characters be in several decades? Would the Enterprise-d still be in use? Would their careers change? Would the show's main characters remain friends or drift apart? As it so happens,...
- 1/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Hope and Fear", a visiting alien named Arturis (Ray Wise) helpfully translates some coded information that the U.S.S. Voyager had recently discovered on an abandoned communications network. Arturis unexpectedly decodes the location of a nearby empty Starfleet vessel called the U.S.S. Dauntless, an experimental craft that is equipped with a new kind of warp "slipstream" technology. The Dauntless, unbeknownst to the Voyager crew, was sent specifically out to the Delta Quadrant to bring the Voyager crew back to Earth, and Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) is elated.
It will eventually be revealed, of course, that the Dauntless is an elaborate booby trap constructed by Arturis, who had been secretly hellbent on revenge. His species had recently been assimilated by the Borg, and he blamed Janeway for his planet's destruction. About a year earlier, Janeway had allied with the Borg to pass...
It will eventually be revealed, of course, that the Dauntless is an elaborate booby trap constructed by Arturis, who had been secretly hellbent on revenge. His species had recently been assimilated by the Borg, and he blamed Janeway for his planet's destruction. About a year earlier, Janeway had allied with the Borg to pass...
- 1/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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