Practically speaking, there's a reason why most aliens on "Star Trek" are humanoid. Not only are they humanoid, but they all share very similar specific features: two legs, two arms, two eyes, one mouth, teeth, and/or hair. Many aliens look identical to humans apart from ridges on their foreheads or elaborate skin markings. This is because all the aliens on "Star Trek" are played by human actors. Very occasionally, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) might encounter a Melkot or a Tholian who were achieved through puppetry or photographic effects, but for the most part, aliens were played by Earth's boring ol' Homo sapiens actors.
By the time the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Chase" aired on April 26, 1993, Trekkies had been watching the franchise long enough to ask why — from an in-canon perspective — all aliens looked like humans. "The Chase" came up with a cute (if not wholly satisfying...
By the time the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Chase" aired on April 26, 1993, Trekkies had been watching the franchise long enough to ask why — from an in-canon perspective — all aliens looked like humans. "The Chase" came up with a cute (if not wholly satisfying...
- 5/19/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There were multiple crossovers between the original "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." This first happened in the 1987 pilot episode of the latter, wherein DeForest Kelley appeared as a very elderly — 137! — Dr. McCoy. Then in 1991's "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. McCoy were put on trial in a Klingon court, and their Klingon defense lawyer was played by "Next Generation" Worf actor Michael Dorn. There is some debate as to whether or not Dorn was playing an ancestor of Worf's in that film. What's more, Sarek (Mark Lenard) appeared on "Next Generation" in an episode devoted to him.
Later still, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) appeared in a two-part episode of "Next Generation" as a rogue diplomat trying to reunify the Romulans and the Vulcans. Luckily, Vulcans are very long-lived. And finally, Scotty (James Doohan) appeared on an episode of "Next Generation," having...
Later still, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) appeared in a two-part episode of "Next Generation" as a rogue diplomat trying to reunify the Romulans and the Vulcans. Luckily, Vulcans are very long-lived. And finally, Scotty (James Doohan) appeared on an episode of "Next Generation," having...
- 5/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
I love Star Trek. It’s one of the most unique fandoms since it features multiple different properties in the same universe. Don’t get me wrong, I love Star Wars, but something about Star Trek that raises it to another level. There are so many shows that are unique in their own way. You have Star Trek T.O.S, Star Trek The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Enterprise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Picard.
The point is that there is something for everyone. Fans are a little bit less toxic than other fandoms. My theory is that because there are so many shows there is at least one show that everyone can agree is good. So if someone were to, let’s say, hate Prodigy,...
The point is that there is something for everyone. Fans are a little bit less toxic than other fandoms. My theory is that because there are so many shows there is at least one show that everyone can agree is good. So if someone were to, let’s say, hate Prodigy,...
- 5/6/2024
- by David Arroyo
- JoBlo.com
The final episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise" -- titled "These Are the Voyages..." -- aired on May 13, 2005, and it looked like the long road of "Star Trek" had finally come to an end. "Enterprise" debuted only two weeks after 9/11, and the world, it seemed, was no longer in the mood for the franchise's optimistic messages about diplomacy and peace. "Star Trek" encouraged people to reach out to enemies and find common ground while the pop world was singing "We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way." By 2005, the franchise's time was finally near.
Yet, as the property limped out the door, fans were presented with a disappointing series finale wherein all the show's loose ends had to be wrapped up in a hurry. To achieve this, the "Enterprise" showrunners conceived a crossover event wherein Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) from "Star Trek: The Next Generation...
Yet, as the property limped out the door, fans were presented with a disappointing series finale wherein all the show's loose ends had to be wrapped up in a hurry. To achieve this, the "Enterprise" showrunners conceived a crossover event wherein Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) from "Star Trek: The Next Generation...
- 5/6/2024
- 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
The Cylons, androids created by man, are the villains of "Battlestar Galactica," but they wear human guises. This reflects how the show's human heroes are all deeply flawed people and humanity's foibles (from arrogance to self-destructive) continue to haunt them even as their technology soars past the modern day.
Indeed, the best villain in "Battlestar Galactica" was a human character: Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes), commander of the Battlestar Pegasus. In the series' pilot min-series, the Cylons attack humanity's 12 colonies. The only survivors appear to be Galactica herself and a handful of civilian spaceships, who set out to find the mythical world Earth to be their new home.
Midway through season 2 in the episode, "Pegasus," the Galactica and her fleet meet the Pegasus, the other Battlestar which survived the genocide.. It doesn't stay a happy reunion for long. In a great dramatic move, Cain pulls rank on Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos...
Indeed, the best villain in "Battlestar Galactica" was a human character: Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes), commander of the Battlestar Pegasus. In the series' pilot min-series, the Cylons attack humanity's 12 colonies. The only survivors appear to be Galactica herself and a handful of civilian spaceships, who set out to find the mythical world Earth to be their new home.
Midway through season 2 in the episode, "Pegasus," the Galactica and her fleet meet the Pegasus, the other Battlestar which survived the genocide.. It doesn't stay a happy reunion for long. In a great dramatic move, Cain pulls rank on Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos...
- 4/21/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- 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
The final episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" — called "All Good Things..." — aired on May 23, 1994. It was an excellent send-off for the show, featuring a complex time-travel story about an eerie spatial phenomenon that gets larger the more it travels back in time. Trekkies could likely have survived for many years on the satisfaction brought to them by "All Good Things..." Unwilling to leave well enough alone, however, Paramount immediately began production on "Star Trek: Generations," the first movie based on "Next Generation." The film opened in theaters on November 18, 1994, just under six months after we last saw the crew of the Enterprise-d. We didn't even get a chance to miss them.
"Generations" is less satisfying than "All Good Things...," as it features a magical temporal nexus that allows Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to come face-to-face with Captain Kirk (William Shatner). The film is all about tiresome passing-the-torch moments that it didn't need.
"Generations" is less satisfying than "All Good Things...," as it features a magical temporal nexus that allows Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to come face-to-face with Captain Kirk (William Shatner). The film is all about tiresome passing-the-torch moments that it didn't need.
- 3/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" is notoriously good to its actors. If a hard-working performer gets a small gig in one episode of "Star Trek," it becomes incredibly likely they'll be invited back for another. Armin Shimerman, for instance, played a talking treasure chest and a random Ferengi character on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" years before he was offered the main role of Quark on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Likewise, Tim Russ played a terrorist on the "Next Generation" episode "Starship Mine" before he became Tuvok on "Star Trek: Voyager." There are dozens of other examples. Once you're in the "Star Trek" family, you'll be a part of it for life.
According to the book "Star Trek: The Next Generation 365," by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann, actress Famke Janssen was offered a venerated spot in the Trek family ... that she turned down. Janssen appeared in the episode "The Perfect Mate" as Kamala,...
According to the book "Star Trek: The Next Generation 365," by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann, actress Famke Janssen was offered a venerated spot in the Trek family ... that she turned down. Janssen appeared in the episode "The Perfect Mate" as Kamala,...
- 3/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- 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
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" isn't quite like any other "Star Trek" show, and when it debuted in 1993, it was quite the departure from both the original series and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Instead of following intrepid explorers on starships trekking across the galaxy, "Deep Space Nine" followed the stories of the people who lived on board the space station Deep Space Nine (DS9) — civilians, Bajoran militia, and Starfleet officers alike. Showrunner Rick Berman was in charge of taking the "Star Trek" universe in a new direction following the success of "The Next Generation," but he ended up looking to a rather old television series for inspiration.
In an interview with StarTrek.com, Berman explained the inspiration behind "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and revealed that he and writer/producer Michael Piller got their biggest idea from a classic 1950s Western. That's pretty great given the fact that "Star Trek...
In an interview with StarTrek.com, Berman explained the inspiration behind "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and revealed that he and writer/producer Michael Piller got their biggest idea from a classic 1950s Western. That's pretty great given the fact that "Star Trek...
- 3/22/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "The Siege of Ar-558," the U.S.S. Defiant is dispatched to a remote outpost where Federation soldiers have captured a Dominion communications relay. This was deep into the seasons-long Dominion War story ark, and "Deep Space Nine" was becoming increasingly bleak. When the Defiant arrives, they find that over 100 Federation soldiers have been killed in trying to keep the array out of the hands of encroaching enemies.
Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) is part of the Defiant's team, and he has never seen combat before. The phaser fire and landmine explosions terrify him, and Nog ends up losing a leg in the battle. In "Star Trek," medical science is advanced enough to grow new legs without any issue, but Nog's sudden limb loss was horrifying. Two episodes later, in "It's Only a Paper Moon," Nog was back on Deep Space Nine, recovering with his new leg.
Ensign Nog (Aron Eisenberg) is part of the Defiant's team, and he has never seen combat before. The phaser fire and landmine explosions terrify him, and Nog ends up losing a leg in the battle. In "Star Trek," medical science is advanced enough to grow new legs without any issue, but Nog's sudden limb loss was horrifying. Two episodes later, in "It's Only a Paper Moon," Nog was back on Deep Space Nine, recovering with his new leg.
- 3/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" is an explicitly pacifist show. Creator Gene Roddenberry was very clear when he invented the premise that "Star Trek" wasn't going to be about inter-species wars, and that battle wasn't going to be the show's focus. True, there are several episodes of the original "Star Trek" series that focus on tactics and battleship-like maneuvers, but the general idea was that the USS Enterprise could solve problems without having to kill or "defeat" anyone.
These notions only became stronger in the days of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a series that was more explicitly about diplomacy and pacifism than the original series. Again, "Star Trek" characters were armed with weapons, but violence was never assumed to be the only natural course of action. If the Federation was ever on the brink of war, it was always spoken of as civilization's ultimate failing. War, Trekkies saw time and again, was...
These notions only became stronger in the days of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a series that was more explicitly about diplomacy and pacifism than the original series. Again, "Star Trek" characters were armed with weapons, but violence was never assumed to be the only natural course of action. If the Federation was ever on the brink of war, it was always spoken of as civilization's ultimate failing. War, Trekkies saw time and again, was...
- 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
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001. The night Enterprise, later to be named Star Trek: Enterprise, premiered with “Broken Bow.” I didn’t get to see it that night, probably since it was a school night and I was 10. I taped it on VHS and watched it with my mom a day or so later. We both enjoyed it well enough.
Until we got to a certain scene.
The crew was just attacked on an alien planet. The plot was ramping up. But first? Trip (Connor Trinneer) and T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) strip down to their underwear and lather each other up with gel. I never get to know why because my mom made me fast forward through the scene, feeling it was, “inappropriate.” We got to the next scene and resumed watching, never speaking of the “inappropriate” scene again. I didn’t rewatch “Broken Bow” until earlier this year and finally got to watch the forbidden scene.
Until we got to a certain scene.
The crew was just attacked on an alien planet. The plot was ramping up. But first? Trip (Connor Trinneer) and T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) strip down to their underwear and lather each other up with gel. I never get to know why because my mom made me fast forward through the scene, feeling it was, “inappropriate.” We got to the next scene and resumed watching, never speaking of the “inappropriate” scene again. I didn’t rewatch “Broken Bow” until earlier this year and finally got to watch the forbidden scene.
- 2/19/2024
- by Shamus Kelley
- Den of Geek
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
Being a "Star Trek" fan is a full-time job unlike any other. While normal people would find hundreds of hours of material a daunting prospect, the average Trekkie has been dutifully conditioned to say things like, "Don't worry, this overall mediocre show finally gets good in season 4" or staunchly defend some of the absolute weirdest and most out-there concepts ever produced in live action.
"Star Trek: Voyager" had plenty of highlights and lowlights in that regard, from that time Captain Katherine Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Lieutenant Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) hooked up with each other after devolving into lizards -- yes, this really happened -- to the horrifying legacy of "Tuvix." But none of it would've been possible had Paramount Television failed to support the production that would become "Voyager" back in its earliest conception. While "Deep Space Nine" gets all the credit for radically reinventing the very idea of what "Trek" could be,...
"Star Trek: Voyager" had plenty of highlights and lowlights in that regard, from that time Captain Katherine Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Lieutenant Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) hooked up with each other after devolving into lizards -- yes, this really happened -- to the horrifying legacy of "Tuvix." But none of it would've been possible had Paramount Television failed to support the production that would become "Voyager" back in its earliest conception. While "Deep Space Nine" gets all the credit for radically reinventing the very idea of what "Trek" could be,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The Dominion War might be the most consequential event in Star Trek history. When the all-powerful Dominion entered the Alpha Quadrant from the Gamma Quadrant via a wormhole near Federation Starbase Deep Space Nine, old enemies had to put aside their differences to band together against a common threat. As Federation planet after planet fell under the Dominion’s control, Starfleet entered into alliances with the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire, even engaging in tactics that violated Starfleet principles.
The Dominion War took up most of the sixth and seventh seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and changed the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant, even driving Cardassians, the major enemy race introduced in the latter seasons of The Next Generation, to fight against their one-time allies the Dominion.
But this raises a question. If the Dominion is so important, then why doesn’t any other...
The Dominion War took up most of the sixth and seventh seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and changed the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant, even driving Cardassians, the major enemy race introduced in the latter seasons of The Next Generation, to fight against their one-time allies the Dominion.
But this raises a question. If the Dominion is so important, then why doesn’t any other...
- 1/30/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
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
The character of Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) first appeared as a background player in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" pilot "Encounter at Farpoint" in 1987. Chief O'Brien was initially just an ancillary character who operated the transporters on the Enterprise-d, and who only passingly interacted with the show's main cast. As the series progressed, however, O'Brien's role became larger and larger, and he came to have his own backstories and relationship. O'Brien would eventually marry Keiko (Rosalind Chao) and have a daughter, and eventually reveal that he's suffering from some long-held war trauma. Ultimately, O'Brien appeared in 52 episodes of "Next Generation" before exiting in the show's sixth season.
The reason O'Brien left was because he had accepted a promotion. He was to become the chief engineer on a rundown Cardassian space station now designated Deep Space Nine by the Federation. Meaney, then, had signed on to be one of...
The reason O'Brien left was because he had accepted a promotion. He was to become the chief engineer on a rundown Cardassian space station now designated Deep Space Nine by the Federation. Meaney, then, had signed on to be one of...
- 12/27/2023
- 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 "Star Trek," Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) has engaged in precious few romances. Early in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," he reunited with an old flame (Michelle Phillips) in the episode "We'll Always Have Paris," and it was implied that he had a fling years earlier with a lawyer (Amanda McBroom) in "The Measure of a Man," but those relationships concluded before "Next Generation" began. Of course, Picard had a wild dalliance with Vash (Jennifer Hetrick) in "Captain's Holiday," lived out a life with his imagined wife (Margot Rose) in "The Inner Light," had a time-travel fling with a classmate (J.C. Brandy) in "Tapestry," and had a very palpable romance with Lieutenant Commander Nella Darren (Wendy Hughes) in "Lessons."
Oh yes, and Picard was very clearly attracted to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), and throughout "Next Generation," Picard and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) shared a professional regard through a definite romantic undercurrent.
Oh yes, and Picard was very clearly attracted to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), and throughout "Next Generation," Picard and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) shared a professional regard through a definite romantic undercurrent.
- 12/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
For such a great show, it's remarkable how many times "Star Trek: The Next Generation" almost didn't get made. Read any behind-the-scenes story from the making of the show and you'll hear about chaos, power struggles, budget restrictions, and moments that almost blew up the entire project. William Shatner's 2014 film "Chaos on the Bridge" candidly documented the best, worst, and wildest stories from the making of the show, setting the record straight on decades-old gossip and giving actors, writers, and producers a chance to explain exactly what the hell was going on at Paramount from 1987 to 1994.
Hilariously, "Chaos on the Bridge" includes an entire section about situations in which legendary actor Patrick Stewart almost got fired. It's impossible to imagine "Star Trek" without its stoic genius Captain Picard, but apparently tensions on set led to at least one instance in which the actor ended up called to task by...
Hilariously, "Chaos on the Bridge" includes an entire section about situations in which legendary actor Patrick Stewart almost got fired. It's impossible to imagine "Star Trek" without its stoic genius Captain Picard, but apparently tensions on set led to at least one instance in which the actor ended up called to task by...
- 12/24/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is pretty unique among "Star Trek" shows in that it deals directly with war and goes to some very dark places with its characters, and no episode depicts that better than "In the Pale Moonlight" from season 6. The episode takes place during the thick of the Dominion War, which saw the Federation battling against Changelings, Jem'Hadar, Vorta, and Cardassians.
As the Dominion forces grow bolder and more violent, Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) must find a way to convince the Romulans to join the side of the Federation and fight. Unfortunately, they have a pact of non-aggression with the Dominion, which makes his job that much more difficult. He ends up using subterfuge and has tailor/spy Garak (Andrew Robinson) help him manufacture fake proof of Dominion plans to overthrow the Romulans once they're done with the Federation. It's a messy business that's morally gray, and...
As the Dominion forces grow bolder and more violent, Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) must find a way to convince the Romulans to join the side of the Federation and fight. Unfortunately, they have a pact of non-aggression with the Dominion, which makes his job that much more difficult. He ends up using subterfuge and has tailor/spy Garak (Andrew Robinson) help him manufacture fake proof of Dominion plans to overthrow the Romulans once they're done with the Federation. It's a messy business that's morally gray, and...
- 12/23/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was the first serialized "Trek" series and remains the one most willing to break with the franchise's utopian vision. As Captain Ben Sisko (Avery Brooks) muses, "It's easy to be a saint in paradise," but "DS9" puts its characters in tough spots with no easy solutions.
The greatest example is season 6, episode 19 — "In The Pale Moonlight." If you haven't seen it, go watch it now (streaming on Paramount+), experience its brilliance unspoiled, and then report back here.
It's the height of the Dominion War and the Federation-Klingon Alliance is losing. If the Dominion is to be defeated, the good guys will need help from the other major power in the galaxy's Alpha Quadrant: the Romulans, who have thus far remained neutral.
So, Sisko enlists Garak (Andrew Robinson), a Cardassian former spy, for espionage help. The plan quickly changes from Garak digging up dirt to him...
The greatest example is season 6, episode 19 — "In The Pale Moonlight." If you haven't seen it, go watch it now (streaming on Paramount+), experience its brilliance unspoiled, and then report back here.
It's the height of the Dominion War and the Federation-Klingon Alliance is losing. If the Dominion is to be defeated, the good guys will need help from the other major power in the galaxy's Alpha Quadrant: the Romulans, who have thus far remained neutral.
So, Sisko enlists Garak (Andrew Robinson), a Cardassian former spy, for espionage help. The plan quickly changes from Garak digging up dirt to him...
- 12/23/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Patrick Stewart Still Carries Regrets About His Relationship With Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry
Throughout his autobiography "Making It So: A Memoir," Patrick Stewart repeatedly emphasizes how Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," didn't really think too much of him. Stewart relates, in detail, the extended process he went through to audition for the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard on "Next Generation," and how Roddenberry routinely ignored him and remained non-communicative. One of Stewart's first meetings with Roddenberry was at Gene's house in Brentwood, California, and the actor recalled getting the cold shoulder. The Paramount staff and casting directors all liked Stewart, but Roddenberry was unimpressed. In William Shatner's informative, hour-long 2014 documentary "Chaos on the Bridge!," Roddenberry was said to have once proclaimed, early in the "Next Generation" casting process, that he never wanted to hear Patrick Stewart's name again.
Ultimately, Paramount and Stewart got what they wanted, and the actor would ultimately play Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons of "Next Generation,...
Ultimately, Paramount and Stewart got what they wanted, and the actor would ultimately play Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons of "Next Generation,...
- 11/5/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Ask any Trekkie, and they'll happily describe the arc of the three "Star Trek" shows that came to ascend in the 1990s. In the cases of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Voyager," the shows started on their rockiest, least interesting seasons as they found their footing. All three shows showed growth during their second seasons but were still staggering to their feet. For the third, fourth, and fifth seasons, the shows had hit their stride, turning out the most interesting stories and exploring exciting new arcs. The sixth and seventh seasons, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue, and the final episodes of each show proved to be a little rocky.
As of this writing, no "Star Trek" show has lasted as long as those three. "Star Trek: Discovery" will end after its fifth season next year, and no one was more sharply aware...
As of this writing, no "Star Trek" show has lasted as long as those three. "Star Trek: Discovery" will end after its fifth season next year, and no one was more sharply aware...
- 10/23/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's well known that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" didn't have the easiest beginning. Virtually no Trekkies list season 1 as their favorite of "Tng." As season 1 aired in the Fall of 1988, the series hit another speed bump: The 1988 Writers Guild of America strike. Production on new TV seasons had to be put on hold as negotiations broke down and writers took to the picket line for increased residuals and creative rights.
This WGA Strike lasted for 154 days from March 7 to August 7, 1988, and remains the longest in the Guild's history, barely eclipsing the recently concluded strike of 2023. To cross-reference, "Next Generation" season 1 would finish its run that May. Instead of running away with the momentum of that first season, it was left up in the air. Had the strike gone on for longer, the series could've died on the vine. Captain Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart, revealed in his new memoir,...
This WGA Strike lasted for 154 days from March 7 to August 7, 1988, and remains the longest in the Guild's history, barely eclipsing the recently concluded strike of 2023. To cross-reference, "Next Generation" season 1 would finish its run that May. Instead of running away with the momentum of that first season, it was left up in the air. Had the strike gone on for longer, the series could've died on the vine. Captain Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart, revealed in his new memoir,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In the sixth season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," in a two-part episode called "Chain of Command", Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was released from his command of the U.S.S. Enterprise so that he may engage in a top-secret mission to a planet called Celtris III. His mission was to infiltrate a secret underground facility and locate a massively dangerous biological weapon that the Cardassians were said to be developing. The mission, however, was based on tainted intelligence, and there was no weapon. Instead, Picard is captured by a sadistic and terrifying Cardassian general named Madred (David Warner) who aims to torture Picard.
Madred didn't need information from Picard, however. The aim of Madred's cool and calculated infliction of pain seemed to be to break Picard's will, to merely prove that a stalwart and loyal officer could be snapped and conditioned. In a particularly vicious game, Madred illuminates...
Madred didn't need information from Picard, however. The aim of Madred's cool and calculated infliction of pain seemed to be to break Picard's will, to merely prove that a stalwart and loyal officer could be snapped and conditioned. In a particularly vicious game, Madred illuminates...
- 10/16/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- 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
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 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
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
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
Because it was set a century before the events of "Star Trek," the 2001 series "Star Trek: Enterprise" had to undergo a massive design overhaul. The title ship couldn't look as slick or as roomy or as functional as the U.S.S. Enterprise did in 1966, so the designers backscaled everything 100 years. They eventually found a perfect sweet spot resting somewhere between modern-day NASA and James T. Kirk.
The cushiness of Federation starships has only increased over time. In the 24th century of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the U.S.S. Enterprise-d was carpeted, calming, and contained a lounge, an arboretum, and a sonic shower in every crew quarter. The bridge even had a control panel mounted on a swooping wooden appliance. In contrast, back in Kirk's 23rd century, the U.S.S. Enterprise was square, more severe, and more functional. There were lounges but they were cramped, and the quarters hardly looked comfortable.
The cushiness of Federation starships has only increased over time. In the 24th century of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the U.S.S. Enterprise-d was carpeted, calming, and contained a lounge, an arboretum, and a sonic shower in every crew quarter. The bridge even had a control panel mounted on a swooping wooden appliance. In contrast, back in Kirk's 23rd century, the U.S.S. Enterprise was square, more severe, and more functional. There were lounges but they were cramped, and the quarters hardly looked comfortable.
- 8/28/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The 1967 revision of the "Star Trek" writer's guide starts by asking the reader a simple question: "Can you find the major 'Star Trek' format error in the following 'teaser' from a story outline?"
"Star Trek" is a franchise that comes with many rules and dictums, many derived from its late creator, Gene Roddenberry. Other times they came from story editors and producers across the franchise's nearly-60-year history. And all of them are fiercely debated among fans in countless fanzines, convention halls, and chat boards, as well as on social media.
But rules are made to be broken, aren't they? Or, at the very least, broadly interpreted... like Starfleet's non-interference directive by some captains. And, to paraphrase Kirk, risk was "Star Trek's" business from day one. So let's look at 13 times when the makers of "Star Trek" took a risk and broke the mold.
Read more:...
"Star Trek" is a franchise that comes with many rules and dictums, many derived from its late creator, Gene Roddenberry. Other times they came from story editors and producers across the franchise's nearly-60-year history. And all of them are fiercely debated among fans in countless fanzines, convention halls, and chat boards, as well as on social media.
But rules are made to be broken, aren't they? Or, at the very least, broadly interpreted... like Starfleet's non-interference directive by some captains. And, to paraphrase Kirk, risk was "Star Trek's" business from day one. So let's look at 13 times when the makers of "Star Trek" took a risk and broke the mold.
Read more:...
- 8/28/2023
- by Maurice Molyneaux
- Slash Film
Sharp-eyed Trekkies can easily see a throughline connecting Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) from "Star Trek: Voyager" directly to T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) from "Star Trek: Enterprise." Seven of Nine was brought onto "Voyager" in its fourth season as an attempt to boost flagging ratings, a mercenary tactic openly admitted by the show's creators. On the special features included on the "Voyager" DVDs, executive producer Brannon Braga suggested to fellow executive Rick Berman that their show should include a Borg as a character. Berman suggested it be "a Borg babe," and history was made. Ryan was squeezed into an architecturally impressive corset, and ratings began to go up.
Prior to and during her acting career on "Enterprise," Jolene Blalock was a professional model, having appeared in multiple magazines like FHM, Maxim, and Playboy, clothed. Casting Blalock as the Vulcan first officer in "Enterprise," then, seemed as mercenary as casting Ryan as...
Prior to and during her acting career on "Enterprise," Jolene Blalock was a professional model, having appeared in multiple magazines like FHM, Maxim, and Playboy, clothed. Casting Blalock as the Vulcan first officer in "Enterprise," then, seemed as mercenary as casting Ryan as...
- 8/27/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" always got a little giddy when Brannon Braga's name appeared in an episode's writing credits. Braga became a staff writer on Tng in its fourth season, right when the show was getting great. Braga was often the one responsible for the weirder, more psychedelic episodes of the show, starting with "Identity Crisis," a 1991 episode wherein Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) transformed into an invisible alien.
Braga proceeded to write the episode wherein multiple clones of Data (Brent Spiner) took over an Old West town. He wrote the episode wherein the Enterprise was caught in a time loop and didn't notice until several go-throughs of being destroyed. He wrote the one where Riker (Jonathan Frakes) woke up in an alien asylum, convinced the Enterprise was a hallucination. He wrote the one where Barclay (Dwight Schultz) devolved into a spider and the one where Data started having nightmares.
Braga proceeded to write the episode wherein multiple clones of Data (Brent Spiner) took over an Old West town. He wrote the episode wherein the Enterprise was caught in a time loop and didn't notice until several go-throughs of being destroyed. He wrote the one where Riker (Jonathan Frakes) woke up in an alien asylum, convinced the Enterprise was a hallucination. He wrote the one where Barclay (Dwight Schultz) devolved into a spider and the one where Data started having nightmares.
- 8/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's hard to imagine there are many Trekkies in the world who are immensely fond of Russell Watson's rendition of "Where My Heart Will Take Me," the theme song to "Star Trek: Enterprise." Imagine if Rod Stewart were straining to produce a particularly stubborn bowel movement, and you can hear the gravelly strains of Mr. Watson's vocals. The insipid lyrics wax elegiac about the progress we've made "getting from there to here," and how the singer's "time is finally near." No one can hold back the song's narrator as he has "faith of the heart." Nothing's gonna bend or break him. The effect of the song is more or less equivalent to a black-bordered inspirational poster hung on a corporate office wall next to a cubicle. You have strength of the soul.
One might be able to see why the makers of "Star Trek: Enterprise" wanted a pop song,...
One might be able to see why the makers of "Star Trek: Enterprise" wanted a pop song,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
To briefly look back: on March 3, 1991, a man named Rodney King was pulled from his car by several L.A.P.D. officers following a high-speed chase on the 210 freeway in the San Fernando Valley. He was pushed to the ground and beaten savagely by the cops. The beating was captured on video and proliferated on local news broadcasts as yet another example of police brutality, especially as it was directed toward L.A.'s Black community. It should be noted that Darryl Gates, the local police chief, had been a key player in Operation Hammer, a dramatic push to aggressively militarized the Los Angeles Police Department. Under Gates' rule, complaints about police brutality rose 33% for a five-year period beginning in the mid-'80s. Hate and violence ran rampant in the police department, and it was allowed to go unchecked for years.
The cops who beat up King were arrested and put on trial for using excessive force.
The cops who beat up King were arrested and put on trial for using excessive force.
- 8/21/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry died on October 24, 1991, at the age of 70. It was pretty widely known that Roddenberry widely used cocaine, quaaludes, methamphetamines, and a variety of other recreational drugs, a fact discussed tastefully and frankly in Joel Engel's 1994 biography "Gene Roddenberry: The Myth and the Man Behind Star Trek." Roddenberry's health suffered as a result of his drug use, and his body was dealt a major blow in 1989 when he suffered a stroke. He was still working on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" at the time but had to take a step back in the show's third season for health reasons.
The show continued until 1994, and Roddenberry — already famous for creating "Star Trek" in 1966 — lived long enough to see his legacy cemented in a new decade. "NextGen" represented a "purer" version of Roddenberry's vision as presented back in 1966. This one was his baby.
Near the end of Roddenberry's life,...
The show continued until 1994, and Roddenberry — already famous for creating "Star Trek" in 1966 — lived long enough to see his legacy cemented in a new decade. "NextGen" represented a "purer" version of Roddenberry's vision as presented back in 1966. This one was his baby.
Near the end of Roddenberry's life,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The world changed a lot in the 20 years that "Star Trek" was off-air. The Cold War was all but over when "The Next Generation" began airing in 1987. So, it made sense to reimagine the Klingons, who during "The Original Series" had been the Ussr stand-ins to the Federation's America. Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross' behind-the-scenes book, "The 50-Year Mission," details how the "Tng" writers did so.
David Gerrold, a writer on "Tos" who returned for "Tng," pitched a Klingon First Officer on the Enterprise-d. The parallels to Spock (Leonard Nimoy) would be obvious; producer Robert H. Justman even suggested the Klingon be half-human.
But wait, Worf wasn't the first officer on the Enterprise-d. That's because this idea was vetoed by "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry did not want to use the villains from "The Original Series" — his "Tng" production bible says Klingons and Romulans are verboten. Associate producer D.C. Fontana...
David Gerrold, a writer on "Tos" who returned for "Tng," pitched a Klingon First Officer on the Enterprise-d. The parallels to Spock (Leonard Nimoy) would be obvious; producer Robert H. Justman even suggested the Klingon be half-human.
But wait, Worf wasn't the first officer on the Enterprise-d. That's because this idea was vetoed by "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry did not want to use the villains from "The Original Series" — his "Tng" production bible says Klingons and Romulans are verboten. Associate producer D.C. Fontana...
- 8/20/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
I have vivid memories of seeing "Star Trek: Nemesis" on December 13, 2002 (the film's opening day) and learning what true pop culture disappointment felt like. "Star Trek" had been a part of my life and my home for as long as I could remember. Even lesser "Star Trek" was still "Star Trek." But "Nemesis" was different. It was bad in unique ways. It was bad in ways that didn't feel like "Star Trek." My life as a movie and TV fan, as a "Star Trek" fan, hinges on that day. The day I learned that the things I loved could actively hurt me. There are worse films out there, yes, but few carry the profound stench of disappointment quite like this one, a film that took one of the greatest casts of characters in science fiction history and gave them a conclusion so half-assed that it felt like a personal insult.
- 8/14/2023
- by Jacob Hall
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" introduced us to pop culture's truest Space Dad in the form of Patrick Stewart's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, a noble, commanding, trustworthy father figure for an entire generation of science fiction-loving dorks. But could you ask Captain Picard about girls? About alcohol? About having a good time? Of course not. That wouldn't be dignified for either of you. That's where Jonathan Frakes' Commander William Riker comes in. The Enterprise's First Officer was younger and a bit cockier (and a lot sillier) than the captain. He was a ladies' man, but one who always seemed respectful. He was always down for a good time, but was ready when duty called. He was charming, but never creepy. Tough, but never macho. Frakes had tapped into something special. He was the Space Uncle we all needed. We aspire to be like Picard. We learn how to live from Riker.
- 8/11/2023
- by Jacob Hall
- Slash Film
When Star Trek Generations came out in 1994, it did a lot better than anyone expected. In fact, it did just about as well at the box office as Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country did, leading many to believe that the Next Generation crew seemed primed for a long run on the big screen. Up to this point, Paramount’s primary goal for making Star Trek movies was to keep the budgets as low as possible. After all, the series never did all that well internationally, so there was no reason to give them an A-budget. But, that thinking changed, for a while anyway, when Paramount went ahead and greenlit the most ambitious Star Trek movie since The Motion Picture: Star Trek First Contact.
None of the enemies the Next Generation crew faced on the Enterprise D were more feared – or iconic than the Borg. A hive collective of cyborgs that consisted of assimilated humans,...
None of the enemies the Next Generation crew faced on the Enterprise D were more feared – or iconic than the Borg. A hive collective of cyborgs that consisted of assimilated humans,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
"Star Trek: Enterprise" struggled throughout its four-season run. A prequel set in the 22nd century, before the Federation's founding, the series often felt like "Star Trek" was stuck in the past in more ways than one. The first two seasons hardly broke from the typical "Trek" formula despite the unfamiliar setting and the show bled viewership. Shake-ups in seasons 3 and 4 weren't enough to save the series. "Enterprise" was the first "Star Trek" since the original to not reach seven seasons and it put the franchise on hiatus, cementing its black sheep reputation. It didn't help that the series finale, "These Are The Voyages..." was a clunker.
The episode is centered around "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, "The Pegasus." In that episode, Will Riker's (Jonathan Frakes) former commanding officer Admiral Pressman (Terry O'Quinn) comes to the Enterprise to lead a recovery mission of his old ship, the source of the episode's title.
The episode is centered around "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, "The Pegasus." In that episode, Will Riker's (Jonathan Frakes) former commanding officer Admiral Pressman (Terry O'Quinn) comes to the Enterprise to lead a recovery mission of his old ship, the source of the episode's title.
- 8/7/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Since concluding its seven-season run on May 23, 1994, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" has held up remarkably well. It took a season or two for the series to truly find its footing, but once it did the show not only matched but expanded on the Original Series' intellectually acute exploration of humankind at its very best and absolute worst. "Tng" was especially vital in the late '80s and early '90s as we witnessed the demolition of the Berlin Wall and the fall of the Soviet Union. There wasn't a show on television at the time that wrestled with our rapidly changing post-Cold War world more thoughtfully or bravely.
One element "Tng" shared in common with Og "Star Trek" was its adherence to an unfussy visual house style that left editors plenty of options as they tore through a 26-episode season order. This was television, where, very rare exceptions, the writers and actors were king.
One element "Tng" shared in common with Og "Star Trek" was its adherence to an unfussy visual house style that left editors plenty of options as they tore through a 26-episode season order. This was television, where, very rare exceptions, the writers and actors were king.
- 8/7/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
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