A new Star Trek series will boldly go to stream and prosper with fans across the globe in 2017.
Trek film producer Alex Kurtzman will be the executive producer of the upcoming show that “will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its start in 1966.
What do you want to see in the next chapter of the beloved sci-fi franchise?
Here’s our wishes and dreams for the next Trek:
Episodic With An Endgame:
The original was the perfect example of episodic TV. One and done episodes repeat well with the masses but we don’t want to see CSI: Galaxy or NCIS: Space. The success of current genre shows may tempt producers to serialize the series. Trek is best when everyone is welcome on the bridge. Viewers should be able to join in anytime but for regulars there should be a fun ride toward an endgame like The X-Files did so well. A series about a crew on starship should ultimately go on a destination. I loved the ongoing Dominion War on Deep Space Nine but producers never forgot the crew’s escapes to Vic Fontaine’s holosuite Vegas club.
Do We Really Have to All Get Along?
Visionary Gene Roddenberry gave us a positive vision of the future. The new series should take inspiration from Deep Space Nine and mix some high drama and culture clashes between characters on a journey to greater understanding instead of a united crew vs the alien enemy of the week.
Diversity on Board:
The original series made history with a kiss and multi-ethnic crew. Previous series told “kind of” gay themed stories with alien cultures but it’s time for a GLBT main character. It’s time to break new ground again with creating a gay, bi or trans officer or have a married gay couple on board. Should we have an Arab, Indian or Hispanic commanding officer? Will there be new Starfleet officers with new and unique needs of a ship in this next chapter. Take a look at Star Trek: New Frontier novels by Peter David for a diverse new crew.
Diversity on Board, Part Two:
Who’s in the writing room? Want breakthrough characters, groundbreaking casting and new story ideas to push the franchise forward – start with a diverse team of writers and producers. Want to see what I mean? Watch Far Beyond The Stars, one of our favorite Star Trek episodes ever that put Captain Sisko into the body of an African-American sci-fi writer trying to get published in 1950’s, a fascinating meta parallel about race, inclusion and dreams.
Captain Courageous:
Who is the best person for the Captain’s chair? It’s time for a boundary breaking character creation and casting. After the creation of Benjamin Sisko and Kathryn Janeway, the leads become straight white males again. It’s time for a courageous choice that will continue to take the show warp speed in new directions.
The View From Space:
Star Trek is best when it reflects our world. Science fiction serves as a way to explore our problems, opportunities. Trek needs to continue being socially relevant.
New Villains:
Borg, Klingons, Romulans, Khan – we shouldn’t see them until long after the series launches. It’s time for a new threat to the Federation. Later series gave us Cardassians, the Dominion and Jem’ Haddar. Maybe there’s a friendly rival to the United Federation of Planets? It’s a big universe out there.
No Time Travel. At least for a few seasons. I’m more a fan of the visits to the “Mirror, Mirror” universe.
What do YOU want to see in a new Star Trek series?
By Editor