This is our semi-regular feature we affectionately call “A View from the Bridge.” Here we take a look at the news and happenings in the Star Trek universe.
There is a lot going on so let’s get right into it!
Star Trek: Discovery
Star Trek: Discovery completed its first season on February 11th. Production on season 2 began in April 2018 yet episodes aren’t expected to air until 2019. Many questions remain about what to expect for season 2.
Standouts include the role, if any, Mr. Spock will play in the second season. Not to mention the original USS Enterprise captain, Christopher Pike. The possibilities are endless with the introduction of the original series albeit slightly altered USS Enterprise at the end of the final Discovery episode “Will You Take My Hand.” One detail we do know for sure is Anson Mount has been cast to play Captain Christopher Pike.
Many fans hope to see (SPOILER ALERT) the return of Jason Isaacs as Captain Gabriel Lorca who after being discovered as a traitor from the Mirror universe is killed off.
One key character to watch is Shazad Latif as Ash Tyler. According to show producer Alex Kurtzman, there are “great plans for the character”.
Then there is the pesky question about where in the Prime universe the new series fits in – not to worry, says Kurtzman, there is a plan.
“We are wildly aware of everything that appears to be a deviation from canon. We will close out each of those issues when we close out our ten-year period and hit TOS,” Akiva said at New York Comic Con.
Meanwhile, Star Trek: Discovery has added James Duff on as a new executive producer. While James Dufff is better known for being the creator of The Closer, this will help direct the Discovery writers’ department and two existing producers receive promotions. Jenny Lumet and Olatunde Osunsanmi have both be promoted to the executive producer’s office.
Even More Star Trek!
Eager to capitalize on the success of the current CBS hit series, Star Trek: Discovery, CBS is rumored to be working on numerous spin-offs.
According to Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning writer/producer Alex Kurtzman has signed a $25 million, 5-year deal to expand the franchise. Kurtzman will also take over as producer of Star Trek: Discovery giving all things Star Trek a single unifying direction.
Here are just a few of the rumored new series in the works, each of them :
- Starfleet Academy Series – this idea has been on the table since the 70s
- Khan Noonien Singh based series – one of the favorite characters from the original series. This rumor is complete with Nicholas Meyer Wrath of Khan writer/director returning to helm the series
- New Animated series
The Return of Captain Picard?
Finally, Patrick Stewart is rumored to have already agreed to return as Jean Luc Picard.
Patrick Stewart’s return could be in one of the already rumored series or in still another spin-off series based around the Next Generation. At this point, however, how or where he will return is just speculation.
So many possibilities, so much Star Trek! The return of Khan, Picard, my head is spinning! Oh, wait that’s just the Romulan Ale.
More Star Trek Toys
Todd McFarlane has acquired the rights to produce new Star Trek Toys and action figures. McFarlane Toys, best known for their hyper-realistic looking figures is set to release a slew of new figures.
Included in their recent announcement are:
- Captain Kirk (you can never have enough Captain Kirk figures)
- Captain Picard
- Star Trek: Discovery‘s Michael Burnham
- Star Trek: Discovery‘s T’Kuvma
Also included in the announcement is a screen accurate 1:1 replica of the Star Trek: Discovery hand phaser.
These new McFarlane toys are in addition to the already available toys and figures available from Diamond Select Toys.
For even more about Star Trek toys, check out the great new episode of the Toys That Made Us on Netflix. This original Netflix series explores the history of some of the most famous toys including Lego, Barbie and GI Joe. Season 2 features an episode that explores the rocky start to early Star Trek toy licences.
City on the Edge of Forever
Famed Science Fiction Writer Harlan Ellison, has died at the age of 84. Ellison was a prolific science fiction writer, creating works for Fantastic Magazine, the original Outer Limits, the 80s reboot of the Twilight Zone and Babylon 5 among others. His original story on the Outer Limits was the inspiration to James Cameron’s The Terminator. This plagiarism did not go unnoticed and Harlan Ellison settled out of court and received screen credit for his story.
To Star Trek fans, he is best known for writing the original script treatment that became the award-winning fan favorite The City on the Edge of Forever. Ellison was one of the first prominent science fiction writers that Gene Roddenberry courted for stories for his new series looking for stories. This courtship would become the 28th episode to air in season 1, and widely considered the best original episode of all time.
It did not all start out with awards and accolades. The episode almost never got finished. Ellison’s original story treatment bears little resemblance to the final episode that was aired. The original script featuring drug dealing crew member being sentenced to death by Captian Kirk. The crewmembers death sentence was to be executed by firing squad on an alien planet. The alien planet contained the time machine guarded by 9-foot tall “Guardians of Forever”. These elements and others would become unfilmable in a 60s Gene Roddenberry Star Trek, both for creative and for budget reasons.
While reports vary greatly, the final shooting script was a joint effort, including further input by Gene Roddenberry, Gene L. Coon, and Dorthy Fontana. Ellison obviously was fuming over the edits to his story and wanted his name removed from the credits. Calmer heads prevailed and Harlan Ellison received the only screen credit for the story.
Released in 2015, a full 48 years after the original episode aired, fans can now see Harlan Ellison’s original version. Harlan Ellison’s story is available as a screenplay or a graphic novel. Both available on Amazon.
More Star Trek Toys coming, more Star Trek series, more Star Trek: Discovery – its beginning to feel like Christmas in July!
What Star Trek news have we missed?
Wait did I mention that Star Trek Land may be coming to Universal Studios Parks?
Who can’t wait to see the return of Picard and Khan?
Geeks & Beats will continue to feature more updates on things Star Trek. Until then, “Live Long and Prosper.”
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