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| THE NEW STAR TREK MANIFESTO |
More then four decades ago Gene Roddenberry set out on one mission; to create a high quality and socially relevant science fiction series for television. For the first decade and a half his vision worked far beyond his expectations; Star Trek went from a successful syndicated television show into a cultural phenomenon that spawned Star Trek The Next Generation, during whose time Star Trek went from an phenomenon to almost a way of life to some people. Tragedy struck when Mr. Roddenberry passed away in 1992. A year later Star Trek Deep Space Nine was introduced and very gradually through the decade Star Trek’s retreated from it’s golden age.
I share a belief with many others that the reason for this occurring is a change in popular culture. Those who once embraced Star Trek’s sense of hope, optimism and humanity began wanted their contemporary, but shifting interests and concerns reflected in the show. So in the two spin off series’ and movies of that time Star Trek showcased a more contemporary, cynical message. While the emphasis on sci-fi violence and conflict certainly did a lot to sell Star Trek as a franchise the show ceased to be a phenomenon and merely another successful sales bonanza. The result was a Star Trek with much surface value but little underneath.
By the mid 90’s the vision of cultural diversity in the show gave way to the most politically correct of stereotypes- each spin off had an Asian, female and brown skinned cast member. The episodes began focusing on operatic, serialized plots that forced one to watch week after week, offering nothing in the way of story development. Also Star Trek was beginning to have serious detractors. A slew of TV programs and much literature was being written on the science of Star Trek, again applying the shows imaginative subtext towards “real life”. Even some Star Trek fans began seeing the show they once worshiped as out of reach, as unrealistic for the future.
However not too long ago another unusual occurrence in Star Trek occurred. Star Trek's 50 th anniversary is upon us with no new Star Trek series' on television. The most recent spin off Enterprise didn't inspire very much attention from viewers and promoters and is the second shortest lived Star Trek series in history, outlasting the first Star Trek with a mere four season run from 2001 to 2005. So now many nay Sayers have gotten their wish- we now more or less live in a world without Star Trek. Counter to the old saying Star Trek no longer lives.
Yet now there is something stirring in the air. The internet hosts many Star Trek related fan groups, some sponsored by the shows official website and a large community on sights like my space and tribe. And this is how I discovered that there are a number of individuals who wish to see Star Trek live and thrive again. Some merely speak about their opinions on it and others are seriously committed to bring it back to television. This gave me an opportunity to use the internet to revive the Explorer and put the idea back on track again.
It’s also important to state that if Star Trek is to move into the future successfully, it needs to keep in mind the mistakes and mishandling that led to it’s current state. Many I am sure have their own opinions what these are but here are my own ideas. First off, any new Star Trek should have a member of the Roddenberry family involved in the production. It was them after all who helped the most in keeping the series surviving in it’s time of need. In the same spirit Star Trek worked best when made direct to syndication-time has proved again and again that under a TV network Star Trek simply fizzles out of public acclaim quickly. And is usually poorly promoted.
This manifesto is about re accessing the past, about moving into the future of Star Trek while talking into account various aspects of it’s past. And most of all it is about helping find a way to bring Star Trek back to bring a message of hope and human unity to people, as well as many unique scientific ideas. It’s about using imagination to accomplish something great in reality.This is dedicated to all of those who have lived through and loved Star Trek over the years and who wish to see it continue. In this blog designed to forward the mission of my manifesto,I will be reviewing every episode of Star Trek in chronological order. The point being to emphasize not a stereotypical obsession with the show,but rather the important messages each conveys. Enjoy!
Well, i whole heartly agree but there was something catching and gripping about dS9. The cast was prob the most steller, and the writing picked up in season three the Die is Cast. I didnt care for and couldnt finish Voyager. Although I am a fan of the captain Janway. Lastly I hope Star Trek will return to the home tube but perhaps the thing that has the best chance of this is Michael Dorns "Kick Start" to have a Worf Series on Netflix or You Tube
ReplyDeleteI think one of the problems, and you sort of hit on it, is that the audiences today are not the same as they were in the 1960's, 70's or 80's. You're looking at 30 plus years of people maturing and changing as they live their lives. Then those people have kids who grow up watching a different kind of television than what we grew up with. Attitudes get learned from what they see and then they get comfortable with it. Sure, some things never change, but in the world of entertainment, people's needs do. That's why J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK is what's passing for STAR TREK now. The rest of us who grew up with Roddenberry's TREK will never really embrace this pale imitation, but Paramount will go to where the money is at. And right now, it's not us.
ReplyDeleteSo that leaves the Roddenberry fans with a simple question; how do we become relevant again? One way is the efforts being made by fans to use the internet as a means to continue the Gene Roddenberry vision of STAR TREK. Paramount, at least, has been cooperative in allowing this underground movement to go on, so long as it doesn't cross legal lines. Another way is to build websites, like this one, to rally the older fans and perhaps bring in new ones. Writing books based on Gene Roddenberry's STAR TREK is another way to promote the original vision, although Paramount has never canonized any STAR TREK novel as far as I know.
I'm sure that Gene Roddenberry would have never backed J.J. Abrams' TREK if he were still alive today. But he did know that TREK would have to change as the decades passed to remain relevant to the times. People aren't looking for hopeful messages right now, they're looking for distraction. So that's what'll sell STAR TREK. A time may come when people will want to go back to hopeful messages again, and if STAR TREK is still around it will find new life.