‘Star Trek’ Series Inspires New Hope With Two Veterans
Star Trek is stirring up a great deal of debate between fans, and while this is par for the course, since J.J. Abrams divided the fanbase, this time there may be reason for hope. CBS is pulling in two veteran Trek men to helm the new series and each of them has the past credentials to prove their loyalty to the Star Trek canon as set forth by creator Gene Roddenberry. This can’t really be seen as anything other than a positive light, so where does the debate come in? In trying to guess the setting for this new Trek series. In which reality will it take place? And in which era? There are far too many unanswered questions at this stage and that is what has so many Star Trek fans chomping at the bit.
Who Will Be Running The Series?
By now, it’s old news that CBS has brought in Bryan Fuller as the executive producer on their new Star Trek series, but why should that be such great news? Having written and created such shows as Hannibal and Pushing Up Daisies, there can be no denying Bryan’s dedication to excellence in crafting a story. That’s just a bonus.
What really grabs the attention of Star Trek fans is his past experience writing for Deep Space Nine and Voyager, indicating that, as the showrunner for the new Star Trek series, he will be loyal to canon.
Who Will Be Writing Star Trek?
Now, CBS has brought in another Star Trek heavyweight. This time, their recruit comes from the Star Trek films and it’s a familiar name among millions of Trekkers. Nicholas Meyer has been brought in to write for the new series, adding even more hope that we will see a return to traditional Star Trek stories.
When J.J. Abrams refashioned Star Trek, he did so as a Star Wars fan and the two franchises are entirely different beasts. While Star Wars promotes the idea of a lone hero conquering tyranny and utilizes non-stop science fiction action, Star Trek is more cerebral, using science fiction to comment on current social issues. Fans look for that in Trek.
Now, as Nicholas Meyer joins Bryan Fuller, we may see a return to that thought provoking, yet entertaining Star Trek of yesterday.
“Nicholas Meyer chased Kirk and Khan ’round the Mutara Nebula and ’round Genesis’ flames, he saved the whales with the Enterprise and its crew, and waged war and peace between Klingons and the Federation,” said showrunner Bryan Fuller in a statement. “We are thrilled to announce that one of Star Trek‘s greatest storytellers will be boldly returning as Nicholas Meyer beams aboard the new Trek writing staff.”
Meyer wrote screenplays for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), but his greatest accomplishment came with The Wrath of Khan. Following the financial disappointment of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Meyer was brought in to direct the second film. The result revitalized the franchise and made it possible for the network to finance future films.
As more news becomes available, we will eventually learn what this new Star Trek team has in store for fans. It may be an entirely new reboot, or perhaps a new crew aboard a completely refitted Enterprise F, picking up where Picard’s crew left off. Star Trek will surely bring us a good mix of old and new aliens, as well as both familiar and exotic worlds, but how will current events shape the future of the Federation?
The new Star Trek series is expected to premiere early in 2017.
[Image by Paramount/CBS]
