40th

Star Trek is turning 40 today. Seems to me we could all need a bit IDIC.

STS-114 shuttle mission summary

NASA has a really neat summary of what the shuttle mission is about, what has been changed since the Columbia tragedy in 2003 and who the crew members are. It features an introduction by Scott Bakula from the NX Enterprise’s bridge. (And there I thought I’d seen the last of Captain Archer.)

Watch it here: link

Optimistic outlook offered by Star Trek will be missed

Science fiction has long been associated with a bold look at what the future may bring. It involves stories that focus as much on exploring human nature as on technology. The best stories, be they in the form of the written word, on television, at the movies or even on radio, have always evoked a sense of hope that humanity as a whole will overcome even those problems that may now seem overwhelming.

But last week an era in entertainment that had attempted to do just that came to a close: For the first time in over 18 years, no Star Trek project is being produced at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Since early production began on what would become the first big-screen adventure in 1978, stages 8 and 9 of the Paramount lot are now empty for the first time.

This largely unbroken production run saw the creation of 10 movies and four television shows that totaled over 700 episodes. But with the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise and no replacement on the drawing board, for the first time since 1987 there will be no new episodes of the popular show.

It’s true that entertainment, just like most things in our society, is based on what has money-making potential. But to a large extent good science fiction has had more in common with Greek morality plays or Shakespearean theater than average TV programs. Long-running storylines were often parables of what was happening in “real life” at the time the shows were produced.

In the early days of the classic Star Trek television show featuring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, the psychedelic-colored sets and props were largely stand-ins that allowed the discussion of social problems of the time that otherwise would never have made it past the network’s censors.
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Funding of new Marshall Center causes concerns

It’s that time of the semester again: Students are informed that the planned renovation and enhancement of the University of South Florida’s Phyllis P. Marshall Center are well on track. As usual, the announcement leaves most of the details shrouded in mystery, most importantly, the definite time the new building will open.

Students get apprehensive about such announcements, as many object to paying fees for the construction of a building that is likely to be completed around the same time — if not after — many of them graduate and leave USF.
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U.S. Supreme Court rejects bid to keep Enterprise on the air

In a devastating setback for Star Trek fans around the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Friday that UPN cannot be forced to keep the low-rated ?Enterprise? series on the air, clearing the way for the program?s death on May 13th. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the minority, wore a Star Trek outfit in protest of the decision, noting that fans are ?on the verge of a warp core breach.? Dateline: Hollywood

Star Trek: Enterprise cancelled

Forgot to post this yesterday: Star Trek: Enterprise has been cancelled. The official press release from Paramount/UPN can be found here.

Considering how the world could very well do with an hour of hopeful outlook at least once a week, that’s a damn shame.
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Enterprise renewed for 4th season, Enterprise iCal callendar

Just for the record: UPN announced today that Enterprise is renewed for a 4th season. The show, however, will move to Friday night 9 p.m. (21.00 for us civilized people). Ironically that’s the same spot the original Star Trek was moved to in its 3rd season before it was cancelled by NBC. Good or bad omen? We’ll see next year.

Tune in next Wednesday for the season finale. The official announcement is here link

This may also be a good time to say that I have been maintaining an Enterprise iCal calendar. More details here link.

Save Enterprise

UPN is thinking about canceling Enterprise. If you have a minute give them a call at UPN: 1-310-575-7000 (ask for the SaveEnterprise.com voice mail, or if after hours press 3) and politely ask them not to cancel the show.

Apparently enough people are calling UPN for them to warrant a designated voice mail line and a recent press release said they are listening to every call. So call them, at least once, and let them know you like the show and watch it. I’d hate to see this show go the path of Farscape.

morons in charge

I simply had to comment on this statement by a high UPN exec. According to thisTri City Herald article Enterprise may be cancelled next season. But the real kicker is the moronic way in which it was announced.

“You see the new stuff, you see the old stuff, and you compare and say, ‘What is the better schedule?’ So it’s not like, ‘Gee, if Enterprise is up 10 percent between now and May, it will get picked up.’ It’s rather - you know, it’s not a science, but it’s, ‘All right. How do we build Wednesday better?’ ‘Does it include Enterprise?’ Very possibly. ‘Does it not?’ Possibly as well.” link
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Designer of the original Enterprise dies

Walter ‘Matt’ Jefferies died last Sunday. The truly visionary designer probably was one of the most influencial scifi artists that ever lived and will be deeply missed.

I really hate this. The people I grew up with, the hero’s of my childhood, are slowly dying off..

Activision sues Viacom because Star Trek sucks

Talk about weird lawsuits…
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The Expanse

Enterprise’s conclusion to its second season The Expanse definitely was a pleasant surprise. A well acted, produced and written episode that was not afraid to try new things while drawing on already established characters and events.
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First Flight

Updated: A reader pointed out that the bar 602 existed near the university Rick Berman attended.

This is why, after 10 years, I still like to watch Star Trek on a regular basis.

After last week?s ?swashbuckling? (to use the dreaded Braga/Berman phrase) Borg-action episode Regeneration , this weeks first out of the double bill of Enterprise episodes that night, could not be any more different from last week?s and offers a thoughtful character piece exploring the choices Archer made to become captain.
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Regeneration

When I read the premise of this episode some weeks ago, I could not help but feel anxious about it. I had a bad feeling that the writers would revisit every clich? that Voyager fans learned to hate over the run of that show.

I really hate to be right sometimes.
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The Crossing

A solid episode that is overshadowed by worries about possible future developments.
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Canamar

An intense, action packed episode to the end. What drugs are they on while scoring the show out of a sudden?
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Cease Fire

The Andorians are back!
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Stigma

Finally a thoughtful episode.
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