I have been attempting to look at the first Trek as a separate entity and compare this show to her successors. I did this with Zephram Cochrane and, now, with the general history as presented in both sets. In the end, I am feel that I am told that I spend too much time with one and that I am acting inapproriately by placing the E.W. in a differnt century with the other.
I feel that what I need is an outside perspective to the issue of Enterprise. I perceive that our emotions and our interests are very connected to this franchise. There seems to be much yelling at each other in a vain attempt to prove to ourselves and to others our notions of Star Trek and Enterprise. I am fatigued of this, and I can't see a way for us to take a few steps back and see the larger picture. So I ask you, is there a means that we can step back and see this picture?
[ July 15, 2001: Message edited by: targetemployee ]
I think I understand what the premise is of this new show. Although it is a prequel, it's trying to be an "updated" Trek, a "Trek for the 21st Century." Let's face it, the TOS predictions for how the future is supposed to look was a '60's point of view, with '60's technology and '60's budget. Unless of course there is some kind of retro revolution in the 23rd century where beehive hairdos and go-go boots come back into style. But that's not my point.
It's about believability. If TPTB continued along the TOS line, where genetic supermen took control of half the Earth in the 1990's, had sleeper ships years ahead of the Space Shuttle, Starfleet personnel who carry around communicators three times the size of today's cell phones, etc., the average "new" Star Trek audience wouldn't get it. We would, of course, but it looks like the die-hard Star Trek fan is not the target audience of this show, hence all the hoopla we've been going on about with continuity, technology, etc.
Am I upset that BermanBraga may not be following set ST continuity? A little. Am I losing sleep over it? No. I'll wait and see what they have to offer before I give my approval or not.
Am I upset over the Akiraprise? Yes, if only because I feel there could have been more of a creative design than a blatant rip-off of another. Would another design more suited to a TOS style 22nd century ease my mind? Maybe, maybe not.
Do I still like TOS, even with this updated prequel? You bet.
[ July 16, 2001: Message edited by: Dukhat ]
But upset? No. Just as Spock reserved the term "fascinating", I resereve the term "upset" for when it really matters - like the real world.